How to step up your picnic game. Step one: add amazing food. Step two: find a sunny spot outside. That’s it! That’s all there is to creating an amazing picnic in Calgary.
Enjoy your next meal in the great outdoors with the fresh air and summer sun. If this sounds like your idea of a fun summer day, then you have several ways to have a memorable picnic in Calgary. You can start simply with city parks and stocking up on local café goods.
Plus, some Calgary restaurants and eateries can hook you up with picnic baskets and kits. And beyond the city parks of Calgary, you can also opt for a picnic adventure to a park outside of the city.
And if you’d rather not plan the picnic at all, you can rely on Calgary’s luxury picnic companies and services. The luxury picnic companies set you and your date or group up with the table, the seating, the décor, the tableware, and much more.
Luxury Picnic Companies in Calgary
YYC Picnics
YYC Picnic are a proposal planning company as well as luxury picnic service! You can select from any one of their packages for a memorable picnic with friends, family, or date. Or, you can have YYC Picnics take care of any and all proposal plans (you just bring the ring!).
Where: customer-chosen location
How much: base packages $200-$435; add-ons available
Lark YYC
You can take advantage of pop-up luxury picnic services from Lark that are totally customizable. Their picnic catalogue includes numerous ways to make your perfect picnic like florals, place settings, centerpieces, and shade. The picnics can be set up as custom packages, or with set themes like Lux or Proposal.
Where: customer-chosen location
How much: $145-$595
French 37 & Co.
French 37 & Co. make planning a luxury picnic simple and exciting. With their packages, you’ll first choose theme with options like Moroccan Glam, or Garden Party. Second, you get to choose a food package from selections like cheese, charcuterie, or dessert. Lastly, let them know how many; they can accommodate up to 12 guests! French 37 & Co. also offer tablescape services and small event décor.
Where: customer-chosen location
How much: $225-$475
Sleepee Party Boutique
Luxury picnics aren’t only for adults! The Sleepee Party Boutique can create a kids’ picnic perfect for any event, especially birthdays. While The Sleepee Party Boutique specialize in kids’ picnics, sleepovers, and more parties, they do offer the picnics for adults, and adult sleepover packages for something like a bachelorette.
Where: customer-chosen location
How much: by quote
Picnic Basket To Go in Calgary
River Café Picnic Baskets
The River Café picnic baskets are available to order year-round. But you will want to take advantage of the summer weather and have your picnic in their scenic garden. The baskets can be customized, and local brews are available to add. The scenic garden is made even prettier by its riverside location on Prince’s Island Park.
Where: 25 Prince’s Island
How much: a la carte
The Graze Company
The Picnic Package from Calgary’s local Graze Company is all you need for a lovely day at the park. The package comes in an actual picnic basket, plenty of snacks, lemonade, and wine. The Graze Company also offer a number of other menu items perfect for an outdoor meal like charcuterie, cheese boards, and various graze boxes.
Where: 1502 27 Avenue SW
How much: $225
Butter Block & Company
Take these picnic baskets anywhere in the city to enjoy as a pair or couple. The Butter Block & Company’s summer picnic baskets are delectable assortment of the bakery’s best items. The package includes croissant sandwiches, sweet croissants, fruit salads, sweets, and two drinks.
Where: 908 17 Ave SW Suite 111
How much: $35 per two people
Seasons of Bowness Park
One of the many Market Specialties from Seasons of Bowness includes a Picnic to Go- they provide the food, they provide the blanket, and they provide the basket! Email seasons to book and to pick out the details for your Picnic Basket for an ultimate picnic in Bowness Park.
Where: Bowness Park, 8900 48 Ave. NW
How much: Varies
Ideas for Picnic Locations around Calgary
Wine & Cheese Picnic in Calgary
It is only select parks in Calgary which allow alcohol consumption. They are a great way to take advantage of a scenic and memorable wine and cheese type of picnic.
- Confederation Park in the northwest is a scenic wetland area in Calgary. The park has trails, a garden, and a playground.
- Rotary Park in Calgary’s northeast has several amenities and activities for a memorable day out. Enjoy lawn bowling, tennis, or bring your pup to the off-leash area. The picnic areas are also near washrooms and water fountains.
- There are three picnic sites on the riverbanks opposite the Calgary Zoo which allow alcohol consumption. The area does not have an official park designation, but these tables are available for pre-booking. They are referred to as the Inglewood Zoo Bridge sites.
City Picnic Sites for Larger Groups
A picnic with a larger group will require more tables, and possibly a shelter, or cook stoves and fire pits. These picnic areas in Calgary are perfect for large gatherings thanks to their amenities and onsite activities.
- North Glenmore Park’s activities range from boating, picnics, hiking, and biking to splashing in the spray park, or taking up a game of tennis. Plus, the park offers all your necessary amenities like washrooms, cook stoves, and tables.
- Bowness Park is one of the most popular parks in Calgary. Its popularity is first thanks to all of the activities available here, as well as the scenic riverside location. Bookings are highly recommended, but this only helps guarantee your spot. The park offers boat rentals, mini-train rides, and a playground.
- Pearce Estate Park takes up 15-hectares of wetlands next to a bend in the Bow. The sites here can be booked in advance for a larger group. The park offers an incredibly peaceful and scenic picnic area next to creeks and streams.
Picnic at a Nearby Provincial Park
You don’t even need to leave Calgary for a Provincial Park picnic! But if you’d like to add a day trip to your plans, you have several other options for an outdoor meal in a provincial area.
- Fish Creek Provincial Park is within walking or biking distance for some in Calgary. The south day-use areas near Stoney Trail are all near the Sikome Aquatic Facility, where you can take a dip after your picnic. There are quiet areas for a picnic at the Hulls Wood day-use area where you can access tables and cook stoves.
- The Sandy McNabb day-use area in Sheep River Provincial Park is one of the closer to Calgary of the park’s many day-use areas. The picnic sites sit beside a creek, while the parking area is connected to a trail system. The sites have firepits, while the area also has shelters.
- Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is a short drive west of Calgary with great picnic spots and excellent hiking before or after your meal. The picnic areas are near the main entrance, with the River just south to explore.
View Comments (1)
I don't think a picnic should be filled with luxury, I just think that the whole picnic setup should be nice and simple.