41 things to do in Calgary this October

Fall is here and there are plenty events happening around town! Grab your sweaters and boots, visit a pumpkin patch and get those costumes ordered.

Here are 41 things happening in Calgary this October

Get outside

Go on a hike

With Calgary being so close to the mountains, we’d be foolish not to take advantage of them. Plus, it’s a pretty rewarding feeling to know you literally conquered a mountain. Not to mention if you find yourself sore after a long day’s hike, the hot springs are never too far away

Jump on a bike

There are beautiful bike paths in Calgary, that many of us don’t know about. So jump on your bike without the worry of vehicles whizzing past you. Click here for five beautiful bike paths in Northwest Calgary you need to experience this Summer.

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

Alzheimer walk and run

• What: The 26th Annual Investors Group Alzheimer Walk & Run takes place this Thanksgiving Sunday. Funds raised are applied to local programs and services that serve thousands of people affected by dementia in Calgary and surrounding areas.
• Where: Eau Claire Market – 200 Barclay Parade
• When: October 9 from 10 am to 12 pm

Calgary Zombie Evasion

• What: The Calgary Zombie Evasion is a CHIP-TIMED 5km individual and team event! The trail run event takes place at North Glenmore Park and each runner will wear a flag football-style belt. You never know where the Zombies will appear.If you make it through the course with any of your flags left, you’ve finished “alive”! If the zombies take all of your flags….you’ve become infected and will finish as a part of the “undead”.
• Where: North Glenmore Park – 7305 Crowchild Trail SW
• When: Saturday, October 22
• Cost: Individual race $65

Free things to do

Free Swim at Renfrew Aquatic & Recreation Centre

• What: Get a few hours of swimming free courtesy Renfew Aquatic & Recreation Centre. Two session times with a half an hour break in the middle that might be waived if capacity permits.
• Where: Renfrew Aquatic & Recreation Centre – 810 13 Avenue NE
• When: October 10 from 1 to 2:30 pm and 3 to 4:30 pm
• Cost: Free

Getting Ahead of Your Headaches

• What: Have you started getting headaches now fall is here? You’re not alone – and Alberta Health Services is hoping to help. The health authority is holding two free information sessions for people experiencing headaches, including migraines, tension and weather headaches. The one-hour workshops aim to provide a better understanding of headache assessment, diagnosis, and medical and non-medical treatments.
• Where: South Health Campus, Wellness Centre – 4448 Front Street SE
• When: October 11, from 7 to 8 pm, and October 27, from 1 to 2 pm
• Register: At app.bookking.ca/bkshcwellnesspub or call 403-956-3939

Free Pumpkin Spice Pancake Breakfast

• What: Head to ENMAX Park on Saturday, October 15 for a Community Fall Fair. Enjoy a day of fall festivities including a free pumpkin spice pancake breakfast, food trucks, music and entertainment, kids’ activities and a market featuring local produce and handmade goods.
• Where: ENMAX Park, Stampede Park
• When: Saturday, October 15
• Cost: Free

Cineplex Community Day 2016

• What: Cineplex theatres across Canada will be hosting the event. Popcorn, drinks, and select candy will be available to purchase for $2, with all proceeds going towards WE(formally known as Free The Children). Cineplex has not yet announced what movies will be showing for free, but be sure to check their website for details. Although the movies are free, you still need to get tickets, which will be available on a first come, first serve basis at Cineplex locations on the morning of October, 22.
• When: Saturday, October 22
• Where: Cineplex theatres across Canada
• Tickets: Available for free at Cineplex locations on October 22

Farmers Markets

Visit a Farmers’ Market

Popular among chefs, home cooks, and local gastronomes, farmers’ markets have become an integral part of Calgary’s food landscape. Not only do these community events grant local farmers, growers, and bakers the opportunity to connect with urban folk but they also provide them with a space to show off their seasonal favourites. Here’s a quick list of a few.

• Calgary Farmers’ Market 
• Crossroads Market
• Symons Valley Ranch
• DJ Market
• Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers’ Market
• Marda Loop Farmers’ Market

2016 Launch Market

• What: Visit Bridgeland Riverside Farmers’ Market on Thursdays for their community market! 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: From Thursday, June 23 from 3:30 to 7:30 pm

Art and theatre

Concert in the Dark

• What: The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is hosting an evening of incredible performances and a journey through the experience of vision loss. Attendees will enjoy an evening of performing arts and come to understand that it’s not only what you see…
• Where: SAIT Orpheus Theatre – 1301 16 Avenue Northwest
• When: Wednesday, October 5
• Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door

Million Dollar Quartet

• What: The Tony® Award Winning musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is set on December 4, 1956. History was made when an extraordinary twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest impromptu jam sessions ever. It brings to light the extraordinary story of broken promises, secrets, betrayal, and the once-in-a-lifetime celebration of four friends that is altogether poignant, heartwarming and funny.
• Where: Stage West – 727 42 Avenue SE
• When: September 9 to November 13
• Tickets: $119 (includes dinner)

Disney in Concert: Tale As Old As Time

• What: For the big kids, get taken back to the time of VHS – for the little ones use your imagination as The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra takes you into the land of Frozen, Tangled, Cinderella and more!
• Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall – 205 8 Avenue SE
• When: Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8
• Cost: Starting at $20

The Big Sleep

• What: A private investigator in a trench coat, possible femme fatales, and LA’s seedy backstreets …all the right ingredients for a classic film noir. Calgary’s premiere mystery theatre company, Vertigo Theatre, kicks off its season by bringing the film noir genre to the stage with The Big Sleep. A blackmailed millionaire hires private investigator Philip Marlow to solve his problems. But when Marlowe stumbles upon the first corpse in this case, he knows this is not going to be easy. Check out this world premiere stage adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s classic story.
• When: September 17 – October 16
• Where: Vertigo Theatre, Calgary Tower

Adults Only Night – TELUS Spark

• What: What better way to experience science than to sip cocktails and mingle with old and new friends? That’s exactly what you can do on the second Thursday of every month from 6pm to 10pm at TELUS Spark. And since the next event will be on Thursday, October 13, just a couple weeks away from Halloween, how appropriate that the theme will be… blood. Yes, learn about the stuff that runs through our veins and about the creatures that drink it! Come to the next Adults Only Night at TELUS Spark… if you dare.
• When: October 13
• Where: TELUS Spark

Illuminasia Lantern and Garden Festival 2016

• What: The Illuminasia Lantern and Garden Festival returns to the Calgary Zoo for the second year in a row, and this time around there are 145 extra lanterns to dazzle you. The lanterns are seasonal-themed this year, so you’ll be taken on a journey from winter to spring, and they’ll depict culturally significant animals as well as zoo favourites. Relish in the arts of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Korean cultures, and check out live music, an art gallery, and garden displays as well.
• Where: Calgary Zoo – 1300 Zoo Road NE
• When: Thursday, September 8 to Sunday, October 16

Dracula

• What: Get into the Halloween spirit with the most beloved vampire tale of all time –Dracula. Let Alberta Ballet sweep you away into dark Transylvania, where mystery, lust, death and immortality rule the night
• Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW
• When: October 27 to 29

Food and drink festivals

Inglewood’s Edible Enticements

• What: You know you’re going to have one amazing experience when the tour starts off at Rouge, one of Canada’s most celebrated restaurants. On this culinary walking tour of Calgary’s SE neighbourhood, you’ll also pop into Apiaries and Bees for Communities, Spolumbo’s, Savour Fine Foods, and SUGO to name a few.
• Where: meet at Rouge Restaurant – 1240 8 Avenue SW
• When: every Friday until October 11 from 11am to 2:30pm
• Price: $100 per person

Calgary Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival

• What: The Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival is back for two days of indulgence on October 14 and 15. The Festival offers the opportunity to sample an extensive variety of world-class wine, scotch, premium spirits, import and micro-brewed beer along with gourmet culinary creations from local restaurants, hotels and food purveyors.
• Where: Stampede Park BMO Centre, Halls D & E
• When: Friday, October 14 from 5 to 10 pm; Saturday, October 15 from 12 to 4 pm and 6 to 10 pm
• Cost: $23 to $37 plus GST, 18+

Palette to Palate

• What: A day of art and food appreciation in Calgary’s design district where you’ll get access to some of the best viewing and dining experiences in Calgary’s food and art scene. With a jam-packed itinerary that kicks off with Brunch at Hotel Arts’ Yellow Door Bistro, a tour of the contemporary art collection, and also features a stroll through Central Memorial Park, a stop inThe Cookbook Co Cooks and MetroVino Wines, and a sampling from Brûlée Patisserie and Decadent Desserts.
• Where: Hotel Arts’ Yellow Door Bistro – 119 12th Avenue SW
• When: every Saturday until October 22nd from 11am to 2:30pm
• Price: $100 per person, tickets available online

Autumn Pumpkin Festival

• What: Taking place over four weekends in October, The Autumn Pumpkin Festival does not take place on weekdays except for Thanksgiving Monday. Enjoy the Fun Farm,Petting Zoo, Corn Mazes, Pony rides, Pumpkin Patch games, crafts and more!
• Where: 284022 Township Road 224, Rockyview, Alberta
• When: October 1 and 2, October 8 to 10, October 15 and 16, October 22 and 23
• Cost: 13.80+gst (kids under 2 free)

Craving Kensington

• What: Check out one of Calgary’s most scenic neighbourhoods and all the culinary treats it has to offer. Destinations on this tour include Crave Cookies and Cupcakes, Brasserie Kensington, Kensington Wine Market, Pulcinella, The Naked Leaf, Peasant Cheese Shop, and The Kensington Riverside Inn.
• When: every Thursday until October 27 from 11am to 2:30pm
• Where: meet at The Kensington Riverside Inn – 1126 Memorial Drive NW
• Price: $100 per person

Chef to Be

• What: In this exciting blackbox competition head chefs from six top Calgary restaurants team up with pupils to raise money for a $5,000 SAIT Culinary Scholarship. Ten carefully chosen ingredients are presented to teams and then it’s up to them prepare a meal for an audience of 130 people in only four hours – talk about pressure. Come watch foodies duel it out on October 27 and see who will be named Chef to Be.
• When: Thursday, October 27 at 5pm
• Where: SAIT Culinary Campus –  226, 230 8th Avenue SW
• Price: $139 per person available online

Festivals and other events

Wordfest 2016

• What: Wordfest is a 10-day festival which sparks lively, illuminating and meaningful conversations between Calgary’s readers and the world’s most engaging writers. Wordfest’s trademark events include readings, workshops, panel discussions and in-school presentations from authors writing in every genre and for all ages.
• Where: Locations all around Calgary
• When: October 7 to 16
• Cost: Varies – see website for tickets to events

Western Canadian Hungarian Folk Festival

• What: This festival is a 3 day event held during the Thanksgiving weekend where Hungarian culture, music, art and dance come alive and bring together hundreds of dancers, musicians and folk enthusiasts.  This year, Calgary has the immense pleasure of hosting the 38^th annual event in this beautiful and vibrant city.  Calgary’s folk dance groups, Bartók Dancers and Vadrózsa, look forward to welcoming the many dancers, folk enthusiasts and wonderful guests.
• Where: The Westin Calgary – 320 4th Avenue SW
• When: October 7 to 10

Pumpkin Festival 2016

• What: Halloween is just around the corner, and Strathcona Square Shopping Centre is throwing a Pumpkin Festival to celebrate. There will be a pumpkin pie contest, a pumpkin carving contest to satiate the cravings of those hungry for Halloween and more!
• Where: Strathcona Square Shopping Centre – 555 Strathcona Boulevard SW
• When: Saturday, October 22 to Sunday, October 23 from 11:30 am to 3 pm

Screamfest Adults Only Night

• What: Canada’s largest and scariest Halloween event is hosting an adults-only night, complete with booze and ID checks at the door. It will be so frightening, no children will be allowed in under any circumstances – in fact, Screamfest as a whole doesn’t recommend young children be let in at all, but this night will be extra scary.
• Where: The Grandstand Building at Stampede Park – 20 Roundup Way SE
• When: Thursday, October 27 at 7 pm
• Tickets: Start at $30. Click here to purchase.

Hallow’s Eve in the Village: “Godric’s Hollow”

• What: The East Village Neighbourhood Association is planning on hosting Hallow’s Eve in East Village by transporting you into the land of Harry Potter. The two day event on Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30 will feature Calgary’s First Euro Style Outdoor Market.Plenty of tricks and treats from the wizarding world will be available for purchase. Dress up in your robes and keep your wands ready!
• Where: East Village
• When: Saturday, October 29 to Sunday, October 30

Concerts and parties

Sander Van Doorn 2016 Calgary concert

• What: Sander Van Doorn is coming to Marquee Beer Market and Stage on Friday, October 7 with Kryder Zonderling. He has performed at thousands of shows in every corner of the world and has released numerous solo records. He’s made remixes with the world’s biggest artists like Robbie Williams, Lady Gaga, Sia, Laidback Luke, Martin Garrix,R3hab, MOTi and many more!
• When: Friday, October 7 at 9 pm
• Where: Marquee Beer Market and Stage – 4630 Macleod Trail S
• Cost: $35 via Live Nation

Tegan and Sara

• What: Everything is awesome for The Quin twins in 2016 – they just released their eighth studio album Love You To Death to rave reviews and their fall tour is selling out quickly. Fans can expect the 100-minute show to include new singles “Stop Desire” and “White Knuckles”, both of which were produced by Greg Kurstin of Sia and Adele fame.
• When: Friday, October 7 at 6:30 pm
• Where: BMO Centre – 20 Roundup Way SE
• Tickets: Available online for $38.50. All ages

Kenny Rogers

• What: Grammy Award-winning country superstar and music icon Kenny Rogers is coming to Calgary! The enduring Country Music Hall of Fame member and pop superstar has endeared music lovers around the globe with his amazing songs, heartfelt performances, distinctive voice, gift for storytelling and universal appeal, and in 2016, Rogers is embarking on what will be his final world tour with a show that will celebrate his musical legacy: The Gambler’s Last Deal.
• Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive
• When: Sunday, October 16 at 8 pm
• Cost: Tickets start at $59.50

Our Lady Peace & I Mother Earth

• What: Our Lady Peace and I Mother Earth with Guests are coming to Calgary. The Canadian rock band has sold millions of albums worldwide, won four Juno Awards, and won ten MuchMusic Video Awards — the most MMVAs ever awarded to any artist or group.
• Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive
• When: Wednesday, October 19 at 7 pm
• Cost: $52.38 + tax/fees

The 1975

• What: British alt-rockers The 1975 took the world by storm three years ago as openers for big-time acts like Muse and the Rolling Stones. The exposure won them a devoted legion of fans and their second LP I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It debuted at Number One on Billboard’s Album chart last February.
• When: Sunday, October 23 at 7:30 pm
• Where: Grey Eagle Resort & Casino – 3777 Grey Eagle Dr
• Tickets: Available online for $61.05. 18+

Post Malone

• What: Rapper Austin Richard Post (aka Post Malone) scored a modest hit last year with “White Iverson” which led to a spot opening for Justin Bieber on his Purpose Tour. Malone and Bieber have since collaborated on “Deja Vu”, the lead single from Malone’s upcoming album Stoney. Jazz Cartier, who Pitchfork referred to as “Toronto’s first post-Drake rapper”, will open for Malone on his fall tour.
• When: Thursday, October 27 at 7 pm
• Where: MacEwan Hall – 2500 University Dr NW
• Tickets: Available online from $36.50 to $98.50. All ages

Cemetery of Sound 2016

• What: It’s official! Dash Berlin will be heading this year’s 7th annual Cemetery of Sound halloween party on Friday, October 28 at the BMO Centre. In addition to Dash, you’ll be partying alongside DJ’s Showtek, Shiba San, Bad Royale, and Jason X. If you love EDM and haven’t been to a Cemetery of Sound halloween party yet, you definitely don’t want to miss this one
• Where: BMO Centre – 20 Roundup Way SW
• When: Friday, October 28 at 8 pm
• Cost: Tickets starting at $59.50. Must be 18 or older to attend.

Sports

NHL Calgary Flames hockey game

• What: The 2016-2017 season is so close we can taste it. Get in some pre-season action and then enjoy some regular season play.
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
• When:
  • Wednesday, October 5 at 7pm vs Arizona Coyotes(Pre-season)
  • Friday, October 14 at 7 pm vs Edmonton Oilers
  • Tuesday, October 18 at 7 pm Buffalo Sabers
  • Thursday, October 20 at 7 pm vs Carolina Hurricanes
  • Saturday, October 22 at 8 pm vs St. Louis Blues
  • Friday, October 28 at 7 pm vs Ottawa Senators
  • Sunday, October 30 at 7 pm vs Washington Capitals
  • Thursday, November 10 at 7 pm vs Dallas Stars

CFL Calgary Stampeders football game

• What: Watch as our CFL pride and joy take on their rivals this summer.
• Where: McMahon Stadium – 1817 Crowchild Trail NW
• When: 
  • Saturday, October 15 at 5 pm vs Montreal Alouettes
  • Friday, October 21 at 8 pm vs Toronto Argonauts

WHL Calgary Hitmen hockey game

• What: Cheer on the Calgary Hitmen as they take one the rest of the Western Hockey League.
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
• When: 
  • October 7 at 7 pm vs Kamloops
  • October 10 at 4 pm vs Vancouver
  • October 16 at 2 pm vs Moose Jaw
  • October 23 at 4 pm vs Prince Albert

Banff

Open Studios: Music Curated by Doug Cox

• What: Alberta born blues icon Doug Cox is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. He leads Banff Centre musicians-in- residence in an evening of performance.
• Where: The Club, Theatre Complex – 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff
• When: Friday, October 14 at 7 pm
• Cost: Free

Yoga Retreat at Mount Engadine Lodge

• What: Instructor Sarah Harvie will be leading people on their inner and outer journey at the Lodge for their Yoga Mountain Adventure Retreat. Stay for either 2 or 3-nights with Yoga (Asana & Nidra), Pranayama Meditation and self-guided hiking. Food is included in the price.
• Where: Mount Engadine Lodge
• When: October 20 – 23
• Cost: Single Occupancy starting at $935, Double Occupancy starting at $1375