27 Calgary events you can't miss this fall

Fall is here and there are plenty events happening around town! From Pumpkin Patches to world renowned comedians, there is lots to do in Calgary this season. Start planning ahead and fill up your calendars.

See also

• 41 things to do in Calgary this October

Here are 27 things happening in Calgary this fall

Free things to do

A guided walk through Edworthy Park

• What: A City of Calgary environmental educator will take you on a fun and informative guided walk in the city’s beautiful Edworthy Park. Learn about the park’s origin and wildlife, explore the historical Lawrey Gardens and enjoy the peaceful sights and sounds of nature in Calgary’s magnificent Bow River valley. This event is Wheelchair and stroller accessible and no registration is required.
• Where: Edworthy Park – 5050 Spruce Drive SW
• When: Saturday, October 1 from 10 to 11:30 am
• Cost: Free

Free Swim at Renfrew Aquatic & Recreation Centre

• What: Get a few hours of swimming free courtesy Renfew Aquatic & Recreation Centre. Two session times with a half an hour break in the middle that might be waived if capacity permits.
• Where: Renfrew Aquatic & Recreation Centre – 810 13 Avenue NE
• When: October 10 from 1 to 2:30 pm and 3 to 4:30 pm
• Cost: Free

Free Pumpkin Spice Pancake Breakfast

• What: Head to ENMAX Park on Saturday, October 15 for a Community Fall Fair. Enjoy a day of fall festivities including a free pumpkin spice pancake breakfast, food trucks, music and entertainment, kids’ activities and a market featuring local produce and handmade goods.
• Where: ENMAX Park, Stampede Park
• When: Saturday, October 15
• Cost: Free

Farmers Markets

Visit a Farmers’ Market

Popular among chefs, home cooks, and local gastronomes, farmers’ markets have become an integral part of Calgary’s food landscape. Not only do these community events grant local farmers, growers, and bakers the opportunity to connect with urban folk but they also provide them with a space to show off their seasonal favourites. Here’s a quick list of a few.

• Calgary Farmers’ Market 
• Crossroads Market
• Symons Valley Ranch
• DJ Market
• Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers’ Market
• Marda Loop Farmers’ Market

Bridgeland Riverside Farmers’ Market

• What: Visit Bridgeland Riverside Farmers’ Market for their outdoor farmers market! Enjoy eating at local vendor stations, dance to live music and shop until you drop. For the kiddos, there are free activities set up.
• Where: Bridgeland Riverside Farmers’ Market – 917 Centre Avenue NE
• When: Thursday, October 6 from 3:30 to 7:30 pm

Art and theatre

Disney in Concert: Tale As Old As Time

• What: For the big kids, get taken back to the time of VHS – for the little ones use your imagination as The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra takes you into the land of Frozen, Tangled, Cinderella and more!
• Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall – 205 8 Avenue SE
• When: Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8
• Cost: Starting at $20

Dracula

• What: Get into the Halloween spirit with the most beloved vampire tale of all time –Dracula. Let Alberta Ballet sweep you away into dark Transylvania, where mystery, lust, death and immortality rule the night
• Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW
• When: October 27 to 29

Howie Mandel

• What: Whether you know him as a stand-up comic, Host of Deal or No Deal, judge on America’s Got Talent, or Mr. Clean’s stunt double, you know Howie Mandel. He’s done countless comedy specials, hosted a talk show with his own name in the title, and performs as many as 200 concerts a year throughout North America.
• When: Friday, November 18, Doors open 7 pm, show 8 pm
• Where: Grey Eagle Resort and Casino – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive
• Cost: $39.50-$69.50 plus s/c via TicketBreak.

Amy Schumer

• What: Amy Schumer is the only female comic to ever sell out Madison Square Garden. And now she’s coming to take over Calgary. Well, to be more specific, the Train Wreck star is launching a 50+ city world tour where she’ll also hit up several other Canadian cities including Edmonton, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto.
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
• When: Tuesday, November 29 at 7 pm

Mamma Mia!

• What: Calling all ABBA fans, this has your name written all over it. The songs are all culled from the Swedish super-group’s songbook, and this is one Broadway show where singing along (and dancing in the aisles) is encouraged
• Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW
• When: November 1 to 6

Food and drink festivals

Calgary Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival

• What: The Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival is back for two days of indulgence on October 14 and 15. The Festival offers the opportunity to sample an extensive variety of world-class wine, scotch, premium spirits, import and micro-brewed beer along with gourmet culinary creations from local restaurants, hotels and food purveyors.
• Where: Stampede Park BMO Centre, Halls D & E
• When: Friday, October 14 from 5 to 10 pm; Saturday, October 15 from 12 to 4 pm and 6 to 10 pm
• Cost: $23 to $37 plus GST, 18+

Autumn Pumpkin Festival

• What: Taking place over four weekends in October, The Autumn Pumpkin Festival does not take place on weekdays except for Thanksgiving Monday. Enjoy the Fun Farm,Petting Zoo, Corn Mazes, Pony rides, Pumpkin Patch games, crafts and more!
• Where: 284022 Township Road 224, Rockyview, Alberta
• When: October 1 and 2, October 8 to 10, October 15 and 16, October 22 and 23
• Cost: 13.80+gst (kids under 2 free)

Festivals and other events

YYComedy Festival

• What: Aiming to present the highest quality shows possible at affordable prices, you’ll be able to pick from shows by 50 different standup comedians. Headliners this year include icon Janeane Garofalo, who has featured in The Ben Stiller Show, Saturday Night Live, The West Wing and several critically acclaimed movies.
• Where: Multiple comedy venues around Calgary
• When: Thursday, September 29 through Saturday, October 1, times vary
• Cost: Tickets available online, prices vary from show to show

Alberta Culture Days

• What: Taking place all over the province, there are over 30 culture day events taking place in Calgary, including a massive block party.
• Where: All over the city
• When: September 30 to October 2

Wordfest 2016

• What: Wordfest is a 10-day festival which sparks lively, illuminating and meaningful conversations between Calgary’s readers and the world’s most engaging writers. Wordfest’s trademark events include readings, workshops, panel discussions and in-school presentations from authors writing in every genre and for all ages.
• Where: Locations all around Calgary
• When: October 7 to 16
• Cost: Varies – see website for tickets to events

Calgary Zombie Evasion

• What: The Calgary Zombie Evasion is a CHIP-TIMED 5km individual and team event! The trail run event takes place at North Glenmore Park and each runner will wear a flag football-style belt. You never know where the Zombies will appear.If you make it through the course with any of your flags left, you’ve finished “alive”! If the zombies take all of your flags….you’ve become infected and will finish as a part of the “undead”.
• Where: North Glenmore Park – 7305 Crowchild Trail SW
• When: Saturday, October 22
• Cost: Individual race $65

Western Canadian Hungarian Folk Festival

• What: This festival is a 3 day event held during the Thanksgiving weekend where Hungarian culture, music, art and dance come alive and bring together hundreds of dancers, musicians and folk enthusiasts.  This year, Calgary has the immense pleasure of hosting the 38^th annual event in this beautiful and vibrant city.  Calgary’s folk dance groups, Bartók Dancers and Vadrózsa, look forward to welcoming the many dancers, folk enthusiasts and wonderful guests.
• Where: The Westin Calgary – 320 4th Avenue SW
• When: October 7 to 10

Concerts and parties

The Dixie Chicks

• What: Country music legends the Dixie Chicks are coming to the Scotiabank Saddledome as part of their DCX World Tour MMXV1. The Dixie Chicks have been on the scene for over 25 years, releasing seven studio albums, winning 13 Grammy Awards, and playing hundreds of shows around the world.
• When: Saturday, October 1 at 7:30 pm
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
• Cost: Tickets available online from $70- $136.

Kenny Rogers

• What: Grammy Award-winning country superstar and music icon Kenny Rogers is coming to Calgary! The enduring Country Music Hall of Fame member and pop superstar has endeared music lovers around the globe with his amazing songs, heartfelt performances, distinctive voice, gift for storytelling and universal appeal, and in 2016, Rogers is embarking on what will be his final world tour with a show that will celebrate his musical legacy: The Gambler’s Last Deal.
• Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive
• When: Sunday, October 16 at 8 pm
• Cost: Tickets start at $59.50

Our Lady Peace & I Mother Earth

• What: Our Lady Peace and I Mother Earth with Guests are coming to Calgary. The Canadian rock band has sold millions of albums worldwide, won four Juno Awards, and won ten MuchMusic Video Awards — the most MMVAs ever awarded to any artist or group.
• Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive
• When: Wednesday, October 19 at 7 pm
• Cost: $52.38 + tax/fees

Chicago / Earth, Wind & Fire

• What: Legendary bands Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire are bringing their Heart and Soul Tour 3.0 to Calgary.Following their successful summer co-headlining 2015 Heart and Soul Tour and spring 2016 Heart and Soul Tour 2.0, the two well-established bands will reform and hit the road for a 15-city trek across the US and Canada this fall.
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
• When: Friday, November 4 at 7:30 pm
• Cost: $30 and up

Morgan Page

• What: The EDM scene is getting hotter in Calgary with Morgan Page announcing his Calgary concert on Friday, November 25 at Marquee Beer Market and Stage. Well known and respected, Page has had consecutive residencies in Vegas first at the Wynn for three years and now at The LIGHT Vegas at Mandalay Bay.
• Where: Marquee Beer Market and Stage – 4630 Macleod Trail S
• When: Friday, November 25 at 9 pm
• Cost: $30 via Live Nation 18+

Sports

NHL Calgary Flames hockey game

• What: The 2016-2017 season is so close we can taste it. Get in some pre-season action and then enjoy some regular season play.
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
• When:
  • Friday, September 30 at 7 pm vs Vancouver Canucks (Pre-season)
  • Sunday, October 2 at 7 pm vs Winnipeg Jets (Pre-season)
  • Wednesday, October 5 at 7pm vs Arizona Coyotes(Pre-season)
  • Friday, October 14 at 7 pm vs Edmonton Oilers
  • Tuesday, October 18 at 7 pm Buffalo Sabers
  • Thursday, October 20 at 7 pm vs Carolina Hurricanes
  • Saturday, October 22 at 8 pm vs St. Louis Blues
  • Friday, October 28 at 7 pm vs Ottawa Senators
  • Sunday, October 30 at 7 pm vs Washington Capitals
  • Thursday, November 10 at 7 pm vs Dallas Stars
  • Saturday, November 12 at 8 pm vs New York Rangers
  • Wednesday, November 16 at 8 pm vs Arizona Coyotes
  • Friday, November 18 at 7 pm vs Chicago Blackhawks

CFL Calgary Stampeders football game

• What: Watch as our CFL pride and joy take on their rivals this summer.
• Where: McMahon Stadium – 1817 Crowchild Trail NW
• When: 
  • Saturday, October 15 at 5 pm vs Montreal Alouettes
  • Friday, October 21 at 8 pm vs Toronto Argonauts

WHL Calgary Hitmen hockey game

• What: Cheer on the Calgary Hitmen as they take one the rest of the Western Hockey League.
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
• When: 
  • October 7 at 7 pm vs Kamloops
  • October 10 at 4 pm vs Vancouver
  • October 16 at 2 pm vs Moose Jaw
  • October 23 at 4 pm vs Prince Albert

Banff

Yoga Retreat at Mount Engadine Lodge

• What: Instructor Sarah Harvie will be leading people on their inner and outer journey at the Lodge for their Yoga Mountain Adventure Retreat. Stay for either 2 or 3-nights with Yoga (Asana & Nidra), Pranayama Meditation and self-guided hiking. Food is included in the price.
• Where: Mount Engadine Lodge
• When: October 20 – 23
• Cost: Single Occupancy starting at $935, Double Occupancy starting at $1375

Open Studios: Music Curated by Doug Cox

• What: Alberta born blues icon Doug Cox is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. He leads Banff Centre musicians-in- residence in an evening of performance.
• Where: The Club, Theatre Complex – 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff
• When: Friday, October 14 at 7 pm
• Cost: Free