Aaaaand we’ve made it back to the weekend!
Four-day work weeks kind of just fly by, don’t they? Celebrate your new days off (even if there are only two of them this time around) by checking out any of these great events that are going on around the city.
See also
- Calgary among the most affordable big cities for millennials to buy property
- Heritage Park is getting a $1.5 million interpretive centre for natural resource history
- Perseid meteor shower to peak over Canada this weekend
Friday, August 10
Inglewood Night Market
What: Calgary’s favourite night market is back. Check out the second market of the summer on July 13 and enjoy live entertainment on both the Main Stage and the Variety Show Stage, and delicious food truck eats, all while shopping some of Calgary’s best local makers and artists. New to the market this year is a licensed area in collaboration with Village Brewery. Be sure to grab a brew and enjoy the line-up of incredible local talent.
When: Friday, August 10
Time: 5 pm
Where: Between 9th Avenue and 10th Street SE
Admission: FREE
Taste of Calgary
What: Going on a date or just looking for something fun to do with friends? Sample some of Calgary’s best international cuisines and sip on delicious, locally made craft beers, wines, and cocktails as you enjoy the warm summer weather and listen to live outdoor music for four days in a row. Sounds like a pretty good deal to us.
When: August 10 to 13
Time: 11 am to 9 pm
Where: 200 Barclay Parade SW
Cost: Free Admission, sampling tickets are $1 purchase online in advanced
Michael Franti and Spearhead: Stay Human Tour
What: He’s on his International Tour and making a stop in YYC. Give this brilliant singer-songwriter a warm Canadian welcome as he tears up the stage on August 10. Be sure to come caffeinated — he always puts on one VERY lively performance!
When: Friday, August 10
Time: 8 pm
Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive NW
Tickets: Ticketmaster, $61 to $82
Watch a movie under the stars
What: Head to Kensington for their summer series of outdoor movies in the parking lot of Purr. This week’s flick of choice is Jumanji. Who doesn’t want to see the Rock, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan make their way through the jungle of a video game? Our hands are in the air. BYOC (Bring your own chair).
When: Friday, August 10
Time: 9 pm
Where: Kensington Road and 10 Street
Admission: FREE
Summer Market Presented by Southcentre + Curated
What: Southcentre Mall and Curated market have partnered up together to bring four uniquely curated artisan markets to YYC this summer. You can look forward to shopping from many talented makers and artists, treating yourself to delicious foods from YYC Food Trucks, and enjoying live entertainment, all in the south parking lot of Southcentre Mall.
When: August 10 and 11
Time: 5 to 10 pm
Where: Southcentre Mall – 100 Anderson Road SE
Admission: FREE
Calgary Dragon Boat Race and Festival
What: Compete in this traditional Chinese cultural event that stems from a 2000-year-old Chinese legend. Work with a team of up to 26 people while navigating through the waters. After the race, enjoy the all-day festival that includes a kid’s play zone, food trucks, beer gardens, live performances, and more.
When: August 10 to 12
Time: Friday, 1 to 10 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 7 am to 10 pm
Where: North Glenmore Park – 5R7, 7305 Crowchild Trail SW
Cost: Free
Saturday, August 11
Jayman BUILT Block Party
What: check out some showhomes and grab yourself a hotdog at this block party in Courtyards Corner. Hot dogs, burgers, and veggie burgers will be available for guests who attend, and RED FM will be on scene bringing the tunes.
When: Saturday, August 11
Time: 2 to 5 pm
Where: 7 Cornerstone Passage, Calgary
2018 Southern Alberta Music Festival
What: Pull out your cowboy boots for yet another country affair at the sixth annual Southern Alberta Music Festival in support of STARS Air Ambulance. Don’t forget your chair.
When: August 10 to 12
Time: 10 am to 12 am
Where: Aspen Crossing – 1 km West #24 Mossleigh, Alberta
Tickets: Online, $80
Summer Feast
What: Celebrate Calgary’s vibrant and growing food scene with this 10-day dining event happening this August. You will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious Prix fix summer menus for lunch and dinner from 18 of Calgary’s best and most diverse restaurants. It will be a foodie affair you’ll never forget — Bon Appetite.
When: August 11 to 20
Where: See all the participating resultants here
Cost: Reserve Online, $20 to $45
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat
What: This colourful story aims to inspire and amaze. Be sure to grab a delicious meal from the buffet before the show begins. This is the perfect night out for the whole family.
When: June 1 to September 1
Time: 11 am or 5 pm
Where: Rosebud Theatre Opera House – 106 Martin Avenue, Rosebud Alberta
Tickets: Online, $54 to $84
Take a ride in Handsome Andy with Moose Trail Overland
What: Join local experts and firefighters Mike and Ryan as they show you all their favourite spots in the area and take you on a thrilling adventure in Handsome Andy, a 4×4 Ford E350. Don’t expect your typical cookie cutter tour, as these two are keen to take you off the beaten path and bring your dream of adventure to life.
Price: Varies per tour – book online
Take advantage of Calgary’s bumping patio scene
What: Take a break from the heat and have an ice-cold bevy on one of Calgary’s best patios. From rooftops to hidden gardens, there are plenty of spots to choose from that will have the vibe and ambiance you’re looking for. Check out some of Calgary’s best rooftop patios here.
Calgary Fringe Festival
What: A plethora of uncensored, non-juried theatre performances happening all around the city. This iconic festival was started in Scotland in 1947 and has grown to become one of the most popular art festivals in the world. Anything goes at this one.
When: August 3 to 11
Time: Various times
Where: Various theatres around the city
Cost: Online, $55 to $200
Shakespeare by the Bow
What: Your favourite outdoor theatre is back for yet another summer of dramatic and comedic performances. Watch as they perform a light-hearted take on the tumultuous friendship between Proteus and Valentine in Shakespeare’s ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona.”
When: June 29 to August 19
Time: Tuesday to Saturday, 7 pm; Sunday, 2 pm and 7 pm
Where: Prince’s Island Park
Admission: Pay what you can
Go Shopping at the East Village Junction Pop-Up Retail Park
What: In only one year, this colourful container lot has turned into a popular Calgary mainstay. Located behind the King Edward Hotel, this is a unique destination that features local retail shops, workshops, music, art, and, of course, YYC Food Trucks. Shop for vintage goods at Prairie Bazaar, treats for your doggo at Bark YYC, get yourself a bike at Rath Bicycle or some nuts snacks from Going Nuts. You won’t want to miss out on the fun summer festivities that they have planned at this hip community gathering space this summer.
When: May 18 to September 3
Where: 430 8th Avenue SE
Admission: Free
Sunday, August 12
The 34 Annual Marda Gras Street Festival
What: Experience Marda Loop come to life as you enjoy live music, exciting cultural performances, kids activities, loads of shopping, and delectable bites at this exciting family-friendly street festival.
When: Sunday, August 12
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Marda Loop – 33rd Avenue between 18 and 22 Street SW
Cost: Free
Outdoor HIIT with Movement U
What: Get a tan while you work on your fitness. Spend an hour outdoors as Cory and Rachel team up to take your summer workout to the next level at Murdoch Park in Bridgeland.
When: Sunday, August 12
Time: 12 pm
Where: Murdoch Park
Admission: Online, regular drop-in $23
Check out Flower and Wolf
What: Take a ride with an Old Fashioned with a twist featuring Old London, Old Oaxaca, and Old Cuba at this new restaurant situated in the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire. This eclectic foodie wonderland is both globally inspired and classically rooted in a sophisticated social space aimed to unite locals and travellers alike.
Where: 255 Barclay Parade SW
Head out of town for a mountain adventure
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.
Rent a bike and go on a river adventure
What: Grab your squad, get yourself some wheels, and put those bike paths to good use — all while seeing the city from a different perspective.
Where: Rent bikes at these locations: Rath Bicycle and Bike and Brew
Take a float down the Bow River
What: This is a tradition most of us Calgarians look forward to doing at least once during the summer. Plus, it’s the ultimate refresher when stuck in a prairie heat wave.
Tips: Make sure that you have enough life jackets for your entire group, book your raft ahead of time, park a vehicle at the beginning and the end of your route, and check weather advisories before heading out.
Where: Lazy Day Raft Rentals, Sports Rent, The Paddle Station and the Outdoor Centre at the University of Calgary
Enjoy a day at the Spa in the heart of the Rockies
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. Opened in March, the spa has taken the last month off to add some new exciting additions to its facilities for summer. Come out for a relaxing experience and the opportunity to discover clarity in the midst of the mountains.
Where: 1 Centennial Drive, Kananaskis
Go Hiking in the Rockies
What: The view is worth the climb.
Where: Here are some of the most picturesque hiking spots in and around Banff to check out this summer.