14 things to do in Calgary this weekend: October 23 to 25
With just one weekend left to go before Halloween (and with winter weather rolling in), time is running out to live your best October life.
Whether its scaring yourself silly at a haunted house, picking out the perfect pumpkin, or simply exploring some of the city’s newest, coolest spots, we’ve got some suggestions to jumpstart your weekend plans.
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Check out The World’s Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller
Touted as the World’s Largest Dinosaur, the enterable attraction that is a must-visit for anyone hitting up the Royal Tyrell Museum officially turned 20 on October 13.
As part of the celebrations, town organizers decided it was high time to give the 82-foot-tall sculpture a name, and they reached out to the public to decide.
After counting 568 votes, it was determined that the World’s Largest Dinosaur would be deemed “Tyra.”
Where: 60 1st Avenue W, Drumheller
Time: Daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm
Tickets: $4 per person
Road trip to an abandoned ghost town in Alberta
Abandoned church in Alberta (Shutterstock)
They may not officially be haunted, but the eerie silence of Alberta’s ghost towns is still enough to make the skin crawl.
Alberta has dozens of ghost towns stretching throughout the province, most the result of a booming coal industry that were abandoned when operations failed, resources were depleted, or the world simply moved on to other forms of energy.
Check out our list of spooky places to visit this October.
Calgary’s FREE indoor night market
The Calgary Night Market will make its triumphant return to the city with its event this Friday, October 23 at the Eau Claire Market.
Running from 5 to 10 pm, the market will offer attendees a chance to support some of the city’s best entrepreneurs by buying from local vendors.
When: Friday, October 23
Time: 5 to 10 pm
Where: Eau Claire Market — 200 Barclay Parade SW, Calgary
Admission: Free!
March supporting Mi’kmaq fishing rights
There’s a march happening in Calgary on Saturday supporting the Mi’kmaq people’s right to fish for lobster on their traditional territory.
The Solidarity March for Mi’kma’ki and Land Defenders Coast to Coast is part of Idle No More’s week of solidarity with the Indigenous fishers. It kicks off at 1 pm on Saturday at a location to be announced at 6 pm on Friday.
When: Saturday, October 24
Time: Starts at 1 pm
Where: TBA
Grab a drink at Calgary’s newest bar
@chemicalsteves/Instagram
Calgary’s 17th Avenue just got a new come-as-you-are beer joint: Chemical Steve’s.
The casual new spot offers Calgarians local beer, spirits, wine, snacks, music, and good times.
Chemical Steve’s quietly opening over the weekend at 718 17th Avenue SW, which is the former location of Market.
The new eatery has $6 snacks like wings, poutine, and tots (aka all our favourite things) alongside some awesome brews up for order.
Address: 718 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Take stunning photos at this 2D cafe
@94takethecake/Instagram
94 Take the Cake might just be the cutest thing outside of Calgary we’ve ever seen.
The 94 Elma Street W cafe is located in Okotoks, just a short 30-ish-minute drive from YYC, and it’s definitely worth the drive if you ask us.
In addition to sweet treats and caffeinated beverages, 94 offers patrons the ultimate photo-op, as it’s decked out in an awesome 2D colouring-book style design done by local artists.
Address: 94 Elma Street W, Okotoks
Get your flu shot
It’s officially flu season.
Alberta Health Services has announced that the annual flu shot is now available throughout the province, with Albertans being encouraged to get immunized to protect both themselves and their at-risk neighbours.
According to the Alberta Health Services website, influenza immunization will be offered through AHS to children under five and their family or household members, though the vaccine will need to be booked through an online tool that will become available as of October 13.
All other Albertans should contact their pharmacist or physician to arrange for their own free vaccinations.
Field of Screams 2020
Cobb’s Corn Maze is bringing Field of Screams to Calgary starting this Friday.
For October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31, Cobb’s Corn Maze will feature six different haunted houses and a long list of spooky activities.
When: Weekends from October 5 to 31
Time: 6 to 10 pm, tickets will be fore specific time slots
Where: Cobb’s Corn Maze — 1500 84th Street NE
Tickets: Available online, $26
Check Out High Park
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 physically distancing) at the tip top of a six-storey parking garage.
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.
Hunt down all of the prank plaques at Bowmont Park
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
Explore the city’s newest murals
This year’s BUMP Festival was a little different than usual due to pandemic 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.
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
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