COVID-19 still presents a risk to public health. While restrictions have been lifted across Alberta, it is recommended to continue practicing health and safety measures, including frequent hand-washing, wearing a mask on public transit and in healthcare settings, and staying home if you are sick.
Stampede Week is in full swing, but if “Yahoo”-ing isn’t your jam, there are lots of other things to do in Calgary right now.
Shop local at a market, catch one of several live shows, take the fam to a drive-in movie, feast on pancakes at free Stampede breakfasts, and more.
- See also:
Here’s what’s up in YYC this week.
Catch a live show or movie at the Grey Eagle Drive-In
View this post on Instagram
What: Join the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino at southern Alberta’s largest drive-in venue to watch a live concert or movie. This week, catch Tim Hus and Matt Blais in a live show, a tribute to Garth Brooks with Fresh Horses, a Spice Girls tribute with Wannabe, the Family Friendly Double Feature on Sunday showing Up and Moana, or The Craft.
When: July 14 to 18
Time: Varies by feature
Where: Grey Eagle Resort and Casino (3777 Grey Eagle Drive, Calgary)
Cost: Varies by show, check website for more info
Visit the 2021 Calgary Stampede
What: It’s finally back! Dust off your cowboy boots, shine up your belt buckle, and practice your two-steppin’ because the Calgary Stampede is returning for 10 days this July, and it’s bound to be epic. Whether you catch the action at the rodeo, cheer on a fireworks show from your neighbourhood, dance the night away at Nashville North, or watch this year’s Stampede Parade from the comfort of your own couch, there’s no better way to get in the summer spirit.
When: July 9 to 18
Where: Stampede Park (650 25th Avenue SE, Calgary), with some events broadcast virtually
Cost: $20 for a general admission ticket
Try a city-wide scavenger hunt
What: Calgary’s Parks Foundation has teamed up with PlayCity to bring the Hide & Seek challenge to YYC. Hide & Seek is the perfect way to get outside, explore the city’s outdoor spaces, and win prizes. A new postcard is hidden bi-weekly in a park somewhere in the city, and you can download the PlayCity app to find exclusive hints about the card’s location.
When: Bi-weekly starting May 8, running through the spring and summer months
Where: Parks and green spaces through Calgary
Cost: Free
Stampede celebrations at Southcentre Mall
INDIAN. RELAY. exhibit (Courtesy of J&J Lawrence Photography/Southcentre Mall)
What: This year, Southcentre Mall will again be hosting a pink-themed Stampede Breakfast in support of the CIBC Run for the Cure. New to this year’s event, and running throughout the month of July, is a unique art exhibit entitled INDIAN. RELAY., which tells the powerful story of North America’s oldest extreme sport through photography.
When: The Stampede breakfast is from 9 to 11 am on July 14, with the INDIAN. RELAY. exhibit operating during mall hours from July 12 to 31.
Where: Southcentre Mall (100 Anderson Road SE)
Cost: Free
Crossroads Market
What: This isn’t your traditional farmers’ market. Along with fresh produce and local eats, shoppers will find comics, jewellery, vintage items, and much more at Crossroads Market.
When: Weekly from Friday to Sunday
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: 1235 26th Avenue SE
Cost: Varies by purchase
Kensington weekend activations
What: Free activations will run each weekend in Kensington Village through until November, showcasing a series of pop-ups that include a variety of artists, musicians, dancers, and artisans.
When: Every Saturday from June through November
Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm
Where: Kensington Plaza
Cost: Free
Check out life-sized dinosaurs at the Calgary Zoo
What: The Calgary Zoo recently opened their brand new Dinosaurs: Awakened exhibit, and it is not to be missed. Check out 26 animatronic dinosaurs, spanning 17 species, that move, sound, and exhibit behaviours of these giant creatures of the past.
When: Now until October 31
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: The Calgary Zoo (210 St. George’s Drive NE)
Cost: Included with regular admission ($34.95 for adults, $14.95 for children)
Tee-off at one of the world’s best courses from Hotel Arts’ Golf Studios
What: Choose from simulations of more than 20 of the world’s best courses, including Pebble Beach, Oakmont, and Valderrama, and tee-off from your own private Golf Studio in downtown Calgary. Players can enjoy their own stocked carts with food and beverage service from Hotel Arts’ Clubhouse during the game.
When: Open daily
Time: Book one-, two-, three-, or four-hour time slots from 8 am to 9 pm
Where: Hotel Arts
Cost: Starting at $50 for 55 minutes
Snap some new content at The CORE’s Gram Garden
View this post on Instagram
What: If your Instagram game has felt a little boring lately, look no further than The CORE Shopping Centre. The downtown Calgary mall has set up a picture-perfect “Gram Garden,” which will feature a series of rotating backdrops throughout the summer months.
In celebration of the Calgary Stampede, the garden has gone with an all-pink country theme for its first exhibition, lasting until July 19.
When: June 28 to September 30
Time: Mall hours (11 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 pm on Sundays)
Where: The CORE Shopping Centre (324 8th Avenue SW, Calgary)
Cost: Free
Enjoy pancakes at a Stampede breakfast
What: Arguably the best part of the Calgary Stampede is the free pancake breakfasts. Communities and organizations across the city will be serving up hotcakes, sausages, orange juice, and other favourites in celebration of the 10-day event. Check out our list of 19 free Stampede breakfasts happening in and around Calgary this July.
Spend an old-fashioned day at Heritage Park Historical Village
What: Join Heritage Park for some old-timey fun and explore their historical village, ride the train, check out the new Prospect Ridge area, sail on the Glenmore Reservoir by paddlewheel boat, and take part in all of their other safe, outdoor experiences.
When: Daily
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Heritage Park (1900 Heritage Drive SW)
Cost: $24.95, and $12.95 for the kids
Relax with dinner and a movie at Hotel Arts
What: Escape for a night with an in-room dinner and a movie at Hotel Arts. The package comes with a night’s stay in the hotel’s luxury accommodations, a gourmet in-room dinner for two, a bottle of wine, two craft sodas, truffled parmesan popcorn and other movie snacks, and a $25 credit towards your in-room movie.
When: Available daily
Where: Hotel Arts (119 12th Avenue SW)
Cost: Package starts at $275
Badlands Music Festival
What: This mixed-genre music festival is returning for 2021, promising a “star-studded” line-up. The Badlands Festival Tent is featuring 11 days of live concerts, with musicians that include Felix Cartal, Chad Brownlee, Deadmau5, and more.
When: July 8 to 18
Where: Badlands Festival Tent (840 9th Avenue SW, Calgary)
Cost: Tickets and passes range from free to $233.13
Grab a TUBBY ON THE GO kit
What: Pick up a TUBBY ON THE GO kit from Calgary’s beloved hot dog joint. The kit contains everything you need for a backyard barbecue or picnic in the park, with a biodegradable, one-time-use CasusGrill, a four-pack of Tubby Dog’s Ukey sausages, four hot dog buns, one jar of house-made Tubby Dog mustard, four Twinkies for dessert, two beers from Annex Ale, plus tongs, napkins, and paper trays.
When: Available now
Where: Tubby Dog (1022 17th Avenue SW)
Cost: $50 +GST
Calgary Zoo: FOCUSED
View this post on Instagram
What: The FOCUSED photography event allows shutterbugs exclusive access to Zoo Island after the day’s public hours. This is your chance to snap some pictures of the animals and the zoo grounds in the evening light without other guests ending up in the frame.
When: July 13
Time: 6 to 8 pm
Where: The Calgary Zoo (210 St. George’s Drive NE)
Cost: $45 (includes zoo admission starting at 1 pm), or $25 for Calgary Zoo members
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra’s virtual concert series: City Spaces
What: While their concert hall remains closed, the CPO has taken their show on the road, playing from iconic Calgary spaces for free virtual performances. City Spaces bring music to audiences from places that include the top of a modern skyscraper, the interior of a brutalist-era gallery, the grand ballroom of a historic hotel, and more.
When: Stream the final performance, broadcast from the Jack Singer Concert Hall, until July 12
Time: Any time of your choosing
Where: Watch the performances virtually
Cost: Free
Attend a free yoga class
What: Relax and get some fresh air with a free class with Calgary Outdoor Yoga. There are two class times offered each Sunday, with locations in Mahogany and Stanley Park. It’s important to note that pre-registration is required, and attendee numbers are limited to adhere to current public health guidelines.
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
Support local with Eat & Seek at Southcentre Mall
Courtesy of Southcentre Mall/Brendan Klem
What: Snap some photos of this Instagrammable spot, get some fresh air, and enjoy a meal from one of Southcentre Mall’s local eateries all at the same time. Eat & Seek is a creative new patio space designed to give guests a fun new place to explore while supporting the food court and restaurant vendors who don’t have their own outdoor seating areas.
When: June 1 through fall 2021
Time: Mall hours (currently 11 am to 7 pm Monday through Saturday, and 11 am to 6 pm on Sundays)
Where: Southcentre Mall (100 Anderson Road SE)
Cost: Free (guests don’t need to purchase food to enjoy the patio)
The B!G Art Drive-In
What: B!G Art and TELUS Spark Science Centre have paired up again this year to bring back their epic big-screen movies. There’s sure to be something for everyone at this drive-in, with several showtimes each day. This week’s offerings include The Goonies, Spider-Man: Far from Home, and Raya and the Last Dragon.
While you’re there, be sure to stop into the Rocket Fuel Cafe for some astronaut ice cream.
When: July 15 to 17
Time: Varies by show
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre (220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary)
Cost: Varies by show
Watch a live drag show while you brunch at Eggs, Henny!
What: Get in the Stampede spirit at a drag-meets-country-music brunch event in Calgary this July. The Eggs, Henny! brunch will take place at Ill-Fated Kustoms’ unique outdoor event space this summer, and will feature singers and drag performers alongside delicious dishes and cocktail options.
When: July 18
Time: 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Ill-Fated Kustoms (5327 3rd Street SE, Calgary)
Cost: $20 to $120 per ticket (food and drinks aren’t included in price)
Get into Studio Bell for free
View this post on Instagram
What: Celebrate Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre’s five-year anniversary with free admission on weekends throughout the month of July. 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 from July 2 to 25
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Studio Bell (850 4th Street SE)
Cost: Free
Follow Channels and Categories