How lucky we are that the last official day of summer happens to land on a Saturday!
There are plenty of great events to attend to give summer the fond farewell that it deserves, and plenty of free time today to check them all out.
See also
- The Calgary Flames are bringing back their 1989 Stanley Cup jerseys
- Federal government to launch environmental impact study into tanker traffic
- Database servers sold at NCIX auction allegedly without being wiped
BMJ’s Dance Me Featuring the music of Leonard Cohen
What: See this Canadian writer’s music come to life in a way you’ve never heard it before. Leonard Cohen was one of Canada’s most influential literary and musical icons and Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal aims to explore his prolific body of work, all while interpreting it in an unforgettable commemoration to this incredible legend.
When: September 20 to 22
Time: 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW
Tickets : Ticketmaster, $38 to $125
The Calgary Fall Home Show
What: Fall in love with your home all over again at the Calgary Fall Home Show. Get inspired to add maximalism into your life with a unique installation designed by Amanda Hamilton and take a look into the future in the Telus Future Home set-up. You’ll also have the opportunity to gain expert advice from home reno pros, such as HGTV’s Tiffany Pratt, Tommy Smythe, and DIY expert Leigh-Ann Allaire Perraul, along with some of the Calgary’s top designers. By the end of the weekend, you’ll have all the tools you need to make your home the sanctuary it should be.
When: September 20 to 23
Time:
Friday: Noon to 9 pm
Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm
Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: BMO Centre – 20 Roundup Way SE
Tickets: Online $13 to $16
Beakerhead
What: Everyone’s favourite interactive art show is back for another year of exciting scientific fun – expect electric bolts to light up the sky (we aren’t kidding!). Explore the city and visit the various sites that are interconnected with a common theme.
When: September 19 to 23
Where: Various locations around Calgary
Tickets: Online, varies per location
Calgary International Film Festival
What: Check out over 200 films over the course of 12 days at the highly-anticipated CIFF — you may just find a new favourite film. Throughout the festival experience gala events, special screenings, up-close-and-personal presentations, and a Behind the Screen series that emphasizes unique and exciting ways for filmmakers and fans to interact.
When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 30, 2018
Where: Locations and schedule can be found here
Admission: Available online, full festival pass $350, or $16 for one showing. Bundle passes are available as well
Jill Paddock Art Exhibition
What: You might recognize her colourful works from the walls of many local Calgary businesses. On Friday, August 24 Jill Paddock kicked off her very first solo art show. Throughout the month you’ll be able to purchase unframed art, notebooks, t-shirts, and even a few minimal nude art pieces that she’s so well known for. Come down and celebrate her all month long as she kicks off this incredible milestone in her artistic career.
When: August 22 to October 1
Time: 6:30 am to 9 pm
Where: Phil and Sebastian Coffee Roasters – 2207 4th Street SW
Admission: FREE
Get lost in a corn maze
What: There is no better way to welcome fall then heading out to one of Calgary’s many corn mazes and enjoying a fun-filled farm adventure. You can’t miss the “Outback Adventure” design at Cobbs Adventure park, along with the Kangaroo Petting Zoo, tractor rides, ropes course, and more.
Where: Calgary Corn Maze and Fun Farm
The Mashing
What: The Mashing is a common process used in brewing, distilling, and cider making, and Alberta Beer Festivals is bringing together all the best in each category to give you a unique sampling event you simply have to attend. Be prepared to be transported into a whole new world as you immerse yourself in the farm to table brews, along with live music, art installations, photography walls, and more.
When: September 21 and 22
Time: 3 to 10 pm
Where: Stampede Grandstand – 1700 3rd Street SE
Tickets: Online, $19 to $49
YYC Pizza Week
What: Get in on the YYC Pizza Week fun by picking up your pizza passport at participating restaurants and get it stamped every time you eat a YYC Pizza Week pizza for the opportunity to win prizes. It’s time to grab some za!
When: Friday, September 21, to Sunday, September 30, 2018
Where: Participating restaurants around the city
Cost: Pizzas tend to go for around $20 to $25
FallCon
What: Anyone interested in board games or miniatures should come out to SAIT for a weekend full of FallCon fun.
When: Friday, September 21 to Sunday, September 23, 2018
Time: 5 to 11:30 pm on Friday, 9 am to 11:30 pm on Saturday, and 9 am to 4 pm on Sunday
Where: SAIT — 1301 16th Avenue NW, Calgary
Admission: Available online, $48 for full weekend, $20 to $28 for single day
Go on a clue clue-solving adventure through Calgary or Canmore
What: Looking for a way to switch up date night or a new activity to keep the family busy? Check out Mystery Towns and enjoy an exciting mystery-filled adventure. Instantly accessible via clues to your smartphone, each Mystery Towns adventure combines the fun of a scavenger hunt, the puzzles of an escape room, and the challenge of an Amazing Race. This is the perfect way to discover a new city or hidden gems you never knew of in your own hometown. Good luck!
Where: Currently available in both Calgary, Canmore, and Edmonton (as of September 2018) and soon to be available in Banff.
Register: Online, $49 to $99
Spend an afternoon at the Glenbow
What: Come out to see some seriously awesome works of art at one of Calgary’s favourite cultural centres.
Recent Acquisitions 2018 – June 30 to December 9
The Artist’s Mirror: Self Portraits – March 10 to January 2019
Where: Glenbow Museum – 130 9th Avenue SE
Cost: Regular admission to the museum
Cheer on the Calgary Flames
What: The Flames are back with a vengeance for another season. Grab your jersey and come to cheer them on in a sea of red down at the Dome. They will be playing the Vancouver Canucks.
When: Saturday, September 22
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Little Modern Market: Fall Edition
What: Shop local and find the best locally-made gems at the fall edition of Little Modern Market. Featuring food trucks, live entertainment, and over 50 vendors to shop from, this market is a must-visit. Perusing this market with your friends, family, or significant other is the best way to spend a chilly fall afternoon.
When: Saturday, September 22
Time: 9:30 and to 3:30 pm
Where: Rally Pointe – 11511 35th Street SE
Admission: $5 entry
Railway Days
What: As one of the only sites in North America that have two steam locomotives on site, Heritage Park and CP Rail invite you for a weekend of demonstrations, hands-on activities, exciting exhibits, and anything train related. You’ll get to experience the great western rail adventure at Heritage Park.
When: September 22 to 23
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Admission: General admission to park
Brix N Blot LEGO Fan Expo
What: Prepare to have your mind blown as you see what these builders have created with simply LEGO. Who said LEGO was for kids only?
When: Saturday, September 22
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Chinese Cultural Centre – 197 1st Street SW
Tickets: Online, $5 to $7
Canada-India International Expo 2018
What: Explore trade and business opportunities with Canada and North America while meeting leading Canadian Business and Government Agencies.
When: Saturday, September 22
Time: 10 am to 9 pm
Where: Genesis Centre – 7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE
Admission: Free
Doors Open YYC
What: Calgary businesses are opening their doors to the general public for the seventh year in a row as Doors Open YYC returns for 2018. The event allows Calgarians to play tourist in their own city for free as local businesses let the public take a look at what goes on in their operations.
When: Saturday, September 22 to Sunday, September 23, 2018
Time: There are activities all throughout the day
Where: All over the city
Admission: Free
The weekends are made for mountain adventures
What: Adventure Hub is a bonafide collective that has joined forces to give you unforgettable adventures in the Rocky Mountains. From horseback riding to cave tours to river rafting and much more. In the mood for adventure? Take your pick.
Where: In and around Banff and Canmore
Get cozy at the Kananaskis Nordic Spa
What: Looking for a quick escape from the everyday grind? This brand new spa combines the tranquil rejuvenation of a traditional Nordic Spa and the Alpine stillness of the Canadian Rockies. For the month of September, prepare for a deep slumber by hitting up the spa after an adventure-packed day in K-Country. Until September 30, when you stay at the new Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, you can enjoy full access to the spa from 7 to 9 pm for only $35 per person. No pre-appointment necessary.
When: September 1 to 30
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: 1 Centennial Drive, Kananaskis
Cost: $35
Head into the Rockies for Larch Season
What: It’s officially larch season (it’s a type of tree.) Grab your cameras and hiking gear and head up to the mountains to spend the day reconnecting with nature in the great outdoors and enjoy the picturesque fall views from the top.
Where: Here are some of the best hiking spots in and around Banff to check out this summer and fall.