Here is a list of over 100 things to do in and around Calgary during summer 2026, including hikes, guided tours, festivals, and other fun adventures.

Credit: Calgary Stampede
Whether you are looking for family or adult activities, you will find something on this list.
I. What is New
- Step into the world of SUE, the most complete and best-preserved T. rex ever discovered, at TELUS Spark in Calgary. Explore a 40-foot skeleton, immersive prehistoric worlds, roaring sounds, and hands-on science through sight, smell, sound, and touch, in this thrilling Field Museum dinosaur experience for families and fossil fans.
- Downtown Calgary is set for a busy summer, with a series of free sports programs and public events aimed at drawing people back into the core. Soccer City FC, will take place at Peace Park from June 7 to Sept. 2 on most Sundays. Backed by Cavalry FC and Calgary Wild FC, the program gives young participants access to coaching while building skills and connections. The lineup also ties into the 2026 Men’s World Cup. Free outdoor watch parties are scheduled at Eau Claire Plaza with the final shown on Stephen Avenue on July 19.
- Calgary is set to host a diverse range of musical performances throughout the summer. The lineup includes Alanis Morissette, Chance The Rapper, A$AP Rocky, Blue Rodeo, Daniel Caesar, Deep Purple and many more! With a wide range of genres and ticket prices, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Calgary’s vibrant music scene. Get tickets!
- Canadian Photography Conference brings photographers together July 13–16 at SAIT in Calgary for inspiration, learning, and community. Hosted by Foothills Camera Club and CAPA, the event features speakers, trade shows, and excursions covering action, documentary, wildlife activism, abstract art, night photography, and storm chasing for all skill levels.
- GlobalFest will return in 2026 with a new home and a slightly different shape, moving from Elliston Park to Spruce Meadows for a four-night run from August 27 to 30. GlobalFest is also planning the largest drone show ever presented in Alberta, along with an expanded OneWorld Festival presented by TD.
- Picklefest, Canada’s premier celebration of pickles and all things fermented, is coming to Big Rock Brewery in Calgary on August 29, 2026. This one-day, all-ages festival will bring together more than 40 local vendors for a day packed with interactive experiences, pickle tastings, live music, and plenty of briny surprises.
II. Summer Festivals and Events

Credit: Christina Ryan / Tourism Calgary
- Fill your three days with epic country music at Country Thunder featuring The Red Clay Strays, Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, Tyler Hubbard, and many more!
- Montgomery’s Chalk the Block returns on June 27, 2026 with a colourful day of street art, community, and summer fun. Watch artists create chalk masterpieces, browse local vendors, enjoy food trucks, live music, games, activities, and a beer garden.
- From great music acts to a brand-new Evening Show for 2026, complete with jaw-dropping pyrotechnics to cap off the night, there are plenty of things to do at this year’s Calgary Stampede. July 3 to 12 @ Stampede Grounds
- Go for a night time of fun shopping with friends and family. Shop local, get handmade crafts to vintage clothing, antiques & collectibles, artisan eats & more at Calgary Night Markets! Various Dates @ Various Venues.
- Celebrate Canada Day with fireworks and plenty of entertainment!
- Check out as many music festivals as you can during the Calgary Stampede week – Cowboys Music Festival, Badlands Music Festival, and Oxford Stomp.
- Head to Spruce Meadows to cheer Cavalry FC, Calgary’s Canadian Premier League team!
- YYC Ice Cream Fest celebrates the end of another school year and the start of a great summer, and supports Calgary Meals on Wheels while also trying out some delicious ice cream treats! July 17 – August 16, 2026
- Cheer the best athletes from the world’s top show jumping nations compete for top prize money and international acclaim during the Spruce Meadows North American. July 1 to 5, 2026.
- Two stages, one for dancers and one for live bands. wrestling ring with real luchadors (wrestlers) coming directly from Mexico, all surrounded by the most authentic and delicious Mexican food and beverages, artisan market, kids area and so much more at Mexifest. July 3 to 5, 2026.
- Give fishing a try on Alberta’s water bodies with open fishing seasons (not in national parks) on July 11-12, 2026, when a fishing license is not required.
- Chill under the big Alberta sky at the picturesque Prince’s Island Park and revel in live concerts with a diverse collection of enticing Canadian artists. July 23–26, 2026.
- Come and enjoy the 3 hottest days of the summer with over 25 authentic food vendors, hundreds of national and international performers, an artisan market, a kids’ area, beer gardens, and lots of fun during Fiestaval, a free and family-oriented, multicultural arts and entertainment festival highlighting Latin American Culture. July 17 to 19, 2026.
- Experience authentic Japanese customs, presentations of traditional music, dance & song, martial arts demonstrations, and more during the Calgary Japanese Festival “Omatsuri” festival. July 17 & 18, 2026.
- Party with your dogs at Pet-A-Palooza. The festival features dog pool party, 90 of the leading pet-related exhibitors, food trucks, and so much more! July 26, 2026.
- The annual music festival celebrating electronic and synth is back at the Dickens Pub. July 23 to 26, 2026.
- Celebrate everything that Inglewood offers during the feisty summer festival in the heart of Calgary. Saturday, July 25, 2026.
- Bring your family down to The Confluence to enjoy world-class music, colourful arts market, delicious cuisine by local food trucks, and 4 days & nights of non-stop music during the Calgary International Blues Festival. July 30 to August 2, 2026.
- The city’s most appetizing festival, Taste of Calgary, is back from July 30 to August 3, 2026. Sample the city’s food, beverages, music and other cool things during the city’s premier international food and beverage festival.
- The premiere outdoor dance music festival in Western Canada – Chasing Summer Festival – returns bigger and better than ever with an even bigger lineup featuring Fisher, Subtronics, Armin van Buuren, Rezz, and many more! August 1 & 2, 2026.
- 2026 will mark the 23rd edition of the Tour de Bowness. Visit beautiful Bowness to see the racers tackle the challenging 7-turn Cory Meza Memorial Criterium! Stick around to enjoy the Tour de Bowness Street Festival put on by the Bowness BRZ! August 3, 2026.
- Enjoy a citywide series of events exploring the power of design across disciplines and cultures. August 6 to 8, 2026.
- Don’t miss this free annual summer festival in Calgary, celebrating Filipino-Canadian culture, tradition, and diversity at Prairie Winds Park. August 8 & 9, 2026.
- Head to Marda Gras Street Festival and discover new sounds, tastes and wares during this New Orleans-themed festival. August 9.
- Cheer some of the greatest names in the game of golf during the Rogers Charity Classic. August 17 to 23, 2026.
- This free-admission festival, AfricFest, celebrates African heritage through music, art, food, fashion, and community engagement. August 7 to 9, 2026
- Calgary’s premier sports festival, the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival, which draws +1850 competitors, will take over North Glenmore Park with an abundance of excitement and cultural experiences from August 7 to 9, 2026.
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Carifest Calgary
Get ready for a spectacular Caribbean celebration of music, costumes, tradition and culture as Carifest takes over Shaw Millenium Park on August 14 to 16, 2026.
- Enjoy uncensored, unexpected, unforgettable theatre during Calgary Fringe Festival. Fringes are uncensored, non-juried theatre festivals that are focused on creativity, performance, expression, and pushing boundaries. July 31 to August 8, 2026.
- Calgary’s hottest festival Expo Latino, creates experiences of discovery and learning through the celebration of people, music and dance. August 14 to 16, 2026.
Let your cheers resound, supporting the Red and White, and revel in the triumph of the Calgary Stampeders at their exciting home games! Calgary Stampeders Home Games!
- Stop in at Alberta’s farms and ranches for a visit and see demonstrations, and learn more about the farmers who grow their food. August 15 to 16, 2026 @ Across Alberta.
- When Words Collide is Canada’s largest multi-genre, writer/reader/fan/ festival. Meet artists and publishers of commercial and literary fiction, including genre, YA, children’s books, poetry, and more, from across Canada and the world. August 14 to 16, 2026.
- The Western Canada Rib Fest Tour returns with award-winning ribs, tasty food trucks, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun. August 21 to 23, 2206
- Experience the ultimate celebration of fandom at YYCFanFair! This vibrant event brings together an incredible lineup of vendors offering the best in comics, toys, video games, cards, collectibles, and more. August 22, 2026
- Laugh your worries away as the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival brings Matt Rife, Jeff Arcuri, Bill Burr, Matteo Lane, John Mulaney and many more to Prince’s Island Park. August 28 to 30, 2026
- A premier culinary festival, Brewery and the Beast brings together famous Canadian chefs, the finest selections of locally sourced products, restaurants and breweries for an afternoon of unforgettable foodie experience. August 23, 2026
- Visit Military Museums for Tactical Days, taking place August 15–16. This high-energy weekend brings together local Calgary-area military units and first responders for an up-close look at the people, vehicles, and equipment that support operations at home and abroad.
- Visit the Priddis & Millarville Fair – one of the last great Country Fairs in Canada. August 15 & 16, 2026.
- Check out new murals being painted or join for mural tours and artist events as a flurry of new murals are being painted during Bump Festival. August 1 to 17.
- Enjoy a delicious culinary journey through the flavours of Asia during the Taste of Asia Food Festival on August 20 to 23, 2026.
- Show your Pride! Calgary Pride will return with a full week of programming concluding with the annual Parade & Festival Weekend on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
- Enjoy the vibrant and diverse cultures of African and Caribbean communities through the richness of music, dance, art, food, and storytelling. September 5 & 6.
- Experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of Filipino culture and heritage at Fiesta Filipino, the biggest and most colourful street party showcasing the vibrant Filipino and Asian Communities in Alberta on Labour Day weekend.
— For more events and festivals:
- Things to Do This Weekend
- Festivals in Calgary
- Things to Do in July
- 50+ Festivals For a Fun-Filled Summer in and Around Calgary
III. Activities within the city of Calgary
- Have a beach time! Grab beach umbrellas and have a fun day with your family at Sikome Lake.
- Visit Studio Bell. Music lovers can choose their musical adventure through a self-guided tour or catch instrument show-and-tells, science and sound demos, and performances on the fan favourite, the Kimball Theatre Organ.
- Be active at Canada Olympic Park. From mountain biking to mini golf and more, there is plenty for all ages/ability levels.
- Go whitewater paddling or river surfing in Calgary’s Bow River at Harvie Passage. Please note that this is for experienced paddlers only. South Channel Beach is good fun for families. However, please be mindful of the river and consider all advisories.
Credit: O2 Planning and Design
- Taste wine and hang out with baby kangaroos… what could possibly be better? Or visit Cobb’s Corn Maze & Family Fun Park during the day for a family fun time!
- Go on an art tour of Calgary and check out these 25 public art features! You can see many of them in your car or while walking around the city.
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Credit: Travel Alberta
Take a trip down the Bow River or Elbow River. You can rent kayaks/rafts from Paddle Station or Lazy Raft Rentals and make your way down the river and finish your journey at St. Patrick’s Island or Prince’s Island Park.
- Calgary Kayaks offers double- and single-seat kayaks that are clear and light up with colourful LEDs, providing a glow around your boat during an evening exploring paddle Carburn Lagoon or Carburn Lake from Waterfront Park.
- Get lost in the maze, 10+ acres in size, with corn reaching a peak height of 10 feet.
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Credit: Skyline Luge
Climb aboard your Luge cart that features brakes and a steering system, and have a unique experience as gravity takes you down to the bottom of the hill over a 1800-metre purpose-built track.
- See how far you can see from the top of the Calgary Tower!
- Take in some of the incredible views of Calgary from various lookout points! Calgary’s location in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains offers a unique opportunity for some great scenic lookouts. Whether it’s rolling farmlands to the east or majestic mountains to the west, Calgary has the scenic lookout you are craving. Not to mention, there are some pretty spectacular city views right in the middle.
- Discover Canada’s military history at The Military Museums.
- Re-discover Calgary on the bike or on electric scooters.
- Explore the Beaver Dam Flats, a habitat for a diverse array of birds, insects, and other wildlife. Be sure to keep an eye out for something new every time you go. Bring your bike or take a walk through this beautiful area.
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Credit: Heritage Park Calgary
Set sail for a scenic summer cruise on Calgary’s only paddlewheel boat and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Glenmore Reservoir & the majestic Rocky Mountains.
- Visit Weaselhead Flats, along the Elbow River west of the Glenmore Reservoir, is sure to delight birders of any level. From American Robins to a Pine Grosbeak, you’re sure to see something new.
- Go paddling in a pedal boat at Bowness Park!
- Have you explored Fish Creek Provincial Park? The park has more than 80 kilometres of pathways – 30 km paved & 50 km of shale.
- Learn more about Alberta’s history at Canada’s largest living history museum by looking at the number of exhibits.
- Check out Calgary’s Skyline from Nose Hill Park!
Credit: Travel Alberta
- Spend a summer afternoon on the beautiful urban island oasis of St Patrick’s Island.
- Tee off at Calgary’s golf courses.
- Show off your skating skills at Shaw Millennium Park.
- Birdwatch at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.
- Head from the Cougar Ridge community into Paskapoo on your mountain bike or on foot. This 3.4-kilometre loop will take you through some great greenery and unpaved paths. Take a walk on the wild side with this stunning trail.
Have a cold one at Calgary’s breweries or on a guided distillery or brewery tour.
- Learn more about aviation history and the evolution of flight and climb aboard historic aircraft at The Hangar Flight Museum.
- Go on a DIY tour of downtown Calgary.
- Get a picnic basket from Calgary restaurants and enjoy a picnic at the Park. Whether you want to relax on the grass with friends or enjoy a unique festive occasion, you can also choose between various events and culinary teams that will help you to create the outdoor event of your dreams. The city of Calgary has also expanded its alcohol in parks program to more parks.
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Lake House Restaurant
Treat yourselves to great views and great food. From great food to great views, these Calgary restaurants have great patios to spend a sunny summer day. Summer Patio Guide
- Taste something new at Calgary’s Farmers’ Markets!
- Explore the Douglas Fir Trail that meanders through a densely wooded escarpment with dramatic views of the Bow River Valley, and then enjoy a picnic at Edworthy Park!
- Discover food from around the world right here in Calgary.
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Calaway Park
Enjoy the thrill of the amusement rides and have carefree fun at Calaway Park.
- Sandy Beach has kilometres of small areas near the river that you can enjoy with your family or large grassy areas for physically distant picnics. Bring your dog to the off-leash area, or enjoy the varied biking paths in this beautiful park. 4500 14a St SW, Calgary
- Run, walk or rollerblade 150 km of Calgary’s Pathways.
- Stroll through the splendid Beaulieu Gardens, situated on the 2.8-acre Lougheed estate.
- Visit Butterfield Acres with kids for a petting zoo and a fun farm day out!
- Stroll along the RiverWalk to the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
- Beat the heat and enjoy the summer weather in Calgary by visiting one of Calgary’s many wading pools and spray parks.
- Beat the heat with Calgary-made ice cream.
- Plan a date at Reader Rock Garden, and enjoy a stroll amongst the designated provincial historic site and historic garden – one of the city’s most unique cultural landscapes (open dawn to dusk). Have lunch at Reader Rock Cafe.
- Go hiking along the Glenmore Reservoir Trail. It’s good for all skill levels, and there are a lot of variations available to you. It’s 15.4 kilometres long, and it’s a great way to feel like you’re out of the city. Keep an eye out for chickadees and other bird friends.
Enjoy a walk along the spectacular 1300-foot Wall Garden of The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs.
- Enjoy an evening at the Rec Room! The Rec Room brings together fun dining experiences with amusement and gaming all under one roof.
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Calgary Farmyard
Walk amidst the beautiful Sunflower Maze at Calgary Farmyard from August.
- Experience great views of the Bow River from Dale Hodges Park. This park is the starting point for many walking paths along the Bow River escarpment. This former gravel pit has been transformed into a scenic area offering Paved paths and boardwalks that meander through the park, which connects to nearby Bowmont Park.
- Enjoy a date night at one of Calgary’s romantic restaurants!
- Let yourself be guided through a tranquil wetland in the middle of the city at Pearce Estate. A signed interpretive trail guides you through a constructed wetland filled with native plants and animals. The signs tell how the wetland came to be and describe the wildlife seen around you.
- Find your wall at the Calgary Climbing Centre.
- Shop till you drop at Inglewood!
- Head to Carburn Park and take a trip around the pond! This loop is 2.4 kilometres long and takes you around three man-made ponds. It’s a beautiful walk that also takes you by the Bow River. Bring your binoculars for some bird watching.
- Enrich your brain with a visit to Telus Spark.
- Are you a puzzle master? See whether you can escape the confines within the prescribed time at Calgary’s Escape Rooms.
- Mountain views, city views, a waterfall, and many paths for walking are all features of Ralph Klein Park in Calgary. The Ralph Klein Park was named after Calgary’s former mayor and is a recent addition to the park system of Calgary, having only been opened to the public in 2011. Artwork by artist Beverly Pepper can be found in the park, so bring your camera.
- Take a Horse Riding lesson from Horsin’ Around in Calgary.
- Inclement weather? Have at Calgary’s indoor amusement centres.
- Get reading with Calgary Public Library. Calgary Public Library holds plenty of fun outdoor events during the summer.
IV. Day trips from Calgary
- Head to Kananaskis Country and discover amazing summer activities available in our backyard! Remember to buy your conservation pass.
- Make as many day trips as you want to take in all that Banff National Park offers.
- Visit a nearby park to see wildflowers!
- Discover the amazing, underground world of caves on this half-day, small-group guided cave explorer tour with all equipment included during Canmore Caving Explorer Tour.
- See Alberta’s Badlands from the water with Red Deer River Adventures and experience the land and the river that carved the Central Alberta landscape.
- Visit the Alice Sanctuary, home to rescued cows, pigs, goats, turkeys and other farm animals – each has a special story.
- Explore Canmore!
- Discover the Calgary region’s only Dark Sky Preserve — Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area!
- Explore Kananaskis’ own Ghost town. Kovach was a tiny town where the workers and their families from the coal mine once lived.
- Hitch a wagon, rope a steer, saddle a horse, and enjoy campfire stories surrounded by the largest collection of historical ranch buildings in Canada at Bar U Ranch National Historic Site.
- Hike to the waterfalls near Calgary.
- Bring friends and family with you to enjoy the GOOD things in life, including an over-the-top Active Learning Park with a 4-storey Ant Farm full of slides and climbers, a Petting Zoo with kissing Alpaca, crazy fun Ziplines and more!
- Drive to the Drumheller for an enjoyable day trip.
- Explore north, south, west, and east of Calgary to find some amazing hikes and views.
- Go on Indigenous-themed outdoor adventures with Painted Warriors. You’ll get to take part in their immersive outdoor experiences that help connect you to the land around you.
- Prepare for a real rustic Alberta mountain adventure at Boundary Ranch! Discover the breathtaking scenery of the Kananaskis Valley on horseback along the 1-hour Buffalo Loop.
Go on a guided Kananaskis River Rafting Adventure with Chinook Rafting. This excursion is an ideal introduction to the thrill of whitewater rafting and is great for families or groups on the class 1-3 rapids.
- Visit Leighton Art Centre. The historical education centre is set on 80 acres of breathtaking rural scenery just 20 minutes from south Calgary.
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Miners Path – Photo by Marg Meisner
Atlas Coal Mine National Historic SiteExplore acres of amazing machines, learn fascinating coal mining history, and experience incredible Badlands landscapes at Atlas Coal Mine.
- Visit Nanton! From the towering grain elevators to antique shopping, to embracing the classic architecture of Main Street, to Nanton’s two museums, you will be able to truly get a sense of southern Alberta’s history.
- Pick your own Saskatoon, sour cherries, and currants at various farms near Calgary.
- Kootenay National Park is within a two-hour drive. Plan your trip!
- With six unique totem poles standing in the park, Gwacheon Park is a unique landmark for Airdrie. Visit Gwacheon Park and other attractions in Airdrie!
- Visit the largest glacial erratic near Okotoks, a 16,500-tonne quartzite boulder is the world’s largest known glacial erratic. Enjoy a geography lesson and tell your child the Blackfoot story about the reason for the large split down the middle.
- Explore the hoodoos and badlands of Alberta.
- Hop aboard Aspen Crossing for a variety of unique and fun train adventures.
- Enjoy the beautiful sand beach (at Anniversary Park), swimming, windsurfing, fishing, boating, skating, lakeside promenades, rolling grass hills, picnic spaces and more at Chestermere Lake, located half an hour from downtown Calgary.
- Explore scenic landscapes, explore the expansive trail system, or take part in public programs that offer a range of educational and recreational opportunities, including family programs and golf cart tours at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park located on the northwest corner of the city (Haskayne Park) and stretching 14 km along the Bow River to Cochrane.
- Learn more about Alberta’s Indigenous heritage and culture by visiting historical Sites or joining guided tours.
- See flowering trees and shrubs, fabulous displays of annuals, Herb Garden and AAS Selection Display Gardens, swaths of spring bulbs and more as you tour the exquisite gardens created by Old College ground staff.
- Cross the Blackshale Suspension Bridge in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park!
View this post on Instagram - Visit Southwest Alberta.
- Choose from any of the 25-day trips given here and have a fabulous staycation in Calgary.
- Go on a scenic drive. Whether you choose to drive Highway 22 or drive up to Edmonton via Drumheller, there are plenty of options for a scenic trip.
- What about a beach getaway?
- Nestled in some of our province’s most scenic regions are fruit groves, honey farms, and U-Vin establishments which all offer something a little different. Visit a winery.
- There is something special about exploring life-sized museum exhibits. Visit some pioneer villages in Alberta.
- Whether you want to camp within the City or want to plan a fun getaway nearby there are plenty of options in and around the city.
- Visit a ghost town!
- Alberta is not just Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat or Lethbridge. There are many small towns worth a weekend or more! Plan a trip!
- Looking for adventures with teens? From zipling to roller coasters, here are some ideas near Calgary.
- Welcome Fall with a trip to Taber. When you visit Taber in late summer or early fall, you can celebrate the corn, the sunshine, and the natural surroundings with the community through events like Cornfest or the Pheasant Festival, or by exploring on your own.



Let your cheers resound, supporting the Red and White, and revel in the triumph of the Calgary Stampeders at their exciting home games! 




Have a cold one at 

Enjoy a walk along the spectacular 1300-foot Wall Garden of 

Go on a guided 






