17 things to do in Calgary this week: September 26 to October 2

Looking for something to do this week? Well you’re in luck! Choose from watching Calgary Flames on home ice, to celebrating during our city’s block party.

Here are some of the top events to check out in Calgary between September 26 to October 2.

Calgary Flames Pre-season Games

What: Hockey at the dome is finally back this week! Sure it’s pre-season, but at least the boys in red will be taking to the ice after a long off season. Monday they’ll face off against the Oilers and Friday against the Canucks.
Where: The Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
When:
- Monday, September 26 at 7 pm
- Friday, September 30 at 7 pm

Calgary International Film Festival

What: Some 35,000 film fans are expected to attend CIFF this year, which begins on Wednesday, September 21 and runs until October 2, in downtown Calgary. Moviegoers will be able to enjoy 210 films at this year’s festival – 100 features and 110 shorts – including Pedro Almodóvar’s Julieta and Jim Jarmusch’s Paterson.
Where: Various movie theatres in downtown Calgary
When: From September 21 to October 2
Tickets: Available online, individual events start at $15, or a full festival pass is $300

YYC Pizza Week

What: Calgary’s third annual YYC Pizza Week is taking place around town this week. This year, over 50 restaurants are battling it out in four different categories during event. Contestants may only enter in one of the categories but can offer a gluten free option in that category as well.
Where: Over 50 restaurants in Calgary – see more information online
When: September 23 to October 2

Trivia Night at Wurst: 90’s music edition

What: How well do you really know what happened in the 90’s? If you think you have that sh*t on lock then this is where you need to be. Bring out those locker photos, sweatshirts and discman’s, because Backstreets Back Alright!
Where: Wurst – 2437 4th Street SW
When: Tuesday, September 27 from 7 to 9 pm
Cost: $20 (includes a drink)

Connected speaker series at TELUS Spark

What: Dream, one of Canada’s largest real estate companies, is showcasing its growing presence in the Calgary market. Hosted by Love It or List It Vancouver’s Todd Talbot, you’ll be able to indulge in some libations and hors d’oeuvres and great company before the show begins!
Where: TELUS Spark – 220 Saint Georges Drive
When: Wednesday, 28 September from 5:30 to 9:30 PM
Cost: Free

Million Dollar Quartet

What: The Tony® Award Winning musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is set on December 4, 1956. History was made when an extraordinary twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest impromptu jam sessions ever. It brings to light the extraordinary story of broken promises, secrets, betrayal, and the once-in-a-lifetime celebration of four friends that is altogether poignant, heartwarming and funny.
Where: Stage West – 727 42 Avenue SE
When: September 9 to November 13
Tickets: $119 (includes dinner)

Bridgeland Farmers Market

What: Visit Bridgeland Riverside Farmers’ Market every Thursday during the summer! 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, September 22 from 3:30 to 7:30 pm

Culture Days Block Party

What: A massive, free block party is set to kick off Calgary Culture Days this Friday, the start of a three-day celebration of our city’s vibrant art and cultural life. The Culture Days Block Party, which will take place in Olympic Plaza, offers partygoers music, dance – and the chance to try circus lessons. There will be performances by Calgary’s Poet Laureate, Micheline Maylor, and Montreal-born Diane Lindsay, who sings in English, French, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Where: Olympic Plaza – 228 8 Avenue SE
When: Friday, September 30, from 11 am to 2 pm
Register: On Facebook, totally free

YYComedy Festival

What: The YYComedy Festival is back for another year this Thursday, bringing a huge host of standup stars to venues across Calgary. 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
Tickets: Available online, prices vary from show to show

Print It Yourself Festival

What: The 6th annual Print it Yourself Festival, including a free day of printmaking workshops as well as an additional demonstration day is here this week. On September 30 a booth will be set up from 11am-2pm at The City of Calgary’s Block Party at Olympic Plaza and on October 1 from 11am-4pm you can indulge in workshops at Alberta Printmakers Studio & Gallery.
Where: Friday at Olympic Plaza, Saturday at Alberta Printmakers Studio & Gallery
When: Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1
Cost: Free

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.

Free concerts in East Village

What: Calling music lovers! The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation is teaming up with the National Music Corporation to put on free public concerts in the public spaces of East Village, from September 10 to October 1. The concert series will feature performances by some of Calgary’s great musical talent, such as the Buckley Trio, Dojo Workhorse, the Scott Duncan Celtic Project, and the Doll Sisters.
When: September 10, 17, 24, and October 1 from 1 to 4 pm
Where: C-Square at the corner of 7th Avenue and 4th Street SE.
Cost: Free

YYC Pizza Week Presents Pints & Pizza Tours

What: With YYC Pizza Week falling during Alberta Beer Week this year, the two have decided to collaborate. Pizza and beer is a match made in culinary heaven, leading to the inaugural Pizza & Pints Tours being offered on the evening Wednesday, September 28th and during the afternoon on Saturday, October 1st. Each tour offers a collaborative pairing of restaurants participating in YYC Pizza Week with local breweries.
When:
- Wednesday, September 28 start at Trolley 5
- Saturday, September 1 start at Beer Revolution
Cost: $49.95 online for Wednesday and Saturday

PARKLUXE 2016

What: Presented by Bankers Hall, PARKLUXE is a luxury art and fashion show featuring some of Canada’s premier high end fashion designers and artists. Each ticket that you purchase goes directly back to funding other PARK initiatives such as PARKSALE, PARKSHOW, PARKSHOP, and the PARKFORUM.
Where: Studio Bell – 850 4 Street SE
When: Saturday, October 1 at 7 pm
Cost: $50 and up – available online

The Dixie Chicks

What: The multi-platinum selling act trio, are coming to Calgary this week with their DCX MMXVI Tour.
Where: The Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
When: Saturday, October 1
Tickets: Available online from $70

Illuminasia Lantern and Garden Festival 2016

What: The Illuminasia Lantern and Garden Festival returns to the Calgary Zoo for the second year in a row, and this time around there are 145 extra lanterns to dazzle you. The lanterns are seasonal-themed this year, so you’ll be taken on a journey from winter to spring, and they’ll depict culturally significant animals as well as zoo favourites. Relish in the arts of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Korean cultures, and check out live music, an art gallery, and garden displays as well.
Where: Calgary Zoo – 1300 Zoo Road NE
When: Thursday, September 8 to Sunday, October 16

Skyline Luge

What: For the more adventurous side in you, try The Skyline Luge. It’s a three-wheeled cart, part go-kart and part toboggan that is thrilling for all ages and abilities.
Where: Skyline Luge Calgary – 88 Canada Olympic Road SW
When: Now until October 9
Cost: $15 for 1 ride; $23 for 2 rides; $32 for 5 rides