25 things to do in Calgary this weekend: July 12 to 14

Summertime rolls on and we’re ready to have fun! Enjoy your weekend with these 25 events happening in Calgary on Friday, July 12, Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14. Lil Nas, Bastille Day, and more!

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

See also

• Live out your medieval fantasies at this summer faire in Alberta
• 6 public outdoor pools where you can beat the summer heat in Calgary
• A magical Harry Potter-themed brunch is coming to Calgary this December

Friday, July 12

Lil Nas X Cowboys Music Festival Tent

What: Lil Nas X is coming to perform Old Town Road live at the Calgary Stampede. The American rapper and singer is hitting the stage at Cowboys Music Festival Tent on July 12 for his first ever Canadian performance.

When: July 12, 2019
Where: Cowboys Music Festival Tent – 1410 Olympic Way SE (Stampede Grounds)
Tickets: Available online

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: July 12, August 9, September 13 and September 14, 2019
Time: 5 to 11 pm
Where: Between 9 Avenue and 10 Street SE
Admission: Free

2019 Oxford Stomp

What: Top-selling Canadian artist of all time Bryan Adams will be rocking the stage in Calgary on July 12, for the 2019 Oxford Stomp. The event will take place in Shaw Millenium Park on Friday, July 12. Rocking the stage with 15-time Grammy nominee Bryan Adams will be 13-time Juno Award nominee Amanda Marshall and Canada’s power-pop legends Odds. The Oxford Stomp is Calgary’s longest running corporate stampede party and outdoor concert. The event just celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2018.

When: Friday, July 12, 2019
Time: Gates open at 3 pm
Where: Shaw Millennium Park, 1220 9th Avenue SW
Tickets: Starting from $99 on Ticketmaster

Bulls After Dark 2019

What: The Calgary Stampede has decided to offer something a little more action-packed than the after-hours tent parties we’ve all come to know and love, by offering the chance to keep the rodeo going long into the night on two select days this July. Bulls After Dark, a brand new event taking place this summer, will see a combination of live DJs, cold drinks, and wild stunts performed by bull riders and freestylers.

When: Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13, 2019
Time: 10 pm
Where: Nutrien Western Event Centre — Stampede Trail SE
Tickets: Available online, $40 for regular admission, $80 for VIP

Calgary Turkish Festival

What: The Festival will display Turkish art, folk dance, music and gourmet food, where visitors will get an opportunity to celebrate, learn, and savour Turkish hospitality, culture, heritage and cuisine. Visitors will be able to browse and buy Turkish products, souvenirs and handcrafts, participate in activities for children, view many authentic demonstrations and performances, sample Turkish cuisine, and more.

When: July 12 to 14, 2019
Time: 10 am to 10 pm
Where: Eau Claire Festival Plaza – 200 Barclay Parade SW
Admission: Free

Saturday, July 13

Calaway Comicfest for Kids

What: Calling all mighty superheroes! Come dressed in your superhero costume, which includes superheroines, princesses, princes, and of course sidekicks. Shop the artist market for locally made goods, stop by the Photo Op Zone, visit the Superhero Face Painting Center ($5 per face), and sing your favourite tune at Comic Fest Karaoke.

When: July 12 to 14, 2019
Time: 10 am to 9 pm (Friday), 10 am to 7 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Calaway Park – 245033 Range Road 33
Admission: Regular admission to the park

Sugarland

What: Country music duo Sugarland will be landing in YYC this summer. Georgia natives Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush will be performing as part of the 2019 Calgary Stampede’s Virgin Mobile Stampede Concert Series, taking to the stage at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, July 13.

Sugarland was first created in 2002, achieving international fame with hits like “Stuck Like Glue,” “Stay,” and “Babe.” The duo went on a six-year hiatus, returning to the limelight with their newest album BIGGER. 

When: Saturday, July 13, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome — 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: $60+, available online

Cyclepalooza

What: Join this community-driven bicycle festival for a week full of cycling festivities. Take part in the 2nd Annual Warrior Ride, Spoke and Word, Pedal & Paint and more events.

When: July 12 to July 21, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations around Calgary
Admission: Free

Saturdays on 17th

What: Spend your Saturday on 17th Ave all summer long. From now through to July 27, the neighbourhood will be featuring live music, games, giveaways, and movies in Tomkins Park. Bring the whole family and enjoy the festivities.

When: Every Saturday from now to July 27, 2019
Time: 12 to 9 pm (movie screenings start at 6 pm)
Where: Tomkins Park (corner of 8th Street & 17th Avenue SW)
Admission: Free

Badlands Stampede Music Festival 2019 – Machine Gun Kelly

What: Colson Baker, known professionally as Machine Gun Kelly, is an American rapper and actor from Cleveland, Ohio. MGK embarked on a musical career as a teenager, releasing a mixtape in 2006. He went on to release four more mixtapes. MGK then secured a recording contract with Bad Boy and Interscope Records in 2011

When: July 13, 2019
Time: Doors 6 pm
Where: Knoxville’s Stampede Tent — 840 9 Ave Southwest, Calgary
Price: Tickets starting from $20 to $189.00 (+ sc) — Tickets available via website

Marda Loop Communities Association Stampede Breakfast

What: Live country band Big Daddy and the Cool Cats will be performing for their sixth year at this breakfast. They’ll be serving pancakes, sausages, beans, and more.

What: July 12, 2019
Time: 9 am to 12 pm
Where: Community Hall – 3130 16 Street SW, Calgary
Price: By donation

Norwest

What: A screening of a Skoden Films Documentary on Henry (“Ducky”) Norwest, a Cree / French Metis from Fort Saskatchewan and one of the most famous Canadian snipers of the First World War with a recorded record of 115 fatal shots.

When: July 12, 2019
Time: 1 to 2 pm
Where: The Military Museums 4520 Crowchild Trail Southwest Calgary
Tickets: Online, By donation

Harry and the Potters

What: What would happen if Harry Potter quit the quidditch team, stole a time turner, and started a punk rock band with himself from an earlier point in the space-time continuum? The answer is Harry and the Potters. Their high-energy live show has been legendary for over a decade and they are celebrating the release of their new album “Lumos.” Grab your wands, your brooms, and dress in your house colours.

When: July 12, 2019
Time: Doors 7:30 pm
Where: The Rec Room – Calgary Deerfoot – 1180 – 901 64 Avenue NE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Bobby Hull Public Signing

What: Eastridge Sports Cards & Games is proud to partner with the folks at bobbyhull.ca to bring Bobby Hull to Calgary for an in-store signing. Come meet Bobby Hull and get an autograph. Bobby will also be hosting a dinner in the evening.

When: July 13, 2019
Time: 11 am
Address: Eastridge Sports Cards & Games – 7132 Fisher Street SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Sunday, July 14

Tim McGraw

What: Tim McGraw will be closing out the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth with a concert on Sunday, July 14. The concert will be part of the Virgin Mobile Stampede Concert Series and will have McGraw playing to (what we can only assume will be) a sold-out crowd on the last night of the festivities.

When: Sunday, July 14, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome — 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Tickets: Online

Bend & Brunch at Southcentre

What: Join Southcentre for the Bend & Brunch Summer Series with CRAFT Beer Market and Lululemon. Lululemon will be leading a 1-hour yoga session in Centre Court, followed by brunch at CRAFT Beer Market. B-Y-O-Y-M (Bring Your Own Yoga Mat).

When: July 14, 2019
Time: 9 to 11 am
Where: Southcentre Mall – 100 Anderson Road SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

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: 1 to 2 pm (Stanley Park) 4 to 5 pm (Mahogany)
Where: Stanley Park SW – 42 Ave & 1A Street SW; Mahogany – Masters Square & Mahogany Blvd
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.

Bastille Day

What: The Alliance Française Calgary, Calgary Home, the Consular Agency of France in Calgary and the Association des Français in Calgary invite you to celebrate Bastille Day in a friendly atmosphere around a picnic at Stanley Park. There will be a bouncy castle, balloon animals, refreshments, and more. You can bring your picnic to enjoy, as well as enter a draw to win a gift certificate at a French restaurant in Calgary.

When: July 14, 2019
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Where: Stanley Park, Calgary
RSVP: Online, Free

A Queer Summer Night in Cowtown Book Launch

What: A Queer Summer Night in Cowtown features 10 hot and cold queer shorts for the 10 days of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Celebrate the launch of this fourth collaborative project by YYC Queer Writers. All profits from the anthology’s sales go to benefit Alberta’s Camp Fyrefly.

When: July 14, 2019
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: McHugh House – 1515 Centre Street South, Calgary
Tickets: Online, free

The Grandstand Show: Trailblazer

What: The theme of the 2019 Grandstand show will be “Trailblazer,” taking inspiration from the travelling shows of the early 20th century yet being performed on the most technologically advanced outdoor stage in the world.

The entire show will be led by show master Onalea, who will be joined by Calgary’s own travelling band of musical pirates, the Polyjesters. Music, acrobatics, and dance will all come together for a fiery tribute to the South American cowboy. The 2019 show will also include a participatory pre-show for all in attendance, thanks to this year’s title sponsor, Bell Canada.

When: Now until July 14, 2019
Time: 7:45 pm
Where: Stampede Grandstand – 1410 Olympic Way SE
Tickets: Online, $17 for standing, $49+ for seats

Hip-Hop Brunch & Bingo: Country Grammar Edition

What: Enjoy the sunshine & good vibes on the Broken City Rooftop Patio for Hip-Hop Brunch & Bingo. Cover is $5 and includes a bingo card. Additional bingo cards available for $2.50, with awesome prizes at stake (vinyl records, merch, concert tickets, and more).

When: July 14, 2019
Time: 12 to 5 pm
Where: Broken City – 613 11 Avenue SW, Calgary
Admission: $5