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We’re officially in mid-September territory, meaning autumn is getting closer by the day.
Luckily, there are still plenty of things to do in Calgary to make the most of the few remaining days of summer.
Test your skills at the Calgary Zoo’s outdoor escape room-style experience, shop local at a night market, check out a Chinese lantern festival, or visit an old-timey carnival, and much more.
- See also:
Here are 13 of the best things to do in Calgary this week.
Get immersed in art at Beyond Van Gogh
Elle McLean/Daily Hive
What: The immersive Beyond Van Gogh experience is back this weekend after a brief hiatus, featuring over 300 iconic works by the painter and taking visitors into a three-dimensional world to explore art in a completely unique way.
When: September 18 to October 8
Where: The BMO Centre at Stampede Park (20 Roundup Way SE)
Cost: Tickets start at $33.99 for adults
Still Here: dance & picnic in the park
What: After a very quiet year in Calgary’s dance industry, Still Here celebrates
the perseverance of dance artists with a show in the beautiful Riley Park. A cast of local dancers will take to the park’s amphitheatre stage on Sunday afternoon to perform new, experimental works on Calgary’s new community outdoor portable dance floor while audience members gather on the lawn in front.
When: September 19
Time: 4:30 pm
Where: Riley Park amphitheatre (800 12th Street NW)
Cost: Pay what you can (recommended minimum of $5 per person)
Chinese Lantern Festival
What: Calgary’s Chinatown community is hosting their first-ever Chinese Lantern Festival, boasting 30 cultural, market, and food vendors, combined with high-end entertainment. To add to the magic, there will be 400 Chinese-style lanterns hung to cast a glow over the event.
When: September 18
Time: 4 to 10 pm
Where: Throughout Chinatown in downtown Calgary
Cost: Free to attend, varies by purchase
Locked Zoo: Wild & Free
What: The Calgary Zoo’s last Locked Zoo experience of the year is here, with guests participating in a two-hour, zoo-wide escape game that challenges you to explore the zoo after hours, solve an elaborate series of puzzles, and learn about wildlife conservation.
The challenge isn’t timed, so players can visit animals along the way, and delicious dinner boxes can be added on to the experience.
When: September 17
Time: 4 to 8 pm, with staggered entry times
Where: The Calgary Zoo (210 St. George’s Drive NE)
Cost: $45 or $60 to add a dinner box
Heritage Park Carnivàle
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What: Heritage Park Historical Village is hosting a carnival like no other this week. At the park’s Carnivàle event, guests will be able to enjoy the rides and games of the Antique Midway after hours, along with taking in acts from Le Cirque de la Nuit performers, mystical fortune tellers, and other surprises around every corner.
When: Friday, September 17
Time: 7 to 11 pm, with entry times staggered by ticket tier level
Where: Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Drive SW, Calgary)
Tickets: Tickets available in three tiers, starting at $75
Inglewood Night Market
What: Shop local at the last outdoor Inglewood Night Market of the season. This modern market boasts locally sourced and handmade vendors selling a range of goods, from handmade crafts and vintage clothing to antiques and collectibles, artisan eats, and more.
When: September 17
Time: 4 to 11 pm
Where: 10th Avenue and 10th Street SE in Inglewood
Cost: Free to attend, varies by purchase
Kensington weekend pop-ups
What: Free pop-up art activations will run each weekend in Kensington Village until November, bringing Calgarians a chance to enjoy live music, performers, and much more throughout the neighbourhood.
When: Every Saturday from June through November
Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm
Where: Kensington Village
Cost: Free
Take in a show from the comfort of your couch with StoryBook Theatre’s The Theory of Relativity
Courtesy of StoryBook Theatre
What: StoryBook Theatre’s The Theory of Relativity explores the inevitability and wonder of human connection through a seemingly unrelated collection of songs, scenes, and monologues. Watch the show from the comfort of your own couch with on-demand streaming beginning September 10.
When: September 10 to 30
Time: Any time of your choosing, with your streaming rental available for 48 hours
Where: Streamed online
Cost: $20
Historic Fire Hall No. 1’s Courtyard Summer Performances
What: The courtyard of a historic Calgary fire hall has been transformed into a fun and creative gathering space, acting as a vibrant backdrop for Instagram photos or a picnic with friends. The space also features live performances every Saturday, and it’s the perfect spot to spend a summer evening.
This week, catch musicians Shaye Zadravec and Stephen Fletcher on Saturday evening.
When: Gathering space open daily, with performances on Saturdays from August 7 to September 25
Time: Saturday performances from 5 to 7 pm
Where: Historic Fall Hall No. 1 (140 6th Avenue SE, Calgary)
Cost: Free
Check out the CIFRS Truth and Reconciliation Indigenous Art Exhibit at Southcentre Mall
Art by Donna Langhorne (Courtesy of Southcentre Mall)
What: Leading up to September 30, which the federal government has declared the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Southcentre Mall has partnered up with the Colouring It Forward Reconciliation Society to launch a month-long art exhibit. The display features works by 17 Indigenous artists from across western Canada, and incorporates thoughtful recommendations about how people can take steps to foster reconciliation in their own communities.
The exhibit will culminate in a special event on September 30 that will pay tribute to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (and Orange Shirt Day) by inviting the Calgarians to gather for a day of community building that will help to deepen understanding of the experience of Indigenous peoples through traditional performances, family-friendly crafts, and an invitation for open dialogue about Indigenous culture and the ongoing process of reconciliation.
When: September 1 to 30
Time: The art exhibition is accessible during mall hours (10 am to 8 Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 6 pm on Sundays and holidays
Where: Southcentre Mall (100 Anderson Road SE)
Cost: Free
Attend a free yoga class
What: Relax and get some fresh air with a free class through Calgary Outdoor Yoga. There are two sessions offered each Sunday at locations in Mahogany and Stanley Park. It’s important to note that pre-registration is required, and attendee numbers are limited.
When: Every Sunday through until October 2021
Time: 10 am and 1 pm
Where: Participants will receive an email the night before with the exact secret location of each class.
Cost: Free
Check out The Dark Arts pop-up at The GRAND Theatre
What: An interim exhibit, located inside of The GRAND Theatre, mashes up refined cocktails, a shareable menu, and works by over 20 of YYC’s most accomplished artists. The Dark Arts is an Instagrammable lounge, providing the perfect backdrop for a seated atmosphere that offers much to explore.
When: Wednesday to Saturday, from now through October
Time: 5 pm to late
Where: The GRAND Theatre (601 1st Street SW, Calgary)
Cost: No entry fee. Prices vary by food and drink item
Get into Studio Bell for free
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What: Celebrate Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre’s five-year anniversary, with free admission every weekend through the rest of the year. Check out new and updated exhibits, catch instrument show-and-tells, and delve into the history of iconic Canadian musicians. Reserve your tickets online now.
When: Weekends until the end of 2021
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Studio Bell (850 4th Street SE)
Cost: Free
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