17 things to do in Calgary this weekend: August 19 to 21

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Lots of fun things happening around town from Globalfest and Bubbles in the Park to the final weekend of Shakespeare by the Bow!

Get out and do something, with our list of things to do this weekend.

Shakespeare by the Bow: Hamlet

What: Theatre Calgary is bringing Hamlet outside as it shows its annual outdoor performances of Shakespeare by the Bow. It is a pay-what-you-will and non-ticketed event, so you can just turn up with a blanket and picnic and settle in; the suggested donation is $20 per adult. All funds go towards the Shakespeare by the Bow program providing mentorship and support for Alberta’s emerging theatre artists.
Where: Prince’s Island Park – 698 Eau Claire Avenue SW
When: Now until August 21, every day except Mondays; performances at 7 pm, with an extra 2pm matinee on Sundays.
More info: Theatre Calgary’s website

Grease The Musical

What: The story of popular tough guy Danny and sweet girl-next-door Sandy is being presented by students of the theatre’s Summer Intensive program. The number one musical in the world, it features all the songs you can singalong to, including Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, and We Go Together.
Where: StoryBook Theatre at Beddington Heights Theatre – 375 Bermuda Drive NW
When: From Saturday, August 13 to Saturday, September 3, Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm
Tickets: Online, $22.05

Globalfest

What: Calgary’s annual fireworks festival is back. The event, which runs from August 15 to 27, will include several pyromusical shows, as well as cultural music, a human rights forum, a night market and even a citizenship ceremony.
Where: Elliston Park in East Calgary (main gate at the corner of 17th [International] Avenue and 60th Street SE).
When: August 15 to 27 from 6 to 11:30 p.m. every night.
No entry after 9:15 p.m.
Tickets: Available at online or at Calgary Co-op Customer Service Offices and Marlborough Mall.

ReggaeFest 2016

What: The music festival, which will take place on August 19 and 20 at Shaw Millennium Park, aims to promote reggae music and Caribbean culture. The main stage will feature performances from local, national and international reggae stars, including Juno-award winning Kafinal, plus Warrior King and Razor B.
Where: Shaw Millennium Park – 1220 9th Avenue SW
When: Friday, August 19, from 4 to 10 pm, and Saturday, August 20, from 12 to 10:30 pm
Tickets: On Eventbrite, $30 for weekend pass, $15 for Friday admission, $25 for Saturday admission

Country Thunder

What: The first year of the debut inner city festival in Calgary, featuring Luke Bryan, Big & Rich, Tim McGraw and many more.
Where: Prairie Winds Park – 223 Castleridge Boulevard NE
When: August 19 to 21
Tickets: Available online

Poolside yoga on at Hotel Arts

What: Grab your yoga mat and head downtown to for an hour of pool side yoga Saturday and Sunday mornings throughout the summer. Click here to register online for the class.
Where: Hotel Arts – 119 12th Avenue SW
When: Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21 at 9am (arrive at 8:45 am)
Cost: $15

Yogathon Calgary 2016

What: Calgary will join more than 50 cities worldwide in a mass Yogathon to raise funds for Care for Children, which helps provide education for children in rural India. Participants will try to do 108 sun salutations, or surya namaskar, as a symbolic offering of hope to children around the world and spread the message of universal education. Bring your own mat and arrive 30 minutes before the session starts.
Where: Stephen Avenue Walk – 100 8th Avenue SW
When: Saturday, August 20, from 10 am to 12:30 pm
Register: At yogathon.org, $25

Bubbles in the Park

What: Be wrapped in a protective clear bubble and try to play soccer against your friends! Can’t imagine it or have tried it and loved it? Orbis Sports are coming back to Calgary for another action packed day of bubble games including Bubble Kickz, Bubble Bulldog, Bubble Reverse Tag, and more! An activity for all ages, with kids game time from 10:30 to 11:30am and adult games from noon till 1 pm and 1:30 to 2:30 pm.
Where: Windsor Park School – 55th Avenue and 5th Street SW
When: Saturday, August 20 from 10 am to 3 pm
Cost: $8 t0 $54

PAWs in the PARK YYC

What: Concorde Group is hosting their 3rd Annual PAWS in the PARK fundraising event for Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society – AARCS. There will be food trucks, a pet vendor market and On-site Dog Services, a photo booth, bounce house, and many more activities. You can even enter your pet into their PAW-Geant for prizes.
Where: River Park – 4500 14a Street SW
When: Saturday, August 20 from 11 am to 3 pm

CBC’s coverage Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Stephen Avenue Walk

What: Canada’s Olympic Network, CBC/Radio-Canada is providing free viewing spaces where Canadians can gather together to watch Team Canada compete against the best in the world.
Where: Stephen Avenue Walk – 8th Avenue between Centre Street and 1st Street SE
When: August 5–21
Time: Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm

Dr. Seuss in the Park

What: University of Calgary Students’ Union’s Volunteer Services program will be putting on Dr. Seuss in the Park to promote literacy for children in the Calgary community. A tent will be set up between the wading pool and the playground.
Where: Riley Park – 800 12th Street NW
When: Saturday, August 20 from 11 am to 3:30 pm
Cost: Free

Opera in the Village

What: Opera In The Village is back in Calgary this year, with two weekends full of free opera performances in August. The first weekend will also showcase the Front Row Centre Players, Ukrainian Tangos with Stephania Romaniuk, and the Foothills Brass Quintet. Meanwhile, the second weekend will also feature the Cantare Children’s Choir, Calgary Fiddlers and Band of Outriders.
Where: The Chautauqua Tent – East Village RiverWalk Plaza
When: Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21; free shows run from 2 to 7 pm
Register: Online registration here

Tragically Hip’s Farewell Concert – Places to watch in Calgary

What: The beloved Canadian band will finish their Man Machine Poem tour with a final farewell performance in Kingston, Ontario on August 20. Tickets are of course, all sold out. But for a band that has already gone down in the history books, Canada is going above and beyond. We’ve complied a list of 13 places you can watch The Tragically Hip’s final farewell in Calgary.
Where: Various venues, click here
When: Saturday, August 20

Kensington Summertime Outdoor Movies

What: Every Saturday in August at 9 pm experience Kensington’s Summertime outdoor movie series. This Saturday, Princess Bride will be the feature film.
Where: Calgary Parking Authority Lot 57 – 1210 Kensington Road NW
When: Saturday, August 20 from 9 pm to 12:30 am
Info: On Facebook

Something Old, Something New: 125 Years of Wedding Fashion

What: See some of the most trendsetting and common wedding dresses in Alberta from the last 125 years. The exhibition features collections from the Museum of the Highwood, the Red Deer Museum, the Royal Alberta Museum, the Lougheed House Conservation Society, as well as numerous private collections.
Where: Lougheed House – 707 13th Avenue SW
When: Now until October 2
Cost: Regular admission $8.50

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.

If you’ll be in Banff this weekend:

Jazz Club

What: Emerging musicians from The Banff Centre’s acclaimed Banff International Workshop in Jazz & Creative Music, perform with their internationally acclaimed mentors in late night jam sessions.
Where: The Club, Theatre Complex – 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff
When: August 4 to 19 at 8 pm (excluding Saturday to Monday)

See also

Visit a Farmers’ Market