Make your weekend a wonderful one with our rundown of 25 great Calgary events on Friday, August 9, Saturday, August 10, and Sunday, August 11. Slam Festival, Calgary Japanese Festival, and more!

For more things happening around town check out our events section.

See also

• International Hot Air Balloon festival floats back to High River next month
• Keys N Krates revealed as headliner for Calgary food, beer, and music festival this fall
• Billy Ray Cyrus and Dallas Smith will be in Calgary to host the CCMAs

Friday, August 9

Heritage Park Midway Adult-Only Night 2019

What: Heritage Park will be hosting an adults-only night this Friday, August 9, inviting those aged 18 and older out for a night of drinks, food, rides, and not a kid in sight. Running from 7 to 10 pm, the special night will feature an amped up menu that includes Alberta beef sliders, duck confit poutine, and handmade chicken corndogs.

Of course, it’s not an adult-only night without some adult beverages, and the event will not disappoint by providing Big Rock beer and cider, Eau Claire Distillery cocktails, and Okanagan Valley wine. You may want to hold off on all the alcohol before hitting the rides, however, as the Heritage park midway’s carousel, whip, dangler swings, and caterpillar will all be operational.

When: August 9, 2019
Time: 7 to 10 pm
Where: Heritage Park — 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Tickets: $20, available online or at the gate

Inglewood Night Market

What: The Inglewood Night Market occurs every second Friday in the summer months in Calgary. Each event hosts over 50 local vendors selling diverse goods from handmade craftsmen items to vintage clothing, antiques & collectibles, artisan eats and more. You’ll also find food trucks, singer-songwriters, bands, dancers, outdoor seating, a family-friendly licenced area and other fun things to check out.

When: August 9, 2019
Time: 5 to 11 pm
Where: Between 9 Avenue and 10 Street SE
Admission: Free

Slam Festival 2019

What: Hosted by the Alberta River Surfing Association, the surf festival invites thousands of people to experience a vision of an Urban Beach that combines art, culture, sport, and recreation in a single event. The list of events is extensive, from skate contests, live broadcasts, mock-tails on the beach, live music, live and interactive art, and of course, river surfing. The festival will also host surf competitions, a luau, floating the bow, and fitness activities.

When: August 9 to August 10, 2019
Where: 311 8th Street SW
Time: August 9 at 1 pm to August 10 at 10 pm
Tickets: General admission is $20. Register here

Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival

What: The Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival draws thousands of competitors and spectators each year. Enjoy an abundance of excitement and cultural experiences, including Family Fun Zone, food trucks, beer gardens, live entertainment, and the dragon boat races.

When: August 9 to 11, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: North Glenmore Park – 7305 Crowchild Trail SW
Admission: Free

2019 Southern Alberta Music Festival

What: The seventh annual Southern Alberta Music Festival in support of STARS Air Ambulance. Kick back and relax while you listen to a variety of country, blues, folk and good old fashioned rock n’ roll. While at the music festival explore different vendors, relish a delicious meal from one of the concessions or unwind in the beer gardens.

When: August 9 and 10, 2019
Time: 7 to 11 pm (Friday), 10 am to 12 am (Saturday)
Where: Aspen Crossing – 1 km West #24 Mossleigh, Alberta
Tickets: Online

Saturday, August 10

Calgary Japanese Festival 2019

What: The annual festival will feature authentic Japanese customs, traditional music, dance, and song shows and martial arts demos. This year’s Japanese Festival will once again be held at the Max Bell Centre instead of its original place at the Bowness Community Centre. The family-friendly event and will include games and bouncy houses, galleries of local Japanese arts, and crafts food kiosks serving traditional Japanese cuisine.

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Max Bell Centre – 1001 Barlow Trail SE
Price: $3-$7

Brooks Medieval Faire 2019

What: The Brooks Medieval Faire is back for its 16-year anniversary at the Silver Sage Rodeo Grounds in the Canadian Badlands on Saturday, August 10, and Sunday, August 11. The Faire has been the largest gathering of medieval and historical reenactment in all of western Canada since it started in 2003. Every year, families and friends are encouraged to join in on the festivities that take attendees on a trip back in time. Costumes are encouraged and yes, there will be actors improvising medieval storylines for your entertainment.

When: August 10 to August 11, 2019
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Silver Sage Rodeo Grounds — 144059 Silver Sage Road, Brooks, Alberta
Tickets: Pricing dependent on age — available online

Calgary Fringe Festival

What: A plethora of uncensored, non-juried theatre performances happening all around the city. The Calgary Fringe will host a combination of local, national, and international productions – 26 altogether – for a total of over 160 performances over nine days.

When: Now to August 10, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various theatres around the city
Tickets: Online

Slam Festival – Main Event

What: An all-day family friendly rock concert featuring performances by Bombargo, Fever Feel, The Varmoors, Lashes, Sitstill!, The Moonsnakes, Winky P, Silence The Swamps, and Good Grief. Plus food trucks, an artisan market, and more.

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 11 am to 10 pm
Where: 311 8 St SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Dandyfest 2019

What: The Dandy Brewing Company celebrates the fifth anniversary of their first brew with an outdoor festival featuring over 12 breweries from across North America. There will also be food onsite and live music throughout the day.

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 11 am to 8 pm. Two sessions available
Where: The Dandy Brewing Company – 2003 11th Street SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Saturdays in C-Square with National Music Centre – Chinese Traditional

What: Head to East Village Calgary’s open-air urban square every Saturday for free performances presented by National Music Centre. On August 10 enjoy a live performance by Musesica Trio and Harmony Guzheng Ensemble.

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 1 to 4 pm
Where: East Village Calgary’s open-air urban square – 4 Street and 7 Avenue SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Reptile Mania

What: Head to Cobb’s Adventure Park for Reptile Mania on August 10 and 11. Meet all of Cobb’s reptiles, plus many more from Calgary Reptile Parties. Plus enjoy a show by Jason from Animal Planet’s Scaled.

When: August 10 and 11, 2019
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Cobb’s Adventure Park – 1500 84th Street NE, Calgary
Admission Info: Online

Toronto featuring Holly Woods with Carole Pope

What: Ontario classic rockers Toronto (Your Daddy Don’t KNow) featuring Holly Woods perform at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino with special guest Carole Pope

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Dr, Calgary, Calgary
Tickets: Online

In Ireland We Rented a Car from Criminals

What: In Ireland We Rented a Car from Criminals is a Calgary Fringe play that tells the story of Tom and Mary searching for their long-dead ancestors in the famine graveyards. Along the way, they meet an Irish dozen of storytellers.

When: August 9 and August 10, 2019
Time: 5:30 pm (Friday), 7:15 pm (Satuday)
Where: Lunchbox Theatre – 160 – 115 9 Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Movie on the Rise 2019 – Aladdin

What: East Village Calgary presents an outdoor screening of Aladdin on St. Patrick’s Island.

When: August 10, 2019
Time: 9:15 pm
Where: St. Patrick’s Island – The Rise
Admission: Free

Sunday, August 11

Marda Gras Street Festival

What: Marda Gras is a free family-friendly event that attracts over 35,000 visitors from all over Calgary. On Sunday, August 11, 2019, the streets of Marda Loop celebrate the festival’s 35th year in the community. Come and enjoy live music, dance and cultural performances, a fun kids area, unique shopping, and lots of great food.

When: August 11, 2019
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: 33rd Avenue SW between 18th and 22nd street
Admission: Free

Monthly Open House at AVRO Museum

What: Learn more about Avro Canada and its contributions to Canada’s aviation and aerospace legacy, plus see the latest progress on the Arrow II project. There will be a flight simulator on-site, used in AVRO’s design and testing, which will be open for the public to take for a spin.

When: The Second Sunday of every month – August 11, and September 11, 2019
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Where: AVRO Museum – 229 Avro Lane, Calgary
Admission: Free. Small donation when using the flight simulator to help maintain its operation

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: 10 am (Mahogany) 1 pm (Stanley Park)
Where: Mahogany – Masters Square & Mahogany Blvd; Stanley Park SW – 42 Ave & 1A Street SW
Admission: Pay what you want

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.

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: August 11, August 25, September 8, 2019
Time: 2 pm
Where: Vin Room Mission – 2310 – 4 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

Taste of Calgary 2019

What: The annual celebration is celebrating its 23rd event this year, and it will feature global cuisines from a mix of unique restaurants and beverage companies. Going down from August 8 to 11 at 200 Barclay Parade SW (Eau Claire Market), this event offers patrons free entry and then the opportunity to buy $1 sampling tickets for food and drink once inside. Expect amazing vendors and some live music too.

When: Now to August 11, 2019
Time: 11 am to 10 pm
Where: Eau Claire Market – 200 Barclay Parade SW
Price: Free entry

Seconds Pottery Sale

What: Galleria Inglewood is holding its annual Seconds Pottery Sale. Pickup what the Galleria describes as “discontinued, kiln nerds or just plain ugly” pottery as discount prices.

When: Now to August 11, 2019
Time: 10 am to 5 pm (Monday to Saturday), 12 to 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Galleria Inglewood – 907 9th Ave.S.E., Calgary
Admission: Free

Dice Dynasty YYC

What: A live and interactive game of Dungeons & Dragons featuring some of Calgary’s drag personalities. Starring DeVery Bess, Anne Xiety, Valerie Hunt and DM Brogan Bell, with special guests Vanta Blaque and No Name Brand.

When: August 11, 2019
Time: Doors 6 pm, show 6:30 pm
Where: Junction – 628 8th Avenue SW, Calgary
Tickets: $10 at the door, nobody turned away for lack of funds

Tenth Annual Art in the Garden

What: The Tenth Annual Art in the Garden features many artists in attendance, including Rosemary Bennett, Linda Lalonde, Fran Sayles, Gloria Chow, and guest artist Sharron Bowen. Check out the paintings art cards, prints and stained glass, take in art demos, and enter to win the door prize.

When: August 10 and August 11, 2019
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Where: 3443 Kerrypark Rd., SW, Calgary
Admission: Free, donations for the Calgary Food Bank will be collected