21 things to do in Calgary this weekend: September 24 to 26

Alberta has declared a state of public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As recommended by health officials, if you choose to participate in events outside of your home, please adhere to COVID-19 health and safety measures, including proper physical distancing, mask-wearing, and frequent handwashing. Additionally, be aware that many businesses and events may be participating in the Restrictions Exemption Program and will require proof of vaccine or a negative, privately paid COVID-19 test. If you are sick, please stay home.

The weather looks like it’s going to be pretty nice this weekend in Calgary (if you trust the forecast…), and there are plenty of things to do in the city as we settle into fall.

From dinner theatre and outdoor yoga to a local market, a festival dedicated to all things chocolate, a nostalgic concert with of the most iconic ’90s bands, and more, there’s sure to be something going on to suit everyone’s interests.

• See also:
  • 9 iconic pieces of public art to check out in downtown Calgary
  • There’s an Orange Shirt Day Walk happening in downtown Calgary this weekend
  • 8 fall events that we’re looking forward to in Calgary this season

It’s important to note that the following activities and venues may be participating in Alberta’s Restrictions Exemption Program, in which case you’ll need to provide proof of vaccine or a recent negative COVID-19 test result when attending. We suggest checking out individual events’ websites and social media for the most up-to-date information.

Here are 21 of the best things to do in and around Calgary this weekend.

Stage West Theatre Restaurant’s Feelin’ Groovy

What: Feelin’ Groovy – The Best of Folk Rock features tributes to some of the most influential singer/songwriters, including Joni Mitchell, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and many more. Plus, enjoy some amazing eats from Stage West’s huge buffet with your entertainment.

When: August 27 to November 14
Time: Varies by date
Where: Stage West Theatre Restaurant (727 42nd Avenue SE)
Cost: $86.10 for regularly priced tickets, with special rates available on select dates

Pokaiks — The Children: Orange Shirt Day Walk

What: Pokaiks — The Children: Orange Shirt Day Walk aims to bring Calgary’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together to pay tribute to the children of the past, present, and future through the walk, along with music, art, and special speakers.

The event begins with the walk at 10 am, starting at 3rd Street and 8th Avenue SW and continuing east down Stephen Avenue. The walk ends in the Olympic Plaza, where folks can take part in an afternoon of community programming. The afternoon consists of performances, traditional dancing, remarks from members of the Indigenous community, and a headline performance from Juno award winner Caleigh Cardinal.

When: September 25
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Walk begins at 3rd Street and 8th Avenue SW, followed by community programming at Olympic Plaza
Cost: Free

’90s Nostalgia Canadian Tour

What: Catch some of your favourite bands from the ’90s at a concert in Calgary this weekend. There will be live performances by Aqua, Vengaboys, Jenny Berggren of Ace of Base, 2 Unlimited, Haddaway, Eiffel 65, C+C Music Factory, and more at Shaw Millennium Park.

When: September 26
Time: 3:30 pm
Where: Shaw Millennium Park (1220 9th Avenue SW)
Cost: Tickets starting at $85

Etsy Calgary Fall Market

What: Etsy is bringing its market back for in-person shopping this fall. Shop from local handmade and vintage vendors, offering everything from home goods, jewelry, fashion, art, and even snacks at the Genesis Centre this Friday and Saturday.

When: September 24 and 25
Time: 5 to 9 pm on Friday and 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday
Where: The Genesis Centre (7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE)
Cost: $5 admission

Chocolate Fest at Granary Road

What: Celebrate all things chocolate at Granary Road this weekend! Find all kinds of delicious chocolate eats, treats, and giftables from market vendors. Throughout the day, enjoy chocolate caramel apple decorating, s’more making, a chocolate caravan, and plenty of other fun and engaging activities.

When: September 25 and 26
Time:  Open from 9 am to 5 pm, with specific times for certain events (visit website for details)
Where: Granary Road (226066 112th Street W)
Cost: Free to attend, with some paid activities

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 weekend, catch the final performance in the series: a Poetry Slam with Wakefield Brewster and others.

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

BrazilFest

What: BrazilFest celebrates Brazilian culture and heritage with live music, folk dance shows, and capoeira martial arts demonstrations offered to the public with free admission. The event will also feature some mouthwatering traditional food.

When: September 25
Time: 7 to 10 pm
Where: Eau Claire Market (200 Barclay Parkade SW)
Cost: Free

Halloweekends at Calaway Park

What: Get in the spooky spirit at Calaway Park’s Halloweekends, between now and October 11. The amusement park has set up “Hallotown” in one section of the venue, which is home to spooky scenes, magical meet and greets, photo ops, and even a parade. Guests are encouraged to dress in costumes and enjoy a day of fall fun.

When: Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Monday from September 11 to October 11
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Calaway Park (245033 Range Road 33, Calgary)
Cost: Included with admission ($47.95 for those age 3 to 49)

Harvest Lights at the Calgary Farmyard

What: Celebrate fall at the corn maze! Calgary Farmyard has all of its activities open for Harvest Lights, and the entire farm will be lit up in a fantastic display, with the exception of the corn maze. The maze will be kept dark as an added challenge for guests to find their way through using flashlights. You can also snap photos with pumpkins, or purchase some to bring home.

When: Fridays and Saturdays from September 17 to October 31
Time: 5:30 to 9:30 pm
Where: Calgary Farmyard (284022 Township Road 224)
Cost: $19.95 if purchased online in advance, $22.95 at the gate

DandyFest

What: DandyFest is a celebration of beer, food, and more, held at the beloved Calgary craft brewery. The Dandy Brewing Company has announced events spread across three days for the 2021 festival, including a beer pairing dinner led by Chef Merritt Gordon, a cask party with live music, and the main DandyFest event on Saturday, with beer from more than 16 breweries, plus craft cideries and distilleries.

When: September 23 to 25
Time: Varies by event
Where: The Dandy Brewing Company (2003 11th Street SE)
Cost: Varies by event

Calgary International Film Festival

What: The Calgary International Film Festival is back with 11 days of programming, featuring over 175 multi-genre feature and short films from Canada and around the world. The CIFF also hosts an Industry Week series that brings unique and exciting ways for filmmakers and fans to interact.

When: September 23 to October 3
Time: Varies by film/program
Where: Various locations in Calgary, with select programming broadcast to view online
Cost: Regular screening tickets are $13.50, with ticket bundles available from $39

Pumpkins After Dark

What: Pumpkins After Dark will feature over 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins in a walk-through nighttime experience that’s fun for all ages. Pumpkin sculptures and displays include everything from classic Halloween characters to dragons and dinosaurs to movie and pop culture icons, and there’ll also be food trucks, hot chocolate and coffee, pumpkin carving demonstrations, Monster Mini Golf, and pumpkins and merchandise up for sale to bring a part of the Halloween magic home with you.

When: Thursday through Sunday from September 23 to October 31
Time: 6 to 10:45 pm
Where: Husky Gardens at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park (88 Canada Olympic Road SW)
Tickets: Available online now for $19.95 for adults and $17.95 for children, with kids three and under free (must be purchased in advance, no on-site ticket sales)

Siptemberfest at the Calgary Farmers’ Market

What: join the Calgary Farmers’ Market for their first-ever Siptemberfest, where their patio is transforming into a Bavarian tavern for a day. Bratwurst, schnitzel, and traditional German charcuterie will be available to pair with beer from Trouble Monk, in a tribute to the iconic Oktoberfest event.

When: September 25
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Calgary Farmers’ Market South (510 77th Avenue SE)
Cost: No entry fee, varies by purchase

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra’s Hollywood Film Music

What: Enjoy your favourite music from Hollywood films, adapted by the talented Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. The Orchestra will perform instrumental selections from West Side Story, La La Land, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago, Shall We Dance, and other memorable movies.

When: September 24 and 25
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall (225 8th Avenue SE)
Cost: Tickets starting from $40

Get immersed in art at Beyond Van Gogh

What: The immersive Beyond Van Gogh experience is back 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.

Guests can also get their zen on with a yoga class right inside the exhibit, hosted by Mountain Home Yoga every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning.

When: September 18 to October 8
Time: Timed tickets available from 10 am to 9 pm daily, with yoga classes at 8:30 am every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Where: The BMO Centre on Stampede Park (20 Roundup Way SE)
Tickets: Starting at $33.99 for adults, available now

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. This weekend, find singer/songwriter acoustic duo West Of The Fourth performing in front of Trapped Calgary.

When: Every Saturday from June through November
Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm
Where: Kensington Village, in front of Trapped Escape Room (1139 Kensington Road NW)
Cost: Free

Take in a show from the comfort of your couch with StoryBook Theatre’s The Theory of Relativity

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

Check out the CIFRS Truth and Reconciliation Indigenous Art Exhibit at 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 special art exhibit. The display features work by 17 Indigenous artists from across western Canada and incorporate 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 October 11
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 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

What: Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, is celebrating its 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