Summer Fun Guide: 100+ Things to Do This Summer in Calgary – 2023

1. Welcome summer with delicious scoops! YYC Summer Scoop Fest celebrates the end of another school year and the start of a great summer and support Calgary Meals on Wheels while also trying out some delicious ice cream treats! Or enjoy for an afternoon of ice cream and all-you-can-eat ice cream eating contest with Foothills Creamery.
2. From great music acts to a brand-new Evening Show for 2023 complete with jaw-dropping pyrotechnics to cap off the night, there are plenty of things to do at this year’s Calgary Stampede. July 8 to 17 @ Stampede Grounds
3. 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.
4. Celebrate Canada Day with fireworks and plenty of entertainment!
5. Checkout as many music festivals as you can during the Calgary Stampede week – Cowboys Music Festival, Badlands Music Festival, and Oxford Stomp.
6. Head to Spruce Meadows to cheer Cavalry FC, Calgary’s Canadian Premier League team!
7. 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 5 to 9, 2023
8. 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 7 to 9, 2023
9. 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. Features performances by Emmylou Harris, Jeff Tweedy, Andrew Bird, Julia Jacklin, Matt Mays and many more. July 27 to 30, 2023
10. Theatre Calgary’s Shakespeare by the Bow program will once again be going on the road…as Shakespare On The Go!  From July 14 – August 6, enjoy the play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at variety of Calgary and area locations.
11. Come and enjoy the 3 hottest days of the summer with over 25 authentic food vendors, hundreds of national and international performers, artisan market, kids area, beer gardens and lots of fun during Fiestaval,  a free and family-oriented, multicultural arts and entertainment festival highlighting the Latin American Culture. July 21 to 23, 2023
12. 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 29 to 30, 2023
13. Give fishing a try on Alberta’s water bodies with open fishing seasons (not in national parks) on July 7 to 9, 2023, when a fishing license is not required.
14. A celebration of the Caribbean, Africa, and everything in-between through food, culture, music during the Afro-Caribbean Food Festival. July 22 & 23, 2023.
15. Bring your family down to  Shaw Millennium Park 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. August 3, to 6, 2023
16. The annual music festival celebrating electronic, and synth is back at the Dickens Pub. July 27 to 30, 2023
17. Celebrate everything that Inglewood offers during the feisty summer festival in the heart of Calgary. Saturday, July 29, 2023
18. The premiere outdoor dance music festival in Western Canada – Chasing Summer Festival – returns bigger and better than ever with an even bigger lineup featuring Tiesto, Zedd, and many more! August 5 & 6, 2023
19. The city’s most appetizing festival, Taste of Calgary, is back from August 3th to 7th 2023. Sample the city’s food, beverages, music and other cool things during the city’s premier international food and beverage festival.
20. Cheer some of the greatest names in the game of golf during the Shaw Charity Classic.
21. Come to enjoy the Arab Food and coffee , have fun dancing and learning the Arab folk dances, lots of fun and entertainment, vendors and more at the Calgary Arab Festival. August 12 to 13, 2023
22. Franco Festival Calgary will offer performances of music and dance with artists representing the diversity of the Francophonie, a cultural village where you could discover multiple products from different cultures, a children’s village and a bistro and a tasting corner and more!
23. 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 11 to 13, 2023

24. Carifest Calgary

    Get ready for a spectacular Caribbean celebration of music, costumes, tradition and culture as Carifest takes over Shaw Millenium Park on August 18 to 20, 2023

25. Experience authentic Japanese customs, presentations of traditional music, dance & song, martial arts demonstrations, and more during the Calgary Japanese Festival “Omatsuri” festival. August 11 to 13, 2023

26. GlobalFest – The Calgary Fireworks Festival Society

    The International Fireworks Festival illuminates the sky with a colliding orchestra of light and sound. 2021 features presentations produced by world-class pyro musical artists hailing from China, India, Japan and the Philippines, culminating with GlobalFest’s own spectacular Finale presentation. August 17 to 26, 2023 @ Elliston Park, Calgary

27. 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. August 4 to 12, 2023
28. Calgary’s hottest festival Expo Latino creates experiences of discovery and learning through the celebration of people, music and dance.
29. 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!
30. 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 19 & 20, 2023 @ Across Alberta
31. Laugh your worries away as the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival brings Nick Offerman, Jonathan Van Ness, Andrew Schulz! and many more to Prince’s Island Park. August 25 to 27, 2023
32. Experience the Silk Road with your family at the 19th Chinatown Street Festival of food, music, dance, and other multi-cultural offerings. August 19, 2023
33. Fill you three days filled with epic country music at Country Thunder! Jon Pardi,  Tim Mcgraw, Keith Urban, Midland, Kip Moore, Carly Pearce, Parmalee, and many more headline the event.
34. 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.
35. Watch re-enactments and demonstrations, Viking raids, medieval duels, gladiatorial combat, musketry and cannonades! Interact with heroes of battle dressed in spectacular period costumes and uniforms at The Military Museums.  August 26 to 27, 2023
36. This free, fun-filled, family-friendly festival is not to be missed! On Sunday, August 13th,  the streets of Marda Loop will come alive for the 36th time with this New Orleans-themed festival.
37. Visit the Priddis & Millarville Fair – one of the last great Country Fairs in Canada. August 19 & 20, 2023
38. Experience the adrenaline-pumping action of Monster Jam as world-class male and female athletes showcase their skills in high-flying stunts, fierce competitions, and head-to-head battles. These trained drivers maneuver 12,000-pound trucks with precision, performing backflips, two-wheel skills, and reaching speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour, delivering awe-inspiring motorsports excitement seen worldwide.
39. 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. In August.
40. Show your Pride! Calgary Pride 2023 will return with a full week of programming concluding with the annual Parade & Festival Weekend on Sunday, September 3, 2023.
41. Experience the sights, sounds, and taste of Filipino culture and heritage at Fiesta Filipino,  the biggest and most colourful street party that showcases the vibrant Filipino and Asian Communities in Alberta on Labour Day weekend.

1. Have a beach time! Grab beach umbrellas, and have a fun day with your family at Sikome Lake.
2. 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 fan favourite, the Kimball Theatre Organ.
3. Be active at Canada Olympic Park. From mountain biking to mini golf and more, there is plenty for all ages/ability levels.
4. 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. But you should be mindful of the river and please do keep in mind all advisories.

   Credit: O2 Planning and Design

5. Taste wine and hang out with baby kangaroos… what could possibly be better? Or visit Cobb’s Corn Maze & Family Fun Park during day time for family fun time!
6. Go on an art tour of Calgary and check out these 25 public art features! You can see many of them from your car or on a walk around the city.

7. 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. Patricks Island or Princes Island Park.

8. Calgary Kayaks offer double- and single-seat kayaks that are clear and light up with colourful LEDs, providing you with a glow around your boat during an evening exploring paddle Carburn Lagoon or Carburn Lake from Waterfront Park.
9. Get lost in the maze that is 10+ acres in size, with the corn reaching a peak height of 10 feet.

10. Credit: Skyline Luge

    Climb aboard your Luge cart that features brakes and steering system and have a unique experience as gravity takes you down to the bottom of the hill over an 1800 metres purpose-built track.

11. See how far you can see from the top of the Calgary Tower!
12. Take in some of the great 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.
13. Discover Canada’s military history at The Military Museums.
14. Re-discover Calgary on the bike or on electric scooters.
    
15. Explore Beaver Dam Flats, a habitat for many 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.
18. Go paddling in a pedal boat at Bowness Park!
19. Have you explored Fish Creek Provincial Park? The park has more than 80 kilometres of pathways – 30 km paved & 50 km of shale.
20. Learn more about Alberta’s history at Canada’s largest living history museum by number of exhibits.
21. Check out Calgary’s Skyline from Nose Hill Park!

    Credit: Travel Alberta

22. Spend a summer afternoon on the beautiful urban island oasis that is St Patrick’s Island.
23. Tee off at Calgary’s golf courses.
24. Show off your skating skills at Shaw Millennium Park.
25. Birdwatch at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.
26. Head from the Cougar Ridge community into Paskapoo on your mountain bike or on foot (just know there are a lot of bikers). 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.
27. Have a cold one at Calgary’s breweries or on a guided distillery or brewery tour.
28. Learn more about aviation history and the evolution of flight and climb aboard historic aircraft at The Hangar Flight Museum.
29. Go on a DIY tour of downtown Calgary.
30. 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.

31. 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

32. Taste something new at Calgary’s Farmers’ Markets!
33. Eat at a new restaurant.
34. Explore Douglas Fir Trail that meanders through densely wooded escarpment with dramatic views of the Bow River Valley, and then enjoy a picnic at Edworthy Park!
35. Discover food from around the world right here in Calgary.

36. Calaway Park

    Enjoy the thrill of the amusement rides and have carefree fun at Calaway Park.

37. 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
38. Run, walk or rollerblade 150 km of Calgary’s Pathways.
39. Stroll through the splendid Beaulieu Gardens, situated on the 2.8-acre Lougheed estate.
40. Visit Butterfield Acres with kids for a petting zoo and a fun farm day out!
41. Stroll along the RiverWalk to the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers.
42. Beat the heat and enjoy the summer weather in Calgary by visiting one of Calgary’s many wading pools and spray parks.
43. Beat the heat with Calgary-made ice cream.
44. 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.
45. Go hiking along 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.
46. Enjoy a walk along the spectacular 1300 feet Wall Garden of The Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs.
47. Enjoy an evening at the Rec Room! The Rec Room brings together fun dining experiences with amusement and gaming all under one roof.

48. Calgary Farmyard

    Walk amidst the beautiful Sunflower Maze at Calgary Farmyard from August.

49. 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 meander through the park, which connects to nearby Bowmont Park.
50. Enjoy a date night at one of Calgary’s romantic restaurants!
51. 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 describes the wildlife seen around you.
52. Find your wall at the Calgary Climbing Centre.
53. Shop till you drop at Inglewood!
54. 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.
55. Enrich your brain with a visit to Telus Spark.
56. Are you a puzzle master? See whether you can escape the confines within the prescribed time at Calgary’s Escape Rooms.
57. 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.
58. Take a Horse Riding lesson from Horsin’ Around in Calgary.
59. Inclement weather? Have at Calgary’s indoor amusement centres.
60. Get reading with Calgary Public Library. Calgary Public Library holds plenty of fun outdoor events during summer.

1. Head to Kananaskis Country and discover amazing summer activities available in our backyard!  Remember to buy your conservation pass.
2. Make as many day trips as you want to take in all that Banff National Park offers.
3. Visit a nearby park to see wildflowers!
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Visit the Alice Sanctuary, home to rescued cows, pigs, goats, turkeys and other farm animals – each has a special story.
7. Explore Canmore!
8. Discover the Calgary region’s only Dark Sky Preserve — Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area!
9. Explore Kananaskis’ own Ghost town. Kovach was a tiny town where the workers and their families from the coal mine once lived.
10. 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.
11. Hike to the waterfalls near Calgary.
12. 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!
13. Drive to the Drumheller for an enjoyable day trip.
14. Explore north, south, west, and east of Calgary to find some amazing hikes and views.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. Visit Leighton Art Centre. The historical education centre is set on 80 acres of breathtaking rural scenery just 20 minutes from south Calgary.

19. Miners Path – Photo by Marg Meisner
    Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site

    Explore acres of amazing machines, learn fascinating coal mining history, and experience incredible Badlands landscapes at Atlas Coal Mine.

20. 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.
21. Pick your own saskatoon, sour cherries, and currants at various farms near Calgary.
22. Kootenay National Park is within two hours of drive. Plan your trip!
23. 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!
24. Visit the largest glacial erratic near Okotoks, 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.
25. Explore hoodoos and badlands of Alberta.
26. Hop onboard Aspen Crossing for a variety of unique and fun train adventures.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. Learn more about Alberta’s Indigenous heritage and culture by visiting historical Sites or joining guided tours.
30. 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.
31. Cross the Blackshale Suspension Bridge in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park!
    
32. Visit Southwest Alberta.
33. Choose from any of the 25-day trips given here and have a fabulous staycation in Calgary.
34. 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.
35. What about a beach getaway?
36. 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.
37. There is something special about exploring life-sized museum exhibits. Visit some pioneer villages in Alberta.
38. 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.
39. Visit a ghost town!
40. 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!
41. Looking for adventures with teens? From zipling to roller coasters, here are some ideas near Calgary.
42. 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.

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