17 things to do in Calgary this weekend: October 14 to 16

Lots of fun things happening around town including a Flames game, freaky halloween events, SAIT’s free 100th birthday party and more!

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

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

Freaky Flashlight Nights

What: Find your way out of corn mazes in the dark! All weekends in October, head to Cobb’s Corn Maze for Freaky Flashlight Nights every Friday and Saturday. You can also take a ride on their creepy tractor (tell us how it goes) or brave their haunted houses.
Where: Cobb’s Corn Maze -1500 84th Street NE
When: Fridays and Saturdays October 1 to 29
Cost: Children under 3 are free, Children $12.50, Adults $13.50

Calgary Flames Game

What: Hockey at the dome is finally back this week! Regular season play hits home ice on Friday against McDavid and the Oilers.
Where: The Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
When: Friday, October 14 at 7 pm vs Edmonton Oilers

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+

Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival

What: The tattoo world turn its spotlight onto Calgary as the first annual International Tattoo Competition debuts at the Calgary Tattoo & Arts Festival. Artists from all over the world will be battling it out in teams for cash, prizes and tattooing supremacy during this three-day event.
Where: BMO Centre – 20 Roundup Way SW
When: Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 16
Cost: $25 general admission, $50 weekend pass

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 16 at 2 pm vs Moose Jaw

Train of Terror

What: Head to Aspen Crossing Railway for their Train of Terror event. Aboard the Train of Terror, you will experience haunted railway cars, disturbing entertainment and ultimate FEAR! If you make it through the fright cars alive, join us on the other side where you will find a Halloween party, with food and drinks for purchase!
Where: Aspen Crossing – Highway #24, Mossleigh, AB
When: Runs October 8 to October 30 – Check website for exact dates
Cost: $69.99

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

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 8 to 10, October 15 and 16, October 22 and 23
Cost: 13.80+gst (kids under 2 free)

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)

Cecil Hotel by Mark Clintberg

What: Cecil Hotel (2014-2016) is an exploration of the recently demolished site of The Cecil Hotel, opened in 1912, ordered to close by Calgary’s city officials in 2008, and purchased by the city for nearly $11 million in 2009. The hotel has been considered an “epicentre of prostitution, drugs, murder, and desperation by some, and its erasure has since been both contested and praised. This project includes a large-scale modified replica of the hotel’s neon sign and an edition of custom-made pint glasses.
Where: Main Space/Parkade/U-Hall – 2009 10th Avenue SW
When: September 16 to October 15 (closed Sunday’s and Monday’s)

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

WWE Live

What: The WWE is coming into town for a good old royal rumble. Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, Sasha Banks and Charlotte will all be here on Saturday night.
Where: Stampede Corral, Stampede Park – 10 Corral Trail SE
When: Saturday, October 15 at 7:30 pm
Cost: $20 to $105

CFL Calgary Stampeders football game

What: Watch as our CFL pride and joy take on their rivals this summer. Keep those blankets handy – natural AC might make it a bit chilly.
Where: McMahon Stadium – 1817 Crowchild Trail NW
When: Saturday, October 15 at 5 pm vs Montreal Alouettes

SAIT’s 100th Birthday Party

What: One of Calgary’s post secondary institutions is turing the big 1-0-0. To celebrate SAIT is hosting a free public birthday party. Take your family and enjoy a BBQ lunch for the first 2,500 guests, recreation and kids activities, live entertainment a, cake and a spectacular fireworks show.
Where: SAIT Main Campus – 1301 16th Avenue NW
When: Sunday, October 16 from 12 to 7:30 pm
Cost: Free

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

And if you’ll be Banff this weekend

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