19 things to do in Calgary this long weekend: July 29 to August 1

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Get your long weekend planned out today. From Blues Fest, Slide the City, Kensington’s Diagon Alley and more you definitely won’t be bored.

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

Historic Calgary Week 2016

What: 11 days of walks, talks and tours celebrating the history of Calgary and region. This year the contributions of several partners will be highlighted in learning, including SAIT, the University of Calgary and Calgary Public Library. Click here for the 2016 brochure. All events are open to the public and are free of charge with one exception. Donations are gratefully appreciated.
Where: All around Calgary
When: Friday, July 22 to Monday, August 1

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

Calgary Bluesfest

What: The 12th annual Calgary Bluesfest will feature a full week of the best in blues. Workshops, public performances and special events culminate in 4 days & nights of non-stop music on Mainstage.
Where: Shaw Millennium Park – 1220 9th Avenue SW
When: Monday, July 25 to Sunday, July 31
Cost: Single day passes from $35

Calgary Turkish Festival

What: The Calgary Turkish Festival will feature Turkish art, folk dance, music, and gourmet food. Visitors will get an opportunity to celebrate, learn, and savour Turkish hospitality, culture, heritage, and cuisine (including sumptuous kebabs and mouth-watering pastries).
When: Thursday, July 28 to Sunday, July 31
Where: Eau Claire Festival Plaza – 200 Barclay Parade SW
Price: Free admission

Calgary Night Market 2016

What: Featuring a variety of ethnic street foods, local vendors, buskers, and entertainment, the Calgary Night Market has everything from jewelry to clothes, to household items. The market is happening on the first and last Fridays of the month until September 9. Admission to the Night Market is free.
When: Friday, July 29 from 4 to 10 pm
Where: Central Memorial Park – 1221 2nd Street SW
Event page: facebook.com

Calgary Stampeders Game

What: Watch as our CFL pride and joy take on their west cost rivals the BC Lions on a Friday night showdown
Where: McMahon Stadium – 1817 Crowchild Trail NW
When: Friday, July 29 at 8 pm vs BC Lions

Okotoks Dawgs Games

What: Watch as the Western Major Baseball League Okotoks Dawgs try to clinch a playoff spot and prolong their season into August.
Where: Seaman Stadium – 2111 N Railway Street, Okotoks
When: Friday, July 29 at 7:05 pm vs Medicine Hat Mavericks

Kill Hard – Live, Improvised, Action Movie

What: Loose Moose Theatre presents KILL HARD with comedy house veterans Jamie Northan, Quinn Contini, Andrew Phung and special guest Nien-Zu Chang. This is an Improvised Action Movie where the four stars take on all the roles, all the fights, and all of the sexual tension. Expect guns, bad guys, and fights in this over the top tribute to those cheesy action movies you love.
Where: Loose Moose Theatre – 1235 26th Avenue SE
When: Friday July 29 and Saturday, July 30 at 10 pm
Cost: $20

Slide The City Calgary

What: Slide The City returns to Calgary for another year – for only one day. Release your inner child by sliding down the longest water slide the city has to offer on July 30.
When: Saturday, July 30
Where: 10 Street NW and Sait Way NW
Website: https://www.slidethecity.com/location/calgary-2/#368

Inglewood Sunfest 2016

What: Inglewood Sunfest will hit Calgary’s original Main Street from 11 am to 6 pm and is expected to draw more than 30,000 attendees. Grab some food from your favourite local food truck, listen to some live tunes, or take in the sleek lines of vintage cars and motorcycles for Show and Shine.
When: Saturday, July 30 from 11 am to 6 pm (beer garden is open until 8 pm)
Where: 9 Avenue between 11 Street and 14 Street SE

Stephen Avenue Summer Stage

What: Experience ‘Styles of Music.’ Latin Music by Los Marineros De La Rumba will be gracing downtown Calgary with some afternoon music. The group plays a diverse and lively mix of salsa, merengue, bachata, cumba, pop and other traditional styles. They will be jaming out for a free hour long concert in downtown.
Where: Stephen Avenue Summer Stage – Centre Street & 8th Avenue SE
When: Saturday, July 30 from 12 to 1 pm
Cost: Free

Chasing Summer 2016 music festival

What: Chasing Summer, Western Canada’s largest EDM festival, returns to Calgary for its fourth year this summer on July 30 and 31 at a new location, and it’ll be headlined by Martin Garrix and Hardwell.
When: July 30 and 31
Where: Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds – 1001 Barlow Trail SE
Tickets: For more information, visit chasingsummerfestival.com.

Pool side 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, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 at 9am (arrive at 8:45 am)
Cost: $15

Kensington’s Diagon Alley

What: July 31st marks the universal release of the 8th publication in the Harry Potter series; “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” To celebrate, Kensington is turing into Calgary’s very own Diagon Alley! Pages Bookstore will be home base as “Flourish & Blotts”, where participants can pick up their copies of the new book and a ‘Marauders’ Map’ guide to the other wonders of Kensington Village!
Where: Kensington
When: Sunday, July 31 from 10 am to 5 pm

Wagonstage Children’s Theatre at the Calgary Zoo

What: Enjoy two 20 minute shows performed by Drama students from Wagonstage Children’s Theatre. Hippo Needs a Bath is performed in the green space between the Kitamba Café and the Rhino enclosure and The Dinosaur Club, No Babies Allowed! takes place in the Prehistoric Park Amphitheatre. Shows take place Wednesday through Sunday at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm
Where: Calgary Zoo – 1300 Zoo Road NE
When: Now until Friday, August 19
Cost: Regular admission to the Zoo

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

Heritage Day Festival at Olympic Plaza

What: The fun, free, all-ages event will include six hours of multicultural performances, ethnic foods, and unique crafts. In addition to all the delicious food offerings and exciting performances, there will be face painting for the kids, an Indian Village to explore, or you can just lounge by the stage and watch the performances.
Where: Olympic Plaza – 228 8th Avenue SE
When: Monday, August 1 from 12 to 6 pm
Cost: Free

Heritage Day at Fort Calgary

What: Family-friendly activities where you can make nature crafts with the kids, meet the special Thank You Tree and learn about Fort Calgary’s award-winning community garden. Participate in a plein-air painting session with visiting artists from Canmore, view the latest art exhibition called “Mountain Man,” and much more!
Where: Fort Calgary – 750 9th Avenue SE
When: Monday, August 1 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: $12 adult / $5 child (3-6) / $7 youth (7-17) / $11 senior

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.