14 things to do in Calgary today: Saturday, August 17

Calgary crowds watching Shakespeare by the Bow (Theatre Calgary)

It’s finally Saturday, which means that you (likely) have the entire day off to try out one of these amazing events going on around the city!

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Big Big Tent – Ninetimes Skateboard Park

Shutterstock

What: Bring your skateboard to Big Big Tent and drop in to experience some sick ramps provided by Market Collective. With partners from Ninetimes Skate Shop, Skate Life, 100% Skate Club and Academy Skateboard Collective, you’ll be rolling rain or shine on an acre of fresh asphalt.

When: August 16, 17 and 18, 2019
Time: 4 to 10 pm (Friday), 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: The Big Big Tent — 321 11th Avenue Southeast
Admission: Free

Luzia by Cirque Du Soleil

What: Kicking off at Stampede Park on August 16 and running through September 15, the delightfully imaginative and visually stunning production LUZIA is set to take the audience on a journey to an imaginary Mexico. With beautiful visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, the show cleverly brings to stage the places, faces, and sounds of Mexico. LUZIA is Cirque du Soleil’s 38th original production since 1984, and its 17th show presented under the Big Top.

When: August 16 to September 15, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Stampede Park (Lot #6) — 1410 Olympic Way SE
Price: Starting at $49 — Tickets available online

Country Thunder Alberta 2019

What: Coming to Calgary’s Prairie Winds Park this August, the music festival is boasting some seriously huge country music names like Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, and Jake Owen to name just a few. The three-day event will run from Friday, Agust 16 to Sunday, August 18, packing a wide variety of artists into one unforgettable weekend.

When: Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 18
Time: Various times
Where: Prairie Winds Park — 223 Castleridge Blvd NE, Calgary
Tickets: Available online, from $75 single day and $178 full weekend

Alberta Open Farm Days

What: More than 100 farms, ranches, and ag-tourism operators open their gates and invite visitors to share in local stories, see on-farm demonstrations and purchase locally grown and produced products.

When: August 17 and 18, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Admission: Free

2019 Chinatown Street Festival

Chinatown Street Festival (Facebook)

What: Anyone and everyone are welcome to participate in the “Silk Road” experience that includes multi-cultural performances, cuisines, arts, crafts, and more. This all-day event is the pride of Chinatown’s summer festivities and is expected to see around 30,000 visitors this year.

When: August 17, 2019
Where: Chinatown, 3rd Avenue / Centre Street SE
Time: 11 am to 7 pm
Tickets: Free to attend. Register here

Saturdays in C-Square with National Music Centre – Gospel in the Square

What: Head to East Village Calgary’s open-air urban square every Saturday for free performances presented by National Music Centre. On August 17 take in a live performance by HAVEN Vanguard Trio and the Calgary South Sudanese Gospel Choir.

When: August 17, 2019
Time: 1 to 4 pm
Where: East Village Calgary’s open-air urban square – 4 Street and 7 Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

GlobalFest – Spain

What: Celebrate a variety of international cultures that represent Calgary’s cultural diversity and arts excellence, with a multicultural marketplace, live entertainment, and a spectacular firework show put on by a different country each night. August 17 features fireworks by Spain.

When: August 17, 2019
Time: 6 to 11 pm
Where: Elliston Park – 1827 68th Street SE
Admission: Online

Calgary Stampeders vs Montreal Alouettes

Candice Ward / Calgary Stampeders

What: The Calgary Stampeders keep the CFL action going this August at McMahaon Stadium.

When: August 17, 2019
Time: 4 pm
Where: McMahon Stadium – 1817 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary
Tickets: Ticketmaster

Calgary Night Market

What: Shop your favourite local makers, while enjoying delicious eats and listening to live entertainment. The market has two locations this summer – Calgary Night Market Bridgeland and Calgary Night Market SOUTH.

When: August 16 to 17 (South), August 23 (Bridgeland)
Time: 5 pm to 11 pm
Where: Calgary Night Market Bridgeland – 917 Centre St NE; Calgary Night Market SOUTH – Bonaventure Dr SE at 90 Ave SE
Admission: Free

Summer Feast

What: A 10 day Prix Fixe culinary event. Some of the city’s top chef-driven restaurants are joining forces to share delicious culinary creations. Take your pick of any three-course prix fixe menu for lunch or dinner, ranging from $25 to $65.

When: August 16 to 25, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various restaurants around Calgary
Cost $25-$55

Love Your Library Day

What: The Calgary Public Library is hosting its second annual Love Your Library Day, a city-wide event celebrating the communities the library serves while showcasing the services that they offer. Calgarians can participate in fun, free activities at all 21 Calgary Public Library locations from 10 am to 2 pm; take a photo at a selfie station, go on a behind-the-scenes tour, enjoy city-wide storytime, and enter to win prizes in the Check it Out! contest.

What: August 17, 2019
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: All 21 Calgary Public Library locations
Admission: Free

Expo Latino

What: Western Canada’s largest Latin festival. Celebrating its 19th anniversary. Enjoy live entertainment, dancing, exotic food, artisan market, and more.

When: August 16 to 18, 2019
Time: 6 to 10:30 pm (Friday), 12 to 11:30 pm (Saturday), and 12 to 10 pm (Sunday)
Where: Prince’s Island Park – 689 Eau Claire Avenue SW
Tickets: Online. Children 12 and under free. Free on Friday with a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank, and free on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 1 pm, though no re-entry

Shakespeare by the Bow – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Shakespeare by the Bow / Facebook

What: Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream tells the tale of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors through the forest as their lives and loves are influenced by a group of forest-dwelling fairies. Join theatre: Calgary in Prince’s Island Park for a family-friendly show.

When: Now to August 18, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Prince’s Island Park
Admission: Pay what you can

Cochrane Fair

What: Cochrane Fair is an outdoor event for the whole family. Check out classic bull riding, mini chuckwagons, trick riders, President’s Choice Super Dogs, live entertainment, beer gardens, market place, farm days and more.

When: August 16 to 18, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: The Cochrane Ag Society Park – 43080 Bow Valley Trail,
Cochrane
Tickets: Online

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