Activities . Family Fun . What's Up in Calgary?

What’s Up This Week?

On August 2, 2023 by Calgary's Child

August 4 to 6

August 2 to 6; Calgary Young People’s Theatre Presents: Clue High School Edition, it’s a dark and stormy night, and you’ve been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is, well . . . dead. So whodunnit? Join the iconic oddballs known as Scarlet, Plum, White, Green, Peacock, and Mustard at West Village Theatre as they race to find the murderer in Boddy Manor before the body count stacks up. Based on the cult classic film and the popular board game, Clue is a madcap comedy that will keep you guessing until the final twist. Learn more at cypt.ca/productions/clue.

August 3 to 6; Calgary International Blues Festival, a full week of blues workshops, concerts and special events culminates in four days and nights of non-stop music, followed by the Twilight Blues dance parties. Bring your family down to Shaw Millennium Park to enjoy world-class music, a colorful arts market, delicious cuisine by local food trucks, cool beverages and souvenirs. Learn more at calgarybluesfest.com.

August 3 to 7; Taste of Calgary, the city’s most appetizing festival, giving visitors the chance to sample the city’s food, beverages, music and other cool things. Discover Calgary’s global cuisines from a mix of unique restaurants and beverage companies. Plus get a taste of Calgary’s great musicians at 311 8 Street SW. Learn more at tasteofcalgary.com.

August 4, 11am; Cineplex Family Favourites: The Bad Guys, visit participating Cineplex theatres near you and watch a favorite family film each week for only $2.99. Learn more at cineplex.com.

August 4, 7pm; Calgary Stampeders Heritage Night, the Stamps host the reigning Grey Cup champs, Toronto Argonauts, at McMahon Stadium. Celebrating the players’ and fanbase’s rich and diverse backgrounds during the Heritage Day weekend with a market, IKKY playing the halftime show and more. Learn more at stampeders.com.

August 4 to 7; Strathmore Stampede, this event has it all – a rodeo, running with the bulls, children’s activities and much more. Learn more at strathmoreag.com.

August 4 to 7; Nanton Round Up Days, fireworks, parade, duck race, rodeo and more, this event has something for everyone. Learn more at visitnanton.com.

August 4 to 7; Alberta Kennel Club Summer Classic Dog Show, see dogs of all shapes and sizes at the Alberta Kennel Club Summer Classic dog show at Spruce Meadows. Learn more at albertakennelclub.org.

August 5; Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo Gorilla Breakfast, bring your family and friends down to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo for a fun and educational morning at the zoo. Enjoy a scrumptious pancake breakfast with a side of gorilla facts from the zoo’s Animal Care, Health and Welfare technicians, followed by an exclusive visit to see the troop. Learn more at calgaryzoo.com.

August 5, 1pm; Peppa Pig Live! Peppa’s Adventure, come join Peppa on an exciting camping trip in the woods with George and her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe at Jack Singer Concert Hall. Learn more at artscommons.ca.

August 5, 5:30 to 9pm; Lantern Peace Festival, summer family event filled with fun, including Kids’ Zone of petting zoo and bouncing castle, live music performance by Madhuban Performing Art, storytelling and inspirational speech by Wendy Walker, and beauty of lanterns on the pool. Learn more at calgaryfloatinglanterns.com.

August 5 to 6, 11am and 2pm; Toys R Us Activities: Friendship Day LEGO® Heart Box Make-and-Take, come celebrate National Friendship day with us: bring your kids – and their besties – in-store to create their own heart-shaped box out of LEGO. Learn more at toysrus.ca.

August 5 to 6, 11am to 5pm; Rosebud Days of Yore, be entertained at the largest living history festival in Central Alberta! Days of Yore is an outdoor living history festival entertaining and educating the public to cultural traditions, lifestyles, and activities of bygone eras through authentic representation of those times. You’ll “Stroll Through the Ages” in our living history village. Learn more at daysofyore.ca.

August 5 to 7; Canmore Folk Music Festival, the longest running folk music festival in Alberta and one of its finest. Taking place over three days of the long weekend in August, the festival features 30 individual acts or performers, family-friendly site, a free downtown concert on festival Friday evening, a kids’ area jammed with crafts, puppets, music, storytelling and a climbing wall. Learn more at canmorefolkfestival.com.

Until August 6; Shakespeare on the Go – A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, this summer, the traditional Shakespeare by the Bow program will once again be going on the road…as Shakespeare On The Go! A cast of seven emerging artists will travel to a variety of Calgary locations to present a 75-minute version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Learn more at theatrecalgary.com/shakesgoperformances.

August 6, 12 to 6pm; Graffiti Jam, This year, the 2023 BUMP festival will kick off at the incredible High Park rooftop with the Graff Jam. Honouring the roots of muralism and public art, the Graff Jam celebrates street art and culture. High Park, one of Calgary’s newest urban spaces comes alive on this day while seven Graffiti writers paint together to a backdrop of DJ’s, basketball games, vendor booths, BUMP Beer, delicious food and more. Learn more at yycbump.ca.

August 6, 2pm to 4pm; Michaels Make Break: Fidget Bugs, join in-store and make a free project – fidget toys that can help you concentrate at school or work. All supplies are included. Learn more at canada.michaels.com.

Heritage Day Events

August 5 to 7, 10am to 4pm; Heritage Day Weekend at the Hangar Flight Museum, 15-minute presentations about aircraft, fun flying crafts to build and test, and touch tables where you can get closer to the artifacts than ever before. Learn more at thehangarmuseum.ca.

August 5 to 6; Heritage Day Weekend Walking Tours at Fort Calgary, Fort Calgary is offering two different walking tours over Heritage Day weekend – The Layered Stories of Fort Calgary (outdoor) and Chinese-Calgarian Settler Experiences (indoor). Learn more at fortcalgary.com.

Until August 7; Historic Calgary Week, Chinook Country Historical Society, eighty-two events will take place during the 11-day history festival to celebrate “travelling through time.” One hundred forty years ago, the Canadian Pacific Railway arrived in Calgary. The same year, the Calgary Herald presses travelled on the CPR to Calgary and set up shop in a tent. Together, they provided Calgary with connections to the outside world that set the stage for our city’s growth into the world-class city it is today. Learn more at chinookhistory.ca/historic-calgary-week.

August 7, 10am to 5pm; Heritage Day at Heritage Park, celebrate Western Canada’s unique and rich cultural heritage this Heritage Day at the Park, a place that brings history to life. There will be lots of special programming planned that we know the whole family will love. Learn more at heritagepark.ca.

August 7, 10am to 5pm; Tour de Bowness, the largest amateur cycling event in Alberta is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The annual “street party” celebrates the vibrant and historical Bowness, “Bownesians” and visitors to the community have come to enjoy complete with food, live music and local vewndors. Learn more at mainstreetbowness.com.

August 7, 11:30am to 1pm; Music Matters YYC – Flint & Feather, Music Matters YYC is a free outdoor concert series at Harmony Park. The series finale features performers FLINT & FEATHER – a multitalented husband-and-wife folk/root duo. Their unique brand of ‘Rocky Mountain Folk-Pop’ is engaging and family-friendly. Learn more at flintandfeather.com.

August 7; Heritage Day Tea at Heritage Park, a delightful Heritage Day Tea to celebrate our rich cultural heritage together. Enjoy your freshly brewed cup of tea complemented by gourmet finger sandwiches and delicious pastries from the Alberta Bakery. Learn more at heritagepark.ca.

August 7, 12 to 6pm; Heritage Day Festival at Olympic Plaza, Calgary Folk Arts Council presents the Heritage Day Festival at Olympic Plaza with performances, food artisan booth and more. Learn more at facebook.com/FolkArtsYYC.

August 7, 12 to 6pm; Incredible India Fest, a celebration of the rich culture, diversity and traditions of India at the Westin Calgary Airport. Learn more at sparqproductions.com.

Ongoing

Until August 12; Calgary Fringe Festival, the festival features local, national, and international productions for a total of over 100 performances over nine days. This year’s event will be a hybrid festival experience between live in-person performances and digital offerings. Learn more at calgaryfringe.ca.

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.

Sundays until August 20; Walking Tours at Veranda at The Stables, join The Military Museums Foundation for their Summer Walking Tours. Explore the rich history of Currie Barracks and Calgary. See and hear stories from veterans experience the living history in the Currie Community and much more. Learn more at allevents.in.

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.

Until August 26; Nooks and Crannies Festival in Okotoks, a festival where artists create temporary site-specific installations in downtown Okotoks. This art festival sees artists repurpose and animate forgotten places with ‘forgotten’ materials, bringing public art to forgotten corners of downtown Okotoks. Individual artists and teams use recycled products to create installations that raise environmental awareness, animate spaces, and entertain audiences. Learn more at okotoks.ca.

Until August 26; BUMP Festival, BUMP self-guided mural tours are a perfect way to explore the murals and experience new works of art as they are being created right before your eyes. New tours will be released throughout the month of August. Learn more at yycbump.ca.

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 26;Rosebud Open-Air Summer Concerts, experience incredible live music every Saturday in August. Bring your blanket or lawn chair, your sunscreen and hat, and enjoy summer concerts in the heart of the Rosebud Valley. Learn more at rosebudtheatre.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 27; Calgary Wind Symphony, join the Calgary Wind Symphony for a free family-friendly concert in Riley Park. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and join for a wonderful afternoon of music. Learn more at calgarywindsymphony.com.

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.

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 September; 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.

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 3; Stage West Dinner Theatre: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, musical theatre for the whole family. With charm, wit, and heart, follow life through the eyes of Charlie Brown and his friends in the Peanuts gang. An average day made up of little moments picked from all the days of Charlie Brown, from Valentine’s Day, to baseball season, wild optimism to utter despair. Join Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, and a beagle named Snoopy as they navigate the joys and pitfalls of childhood. Learn more at stagewestcalgary.com.

Every other Thursday until September 7, 4:30 to 9:30pm; Kensington Night Market, support local business and find your new favorite treats, breweries, fashions, fitness and more at Lot 57, 1210 Kensington Road NW beside Original Joes. Learn more at kensingtonyyc.com.

Until September 10; #YYCBlockParty – Roller Rink on The Boulevard, get ready to let the good times roll, Calgary! Block Party is back for its fourth installment, bringing good vibes, fun games, and eye-catching art to The Boulevard at Deerfoot City. Proceeds from skate rentals go to Kids Up Front, an organization dedicated to ensuring that all kids have access to fun, enriching experiences. Learn more at deerfootcity.com.

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 September 16, 4 to 10pm; 4th Street Night Market, Calgary’s hippest night market located in the heart of Mission. Visit the lively main street neighborhood of 4th Street for food, fun, local finds and friends. Learn more at 4th-street-night-market.myshopify.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.

Saturdays until October 7; Millarville Farmers’ Market, the people behind the tables at the Millarville Farmers’ Market are the real deal. They are the growers, farmers, makers, bakers, and artists. Ask them about their farm, their art, their love of what they do. Learn more at millarvilleracetrack.com.

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.