Date night plans need a little shaking up occasionally. Rather than the classic meal, drinks, coffee, or movie, try something new!
Credit: Alberta Ballet/ Nicola Edmonds Design: Homegrown Creative
These date ideas for March in Calgary work for first dates, dating couples, and married couples alike.
Calgary’s attractions, festivals, events, arts and culture, and restaurants, all offer ways to create unique or exciting plans for a date. Plus, the warmer spring weather allows for a bit more comfortable or enjoyable outdoor fun and recreation.
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Start the Month with Winefest
When: March 1-2, 2024
Where: Stampede Park, BMO Centre
How much: $137-$189 per person
Hit the Bowling Lanes
There are few date ideas more classic than a game of bowling. This low-pressure, low-intensity activity gives you something simple to do while you socialize. And in Calgary, you’ll have the option between traditional bowling alleys or the arcade bars with duckpin bowling (shorter lanes and lighter balls).
- The Banquet Bar is one such pub with duckpin bowling lanes, and there are two locations in Calgary! The Banquet Bar has a full food and drink menu, as well as arcade games.
- Splitsville is your traditional bowling alley experience, also with two locations in Calgary. On top of bowling, these locations offer arcades, mini golf, a pool, and laser tag.
Celebrate Festival D’Hiver – Franco Winterfest
This two-day festival in Calgary is a great excuse to enjoy the last of the snowy winter weather and the outdoor winter festival atmosphere in the city. Festival D’Hiver is a celebration of French-Canadian culture across the country and in Calgary. You can catch live performances and food or drink tasting opportunities.
When: March 2 to 3, 2024
Where: 4800 Richard Rd SW
How much: free
Explore the Bow River Valley
These are but a few ideas on how to take advantage of Calgary’s Bow River Valley for date plans. Simply pick a scenic trail and follow it along the river together while watching for birds or wildlife. Or make sure your date ends up somewhere with picnic amenities. Calgary was built around the river, so no matter which area you choose, you are likely to be close to places for coffee, drinks, or a meal.
- The Bow River exits the city in the southeast corner of Calgary. This area is also Fish Creek Provincial Park filled with river valley areas, parklands, and grasslands to explore. Begin at the Chinook Rotary Nature Park, and make your way north for lunch at the Bow Valley Ranch Restaurant located within the park.
- Edworthy Park is a great option for those looking for somewhere to picnic on their date. The park follows the Bow and has several picnic sites and shelters along the river’s edge.
- Pearce Estate Park is in a nice and central location for meeting someone on a walk or picnic date. The pretty city park sits on a large natural area that remains protected by the city- this is also the location of the Bow Habitat Station, where you can learn about all the natural surroundings.
Dinner & Live Theatre or Music
This March, you and your significant other or date have two options for two different live productions to enjoy alongside a romantic dinner. These experiences fill a few hours, and each theatre switches up their productions every month or two.
- Calgary’s Jubilations Dinner Theatre will run a showing of The Beach Boys of Summer for the first three weeks of March. These performances include drink service and a buffet dinner.
- Get tickets to the Stage West Theatre’s March performance for your next date night. From now until April 14, the theatre is playing a production of Chapter Two by Neil Simon.
Find Calgary’s Newest Restaurants, Pubs, or Cafes
Treat them to dessert with Calgary’s new Crumbl Cookie location in Quarry Park. The cookie chain is world-famous for its baked delights.
Calgary is now home to a Brooklyn Dumpling Shop location. The North American chain is set to open a second Calgary location in the coming fall.
Take a short drive south to try one of the first Western Canada locations for Firehouse Subs. The Ontario-based eatery is planning big Western expansion soon, including one to come in the city of Calgary. For now, head out on a day trip with your date to try these new subs in Okotoks.
Science, History, & Art Attractions in Calgary
Shake off the ordinary date night and weekend plans and get to know some of Calgary’s coolest attractions. Along the way, you’ll learn about science from all sorts of perspectives, automotive history, the arts, and film.
- TELUS Spark Science Centre have so much to offer for people of all ages. Right now, regular admission will get you through Steven’s Lab, Da Vinci the Exhibition, and SPACE: A Journey Beyond the Moon. Also, on for March specifically are Indigenous Science Night and Drum Making Workshops, or the Media Arts Festival.
- Enjoy the history of the city together at Heritage Park in a few different ways: walk through the year-round Gasoline Alley Museum, attend a 3-course Murder Mystery Dinner, enjoy a Dinner & a Movie Night, or attend their Easter events at the end of the month.
- Fort Calgary has programming planned for all of March. But the ones you’ll want to note for date nights are the Films at the Fort events. Through March, catch movies like Barbie, The Grizzlies, Hairspray, or Killers of the Flower Moon.
- March is the final month to experience the Penguin Walk at the Calgary Zoo. The walk involves allowing the King penguins a chance to roam freely around the zoo while open to the public. The docile and adorable creatures are led around by trainers, and the number of penguins out for the day will depend solely on who feels like walking. The last day for their walks is March 15th.
Birding & Hiking Outside of the City
Head out on a quiet and economic day trip for an afternoon date in March. All it takes is about a 30-60-minute drive, snacks and picnic food, and the trails. And around Calgary, there are several from which to choose. And with so many trails around Calgary, we can help narrow it down to the hiking trails which offer excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities for spring. Mid to late March is a busy time for the province’s migratory birds and will give you better chances at seeing the more elusive types like owls, great blue herons, or tundra swans.
- Frank Lake is one of the best birding sights near Calgary. The area, protected by Ducks Unlimited, offers a boardwalk trail and about 2km of hiking for getting to the viewing area and back.
- Head to the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area (timed entry and reservations required) for a good chance at spotting large raptors on your walk like hawks or eagles. The foothill area offers around 20km of interpretive hiking trails.
- Big Hill Springs Provincial Park, northwest of the city, will offer a great variety of bird species to photograph, watch for, or listen to on your walk. The park’s main trail leads to great foothill viewing areas.
- 15 Places to Go Birding in and Around Calgary
YYC Food & Drink Experience
When: March 15-31, 2024
Where: city-wide
How much: $25-$45 for prix fixe meals
Live Shows & Nearby Restaurants
We mentioned dinner theatre date night ideas in Calgary. Which are still possible with venues who don’t offer a menu. For a different dinner theatre experience, try these local shows coupled with a meal or drinks at the best restaurants closest to each venue.
- The Alberta Ballet will present Hansel & Gretel March 7-9 at the Jubilee, and Shen Yun will return will return from March 29 to 31. This is on the south side of Highway 1/16th Avenue, where you’ll find casual to fine dining cuisine options. This is also the location of the famous Peter’s Drive-in who offer classic drive-in takeout.
- The Vertigo Theatre premier its production of The Girl on the Train on March 16th. The Theatre is in the heart of Calgary’s restaurant scene on 9 Avenue SW. Walk north from the theatre on Centre Street S to find top-rated places like Charcut, the Palomino Smokehouse, or Thai Thien Sub to the west.
The Grape Escape
If you can’t make it in time for Winefest at the beginning of March, don’t fret! The Grape Escape will be in Calgary later this March, creating the perfect itinerary for date night. The comprehensive tasting experience includes samples of beers, wines, spirits, premixed drinks, and food.
When: March 22-23, 2024
Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park
How much: $70 per person