Get some quality time with dad this Father’s Day in Calgary while treating him to some fun. Around the city, Father’s Day-specific events and festivities are taking place.
Many restaurants are hosting Father’s Day dining experiences. Otherwise, Calgary has a lot to offer in June for weekend family fun. This includes free things to do in and out of the city, outdoor attractions and recreation, and taking in the top city attractions.
Attend a Father’s Day Brunch or Dinner
- 25 Calgary Restaurants For 2023 Father’s Day Brunch and Dinner
- Enjoy a delicious brunch at Meridian Central Station while being entertained by Dale Ward, Todd Ness and Brittany Lyseng.
- Southwest Calgary’s Doriaen Hotel will host The Get Smoked Father’s Day event for June 15th on their 3rd floor patio. The event features smoked meats, smoked cocktails, and the hotel’s permission to enjoy a cigar.
- The Flores & Pine Happy Father’s Barbecue Lunch is on Sunday June 18th and is set to feature a buffet of barbecue on the patio.
- If your father is a big seafood fan, then the Captain’s Boil has the perfect package for your family meal: The Father’s Day Feast includes a variety of seafood mains, and sides, to share family-style.
Events at Calgary’s Museums
Explore the city’s past, the province’s past, and maybe even some of your dad’s past with these Father’s Day museum events. These Calgary museums are putting extra effort into helping history come to life with antique car shows, kids’ activities, and dining opportunities.
- The Hangar Flight Museum offers many reasons to visit for Father’s Day weekend, including free admission for all dads! Additionally, the museum is hosting Wings & Wheels (June 17-18, 2023), a special showcase of shiny cars, planes and helicopters, and chances for helicopter rides.
- Heritage Park
- Calgary’s Firefighters Museum is the location of the 2nd annual Tri-Services Vintage Show & Shine (June 18, 2023).
- Join the Calgary Military Museum and YYC Food Trucks for the annual Father’s Day celebrations (June 18, 2023). There will be plenty of food trucks, jet pilots on site to answer questions, guided tours of the museum, and children’s activities.
Father’s Day Events at the Markets
Both of Calgary’s larger farmers’ markets are planning special and memorable fun for Father’s Day. Plus, this is a great opportunity to find locally made gifts, food, and more.
- Granary Road’s Father’s Day Mini Golf & BBQ (June 18) experience requires advance registration and ticket purchases as it includes a shotgun-style mini golf tournament.
- Father’s Day Fun is scheduled for both Calgary Farmers’ Market locations on Saturday and Sunday (June 17 & 18, 2023). These will include crafts, live music, and a motorcycle show.
Book a Family River Paddle
The safest and best way to float the Bow River this time of year is with canoes or kayaks. And in Calgary, there are a few different places where you can rent some sturdy watercraft for a day on the river with Dad, or the whole family.
- The Lazy Day Raft Rentals offer a lot more than rafts. You can try the BowYaks, or kayaks, to take on the river this June. The rafts are also available! The company’s shuttle and BowTubes are available as of July 1st.
- Riverside Rafting has a large fleet of varying-sized rafts with room for 2-to-16 people.
- The Paddle Station is a perfect option for big groups or families, with rafts big enough to fit up to 20 people.
- Fun Water-Based Activities and Adventures in and Around Calgary
- Guided Whitewater Rafting in Alberta
- Guide to River Tubing, Floating and Guided Raft Trips in and Around Calgary
Adventurous Outdoor Attractions
Does your dad or the dad in your life prefer a little thrill and adventure on his weekends? There are two local summer attractions filled with thrills for all ages, including dad.
- Get your dose of family thrills this Father’s Day at Calaway Park on the west outskirts of Calgary. They are not open for their full summer schedule but will be open June 17-18!
- Winsport Adventure Park offers adventure for all ages with a mini golf course, and the Downhill Karting track.
Free Outdoor Fun
A major source of free fun in Calgary comes from the River Valley, the surrounding parks, and the many ravines or smaller rivers. Calgary is fortunate to have a local Provincial Park as well in Fish Creek. Head out for Father’s Day and pack a picnic, pack the bikes, and remember binoculars or cameras for wildlife.
- Cycle the extensive Bow River Valley network of trails together. Fish Creek Park is a great place to focus on for your cycling tour.
- Head out on a Father’s Day picnic, and choose from open park spaces and free benches, or opt for booking a site; booking your picnic site is a good idea if you have a large group.
- The Bow River Valley is home to a wide range of different bird species, as well as a place to learn all about the birds. The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre has trails, Indigenous art exhibits, and picnic tables. From here, you can pick from even more trails to follow near the river.
Outdoor Fun at City Attractions
Make the most of the spring/summer weather this Father’s Day with a visit to the now-open city attractions. These outdoor attractions around Calgary can fill your entire day with activities and experiences for Father’s Day.
- The Calgary Zoo can certainly fill up your day and is now featuring an exhibit of garden/shrub sculptures, or WildScapes (also hosting a Father’s Day Brunch).
- Immerse yourselves in some local history for the day with activities, experiences, dining, and the living history of Heritage Park (also hosting a Father’s Day brunch and dinner).
- Tour the exhibits, book a guided tour, or check out the workshops of Fort Calgary for Father’s Day.
- Witness the thrilling competition as elite athletes from top show jumping nations vie for prestigious prizes at the Spruce Meadows National tournament. Alongside the world-class show jumping, enjoy exciting Prairie Dog performances, the skilled Lord Strathcona’s Royal Canadians, and activities for both kids and adults. Don’t miss out on the incredible concert featuring Aaron Pritchett, Charlie Major, and Carolyn Dawn Johnson, with tickets priced at just $5 for an unforgettable Father’s Day weekend experience.
A Hiking or Picnic Day Trip near Calgary
If the weather is nice, you may be prompted to get out of the city for the day, or maybe the weekend. Take advantage of all the natural beauty surrounding Calgary for Father’s Day with a hike or picnic trip. There are several options to the west, but we can recommend places to the north, east, and south, too!
- Head west to Canmore and take your pick of great parks either in and around town, or outside of Canmore in Kananaskis Country. The Bow Valley offers many incredible hikes and scenic picnic spots.
- To the north is Big Hill Springs Provincial Park with shorter, but rewarding trails, and several places for a Creekside picnic.
- To the east are great badlands hikes, and picnic spots. You can follow Highway 9 from Calgary to Drumheller with stops at Horseshoe Canyon, then Horsethief Canyon.
- Brown-Lowery Provincial Park, southwest of Calgary, has about 12km of trails with a variety of foothill and mountain viewpoints along the way.
- Support CCMF Alberta’s 2nd Annual Footsteps for Fathers Walk and Fundraiser, uniting men, families, and communities to raise awareness about emotional distress during relationship breakdowns. The event funds Fueling Fathers, a workshop series enhancing parenting capacity, confidence, and mental health. Help empower men to become better dads, workers, and community members, improving their mental health and overall well-being.
Get Golfing
No matter the skill level of your group, or your dad’s golf skill level, there are numerous ways for dads and families to enjoy golf in Calgary on Father’s Day.
- Golfuture offer many different golf activities including a 9-hole/par 3 course, driving range, a putting green, mini golf, and a simulator. Plus, they offer onsite dining.
- The Taiko Canteen offer a unique indoor mini golf experience for adults with a 9-hole mini course, and full bar or food service while you play.
- The outdoor mini golf at the Oasis Greens Golf Centre is considered a “championship” mini golf course. The club also has a driving range and can offer professional golf swing analysis.
Book a Calgary Brewery Tour
The micro- and craft brewery business in Calgary is certainly booming. If you want a chance to try some of these tasty craft brews with dad, consider a brewery tour for Father’s Day! Along the way, you can mix in some distilleries, too.
- Canadian Craft Tours have Calgary brewery tours all weekend long, and weekday dates, too. These tours include transportation.
- Celebrate Father’s Day with a tour of Bridgeland Distillery. Explore the Artisans at Work experience, where you can learn from passionate artisans and discover traditional crafts while enjoying an enriching and authentic adventure. Complete your visit with a tour of the facility, where you’ll learn about the Brandy, Whisky, and Grappa making process, followed by a tasting of three delightful products.
Go Fishing
Looking for a great fishing spot to call your own? Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Environment and Parks have stocked waterbodies across the province to create over 240 different fishing opportunities.