50 things to do in Calgary this June

June is a crazy month for events happening around town. Start planning ahead and fill up your calendars, here are 50 things happening in Calgary in June.

Free things to do

Calgary Night Market 2016

• What: Featuring a variety of ethnic street foods, local vendors, buskers, and entertainment, the Calgary Night Market has everything from jewelry to clothes, to household items. The market is happening on the first and last Fridays of the month until September 9. Admission to the Night Market is free.
• When: Starts June 3 to September 9 from 4 to 10 pm
• Where: Central Memorial Park – 1221 2nd Street SW
• Event page: facebook.com

Inglewood Night Market

• What: The night market will feature a great mix of vendors including skilled artisans, fine artists, urban and rural farmers, and food trucks. Around 60 vendors are confirmed with dancing in the street and a beer and wine patio at Cafe Gravity.
• Where: 9 Avenue and 10 Street SE, Inglewood
• When: Friday, June 10 from 5 to 11 pm
• Cost: Entrance is free

Lukes Drug Mart Sled Island Pre-Party

• What: Don’t miss the 4th annual awesome, free, outdoor, all-ages party on June 12. Performing artists are: Chad VanGaalen, Sled Island 2011 alumni Hooded Fang, experimental pop band We Are The City and emotionally heavy act We Knew.
• Where: Lukes Drug Mart – 112 4th Street NE
• When: Sunday, June 12 at noon
• Cost: Free

Neighbour Day 2016

• What: Neighbour Day is an opportunity for neighbours to come together in the form of a front yard barbecue, garden party or picnic. A great way to meet your neighbours and you can request for the Mayor to be there as well!
  clean-up or afternoon tea in a local park to celebrate our strong community spirit in Calgary.
• Where: Neighbourhoods around Calgary. Sign up to register your neighbourhood.
• When: Saturday, June 18

Suncor Stage One Festival

• What: Nine scripts were selected for this year’s festival out of 100 which were submitted. Through the Suncor Stage One Festival, Lunchbox Theatre has become Canada’s leading development source and producer of one-act plays. At the end of each season, Lunchbox Theatre holds a series of staged readings of new works and invites audience members to give feedback during a discussion period.
• Where: Lunchbox Theatre – 160 9th Avenue SE
• When: June 10 to 25
• Cost: Free

Rafting down the Bow River

• What: A perfect way to cool off and relax on a hot summer day. Grab a raft and lifejacket (yes they’re required) and sail away to leisurely paradise.
• Where: Can start from Baker Park or Bowness Park
• When: Whenever you want
• Cost: Free with you own raft and lifejacket or you can rent from Lazy Day Raft Rentals

Food and drink festivals

YYC Rhubarb Fest

• What: Back for its fourth year, this family friendly festival reaches out to all surrounding communities to join in the fun.
• Where: Southwood Community Hall – 11 Sackville Drive SW
• When: Saturday, June 4 from 11 am to 5 pm

Negroni Week 2016

• What: Started in 2013, Negroni Week has expanded in participation over the years, and in 2015 raised $321,000, nearly tripling the amount raised the previous year.
• Where: Participating venues
• When: Monday, June 6 to Sunday, June 12

6th Annual Pig & Pinot Festival

• What: Food prepared by chefs from the following restaurants: Anju, Great Events Catering, MADE Foods, Notable, Ox and Angela, Pampa, Red Tree, Swine & Sow ,Symons Valley Road House, Tango Bistro, The Cookbook Co. Cooks and Yellow Door Bistro in support of Calgary Meals on Wheels. Five boutique wine stores will provide the perfect pinot pairing for the dish along with raffle prizes, live music and a Cappuccino King coffee cart.
• Where: Hotel Arts – 119 12th Avenue SW
• When: Thursday, June 16 from 7 to 10 pm
• Cost: $130

Farmers Markets

Calgary Farmers’ Market 

• What: Full of fresh food and free entertainment as well as many different vendors to visit this little market is the perfect spot to visit during the spring.
• Where: 510 77 Avenue SE
• When: Thursday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm

Crossroads Market

• What: Posses farm-fresh produce and tasty treats plus lost of unique finds from the large variety of vendors.
• Where: Cross Roads Market – 1235 26 Avenue SE
• When: Friday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm

Symons Valley Ranch

• What: Visit the many different vendors and explore what the Symons Valley ranch has to offer.
• Where: Symons Valley Ranch – 14555 Symons Valley Road
• When: Tuesday to Sunday, various times

DJ Market

• What: The family owned and operated business has been operating for over 20 years and carries fruits and vegetables produced in Alberta and British Columbia.
• Where: 4645 12th Street SE
• When: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, Sunday and holidays from 10 am to 5 pm

Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers’ Market

• What: Head to Hillhurst Sunnyside where they’ll bring the the best in high-quality local food, live music, and more.
• Where: 1320 5th Avenue NW
• When: Saturdays from 9:30 am to 1 pm

Marda Loop Farmers’ Market

• What: Get a taste of the “urban culture” where you can buy handcrafted goods and locally sourced food.
• Where: MLCA Community Hall – 3130 16th Street SW
• When: Wednesdays 3 to 7 pm, Saturdays from June 25 to October 8; 9 am to 1 pm

2016 Launch Market

• What: Visit Bridgeland Riverside Farmers’ Market for their first market of the year! Enjoy eating at local vendor stations, dance to live music and shop until you drop. For the kiddos, there are free activities set up.
• Where: Bridgeland Riverside Farmers’ Market – 917 Centre Avenue NE
• When: Thursday, June 23 from 3:30 to 7:30 pm

Art and theatre

New Universe at the DJD Dance Centre

• What: Dancers at Calgary’s new DJD (Decidedly Jazz Danceworks) Dance Centre are celebrating its grand opening with a new live music and dance production. The new show will showcase the whole DJD company of dancers and feature a score by New York jazz great William Parker, as well as a five-piece band led by Parker himself.
• Where: DJD Dance Centre – 111 12th Avenue SE
• When: Now until Sunday, June 12, evening performances at 8 pm,
  Sunday matinees at 2 pm
• Cost: Tickets available at online or call 403-245-3533, starting at $29

RBC Emerging Directors Showcase

• What: Jenna Roberts is this year’s RBC Emerging Director. Having worked on at least three shows during the season, the RBC Emerging Director will direct a one-act play of their choosing.
• Where: Lunchbox Theatre – 160 9th Avenue SE
• When: Thursday, June 2 and Friday, June 3
• Cost: $25

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Presents: As Heard on TV

• What: TV’s most memorable music comes to YYC. Sit back, relax and let the music from Game of Thones, Seasame Street, Downtown Abbey and much more transport you back to epic battles scenes and bed time rhymes.
• Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall – 205 8th Avenue SE
• When: Friday, June 3 at 8 pm
• Cost: $25 – $85

Festivals and other events

Calgary Food Tours: East Village

• What: Dive into Calgary’s East Village food scene as you tour 3 noteworthy stops. Enjoy the butcher, the baker and the coffee maker as you tour Charbar, Sidewalk Citizen and Phil and Sebastian.
• Where: Meet at Phil and Sebastian in the Simmons Building – 619 Confluence Way SE
• When: Year round on Wednesday’s at 5:30 pm
• Cost: $145

Rocky Mountain Sidecar Adventures

• What: Take a tour of Calgary, the foothills or customize your own route in a retro sidecar. We know what you’re thinking, how have you not done this already! Adding to YYC’s things to do scene, a great things to do when you don’t want to do the regular stuff.
• Where: Let them know where you want to be picked up from when booking
• Cost: $150 and up (includes tax and gratuities)

Banded Peak Brewing Launch Party

• What: Having recently opened up shop in Calgary, Banded Peak Brewing will be taking over National on 8th Avenue’s patio for their launch party.
• Where: National on 8th Avenue – Scotia Centre, 225 8th Avenue SW
• When: Thursday, June 2

Adults Only Night: Eat, Drink and Do Science

• What: Get hands-on with food science and discover that the kitchen and the lab are not as different as they seem. Enjoy free reign in the galleries, a fully licensed bar, and tunes all night long.
• Where: TELUS Spark – 220 St Georges Drive NE
• When: Thursday, June 9 from 6 to 10 pm
• Cost: $19.95

Calgary Ukrainian Festival

• What: At the 7th annual Ukrainian Festival enjoy stage shows, try Ukrainian food and beverages, and much more.
• Where: Acadia Recreation Complex – 240 90 Avenue SE
• When: Saturday, June 4 and Sunday June 5 starting at 11 am

FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival

• What: Offering 11 days and nights of comedy and 70 performers, FunnyFest does it all from high-brow to low-brow and everything in between. Each show runs one-and-a-half to two hours long with a minimum of six performers per show.
• When: Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 12, 2016
• Where: Various locations. Click here for more.
• Cost: Varies – Free to $25

Dinner by Design Calgary 2016

• What: The highly anticipated return of Calgary’s Dinner by Design where you can enjoy a night of Cocktail Art or attend the glitzy Gala Dinner. Mingle with internationally celebrated designers and local talent while being surrounded by the majesty of their creations.
• Where: Alberta College of Art + Design – 1407 14th Avenue NW
• When: Thursday, June 2 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and
  Friday, June 3 from 6:30 pm to 1 am
• Tickets: Available to purchase online. $50 to $300

The Royal Canadian Circus Spectac!

• What: The Royal Canadian Circus SPECTAC! returns to Calgary for two weekends of family fun. May 20 to 23 (at Spruce Meadows) and May 26 to June 5 (at Crossroads Furniture Mart).
• Where: Crossroads Furniture Mart – 2222 18th Avenue NE
• When: Thursday, June 2 to Sunday, June 5
• Cost: Tickets are from $30. Check online

Lilac Festival

• What: A pedestrian only festival, the Lilac Festival showcases an array of musical talent, vendors, and a perfect opportunity to people watching. Get there when it starts to watch the Lilac Festival parade kick start the fun.
• Where: 4th Street SW – between 13 Avenue and Elbow Dr.
• When: Sunday, June 5th between 10 am to 6 pm

World Partnership Walk Calgary

• What: The World Partnership Walk (WPW) is a global fundraising walk which is held annually to increase awareness and raise funds to help fight global poverty. This year marks the WPW’s 37th year in Canada having raised $90 million. The Walk will be held in 10 cities across the country including Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta.
• Where: Prince’s Island Park – 698 Eau Claire Avenue SW
• When: Sunday, June 5 from 10 am to 2 pm

Something Old, Something New: 125 Years of Wedding Fashion

• What: See some of the most trendsetting and common wedding dresses in Alberta from the last 125 years. The exhibition features collections from the Museum of the Highwood, the Red Deer Museum, the Royal Alberta Museum, the Lougheed House Conservation Society, as well as numerous private collections.
• Where: Lougheed House – 707 13th Avenue SW
• When: June 8 to October 2
• Cost: Regular admission $8.50

Calgary Relay For Life

• Where: Calgary Rotary Challenger Park – 3688 48th Avenue NE
• When: Saturday, June 11 from 6 pm to midnight
• Register: convio.cancer.ca

Culinary Race

• What: A foodie scavenger hunt comes to Calgary. Race around town in the quest to find new food treasures. In teams of 2 or more registers and receive bonus clues before race day. Dress up because best costumes will win prizes.
• Where: Registration at the Calgary Farmers Market – 510 77th Avenue SE
• When: Saturday, June 11 from 8:30 am to 5 pm

Carol Burnett

• What: Hosted by NorthWest Comedy and Just For Laughs, comedian and award winning actress, Carol Burnett is coming to Calgary. Burnett will share clips and moments from her career as well as engage in a question and answer period with the audience.
• When: Tuesday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium –  1415 14 Ave NW
• Tickets: Available online from $69.50 to $125. All ages.

2016 IGNITE! Festival of Emerging Artists

• What: Presenting exciting work from new voices, emerging artists in all fields will get the opportunity to present their work to Calgary audiences.
• Where: West Village Theatre & The Pumphouse Theatres
• When: Tuesday, June 21 to Sunday, June 26
• Cost: Festival passes $30 and up online

WBFF World Beauty Fitness and Fashion Inc

• What: Witness the top fitness models and, arguably, one of the best: Three-time Undefeated WBFF Pro Diva Fitness Model World Champion Miryah Jade Scott in Calgary.
• Where: Martha Cohen Theatre – 220 9th Avenue SE
• When: Saturday, June 25
• Cost: $44.75 – $97.25

Concerts and parties

Feed Me

• When: Saturday, June 4 at 9 pm
• Where: Flames Central –  219 8th Avenue SW
• Tickets: Available online at $30. 18+

Lamb of God

• When: Saturday, June 4 at 7:30 pm
• Where: Stampede Corral – 10 Corral Trail SE
• Tickets: Available online for $47.75 to $57.75. All ages

Brand new

• When: Sunday, June 5 at 7 pm
• Where: McEwan Hall – 2500 University Drive
• Tickets: Available online at $41. All ages

Justin Bieber

• When: Monday, June 13 at 7:30 pm
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
• Tickets: Available online from $60.50 to $149.50. All ages

Five Alarm Funk

• When: Tuesday, June 14 at 8 pm
• Where: Dickens – 1000 9th Avenue SW
• Tickets: Available online at $15. 18+

Plants and Animals

• When: Tuesday, June 14 at 8 pm
• Where: Marquee Beer Market & Stage, 4630 Macleod Trail South, Calgary
• Tickets: Available online at $19. 18+

Lukes Drug Mart Sled Island

• What: Each June, the five-day music and arts festival brings together a community of over 250 bands, comedians, filmmakers and artists as well as over 30,000 attendees in more than 35 venues, transforming the city into an arts lover’s paradise that has earned rave reviews from artists, fans and media from across the globe.
• Where: Lukes Drug Mart – 112 4th Street NE
• When: Wednesday, June 22 to Sunday, June 26

Joe Jackson

• When: Monday, June 27 at 8 pm
• Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall – 205 8th Avenue SE
• Tickets: $35, $49.50, $75 via Live Nation

Sports

Skyline Luge

• What: For the more adventurous side in you, try The Skyline Luge. It’s a three-wheeled cart, part go-kart and part toboggan that is thrilling for all ages and abilities.
• Where: Skyline Luge Calgary – 88 Canada Olympic Road SW
• When: Now until October 9
• Cost: $15 for 1 ride; $23 for 2 rides; $32 for 5 rides

Okotoks Dawgs Games

• What: See the Western Major Baseball League Okotoks Dawgs first game of the season on Friday June 3. The Dawgs are playing a total of 15 games in June.
• Where: Seaman Stadium –  2111 N Railway Street, Okotoks
• When: 
  • Friday, June 3 at 7:05 pm vs Fort McMurray Giants
  • Saturday, June 4 at 7:05 pm vs Medicine Hat Mavericks
  • Sunday, June 5 at 2:05 pm vs Lethbridge Bulls
  • Friday June 10, at 7:05 pm vs Edmonton Prospects
  • Saturday, June 11 at 7:05 pm vs Edmonton Prospects
  • Wednesday, June 15 at 7:05 pm vs Medicine Hat Mavericks
  • Friday, June 17 at 7:05 pm vs Lethbridge Bulls
  • Saturday, June 18 at 7:05 pm vs Medicine Hat Mavericks
  • Sunday, June 19 at 2:05 pm vs Brooks Bombers
  • Wednesday, June 22 at 7:05 pm vs Brooks Bombers
  • Wednesday, June 29 at 7:05 pm vs Edmonton Prospects

Spruce Meadows National

• What: Witness the best show jumping athletes and horses from around the World. Enjoy shopping, pony rides, face painting, wagon rides and much more!
• Where: 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
• When: June 8 to 12
• Cost: Varies

Calgary Run for Water

• What: It’s running season in YYC and in Calgary’s Run for Water you can choose between a 10K run and a 5K walk/jog/run. Proceeds fundraised will go towards clean water programs in Sasiga, Ethiopia.
• Where: Start and finish at Confluence Plaza on St. Patrick’s Island – 1300 Zoo Road NE
• When: Saturday, June 11 at 10:30 am
• Cost: Varies for different runs

Banff

Performance in the Park

• What: Get cozy in the park for two days of performances. The performance space is outside so bring a chair and blanket and dress appropriatly because the shows go on – rain or shine.
• Where: Cascade Gardens –  Cave Ave, Banff
• When: Friday, June 10 to Saturday, June 11
• Cost: Varies – starting at $35

A Night at the Banff Mountain Film Festival

• What: Every Thursday night in downtown Banff for 14 weeks, two identical shows per night will be shown featuring four unique film programs rotating each week.
• Where: Lux Cinema – 229 Bear Street, Banff
• When: Thursday, June 16 to Thursday, September 8. Shows at 7 and 9:30 pm
• Cost: $12 can puchase online

Banff Marathon

• What: Participants will start in the town of Banff, then make their way through a series of incredible natural, wildlife, pass by the serene Vermilion Lakes and journey along the stunning Bow Valley Parkway. Choose between a Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K run all finishing in Banff’s downtown Central Park.
• Where: Banff, Alberta
• When: Sunday, June 19
• Cost: $65 and up