17 things to do in Calgary this weekend: September 23 to 25

Sep 24 2016, 4:30 am

Lots of fun things happening around town including CIFF, Doors Open YYC, Oktoberfest and more!

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

The Calgary Home + Design Show

  • What: This year’s Calgary Home + Design Show is here and with such an amazing lineup of activities you might be wondering what you should see. Taking place from September 22 to 25 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park, visitors can do everything from trying their hand in creative workshops to sitting back and watching TV stars on stage.
  • When:
    • Friday, September 23             Noon to 9:00 pm
    • Saturday, September 24         10:00 am to 9:00 pm
    • Sunday, September 25           10:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park
  • Price: Adults $16, $13 if you buy online to save $3 courtesy of RenovationFind.

The Good Bride

  • What: Getting hitched is a difficult decision, especially since marriage assumes you’ve already accomplished the even tougher task of finding love. Now, imagine being forced into the act by someone religiously in love with the nuptial concept itself… and fast food? Written by a Sterling Award recipient Rosemary Rowe, The Good Bride is a dark comedy about 15 year old Maranatha, a young girl living in the conservative Quiverfull Christian community who finds herself torn between faith and junk food.
  • Where: Motel Theatre, Arts Commons – 205 8th Avenue SE
  • When: September 22 – October 1

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)

Oktoberfest

  • What: Similar to the original Munich festival, which celebrates local beer and food, Calgary Oktoberfest will feature both local craft and authentic Bavarian breweries.  There will be a wide selection of craft beers and delicious foods to sample from, along with authentic Oktoberfest music from the German Knights Band, dancers, games, and more!
  • When: September 23 and 24
  • Where: Upper Big Four Building – 1800, 1898 Macleod Trail SE
  • Cost: $30 (weekend pass), $16 general admission

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

Da’ Kink in my Hair

  • What: The smash hit play that inspired the television series now comes to Western Canada for the first time. Eight distinctive women in a Toronto hair salon share their unforgettable stories with surprising honesty and extraordinary joy.
  • Where: Theatre Calgary – 220 9th Avenue SE
  • When: September 6 – October 1 at 7pm
  • Cost: $35 – $74

Shadowland

  • What: Alberta Ballet brings you the exhilarating Canadian Premiere of Shadowland from world-renowned Pilobolus Dance Theater. These world famous artists challenge the edges of performance, enveloping you in a magical coming of age story told through two different worlds. A teenaged girl is transported by the shadows lurking behind her bedroom wall into a dreamlike land of darkness, light, and adventure…what happens next? You’ll have to watch it and see!
  • Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW
  • When: September 22 to 24

Cecil Hotel by Mark Clintberg

  • What: Cecil Hotel (2014-2016) is an exploration of the recently demolished site of The Cecil Hotel, opened in 1912, ordered to close by Calgary’s city officials in 2008, and purchased by the city for nearly $11 million in 2009. The hotel has been considered an “epicentre of prostitution, drugs, murder, and desperation by some, and its erasure has since been both contested and praised. This project includes a large-scale modified replica of the hotel’s neon sign and an edition of custom-made pint glasses.
  • Where: Main Space/Parkade/U-Hall – 2009 10th Avenue SW
  • When: September 16 to October 15 (closed Sunday’s and Monday’s)

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.

Doors Open YYC 2016

  • What: Doors Open YYC will reveal the inner workings of businesses all over Calgary this September, as they fling open their doors to thousands of locals. The annual event on Saturday, September 24 will allow you to look round, go on a special tour or get a behind-the-scenes experience at a myriad of businesses.
  • Where: Locations across Calgary
  • When: Saturday, September 24
  • Info: Find the full map and listings at doorsopenyyc.org/site-list

Kiwanis Apple Festival

  • What: Kiwanis members in Calgary sold baskets of apples as one of our major fundraisers through the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. The Kiwanis Apple Festival will be a celebration of our history, a celebration of children, and a celebration of special cuisine, entertainment, education and outdoor exploration of a very special place – Kamp Kiwanis.
  • Where: Kamp Kiwanis –  241001 Range Road 42
  • When: September 24 and 25

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

Calgary Stampeders Games

  • What: Watch as our CFL pride and joy take on their rivals this summer.
  • Where: McMahon Stadium – 1817 Crowchild Trail NW
  • When: Saturday, September 24 at 2 pm vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers
  • Cost: $25 – $200

Gabriel Iglesias

  • What: Mexican-American comedian Gabriel Iglesias is bringing his #fluffybreakseven tour to Calgary, playing the WinSport Arena in September. Born in San Diego, Iglesias – who likes to call himself Fluffy – is known for his high school anecdotes, mastery of funny voices and absurd sound effects.
  • Where: WinSport Arena at Canada Olympic Park – 88 Canada Olympic Road SW
  • When: Saturday, September 24 at 7:30 pm
  • Tickets: On Ticketmaster, $47.78 to $89.78

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

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

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
DH Calgary StaffDH Calgary Staff

+ Listed
ADVERTISEMENT