What’s Up This Week?

June 23 to 25

Starting June 21, Summer on 17th; returning for its sophomore season along with all of your favorite events. From movies in the park to live bands, theatrical performances and fitness classes, the 17th Ave Business Improvement Area is pulling out all the stops to ensure this summer is epic. Along with last year’s crowd favorites, there’s also tons of exciting new editions for 2023, so clear your calendars, because your summer plans are officially set. Learn more at 17thave.ca/summer.

June 21 to 25; Sled Island, Sled Island’s thoughtful, eclectic programming and independent spirit have produced a one-of-a-kind festival experience. Each June, the five-day music and arts festival brings together a community of music, comedy, film and art as well as over 40,000 attendees across multiple venues, earning rave reviews from attendees, artists and media across the globe. Learn more at sledisland.com.

June 23, 11:30am to 2:30pm; Fashion Show at Confederation Park, Joyce Reddy and her dancers host a fashion show featuring age-appropriate clothing from her own Boutique on the Park which sells stylish new-to-you fashions for adults and seniors. Learn more at yycseniors.com.

June 23, 6pm to 10pm; Selkirk Lobster Boil at Heritage Park, don’t miss the ultimate East Coast meets West Coast dining experience at Heritage Park’s Lobster Boil. Gather your loved ones and prepare to indulge in expertly cooked lobster along with other mouth-watering seafood creations crafted by a world-class culinary team in the exclusive Founder’s Lounge patio. Learn more at heritagepark.ca.

June 23, 6pm to 12am; Summer Solstice Night Market at the Saskatoon Farm, the night atmosphere at the farm is truly magical, with carnival lights glowing and stars shining down. The event will featurie local vendors in the main greenhouse, a live DJ, fire roasted pizzas, taco grills, food trucks, drinks at the bar, a DIY tie-dye workshop hosted by the lovely Callie Dye (bring your own whites, or buy here and create), and a vintage vinyl bus playing and selling cool old records, all capped off by a ceremonious display of fireworks at the cliff. Learn more at saskatoonfarm.com.

June 23 to 24, 11:30am; Indigenous Awareness Week Artisan Market at Southcentre Mall, the two-day event is organized by Authentically Indigenous in celebration of Indigenous culture while supporting local businesses. Learn more at southcentremall.com.

June 23 to 25; Game Con Canada, attendees will have access to play games from video game studios and board game developers from around the world at the BMO Centre. It will be a weekend full of gaming, entertainment, making new friends and discovering new experiences. Learn more at gameconcanada.com.

June 23 to 25; Sound Atlas New Music Festival, this momentous contemporary music festival celebrates the creation and performance of new music featuring a multitude of creative voices at the University of Calgary Rozsa Centre and Contemporary Calgary. Learn more at soundatlasfest.com.

June 24, 9am to 6pm; National Indigenous Family Day and Powwow at ENMAX Park, Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary’s Family Day Festival and Powwow is an annual event, held each year near National Indigenous Peoples Day. The event is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and their rich heritages, traditions and cultures. Everyone — Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people  — are invited to attend this special event. Learn more at aawc.ca.

June 24, 10am to 4pm; Marda Loop MADE Summer Solstice, a celebration of the dawn of summer – adorn yourself and your castle with unique artisan-crafted treasures made with love at the Marda Loop Community Association. Learn more at eventbrite.ca.

June 24, 11am; Cineplex Family Favourites: Mummies, visit participating Cineplex theatres near you and watch a favorite family film each week for only $2.99. Learn more at cineplex.com.

June 24, 11am to 4pm; Okotoks BuskerFest, musicians, actors, magicians, jugglers, street performers, dancers, b-boys, singers and entertainers of all ages and acts will spread out on McRae and North Railway Streets for this fun street festival. It’s all free – if you like what you hear, show your appreciation for the performances with a loonie, toonie, or fiver – and don’t forget the applause! Learn more at okotoks.ca.

June 24, 1 to 4pm; Harmony Garden Party, an exciting afternoon of estate homes, chef-crafted treats, face painting, balloon twisting, Sprog & Sprocket play structure, prizes, Discovery Centre and more in the community of Harmony in Springbank. Explore the lake life and golf community lifestyles. Learn more at go.liveinharmony.ca.

June 24, 1 to 5pm; Tanks and Tacos at the Military Museums, guests will be able to venture inside a variety of military vehicles and speak with current and former serving soldiers, handle and wear authentic equipment used by the CAF, and speak with historians about all things military. Añejo restaurant will be serving up their delicious tacos and cocktails (for purchase) for you to enjoy in our tank park. Learn more at themilitarymuseums.ca.

June 24, 3:30 to 8:30pm; Parkland Summerfest, a community festival bringing people together for a fun and memorable day in Parkland’s beautiful Park 96. Learn more at parklandsummerfest.com.

June 24; The 5K Foam Fest, this event has 22 of the best and most exciting obstacles in the world including the world’s largest inflatable waterslide, slip and slides, and mucky mud pits. Combine these with 2.5 million cubic feet of foam that are pumped out at each event and you are destined to have an awesome day at Capture the Flag Paintball. Learn more at the5kfoamfest.com.

June 24, 7pm; Feelin’ Good With Cool Choir, get ready for an electrifying night of well-loved rock pop hits and original songs as over 250 voices of Cool Choir return to the stage of the Jubilee Auditorium in spine-tingling harmony. Featuring songs by Paul Brandt, David Foster, Phil Collins, Adele, The Killers (and many more!) and accompanied by a live, five-piece band. Learn more at coolchoir.com.

June 24, 7:30pm; The Kinkonauts Present: Wuthering Frights RE-VAMPED, an evening of improvised comedy, featuring a long-form improvised gothic romance, as well as student showcases at The Atrium. Learn more at kinkonauts.com.

June 24 to 25, 9am to 4pm; Métis Fingerweaving Workshops at Fort Calgary, spend a day learning the basics of fingerweaving from Métis artisans. In this beginner’s workshop, participants will get a hands-on learning experience and learn how to measure, cut and dowel their own weaving project focused on the stipple, diagonal stripe, and chevron patterns. Learn more at fortcalgary.com.

June 25, 10am to 3pm; Deer Point Community Festival, this one-day outdoor festival features local musical acts, an artisan market, community displays, and children’s activities, all showcasing the vibrant community of Southeast neighborhoods. Learn more at deerpointcommunityfestival.ca.

June 25; PILSC Legacy Run/Walk, the 2km/5km run/walk (you choose the distance) at Nose Creek Park in Airdrie raises funds and brings awareness to the impacts of infertility, miscarriage, termination for medical reasons (TFMR), stillbirth, neonatal loss and sudden infant loss syndrome (SIDS). Learn more at pilsc.org.

June 25, 10:30am to 5pm; The RED and WHITE COMIC & TOY EXPO, Western Canada’s longest-running “Comic Collector and Toy Expo” is back again at the Acadia Recreation Complex. More than 50 vendors that will be selling thousands of comics, toys, manga, artwork, role-playing games and more. Learn more at comicandtoy.ca.

June 25, 11am to 2pm; Mud Fair, in celebration of the World Forum’s International Mud Day families can enjoy live music, join outdoor yoga, create mud paintings, and get muddy at every turn at Highfield Farm. Learn more at highfieldfarm.ca.

June 25, 1 to 4pm; GlobalFest Groves, after a fantastic debut in 2022, GlobalFest is thrilled to announce the return of the GlobalFest Groves pop-up event with its OneWorld Cultural Partner, Trico Homes, as well as Kingsland Community Association at the park space at 7711 Macleod Trail SW. The event will include performances from Pakistan and India, beer gardens and a play area for children. Learn more at globalfest.ca.

June 25, 1 to 5pm; Rodney’s Oyster Festival, this family-friendly day will have a live DJ, food and drink booths, silent auction and shucking competitions and will support the Mustard Seed. Learn more at eventbrite.ca.

June 25, 2 to 4pm; Michael’s Make Break Tie-Dye Shirt, make a tie-dye shirt. Buy a shirt from the selection we have available, and then you can use our supplies to tie-dye. Tie-dye supplies are free and provided for the event. Learn more at canada.michaels.com.

June 25, 3 to 11pm; YYC Lobsterfest, join Big Fish & Open Range – Marda Loop as they celebrate the pinnacle of oceanic delights with their exclusive Lobsterfest event in partnership with Trolley 5. Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable culinary journey filled with the finest flavors from the deep blue sea. Learn more by following @yyclobsterfest on Instagram.

June 25, 7:30pm; Lunch At Allen’s, a musical powerhouse comprising four remarkable Canadian talents: Murray McLauchlan, Cindy Church, Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas. As individuals, they have written for or sung on over 25,000,000 CDs, penning hits for Josh Groban, Chicago, Bonnie Raitt, America, Santana, Cher and Rod Stewart, as well as Murray’s Farmer’s Song, Marc’s Marina Del Rey and Ian’s Painted Ladies. Learn more and buy tickets to this performance at Jack Singer Concert Hall at artscommons.ca.

Ongoing

Wednesdays until August 30, 4:30 to 9:30pm; Crescent Heights Village BIA Night Market, this market will showcase local vendors, engage the community and raise awareness for the Green Line LRT Project. Learn more at crescentheightsvillage.ca.

Until June 24; KINKY BOOTS at Beddington Theatre Arts Centre, based on the 2005 film and inspired by a true story, KINKY BOOTS follows Charlie Price, an aspiring young businessman who is forced to give up his dreams of living the London city life in order to save his late father’s family business in Northern England. When Charlie suddenly inherits his father’s bankrupt shoe factory, he finds unexpected inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As Charlie and Lola work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible… and discovers that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world. Learn more at beddingtontheatreyyc.ca.

Until June 24; Indigenous Science Month at TELUS Spark, head to Spark every Saturday in June for Indigenous Science Month: four weeks of festivities that celebrate the creativity of Indigenous science through art, film, conversations with Elders, and much more. Learn more at sparkscience.ca.

Until June 25; Stage West Presents: 9 to 5 The Musical, based on the seminal 1980 hit movie, set in the late 70s this hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic. Learn more at stagewestcalgary.com.

Until June 30; National Indigenous History Month at Calgary Public Library, enjoy free, family-friendly programming celebrating Indigenous history and culture throughout June. Programs include specialty workshops, Métis jigging, Elders storytelling, the KAIROS blanket exercise, and more. Family Storytime at all locations will feature Indigenous authors and stories.  Learn more at calgarylibrary.ca/IndigenousMonth.

Until August 12; Jubilations Dinner Theatre Presents: The Addams Family Band, underneath it all, Wednesday Addams is just a regular teenage girl. And like any normal teenage girl these days, Wednesday wants to be a Pop Star. After searching high and low, she’s having a little trouble finding a band to play with her though … maybe her new bandmates are closer than she thinks. Learn more at jubilations.ca.

Until August 12; Jubilations Dinner Theatre Presents: Old Time Rock ‘n Roll, just take those old records off the shelf. That’s what Michael Stevens is doing. You see, when he decides it’s time to clean out the attic, he stumbles upon his stash of old records that have been collecting dust for decades. Let the nostalgia trip begin. Learn more at jubilations.ca.

Until August 25; Wagonstage 2023 presents: The Little Forest, join emerging artists from the School of Creative and Performing Arts who write, design, direct, and present these popular summer performances at various locations throughout the city. Learn more on the Wagonstage Facebook page.

Saturdays until August 26; City of Calgary Family Golf Nights, get your kids interested in hitting the links this summer with the City of Calgary’s Family Golf Nights! Juniors (ages four to 17) golf for free when accompanied by at least one adult. Learn more at calgary.ca.

Select Saturdays until August 26, 6 to 8:30pm; Dover’s Music & Art in the Garden, the Dover Music & Art in the Garden concert series is in its third year, born during the pandemic. It’s a way for the community to come together and enjoy beautiful Twin Views Communal Garden (a transformed tennis court) while listening to local musicians. Learn more at ckua.com.

Until August 27; Prairie Persuasion: Communication and Propaganda in Southern Alberta 1860-1950, visit Gasoline Alley Museum at Heritage Park to learn about the darker side to propaganda, one which was aimed at different groups of people using discrimination and violence. Propaganda changed the shape of society as we know it today. Discover the power of propaganda for yourself, while you can, by visiting this new, temporary exhibit. Learn more at heritagepark.ca.

Until August 29, Tuesdays 11am to 4pm; The Market on Stephen Avenue, shop Calgary’s famous downtown avenue for all your market needs. Learn more at downtownmarkets.ca.

Until September 2; Rosebud Theatre Presents: The Sound of Music, a young nun is sent off to be governess to seven mischievous children. She teaches the children to sing, bringing a fleeting moment of happiness in the shadow of the rise of the Third Reich. A summer musical for the whole family. Learn more at rosebudtheatre.com.

Saturdays, 3 to 9pm until September 2; Calgary Night Markets at Heritage Park, the Heritage Plaza and promenade in the front parking lots will be taken over by vendors. Shop local vendors, explore the shops in the Plaza, grab a bite to eat and be entertained. Learn more at heritagepark.ca.

Until September 15; Inglewood Night Market 2023, the Inglewood Night Market is a modern market with locally sourced and handmade vendors selling diverse goods; from handmade crafts to vintage clothing, antiques and collectibles, artisan eats and more. Learn more at inglewoodnightmarket.ca.

Until mid-September; WildScapes at the Calgary Zoo, this summer, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo will be taken over by larger-than-life animal topiaries. This one-of-a-kind summer garden experience can’t be found anywhere else in Western Canada, and will only be available for three short months. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com.

Until October; Bow Habitat Kids Can Catch Trout Pond, the Bow Habitat Station’s Kids Can Catch Trout Pond opens in mid-May and is stocked with rainbow trout in the fish hatchery for you to catch and release. Learn more at bowhabitat.alberta.ca.

Until October; Sacred Defenders of the Universe at TELUS Spark Science Centre, a vibrant floor-to-ceiling journey inside a graphic novel that follows four Indigenous superheroes as they seek to bring back the balance of earth between humility and respect for the land, and the excessive destruction of human ego. Learn more at sparkscience.ca.

Mobile Adventure Playgrounds. Join The City of Calgary for a self-directed, drop-in program that uses loose parts and natural materials to inspire active and creative outdoor play, and connect people, young and old, to nature. Visit calgary.ca/free for locations and details.

Calgary AfterSchool. Calgary AfterSchool offers free afterschool programs across Calgary. The programs are offered two to three days a week at various recreation facilities, community centres and community-based partner agencies. Visit calgary.ca/afterschool for locations and details.