As one of Alberta’s southern-most cities, Lethbridge has several things to do under the summer sun.
Photo Credit: Travel Alberta
It is this time of year when the downtown core of Lethbridge comes alive with music, art, theatre, and patios galore. With the patio space and downtown entertainment comes a variety of concert series, live Shakespeare, fancy cars, and extra opportunities for shopping local. You can also find several of the local restaurants downtown but venture out to other parts of the city for the hidden gems.
And if you’d like to venture on a day trip out of Lethbridge, you can find several natural sites a short drive from the city like waterfalls, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, hiking trails, large river reservoirs, and the Oldman River valley areas. These areas make room for camping of all kinds, paddling and canoeing, and fishing.
You can make the most of your summer in Lethbridge in several ways!
I. Festivals & Concerts in Lethbridge
44th Annual Street Machine Weekend
The Lethbridge Street Wheelers are back in 2022 with their Street Machine weekend, filled with auto-themed and family-friendly events. You can catch a drive-in movie on the Thursday, and a 100ft. Dash race on the Saturday. The Friday has no scheduled events, but you will see some of the nicest cars you’ve ever witnessed driving around Lethbridge. All those fancy cars will come together on the Sunday for a Show n’ Shine. Details
When: July 7-10, 2022
Where: Lethbridge Airport, and Exhibition Park
How much: $10-$20
Upside Downtown Concert Series
The Allied Arts Council and Casa of Lethbridge are bringing the Upside Downtown Concert Series to your summer evenings. Every Thursday, the series will host an outdoor performance in Rotary Square from 5pm to 7pm, with a cash bar on site. Scheduled acts include John Wort Hannam, Eric Braun Band, Fortune Block, Steven William Foord, Bailey Kate, Dave McCann, Starpainter, and Badlands Band. Details
When: July 14-August 25, 2022
Where: Rotary Square at Casa
How much: free
Hamlet by Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society
Catch the LSPS and their Hamlet performances all over southern Alberta this summer. There are several dates scheduled for outdoor Lethbridge venues, as well as Nanton, High River, and Fort McLeod. The play, as directed by Shelley Scott, has been adapted for a shorter run time than the original three-and-a-half-hour play. Details
When: July 7-August 13
Where: Casa Plaza and Legacy Park
How Much: by donation
Arts in the Parks Series
Each scheduled date for 2022’s Arts in the Parks Series has its own themes. These Arts in the Parks include Minglin’, Rockin’, Chillin’, Stompin’, and Kids. These cover rock, folk, country, jazz, classical, and EDM over two different outdoor venues: Legacy Park and Galt Gardens. Seating is up to you, so bring a blanket or lawn chairs! Details
When: July-September
Where: Legacy Park – 216 Cougar Way N, Lethbridge | Galt Gardens – 601 3 Ave S, Lethbridge
How Much: Free
Foodie Fest
There are two more dates this summer for Downtown Lethbridge’s Foodie Fest, which hosts an array of food trucks and shopping with stores open late for festival guests- watch out for special Foodie Fest sales, too! As an added bonus, there is a long list of food trucks offering free samples. Details
When: July 26 & August 30, 2022
Where: Galt Gardens – 601 3 Ave S, Lethbridge
How Much: Free to attend plus the cost of food
Lethbridge International Air Show
Despite the name, the Lethbridge International Air Show will host events in the air as well as on the ground. This gives you two days of activities that include Kidland, a beer garden, show and shine, and monster truck rides. But look up, and you can watch exciting aerial stunts in planes, jets, and helicopters. Details
4 Alberta Air Shows to See Awesome Military Aerobatic Displays This Summer
When: July 30-31, 2022
Where: Lethbridge Airport
How Much: $10-$25
Fort Whoop-Up Days
There are several parts of Fort Whoop Up Days that you and your family can look forward to this August. The five-day event will host the Lethbridge Pro Rodeo, a midway with rides and food, an indoor beach party, the 1927 Saloon, the Troubadour Stage shows, a mini carnival, and La Galleria (local art exhibition). Details
When: August 23-27, 2022
Where: Lethbridge & District Exhibition 3401 Parkside Drive S
How much: $6.99-$15.99; Rodeo $25.99- $64.99
II. Outdoor Recreation around Lethbridge
Get Lost!
Enjoy a day in the sun navigating 9 acres of corn maze, Kids maze, hedge maze or Trivia maze. Slide down the giant slide, take a ride on the cow train, go on hayrides, and explore the sunflower field at Lethbridge Cornmaze. Details
When: From July End to Fall
Where: Range Rd 224, Lethbridge
How much: Ages 6 and up: $ 12.00; Children (3-5): $4.50
Children under 3: Free
Downtown Walking Mural Tour
The public art of Lethbridge is concentrated to the downtown area, where you can take a self-guided tour of all the incredible pieces. You can begin on 4 Avenue South and make your way around downtown toward Galt Gardens. You may encounter murals, wood carvings, and metal sculptures. Details
When: Year-round
Where: Downtown Lethbridge, around the Galt Gardens and Art Gallery
How much: Free
Walking around the Helen Schuler Nature Centre
The parks and trails around the Helen Schuler Nature Centre are a perfect way to learn about the plant and wildlife surrounding the city and the Oldman River. You can start at the visitors’ centre where there are exhibits on display and continue on the nature trails. You can follow the trails as far as Botterill Bottom Park or Bull Trail Park North. Details
When: Year-round
Where: 300 Indian Battle Rd S
How much: Free
Explore the Old Man River and Nearby Lakes
Get out on the waters of the Old Man River this summer with High Level Canoes & Kayaks. The local watersport outfitter can offer a range of ways to float the river including single and tandem kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddle boards. If you have your own boat, you can enhance your float with their gear rentals. They are a short drive from Indian Battle Park where you can launch.
When: Spring-fall
Where:
III. Attractions in & around Lethbridge
Fort Whoop-Up
The Fort Whoop-Up is the outdoor portion of Lethbridge’s Galt Museum & Archives and is officially open for the summer. You can visit and walk the fort displays with live actors and guides onsite to teach you all about the area’s history. Other summer things to look forward to at the museum include the bookable picnics, complete with food and basket, or the Heritage Day celebrations from August 1st to 4th. Details
When: June 29 to September 4, 2022
Where:200 Indian Battle Rd S, Lethbridge
How much: $5-$30
Walking Tours from the Galt Museum & Archives
The city’s Galt Museum & Archives are home to several exhibits and showcases of local history and culture, but the summer months make room for historic tours of different parts of Lethbridge. These tours include Cemetery Tours, A Walking Tour of Lethbridge’s Historic Downtown, the Belly River Valley Experience, and signature educational Indigenous tours. Details
When: July-August
Where: 502 1 Street South, Lethbridge
How much: $10.50-$63
Picnics & Charcuterie in Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens
You can book two different picnic experiences at Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens this summer: a picnic with full meals, or a simpler charcuterie picnic. They are available to book from now until September and provide you with several different cuisine options to help suit a variety of tastes. The biggest bonus to the picnic is the scenery and setting of the beautiful gardens. Details
When: June-September
Where: Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge
How much: $25-$45
Visit Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site
Visit the legendary Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump site near Fort McLeod this summer and plan your family a picnic or hike for the day. You can also take part in their scheduled guided programs for more immersive experiences. Onsite you can also find a gift shop, and the Buffalo Jump Café for a quick snack. Details
When: May-September 5, 2022
Where:18 kilometers (15 minutes) north and west of Fort Macleod on secondary Highway #785
How much: $10-$40
Meet Alberta’s Birds of Prey
You can visit the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre this summer to get an up close and personal look at our province’s biggest fowl: hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls! They are a rescue and conservation foundation who work to rehabilitate a variety of bird species while also educating the public through their immersive experiences, flight demos, tours, and interpretive walks. Details
When: May-September
Where: Alberta Birds of Prey Centre – 2124 16 Ave., Coaldale
How much: $5.50-$9.50
1805 2nd Avenue South, Lethbridge (High Level Canoe & Kayak)
Boat Launches: Indian Battle Park
How much: $50/day for boat rentals
High Level Canoe & Kayak Details
Fishing
All the rivers (and their reservoirs) which surround Lethbridge provide perfect southern Alberta fishing. This includes spots on the Oldman River, many of its small estuaries and tributaries, and its large reservoirs such as Jensen and St. Mary’s. You can catch a huge variety of species too, like cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, cutbow, bull trout, and rocky mountain whitefish. Beyond the Provincial Areas are a number of local ponds in Lethbridge, and riverside parks, from which you can cast. Details
How much: Free with fishing license
Hit the Outdoor Pools
The city of Lethbridge has two large outdoor pools: Henderson and Westminster. Both are home to two waterslides and provide space for picnics and laying out blankets for the day. There are a few extra features at Henderson like a splash park, climbing wall, and diving board. Details
When: June-September
Where: Henderson Outdoor Pool – 2710 Parkside Drive South, Lethbridge | Westminster Outdoor Pool – 411 16 St. N, Lethbridge
How much: $4-$16
Camping
Take your pick of beautiful campsites surrounding the city of Lethbridge: from Provincial Parks and Recreation Areas to smaller privately owned campgrounds. These all offer a variety of amenities, too, like beaches, boat launches, and playgrounds, but they all offer you your own firepit and picnic area. Choose between no-service tent sites, or power RV sites.
- Park Lake Provincial Park
- Owl’s Nest
- Countryside RV Park
- River’s Edge RV Park
- St. Mary Reservoir PRA
- Travers Reservoir PRA
- Little Bow Reservoir PRA
- Oldman River PRA
How Much: $20-$45 per night
Natural Swimming & Beaches
Take a dip in one of the lakes near Lethbridge! The nearby reservoirs are too large and dangerous for swimming, but you can find natural lake beaches at Park Lake PP, and Stafford Lake Resort. Both areas also have boat launches for canoes, kayaks, or powerboats.
Daytrip to Lundbreck Falls
The natural beauty of Lundbreck Falls is well worth an hour or so drive west from Lethbridge and makes the perfect daytrip destination. There is parking at the trailhead for a short hike to the falls. There is also a lot of space for picnickers and those who want to spend a few hours here. Details
When: Year-round
Where: West of the town of Lundbreck on Highway AB-3, go south on Highway AB-3A
How Much: Free
Day Hike the Coal Banks Trail
You can travel all of Lethbridge north to south on the 24km Coal Banks Trail. You can travel via jogging, biking, or hiking, and will get to see several of Lethbridge’s biggest attractions with the hike coming to a close at Fort Whoop-up and the scenic bridge over the Oldman River. You can hike the entire way or park a car at either end to shorten the trip. Details
When: Year-round
Where: Start in the north at Royal View Memorial Cemetery, end in south at Indian Battle Road and Fort Whoop-Up/Helen Schuler Nature Centre
How much: Free
IV. Food & Dining
Farmers’ Markets
Take your pick from several local vendors at the area Farmers’ Markets this summer. You can stay in Lethbridge for the twice-a-week market, wait for the special Handmade Market in August, or head to the smaller towns for their own outdoor summer markets- Taber to the east, and Fort McLeod to the west.
- Taber Farmers’ Market: Thursdays June-September at Confederation Park in Taber
- Lethbridge Handmade Market: August 6, October 22
- Lethbridge Farmers’ Market: indoors on Saturdays, outdoors in Downtown Lethbridge on Wednesdays during summer
- Fort McLeod Market on Main : Thursdays July 7 – August 25, main street in Fort McLeod
Find the Best Patios for Summer
Luckily, patios are not hard to find in a city that receives as much sun per year as Lethbridge! You can sip your coffee on the Mocha Cabana patio, completely sheltered from prairie winds; enjoy a full steak dinner on the Firestone patio; or a flight of beers to taste while enjoy the Telegraph patio.
- Mocha Cabana Bistro: 317 4 St S, Lethbridge
- Firestone Restaurant & Bar: 532 Mayor Magrath Dr S
- Telegraph Taphouse: 310 6 St S, Lethbridge
Find the Best Sweets & Desserts
Are you looking for some ice cream to cool off your hot day, or something sweet with which to start your day? No matter when you find yourself with a craving for sweets, you can satisfy them with ice cream from Milkman Milk Bar, donuts from Bootsma Bakery, all sorts of candies from How Sweet, and freshly baked pies from The Penny Coffee House.
- Bootsma Bakery: 1103 Mayor Magrath Dr S
- Milkman Milk Bar:1522 9th Ave S
- How Sweet: 314 5 Street S
- The Penny Coffee House: #331, 5th Street S
Find the Best Craft Beers & Cocktails
Stop in for a beer, a bite, or a fancy cocktail, at one of these Lethbridge microbreweries or bars. Theoretically Brewing Company offer off-sales on their brews, as well as larger servings for your next big event. Spectrum Ale Works has an open tap room with snack service, a patio, and live music on occasion. Steel & Vines do offer local Alberta brews, along with beer pairing events, and a long list of cocktails and wines.
- Theoretically Brewing Company: 1263 2 Ave
- Spectrum Ale Works: 3500 9 Ave N
- Steel & Vines Wine Bistro: 332-5th St S