30 things to do in Calgary this weekend: August 30 to September 2
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So long August, hello September! Enjoy your long weekend with these 30 things to do in Calgary on Friday, August 30, Saturday, August 31, Sunday, September 1 and Monday, September 2. Calgary Highland Games, Calgary Pride, and more.
For more things happening around town check out our events section.
See also
- Calgary's illuminated ULTRA Night Run is returning next weekend
- Figure skating icons Tessa Virtue, Scott Moir, and Patrick Chan announce Canadian tour
- Canadian punk rockers PUP are coming to Calgary this fall
Friday, August 30
Fiesta Filipino
What: True to its primary objective in promoting the Filipino arts, culture, and traditions, the Fiesta Filipino YYC, during its two-day celebration, features exhibits, paintings, songs, sports, and dances that showcased the richness of our cultural heritage.
When: August 30 and September 1, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Olympic Plaza – 288 8 Avenue SE
Admission: Free
Market Collective Summer Takeover at St. Louis
What: Market Collective will be setting up a summer long activation at the St. Louis hotel in East Village. There will be programming with food trucks, art installations, DJs, and musicians. There will also be an urban basketball court outside. Some artists will rotate on a monthly basis.
When: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until September 1, 2019
Time: 12 to 7 pm (Friday), 11 am to 5 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: St. Louis Hotel – 430 8 Ave SE, Calgary
Admission: Free
Real Canadian Wrestling – Smith Hart Memorial Show
What: Real Canadian Wrestling presents the second Smith Hart Memorial Show. Featuring WWE legend Genius Lanny Poffo, a grudge tag team match with Kota and Jordon Aries versus Vince Austin and Dante, and more.
When: August 30, 2019
Time: meet and greet 6 pm, doors 6:30 pm, show 7 pm
Where: Royal Canadian Legion 1 – 116-7th Ave SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Something From Nothing: Fashion Show + Dance Battle
What: Velour Clothing Exchange, Like New Vintage and PULSE Studios present an evening of dance, fashion, music and shopping. Featuring members of Calgary and Red Deer Streetdance communities, with judges including KID DAVID, LOGISTX and SHOWTYME.
When: August 30, 2019
Time: 7 to 11 pm
Where: cSPACE King Edward – 1721 29 Avenue Southwest top floor – treehouse, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Backyard BeerFest
Cheers with beer/Shutterstock
What: Mill Street Brewpub Calgary present their first Backyard Beerfest in collaboration with Get REAL during Calgary Pride. There will be a Pride Beer Festival with local breweries showing off pride beers, the launch of Mill Street’s team-up brew with Get Real, games and activities, snacks and beer samples, and more.
When: August 30, 2019
Time: 5 to 8 pm
Where: Mill Street Brewpub Calgary – 219 17th Avenue SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Saturday, August 31
Beltline Urban Mural Festival 2019
What: The four-day event will feature free artist talks, walking tours, and multiple parties to celebrate the new artwork in the city, and when all is said, done, and painted, there will be a total of 15 new pieces bringing colour to Calgary. Artists involved in this year’s BUMP include Fluke, Daleast, Cinta Vidal, Reza Nik, Labrona, Fats, Troy Lovegates, TheKidBelo, Luke Ramsey, Mary Haasdyk, Kevin Cardinal, Mike Valcourt, Lacey & Layla, Kyle Simmers, and Guido Van Helten.
When: Now to August 31, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Throughout the Beltline neighbourhood
Admission: Free
BBQ on the Bow
smoking BBQ / bbqonthebow.com
What: BBQ on the Bow is an annual Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS) sanctioned BBQ Competition and outdoor festival taking place at the Montgomery Community Association (Shouldice Park) during Labour Day long weekend. Enjoy food demos, live music, beer gardens, food trucks, kids zone, and more.
When: August 31 and September 1, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Montgomery Community Centre – 5003 16th Avenue NW
Admission: Free
Make the Leaf 2019
What: Calgarians are invited to help make the world’s largest human maple leaf and take the title from Vancouver on Labour Day weekend. The event, called Make the Leaf, will attempt to break the current record on the grounds of Fort Calgary on Saturday, August 31.
Tickets cost $35, buying you lunch and a commemorative t-shirt. Early bird tickets for $30 will be available until July 31. The money fundraised for this event will go towards the non-profit BRAVE, an organization that helps to educate children on how to prevent being recruited for trafficking.
When: August 31, 2019
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Fort Calgary — 750 9th Avenue SE
Tickets: $30-35 — available through website
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: August 31, 2019
Time: Starts at 9 am
Where: Calgary Rugby Union – 9025 Shepard Road SE
Tickets: Online
Cochrane Farmers’ Market – 2019 Market at the Ranche
What: The “Market at the Ranche” is open for its 21st Season. As an Alberta Approved Farmers’ Market, each and every week will showcase the perfect mix of vendors – full-time favourites alongside a wide range of new and unique products. Farmers, growers, brewers, distillers, artisans, and makers — an amazing variety every week.
When: Every Saturday until September 28, 2019
Time: 9:30 am to 1 pm
Address: Cochrane Ranche Historic Site 663 Bow Valley Trail, Cochrane
Admission: Free
Pure Pride Calgary 2019
What: The 14th-anniversary Pride party features RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, including Season 11’s winner Yvie Oddly, A’Keria C. Davenport, and Nina West. Fans who want to meet the three stars can buy VIP meet and greet tickets to see them and take photos. The dance floor will be kept alive thanks to DJ Darkstar, according to Pure Pride Calgary’s event page.
When: August 31, 2019
Time: 8:30 pm to 3 am
Where: The Palace Theatre (219 8th Avenue SW)
Tickets: $40, available online
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden/Facebook
What: Metalheads should start preparing for a beast of a show. The famed Iron Maiden will be hitting Calgary as part of their Legacy of the Beast tour. This will be the first time they’ve visited the city since back in 2012.
When: August 31, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: Starting at $58 online
The Fruit Machine
What: Catch a screening of Sarah Fodey’s documentary The Fruit Machine during Pride week at The Military Museums. According to The Fruit Machine’s website, it is “a film about the systematic dismissal of homosexual public servants in Canada from the 1950s through 1980s; a story rooted in hope and a country’s struggle to do the right thing.” Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, parental guidance is advised.
When: August 31, 2019
Time: Doors at 12 pm, film at 1 pm
Where: The Military Museums 4520 Crowchild Trail Southwest Calgary
Tickets: Online
Dog Days Of Summer
What: Common Crown is hosting their Dog Days Of Summer patio party on August 31. Being accompanied by a fury friend or giving a donation to Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society will get you $5 pints all day long. Donation can be a monetary sum of your choosing or an item on the AARCS wish list.
There will also be a 50/50 draw, AARCS volunteers onsite with information, and several adoptable dogs looking for a good home.
When: August 31, 2019
Time: 2 to 9 pm
Where: Common Crown Brewing Co. – 943 28 St NE, Calgary
Admission: Free
Party In The Park
What: WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park hosts a massive two-day rock concert this long weekend. Enjoy performances by Styx, Trooper, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Vince Neil, 54-40, Northern Pikes. and Toque.
When: August 31 and September 1, 2019
Time: 1 to 11 pm
Address: WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park – 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW Suite 140, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Sunday, September 1
Pride Parade and Pride in the Park 2019
Einstein Barathyraj / Shutterstock
What: The Pride Parade will take on September 1 from 11 am to 1 pm as people flood the streets and wave their rainbow flags to celebrate Calgary’s LGBTQ+ community. After the parade, everyone is invited to go the Prince’s Island Park to enjoy “delicious food, experience live entertainment, dance barefoot in the grass, [and to] peruse the Pride marketplace,” to continue the celebrations, according to the Facebook event description. Be sure to expect a crowded party, too, as the parade itself is expected to attract upwards of 75,000 spectators.
When: September 1, 2019
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: 6 Avenue from 3 Street SE to 6 Street SW, 6 Street SW from 6 Avenue SW to 3 Avenue SW (Pride Parade), Prince’s Island Park — 698 Eau Claire Avenue SW (Pride in the Park)
Admission: Free
Canmore Highland Games
What: Canmore Highland Games returns to Centennial Park in Canmore. Enjoy Taste of the Highlands on Saturday evening, watch 29th Annual Canmore Highland Games and enjoy a Scotch evening on Sunday, and wrap things up with the evening Ceilidh on Sunday evening.
When: August 31 to September 1, 2019
Time: 5 to 9 pm (Saturday) 7:30 am to 6 pm (Sunday)
Where: Centennial Park — Canmore
Tickets: Online
Banff International String Quartet Competition
What: Experience a week of exceptional chamber music in the Canadian Rockies as ten of the world’s best emerging string quartets vie for over $300,000 in cash and the title of First Place Laureates. Package purchasers and passport holders also get access to the lecture series.
When: Now until September 1, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: The Banff Centre – 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff
Tickets: Online
Lions Club of Bearspaw Farmers’ Market
What: Check out over 120 vendors at Lions Club of Bearspaw Farmers’ Market. During the market, a caterer inside the Lions Hall provides breakfast and brunch/lunch from about 9 am to 2 pm. Several of the outside food vendors also sell food you can eat at the market.
When: Every Sunday to October 6, 2019
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Address: Lions Club of Bearspaw – 25240 Nagway Rd, Calgary
Admission: Free
Sunday Funday at East Village
What: 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. Honour system applies.
When: Every Sunday to September 1, 2019
Time: 11 am to 4 pm
Where: St. Patrick’s Island – 1300 Zoo Road NE, Calgary
Admission: Free
Lions Club of Bearspaw Farmers’ Market
What: Check out over 120 vendors at Lions Club of Bearspaw Farmers’ Market. During the market, a caterer inside the Lions Hall provides breakfast and brunch/lunch from about 9 am to 2 pm. Several of the outside food vendors also sell food you can eat at the market.
When: Every Sunday until October 6, 2019
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Address: Lions Club of Bearspaw – 25240 Nagway Rd, Calgary
Admission: Free
Bowden Sunmaze at Eagle Creek Farms
Sunflowers ( salajean / Shutterstock)
What: The Bowden SunMaze features a sunflower field spanning three full acres and is home to over 100,000 flowers. The farm, upick, and maze is open rain or shine. Bowden can be reached along Highway 2, is just before Red Deer, and takes about one hour and 20 minutes to reach by car from Calgary.
When: Until September 2019, depending on bloom and the weather
Time: 11 am to 5 pm, seven days a week
Where: Eagle Creek Farms – Range Road 14, Bowden
Admission: $9 for adults, $6.50 for children, four-years-old and under are free
Rocky Horror Picture Show at Calgary Pride 2019
What: In a joint presentation by the Calgary Underground Film Festival, Calgary Queer Arts Society, and Hole in the Wall Studios, The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be showing at the Globe Cinema.
The pre-show features performances by Phil, Fake Mustache, and Clint Torres, according to the event’s website. Audiences are highly encouraged to wear costumes and to participate in various traditions. Prop kits will be available for purchase.
When: September 1, 2019
Time: Doors 10:30 pm, pre-show 11:30 pm, screening at midnight
Where: Globe Cinema — 617 8th Avenue SW
Tickets: Available online, tickets cost $15, $20 at the door
Scotiabank Backbeat presents The Permanent Residents
What: Calgary acoustic rockers The Permanent Residents perform as part of Scotiabank Backbeat on September 1 at the National Music Centre.
When: September 1, 2019
Time: 1 to 2 pm
Where: National Music Centre – 850 – 4 Street SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, included with admission
Los Morenos
What: The City of Calgary is hosting a “Celebrate End of Summer Free Concert in the Park” Los Morenos at Central Memorial Park. Invite your family and friends, bring something to sit on, grab a bite at the food trucks, then enjoy some live music.
When: September 1, 2019
Time: 12 to 2 pm
Where: Central Memorial Park – 1221-2nd St SW, Calgary
Admission: Free
Monday, September 2
Calgary Stampeders vs Edmonton Eskimos
Candice Ward / Calgary Stampeders
What: The Calgary Stampeders take on the Edmonton Eskimos at McMahaon Stadium.
When: September 2, 2019
Time: 1:30 pm
Where: McMahon Stadium – 1817 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Calaway Park
What: Calaway Park presents its 38th season of family fun. Enjoy rides, games, food and more.
When: Open daily until Monday, September 2. Then every Friday and Saturday from September 7 to October 13. Closing day on Monday, October 14.
Time: 10 am to 7 pm until September 2. 11 am to 6 pm from September 7 to October 14
Where: Calaway Park – 245033 Range Road 33
Admission Info: Online
Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash
What: The Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash is a giant inflatable obstacle course big enough for adults to jump around on. The gigantic floating fortress features a 15-foot tower, a climbing wall, a launch bag, a trapeze swing, and basically anything else you could ever imagine. Located, as the name suggests, on Sylvan Lake, the aqua park can be found just west of Red Deer, meaning that it is only an hour and a half drive from Calgary for a full day of fun on the lake.
When: Now to September 2, 2019
Time: 11 am to 8 pm for the full season
Where: Bay #1, 5100 Lakeshore Drive Sylvan Lake, Alberta
Tickets: Available online, starting at $15
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 four and up are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
When: September 2, 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
The Backyard Patio Party Summer Series
What: Head to Tavernetta YYC on September 2 for a backyard patio party to remember. Enjoy a full day of drinks by Tavernetta, burgers by Vegan Street food truck, music, and bocce all day.
When: September 2, 2019
Time: 2 to 10 pm
Where: Tavernetta YYC – 1002 Edmonton Trail NE, Calgary
Admission: Free
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