10 Calgary festivals you can't miss out on this September 2018

Circle: The Travelling Food, Beer, and Music Carnival (Circle)

Calling all Calgarians!

If you can’t think of any good plans for September, we’ve got you covered. We’ve put together a list of the top ten festivals you may want to visit this month.

Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or have kids, one of these festivals is calling your name.

Calgary Highland Games

What: The Highland Games are coming back to Calgary this month, where attendees will be able to enjoy Scottish drink, dancing, feats of athleticism, and a serious beer garden.

When: Saturday, September 1, 2018

Time: Starts at 9 am

Where: Calgary Rugby Union – 9025 Shepard Road SE

Admission: Available online, $20

Canmore Highland Games

Highland games/Shutterstock

What: That’s right, our region get not one, but two Highland games. Take part in the Scottish festivities a little closer to the Rocky Mountains at the Canmore Highland Games.

When: Saturday, September 1 to Sunday, September 2, 2018

Time: 5 to 9 pm on Saturday, 8 am to 6 pm on Sunday

Where: Centennial Park — Canmore

Admission: Available online, $60 for two-day pass

BBQ on the Bow

What: Enjoy an award-winning rack of ribs, listen to live music, and spend the day at the side of the Bow River to send summer off with a serious celebration.

When: Saturday, September 1 to Sunday, September 2, 2018

Time: 11 am to 8:30 pm on Saturday, 11 am to 6:30 pm on Sunday

Where: Montgomery Community Association/Shouldice Park — 5003 16th Avenue NW

Admission: Free to attend

What: A BassBus creation — partnered up with YYCFoodTrucks and Village Brewery, no less — the carnival promises to host multiple local and international musical performances, a bingo dome, over 14 food trucks, live circus performances, a 30,000 ball ball-pit (yes, adults are allowed in), and a site-wide liquor license.

When: Saturday, September 8, 2018

Time: 11 am to 11 pm

Where: Shaw Millennium Park — 1220 9th Avenue SW

Admission: Available online, $35 for adults, $5 for kids

Beakerhead

Bee Kingdom’s Inflatable Space Invasion (Beakerhead/Facebook)

What: Beakerhead, for anyone unsure of why there are a bunch of random, colourful art installations around the city every September, is a celebration of what happens when art and science smash into one another.

When: Wednesday, September 19 to Sunday, September 23

Where: Locations all around Calgary

Tickets: Available online

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

YYC Pizza Week

YYC Pizza Week/Facebook

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.

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

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 movie.

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

Calgary Metalfest

What: Calgary’s Metalfest is back this September, and though a lineup has yet to be announced, we know that it’s going to be a seriously rocking time.

When: Friday, September 21 to Saturday, September 22, 2018

Time: TBD

Where: TBD

Admission: TBD

Doors Open YYC

Aviation Day (Doors Open YYC/Facebook)

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

10 Calgary festivals you can't miss out on this September

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