17 things to do in Calgary this weekend: July 15 to 17

It’s the official last weekend of Stampede, which means there is plenty to do and see around town with a western twist.

However, if you’re feeling a bit non-traditional, there is also plenty to do this weekend that doesn’t revolve around the Greatest Outdoor Show in the world.

Get out and do something, with our list of things to do this weekend.

Calgary Stampede

• What: The Greatest Outdoor Show in the world celebrates it’s 104th year in Calgary. Bring the kids, take the girlfriend or wonder solo, this is a right of passage if you’re in Calgary from July 8 to 17 this year.
• When: July 8 to 17
• Where: 1410 Olympic Way SE
• Price: Park admission is $18. Tickets can be purchased online here

Peking Acrobats

• What: If you’re looking for thrills and things that will make you gasp, the rides at the Midway aren’t the only Stampede attraction that will provide you with that kick. The Peking Acrobats, a touring Beijing-based acrobatic and contortionist group, features performers that juggle tables with their feet and climb to the roof on a stack of chairs that are only balanced by glass bottles on top of a table.
• Where: Upper Level of Big Four Building, Stampede Park
• When: 1 pm, 3 pm and 6 pm
• Cost: Free with admission to the park

Lady Antebellum

• What: These Grammy Award-winners were the first in CMA Award history to receive Single of the Year for two consecutive years. Originally formed in Nashville, Lady Antebellum released their sixth studio effort, 747, in 2014 to critical praise for successfully venturing into poppier territory.
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
• When: Friday, July 15
• Tickets: From $49.99, available online

Shakespeare by the Bow: Hamlet

• What: To be, or not to be, that is the question… Theatre Calgary is bringingHamlet outside, as it showcases its annual outdoor performances of Shakespeare by the Bow.
• Where: Prince’s Island Park – 698 Eau Claire Avenue SW
• When: Runs from June 21 to August 21, every day except Mondays; performances at 7 pm, with an extra 2pm matinee on Sundays. On hiatus between July 19 and 24.
• More info: Theatre Calgary’s website

Evening Show, Grandstand Show, and Fireworks

• What: Every night, the Evening Show starts with the GMC Rangeland Derby, which involves exciting chuckwagon races. When this portion of the event is over, a massive stage is towed in for the TransAlta Grandstand Show, featuring an eclectic mix of song, dance, and acrobatics. The evening’s affair concludes with a massive fireworks display over Stampede Park.
• Where: Grandstand, Stampede Park
• When: Nightly at 7:45 pm
• Cost: Ticketed

Wagonstage Children’s Theatre at the Calgary Zoo

• What:  Enjoy two 20 minute shows performed by Drama students from Wagonstage Children’s Theatre. Hippo Needs a Bath is performed in the green space between the Kitamba Café and the Rhino enclosure and The Dinosaur Club, No Babies Allowed! takes place in the Prehistoric Park Amphitheatre. Shows take place Wednesday through Sunday at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm
• Where: Calgary Zoo – 1300 Zoo Road NE
• When: Now until Friday, August 19
• Cost: Regular admission to the Zoo

Okotoks Dawgs Games

• What: See the Western Major Baseball League Okotoks Dawgs during their back to back games against the Yorkton Cardinals.
• Where: Seaman Stadium –  2111 N Railway Street, Okotoks
• When: 
• • Saturday, July 16 at 7:05 pm vs Yorkton Cardinals
  • Sunday, June 17 at 2:05 pm vs Yorkton Cardinals

Late Night Pancake Breakfast at National on 8th

• What: A twist on the original concept to help you conqure the last weekend of Stampede. Enjoy a free pancake breakfast and sausages on the patio starting at 9pm on Saturday, July 16.
• Where: National on 8th Patio – Scotia Centre – 225 8th Avenue SW
• When: Saturday, July 16 at 9pm
• Cost: Free

Jeff Dunham

• What: Comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham has been called the “most popular comedian in the United States” — not far of a stretch for someone whose videos have received almost a billion YouTube views and whose Comedy Central specials have been some of their highest-ever rated.
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
• When: July 17, 2016
• Tickets: From $49.00, available online

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: Now until October 2
• Cost: Regular admission $8.50

Free Concerts at the Coca-Cola Stage

• This year’s lineup for the Coca-Cola Stage, the largest music venue at the Calgary Stampede, is chart-topping and award-winning. This weekend you can see: Dear Rouge, The Glorious Sons, Gord Bamford and Simple Plan.
• Where: Coca-Cola Stage, Stampede Park
• When: Nightly at 9 pm
• Cost: Free with admission to the park

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

Wildhorse Saloon

• What: The Wildhorse Saloon is offering “the greatest Stampede Party in Calgary.” They’ve got concerts by The Road Hammers, Reuben and the Dark and Blackjack Billy to name a few, a BBQ, a non-stop dance floor, 20+ bars serving drinks that will knock your boots off, and of course, two different Stampede roundup after parties.
• Where: Wildhorse Saloon Stampede Tent – 500 6th Avenue SW
• When: From Thursday, July 7 to Saturday, July 16
• Tickets: At Wildhorse, daily admission priced $20, individual shows separately priced; VIP boss passes and areas also available.

Ranchman’s

• What: Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall has some high energy, rockin’ country music planned for this year’s Stampede main stage and event tent, including Jeremy Dallas, Chris Henderson, Foxx Worthee, the Chris Buck Band, the Boom Chucka Boys and Twoshine County. Plus there’s a bull riding arena and rooftop patios.
• Where: Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall – 9615 MacLeod Trail South
• When: From Friday, July 8 to Saturday, July 16
• Tickets: At Ranchman’s, no charge for patio entry, event tent and main stage priced $10-$15, roughstock cards (10-day VIP passes for up to four people) priced $125, chute passes $30. Drinks tickets $5.95-$6.95, food tickets $11-$18

Cowboys Stampede Tent

• What: The “most fun you can have with your boots on,” Cowboys is certainly a Stampede landmark for cowboys and playboys alike. As well as the huge parties happening in the tent, you’ll also be able to see the The Strumbellas, Ice Cube, Blink 182, Huey Lewis and the News and of course, “midget wrestling.”
• Where: Cowboys Stampede Tent – 421 12th Ave SE
• When: From Thursday, July 7 to Saturday, July 9, and from Friday, July 15 to Saturday, July 16; various times
• Tickets: From Cowboys, daily admission priced $20-30, individual shows priced separately, fastpasses priced $100 to skip the line, food tickets priced $22.50, drinks tickets priced $7.75; rodeo packages, festival passes, chute passes and VIP suites also available.

Nashville North

• What: Whether you listen to country year-round or just 10 days in July, Nashville North is the place to catch rising stars and familiar favourites. This  year it has a huge array of shows on offer, including The Dungarees, Tim Hicks, Jason Greeley, Tanya Ryan and High Valley – and that’s just on the first day!
• Where: Nashville North – 1410 Olympic Way SE
• When: From Thursday, July 7 to Sunday, July 17
• Tickets: Nashville North concerts free on entry to Stampede grounds. Buck the line ticket packages available on the Calgary Stampede website.

If you’ll be in Banff this weekend:

Party with Buffy Sainte-Marie and Dan Mangan

• What: Celebrate arts and creativity with us, at this free summer concert featuring Buffy Sainte-Marie, Dan Mangan, and Seckou Keita.
• Where: Shaw Amphitheatre – 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff
• When: July 16 at 4 pm
• Cost: Free