11 things to do in Calgary this Thanksgiving long weekend

Oct 9 2020, 6:39 pm

The spooky season is well underway, so whether you’re a fan of getting frightened or just enjoying a day at the pumpkin patch, we’ve got something for you.

Here’s our list of fun events to check out this Thanksgiving long weekend:

Check Out High Park

high park Calgary

High Park parkade/Beltline Neighbourhood Association

Talk about a picnic with a view.

Calgary’s newest park may not have the grass, trees, or ponds you’d come to expect from an outdoor public space, but what it lacks in nature it makes up for in colour, views, and originality.

High Park opened to the public this week, offering a space for Calgarians to check out (while safely physical distancing) at the tip top of a six-storey parking garage.

Dine at one of Calgary’s newest restaurants

Stunning new eatery Orchard Restaurant has opened its doors in Calgary.

The new concept is operating at 134, 610 – 10 Avenue SW, at the base of SODO, a luxury residential project.

Orchard Restaurant will offer patrons a modern Meditteranean dining experience and food with Asian flair from Chef Jenny Kang (Shokunin Izakaya, The Bow Valley Ranch).

Check out the menus for lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks, and be sure to make a reservation to dine here.

Address: 134, 610 – 10 Avenue SW, Calgary
Phone: 403-243-2392

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Hunt down all of the prank plaques at Bowmont Park

plaques

City of Calgary/Twitter

Someone decided to install a number of (quite professionally made) plaques on benches throughout the park, heralding made up historical events such as where humans first invented fire in 1903, and the site of the first confirmed UFO sighting in Calgary.

After initially removing them, the city decided to reinstall them throughout the park after an outcry from the public.

Where: Throughout Bowmont Park

Train of Terror 2020

Alberta’s Aspen Crossing Railway company is taking fear to a new level this Halloween with its annual Train of Terror.

The “scariest train haunt in Canada” is an interactive, hour-and-a-half-long experience, featuring haunted railway cars and disturbing entertainment.

A beautiful fall train tour turns nasty as victims participants will make their way through two haunts: one on the train, and one at the station prior to boarding.

Where: Aspen Crossing — Highway #24, Mossleigh, Alberta
When: Fridays and Saturdays, as well as select Thursdays and Sundays later in the month. The full schedule can be found here
Time: 6:30 and 8 pm each night
Tickets: Available online, $76.60

Go on a fall photo walk

calgary weather

Fall in Calgary (Shutterstock)

There are a few places around the city that are ideal for catching the leaves turn from green to orange to yellow, and we’ve thrown a list together to save you the hassle.

Kick back and binge some Netflix

Stay indoors and stay safe this week by making some popcorn and having some Netflix and Chill time.

Here are a few new releases worth checking out on the streaming giant this weekend.

Explore the city’s newest murals

This year’s BUMP Festival was a little different than usual due to COVID-19 restrictions, but that didn’t stop over a dozen artists from turning some of downtown Calgary’s exposed walls into works of art.

A total of 20 murals were completed this past September as part of the project, bringing BUMP’s lifetime total to over 50 since it began back in 2017.

The organization also noted in a release that over 5,000 people had downloaded their self-guided walking tours showcasing murals new and old, a significant increase over the 500 or so guided mural tour participants from 2019.

Get the perfect fall photos in the Rocky Mountains

Rocky Mountains in the fall/Shutterstock

The larch trees are changing colour, leaves are falling, and toques season has hit in full force, all combining for some seriously picturesque moments.

There are plenty of great places to see the seasons change in the Rocky Mountains — just make sure to venture out safely!

Go on a spooky tour of haunted Alberta

The spooky, scary, and downright startling day of Halloween is just around the corner, and there’s no better way to get into the spirit than by checking out some seriously haunted spots.

Luckily enough for you (though not for a few murder victims-turned ghosts, if the stories are to be believed), Alberta is full of allegedly haunted places that only the truly brave would dare venture into.

Check out our list of haunted places to check out in and around Calgary.

Hit up a pumpkin patch

Courtesy of Dixie Orchards

There are plenty of great pumpkin patches in or around Calgary where you’ll be able to find that perfect pre-Jack-o’-lantern! The Calgary Corn Maze and Fun Farm is open this weekend, and admission is just $18.

When: Open Thursdays through Sundays
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Calgary Corn Maze & Fun Farm — 284022 Township Road 224
Tickets: Free for kids two and under, $18 for adults, youth and senior discounts available online

Check out some art at Contemporary Calgary

Contemporary Calgary announced in a press release in September that it is now running two new exhibitions: Yoko Ono’s GROWING FREEDOM and Omar Bar’s Same Dream will be on display through to January 31, 2021.

When: Thursdays through Saturdays
Time: Noon to 7 pm
Where: Contemporary Calgary — 701 11th Street SW, Calgary
Tickets: Available online, $10

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