In and around Calgary, you can find all sorts of fun farm experiences to escape the city and enjoy the quaintness of farm life. These fun farms offer entertainment in many forms, including mazes, farm and field games, pumpkin patches, u-pick, and plenty more. Many of these farms also allow for animal interactions and feedings (or as their main attraction). You’ll get to meet all sorts of creatures, including some exotic rescues like kangaroos and wallabies!
These farms are all family-friendly and provide an inexpensive way to entertain and educate kids of all ages.
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1. The Calgary Farmyard
A visit to the Calgary Farmyard in the fall months means a lot of pumpkins and cornmaze! This farm is home to a large pumpkin patch with u-pick and photography spots available. Your admission to the Farmyard also includes access to over 30 attractions centered on farm fun, animal interactions, and physical activity. Some examples include a zipline, Bunnyville, the Goat Walk, mini golf, or the arcade truck.
The Calgary Farmyard: 284022 Township Rd. 224 (west on AB-22X, south on 120 St. SE)
Cost: $21.95 to $26.95
Fun events:
- Harvest Lights: September 15 to October 30, 2023
- Pumpkin Days: September 15 to October 29, 2023
2. Butterfield Acres Petting Farm
There are two reasons to visit Butterfield Acres this fall: first is the Fall Farm Experience which you can enjoy throughout September; and the second is the Harvest Pumpkin Fest in October. The Fall Farm Experience is open to drop-ins, while the Pumpkin Fest requires you to purchase admission in advance. Your tickets to the Pumpkin Fest include tractor and pony rides, animal visits, pumpkin picking, access to concessions, and a bonfire.
Butterfield Acres Petting Farm: 254077 Rocky Ridge Rd. NW, Calgary
Fun Events:
September Fall experience – weekdays 10am to 2pm, weekends 10am to 4pm
Pumpkin Fest: October 1 to 39, 2023
Cost: $15.99 to $18.99
3. Cobb’s Adventure Park
Cobb’s comes highly recommended for those with younger children as it has several activities they can love, and many animals to meet who call the Park home: kangaroos, wallabies, a tortoise, a chinchilla, sheep, snakes, chickens, bunnies, ducks, goats, ferrets, green iguanas, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and alpacas (many of them from their Exotic Animal Rescue foundation). You can always leave the kids at home though for one of their themed Adult Nights.
Cobb’s Adventure Park: 1500 84 St. NE, Calgary
Fall Hours:
September 8 to October 29, 2023
Friday to Sunday and October 19th : 11am to 5pm
Friday and Saturday evenings in October 14 to 29: 6pm to 10pm
Cost: Online tickets: $21.75 per person, 2 & under free
At the door: $25 per person, 2 & under free
Fun Events:
- Field of Screams: October 13 to 28, 2023
4. Apple Fest
Celebrate a plethora of apple varieties at the annual APPLE FEST! Witness a live apple cider press at the Adam & Eve’s booth, where you can also indulge in cinnamon hot apple cider, and try apple bobbing. Explore an assortment of apple-based products, from jams to syrups, and partake in a fun apple pie eating contest. Remember to stop by Unicorn Farms for orchard-fresh apples and refreshing cold-pressed apple juice to enjoy at home. It’s all about apples at APPLE FEST!
Granary Road, 112 Street West, Foothills No. 31
Apple Fest: September 30 & October 1, 2023 | 9 am to 5 pm
Cost: Free to $15.95
5. The Saskatoon Farm
Saskatoon Farm is back with their annual Fall Fair. The festival takes over the Farm on September 16th and 17th with live music, an outdoor market, tractor rides, face painting, and games. If you visit any other time during the fall, you can visit their garden centre, bakery, farmers’ market, or meet the tortoises (Molly, Mable, Tom, Felix, and Turbo) and other animals.
The Saskatoon Farm: 80181 338 Ave E #20, Okotoks
6. The Jungle Farm
Take your pick of the pumpkins at The Jungle Farm this fall! Their large pumpkin patch makes the perfect fall activity and excellent photo opportunities, but you can also partake in several other outdoor activities at the Farm, and stop by their General Store on your way out. While you’re here you and your family can master the corn maze and obstacle course, visit with farm animals, take the Gnome Walk, or ride the wagons.
The Jungle Farm: 28120, Township Rd. 362 (north of Innisfail on AB-2A).
Cost: $8.50 & up
Hours: Saturday, Sunday and holiday Monday | 11:00 am – 5:00 pm September and October
7. The Sunny Spot Drumheller
During the open months of the Sunny Spot in Drumheller, there are several attractions and events to make for a special visit. Their most popular attraction is the large T-rex Corn Maze and their Pumpkin Patch, but the Sunny Spot itself is a seasonal restaurant- after making it through the maze, you can reward yourself with a meal on their patio!
The Sunny Spot: 5225 AB-10, Drumheller
Hours: 11:30-8pm, Thursday-Sunday
8. White Barn Fun Farm
You can roam the White Barn Fun Farm with all its furry inhabitants this fall. A visit to this petting farm means a visit with yaks, an emu, llamas, goats, alpacas, donkeys, and other smaller animals. They offer farm tours all year as long as you dress for the weather! The farm is also open to bookings for weddings and other special occasions.
White Barn Fun Farm: RR 154, Duchess
Hours: 10am to 6pm Saturday & Sunday
Cost: $13.99 per person
9. Eagle Creek Farms
You’ll have several activity options when you come to Eagle Creek Farms in addition to an afternoon of berry- or vegetable-picking. In August, Eagle Creek offer flowers, potatoes, carrots, beets, beans, cucumbers, chard, peas, and pumpkins (3rd week). They’ll offer many of these same vegetables in September, plus zucchini. Double-check their Facebook page before heading out for daily strawberry updates.
Eagle Creek Farms is also home to Bowden Sunflower Maze. Sunflower blooms occur through to mid-September at the Bowden Sunmaze.
Eagle Creek Farms: 34530 Range Rd 14, Bowden
Cost: Varies