16 things to do in Calgary today: Sunday, July 7

Sunday marks your last chance to do something especially memorable with the first weekend of July, so pick one of the following events and get out there!

See also

• What to know about Calgary Transit during the 2019 Stampede
• Calgary at risk of thunderstorms for nearly all of next week
• Trudeau piñata sparks outrage and death threats for Alberta bar owner

Calgary Stampede Rodeo

What: The Calgary Stampede is bringing 120 top-tier rodeo athletes from across North America and Brazil to compete at this year’s Stampede for the Calgary Stampede Championship. All six of the 2018 Calgary Stampede champions will also return in 2019 to defend their titles and will be joined by rodeo’s premier athletes from the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Professional Bull Riders. Along with the title, riders will also be competing for the $2 million in prize money up for grabs at this year’s stampede.

When: July 5 to 14, 2019
Time: Starting daily at 1:30 pm
Where: Stampede Park, 1410 Olympic Way SE
Tickets: Online starting from $39

MexiFest

What: Celebrate all of the very best in Mexican culture at the very first Mexifest! You can expect to eat tacos upon tacos, be entertained by a salsa competition, watch a wrestling match between real Mexican luchadores, and so much more!

When: July 5 to 7, 2019
Time: 11 am to 11 pm (Friday and Saturday), 11 am to 9 pm (Sunday)
Where: Eau Claire Plaza – 3rd Street and Riverfront Avenue
Tickets: Online

Spruce Meadows North American Tournament

What: Witness the best show jumping athletes and horses from around the World. Enjoy shopping, pony rides, face painting, wagon rides, and the family favourite RE/MAX Prairie Dogs from Friday to Sunday.

When: Now to July 7, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Spruce Meadows – 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
Tickets: Online

The Grandstand Show: Trailblazer

What: The theme of the 2019 Grandstand show will be “Trailblazer,” taking inspiration from the travelling shows of the early 20th century yet being performed on the most technologically advanced outdoor stage in the world.

The entire show will be led by show master Onalea, who will be joined by Calgary’s own travelling band of musical pirates, the Polyjesters. Music, acrobatics, and dance will all come together for a fiery tribute to the South American cowboy. The 2019 show will also include a participatory pre-show for all in attendance, thanks to this year’s title sponsor, Bell Canada.

When: Now until July 14, 2019
Time: 7:45 pm
Where: Stampede Grandstand – 1410 Olympic Way SE
Tickets: Online, $17 for standing, $49+ for seats

Heritage Park Summer Season

What: Enjoy a different experience every day at Calgary’s Heritage Park Historical Village. Take a tour back in time on a horse-drawn wagon ride, play traditional Aboriginal games in the First Nations’ Encampment and pick up a freshly baked cheese bun from the Alberta Bakery. Plus S.S. Moyie Paddlewheeler will once again sail the Glenmore Reservoir this summer, which means the return of the much-loved Captain’s Cruises.

When: Daily
Time: Various times
Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Tickets: Online

Bring the Energy: North American

What: Bring the family and feel the freedom as Alberta’s best skateboarders, BMX and scooter riders throw down big air at the ATCOenergy Halfpipe Zone during the Spruce Meadows North American Tournament. Enter to win a board, bike, or scooter of your own – or a bike park party for 20 of your closest friends.

When: Now to July 7, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Spruce Meadows – 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
Tickets: Online

Calgary Stampede Cenovus Family Day Free Admission 2019

What: The free admission will be available between 7:30 and 11 am on Sunday, July 7, along with a free pancake breakfast (while flapjacks last, that is).

When: Sunday, July 7, 2019
Time: Between 7:30 and 11 am
Where: Stampede Grounds – 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Corb Lund, The Sheepdogs, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, The Sadies, and Whitney

What: For the second year in a row, country music fans at the Calgary Stampede will be treated to an evening of entertainment by a lineup of critically acclaimed rock and alternative country artists. Award-winning roots country singer, Corb Lund, will headline a packed day of music at the Big Four Roadhouse on Sunday, July 7. The Sheepdogs, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, The Sadies, and Whitney will also be performing.

When: Sunday, July 7, 2019
Time: Doors open at 3 pm
Where: The Big Four Roadhouse – 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
Tickets: $75 available on Ticketmaster

Calgary Outdoor Yoga

What: A 60-minute outdoor vinyasa flow class for all levels. Everyone welcome, including children. Practice in the grass or bring your mat or blanket.

When: Every Sunday
Time: 1 to 2 pm (Stanley Park) 4 to 5 pm (Mahogany)
Where: Stanley Park SW – 42 Ave & 1A Street SW; Mahogany – Masters Square & Mahogany Blvd
Admission: Pay what you want

Sunday Funday at East Village

What: Feel like a quick game of giant Jenga? Or ladder golf, perhaps? Come find EV’s EAST Crew, who will be set up on the island every Sunday with games and activities for a perfect day at the park. First-come, first-served and the honour system applies.

Puppies and Prosecco

What: Puppies and Prosecco, there is no better combination! Attend a private group training class for you and your pup on the patio of Vin Room Mission, led by the Dogma Behaviour & Education Centre. You will receive two glasses of wine, beer, or prosecco, and a lesson on the patio for you and your furry friend, and a bag of goodies worth $50. $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation.

When: July 7, July 21, August 11, August 25, September 8, 2019
Time: 2 pm
Where: Vin Room Mission – 2310 – 4th Street SW
Tickets: Online, $40

Shakespeare by the Bow – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

What: This summer, come together with the Calgary community to celebrate and support Alberta’s emerging artists in a gorgeous natural setting. One of Shakespeare’s most popular works, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, follows four young lovers and a group of six amateur actors through the forest as they are influenced and manipulated by a band of forest-dwelling fairies. Join theatre: Calgary in Prince’s Island Park for this thrilling chase of love, identity, and confusion.

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

Badlands Stampede Music Festival 2019 – RL Grime

What: When Los Angeles-based DJ/producer Henry Steinway combines hip-hop, electro, drum’n’bass, and any number of other bass-heavy genres, he dons the moniker RL Grime. An active member of the WeDidIt Collective along with producers like Shlohmo and D33J, he has collaborated with Baauer, Skrillex, Big Sean, and others. His made his full-length debut with 2014’s well-received Void, an eclectic mix of genres such as garage, EDM, and R&B.

When: July 7, 2019
Time: Doors 6 pm
Where: Knoxville’s Stampede Tent — 840 9th Avenue SW, Calgary
Price: Tickets starting from $20 to $189.00 (+ sc) — Tickets available via website

The Original Dollyfest

What: This all-day affair celebrating the Smoky Mountain Nightingale goes down on the first Sunday of Stampede and features a stacked lineup of bands, Dolly Drag performances, an all-day art-show featuring Dolly paintings by Calgary’s own Geneva L. Haley, plus a free Stampede Breakfast. Bring a children’s book and donate to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and help us raise funds for Calgary’s SHARP Foundation, a non-profit providing housing, and healthcare to those living with HIV.

When: July 7, 2019
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Broken City – 613 11th Avenue SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online

East Village Hive Tour with MOB Honey

What: Learn all about urban beekeeping with MOB HONEY’s workshops at The Hive in East Village. You’ll get a tour of the five beehives behind the EV Experience Centre and get up close and personal with thousands of honey bees who live there. Children aged 4+ are welcome if accompanied by an adult.

When: July 7, August 4, September 1, 2019
Time: 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, 1 to 3 pm
Where: East Village Experience Centre – 553 Riverfront Ave SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

See also

• What to know about Calgary Transit during the 2019 Stampede
• Calgary at risk of thunderstorms for nearly all of next week
• Trudeau piñata sparks outrage and death threats for Alberta bar owner