Activities . Family Fun

Free Activities in Calgary This Summer

On July 16, 2024 by Calgary's Child

Don’t miss out on a minute of fun with these activities that are free-of-charge all summer long.

Outdoor Activities and Parks

Fish Creek Provincial Park

Enjoy hiking, biking, and birdwatching in Canada’s largest urban park. Ideal for picnics and outdoor activities​.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

Walk through open grasslands and forests while observing various bird species and other wildlife​. Don’t miss out on their Birding Breaks, a guided walk to learn all about the birds and other wildlife that make their home in Calgary.

Bowness Park

Bowness Park is one of Calgary’s most popular parks. It features a shallow lagoon popular for paddle boating in the summer. The park also has a wading pool, boat rentals and a children’s train ride.

Prairie Winds Park

Prairie Winds Park is a vital part of Calgary’s northeast communities. This large destination park was redeveloped in 2016/2017 with added features including the playscape and upgraded wading pool.

St. Patrick’s Island

St. Patrick’s Island Park has hiking and biking trails, a public plaza and amphitheatre, children’s play area, public washrooms, a small hill, and restored river channels.

Princess Island Park

Prince’s Island Park is a beautiful highly used park in downtown Calgary that holds many large events throughout the year including the Canada Day celebration and Calgary Folk Festival. 

Ralph Klein Park

The Environmental Education Centre features an indoor classroom, resource library, art studio, interpretive signage, and meeting space.

Edworthy Park

Bordered by the Bow River and the community of Wildwood, Edworthy Park is a large diverse park and is a great year-round destination. Edworthy Park includes the natural areas of Douglas Fir Trail and Lawrey Gardens. 

Reader Rock Garden

Visit Calgary’s most unique cultural landscapes that is also a designated provincial historic site featuring the restored Reader House, rock pathways, bridges, benches and beautiful flowers.

Millenium Park

Millennium Park was established in 2000 and is the largest skate park in North America for skateboards and in-line skating with 75,000 square feet of skateable surfaces. It was designated as an activity park and special venue and has over 35,000 visitors a year.​​​​​​​​​

Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs

These gorgeous gardens boasts 20,000 square feet of gardens, which includes a spectacular Wall Garden that runs an uninterrupted 1300 feet. There is also a playground, ball diamonds, and a beautiful forest of trees to play in.

Pearce Estate Wetlands         

The Pearce Estate Wetland lies in a curve of the Bow River as it flows through the southeast part of the city. The 15-hectare wetland area, when combined with the adjacent provincially operated Bow Habitat Station, results in a 21-hectare park. 

Spray Parks and Wading Pools

Locations: Bowness Park, Riley Park, South Glenmore Park, Century Gardens, Prairie Winds Park, Rotary Park, Somerset Park, Valleyview Park, West Confederation Park.

Open from June to fall, these parks offer splash pads and wading pools for cooling off and family fun​.

Disc Golf

Locations: Baker Park, David Richardson Memorial, Thorncliffe, Forest Lawn, Old Refinery, Bonavista Downs, Lloyd Park, Redwood Meadows, WJ Homestead, Sheep River, Edgemont, Big Marlborough Park, Currie Reservoir, North Glenmore Park, Stanley Park, Lindsay Park, Southview Links.

Much like regular golf, players work through a nine-hole or 18-hole course. Starting at the T-off point, players try to toss their disc into the basket at the end of each hole in the fewest number of throws. It is something new and provides hours of fun for the whole family.

Skateparks

Locations: Millenium Park, CKE Skatepark, Deer Run Skatespot, Huntington Hills Skatespot, Mid Sun Skatepark, New Brighton Skatepark, Southwood Skatepark, Bowness Skatepark, NE Community Skatepark, Carrington Skatespot.

Wheeled sports, like bike riding and skateboarding, are unstructured recreation activities that are affordable, accessible, and naturally encourage free play and physical activity. Our city has several permanent skateparks to encourage active, healthy, and creative living.

Bike Pump Tracks

Locations: South Glenmore Park, Fairview, Inglewood, West Confederation,

Bike pump tracks are progressive circuits where riders use an up and down pumping motion to propel the bike forward instead of pedaling. Bring a lunch and make a day of it while the kids get their energy out!

Tennis/Pickleball Courts

The city owns and operates approximately 66 outdoor tennis courts throughout Calgary. Staff have recently adapted 52 locations around the city for the many Calgarians who love to play pickleball. These locations are multi-use with both tennis and pickleball capabilities. See a list of all locations at calgary.ca.

Baseball

There are hundreds of ball diamonds at various parks in Calgary that can be used for fast pitch, slo-pitch, baseball, kickball, softball, and more. Learn more at calgary.ca.

Cultural and Art Events

Summer on 17th

Weekends June to August

Every weekend will be a unique experience, packed with exciting themes, live music, retro markets, guided tours, tasty bites, special offers, cultural delights, and movie nights. 17thave.ca.

Music in the Park

July 7, 14, 21 & August 18, 25

The Calgary Wind Symphony is pleased to be returning to Riley Park this summer to bring music to the community in one of our favorite outdoor settings. Bring the whole family and enjoy music in the park! calgarywindsymphony.com.

Fiestaval Latin Festival

July 19 to 20

Enjoy the three hottest days of the summer with over 30 authentic food vendors, hundreds of national and international performers, artisan market, kids’ area, beer gardens and lots of fun at Olympic Plaza. fiestaval.ca.

Afro-Caribbean Food Festival

July 20 to 21

A celebration of the Caribbean, African and everything in between through food, music and culture. acfoodfestival.com.

Franco Festival Calgary

August 9 to 10

Celebrate the diversity of the Francophonie with music, dance, a cultural village, children’s area, and bistro at Olympic Plaza​. francofestcalgary.com.

Calgary Japanese Festival “Omatsuri”

August 9 to 10

Features traditional Japanese customs, music, dance, and martial arts demonstrations at Max Bell Centre​. calgaryjca.com.

Calgary Arab Festival

August 10 to 11

Travel through the Middle East in a day, enjoying the sights and tastes of the region at Shaw Millenium Park. calgaryarabartssociety.ca.

Expo Latino

August 16 to 18

Celebrate Latin culture with live music, dance performances, and food​ at Prince’s Island Park. expolatino.com.

Carifest Calgary

August 16 to 18

Carifest celebrates the fusion of the Caribbean’s varied cultural components into a vibrant, dynamic, ambiance that draws millions of visitors to the Caribbean region each year at Millenium Park. carifestcalgary.com.

Chinatown Street Festival

August 17

Features street performances, food stalls, and cultural exhibits celebrating Filipino culture​

Alberta Open Farm Days

August 17 to 18

Alberta Open Farms Days brings Albertans together through educational and experiential agricultural-based initiatives to learn about where your food comes from. Some of Alberta’s most talented chefs will be hosting farm-to-table culinary events around the province using Alberta farm products. albertaopenfarmdays.ca.

Alberta Culture Days

September 1 to 30

An opportunity to discover, experience and celebrate arts and culture through local events and activities, in person and online across the province. culturedays.ca.

Family-Friendly Programs

Park n’ Play/Stay n’ Play

Park n’ Play: For children aged sic to 12. Supervised crafts, games, and active play in community greenspaces​.

Stay n’ Play: For children aged three to five with an adult. Encourages active play and social interaction​. calgary.ca.

Mobile Adventure Playground

A self-directed, drop-in program that use loose parts and natural materials to inspire active and creative outdoor play, and connect people, young and old, to nature. calgary.ca.

Mobile Skate & Scoot

Free drop-in wheeled sport opportunities. Fun for both beginners and skilled in-line skaters, skateboarders, and scooter users of all ages. Skateboard and inline skate instructors are on site during the indicated hours. calgary.ca.

Free Soccer Fridays

Free Soccer Fridays invites kids to a free unstructured, drop-in soccer opportunity. This is a chance for youth of all ages and abilities to play and enjoy the sport. calgaryminorsoccer.com.

All Sports One Day

August 17

An amazing opportunity for Calgary children and youth to try a new sport. With 100+ sessions featuring 30+ exciting activities to choose from, parents or guardians can enroll children (ages six and older) in free sport sessions. sportcalgary.ca.

Free Programming at local libraries

Calgary Public Library offers plenty of free, fun summer programs from magic shows to storytimes to movies. Check your local library for more details. calgarypubliclibrary.com.

Youth Leadership Programs

Earning a LEAD or Nature LEAD Certificate is fun and gives students credibility, recognition and opportunities at school, work and in the community. Developing and practicing leadership skills opens doors to success in the future! calgary.ca.

Festivals

Inglewood Sunfest

July 27

At Sunfest, there is an activity made for all ages. This could mean a jump in the bouncer, discovering a great new band, being wowed and amazed by world-class circus and comedy street shows, choosing a perfect summer patio or searching for a trendy fashion; there is no shortage of things happening in Inglewood. inglewoodsunfest.ca. 

Pet-A-Palooza.

July 27 to 28

The West Coast’s largest outdoor pet festival has found its new home at Fort Calgary. Bring your pet to sample treats, food, accessories, toys and get hooked up with loads of free swag. petapaloozawest.com.

Taste of Calgary.

August 1 to 5

The city’s most appetizing festival, giving visitors the chance to sample 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. tasteofcalgary.com

BUMP Festival.

August 3 to 18

The Beltline Urban Murals Project is Calgary’s street art festival. Since 2017, BUMP has added over 180 public art installations to Calgary. You can watch new murals go up in real time, attend artist talks, and vibe out to Graffiti Jams. yycbump.ca.

Canmore Folk Music Festival

August 3 to 5

The longest running folk music festival in Alberta and one of its finest. Taking place over three days of the Heritage Day 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. canmorefolkfestival.com

Tango 2 Echo Fest

August 4

From the local arts and vendors market to the beer garden, food trucks, live entertainment, mural tour, and car show – Tango 2 Echo has something for everyone in the family at Greenview Industrial. greenviewindustrial.com.

Tour de Bowness Race and Festival

August 5

This event has become the annual “street party” to celebrate the vibrant and historical community of Bowness, “Bownesians” and visitors have come to enjoy. tourdebowness.com.

Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival

August 9 to 11

Cheer on the racers, enjoy kids zone, multi-cultural entertainment, live band and more during Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival. calgarydragonboatsociety.com.

Marda Gras

August 11

Calgary’s longest-running street festival! Marda Loop’s big Marda Gras event returns this year with vendors, live music, performances and of course, their annual pet pageant. visitmardaloop.com. 

Calgary Pride

August 31 to September 1

One of the most vibrant events in Calgary! From a parade to inspirational speakers, parties, and more, there will be tons of incredible things happening in celebration of the 2SLGBTQ+ community this summer. calgarypride.ca.

Tours and Educational Opportunities

Calgary Walking Tours

Guided tours through central neighborhoods, providing historical insights and interesting stories about Calgary​. visitcalgary.com.

Calgary Central Library Tours

Free daily tours of the Central Library, including general and architectural tours, showcasing the library’s design and collections. calgarylibrary.ca.

Wetland Wonders

Are you ready to learn all about the wonders of wetlands? Discover why these natural spaces are important and get an up-close view of the amazing critters that live below the surface. calgary.ca.

Baitun Nur Mosque Tours

Baitun Nur Mosque Calgary is not just a mosque for prayers rather it is a community center for all. The Center is committed to preserving an Islamic identity, building and supporting a viable Muslim community, promoting a comprehensive Islamic way of life based on the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. baitunnur.org.

Scotiabank Saddledome Tours

The Scotiabank Saddledome offer public tours free of charge during the summer months. scotiabanksaddledome.com.

Historic Calgary Week

July 26 to August 5

Enjoy neighborhood concerts, walks, talks, and explore museums, heritage buildings, cemeteries, parks, libraries and archives and celebrate the rich history, culture and community of Calgary.

Tour the Lougheed House Gardens

The gardens include both “heritage gardens” (gardens that honor and reference the past) and modern public green spaces that combine to make this a 2.8-acre refuge and destination for many urban residents and tourists. lougheedhouse.com.

Additional Free Attractions

Devonian Gardens

 Indoor botanical garden with over 500 trees, various plants, fountains, fishponds, and a playground​. calgary.ca.

Glenbow at The Edison

Free admission to this contemporary art gallery with rotating exhibitions. Advance online ticket reservation is required​. glenbow.org.

YouthLink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre

Interactive displays and educational exhibits about Calgary’s police history, providing a fun and informative experience for all ages. youthlinkcalgary.com.

Spruce Meadows

Top sport and top riders return to Spruce Meadows for several competitions throughout the spring and summer. sprucemeadows.com.

Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre

The centre’s objectives are to serve as a community centre and hub for Calgarians to meet and socialize, and to undertake educational and recreational programs and activities to enrich the lives of all Calgarians. culturalcentre.ca.

Central Library

Curious minds, families, bookworms, art lovers, audiophiles, locals and visitors alike love the architectural and cultural gem nestled in the heart of Calgary’s East Village. Brimming with spectacular artwork, shared spaces and a wide array of programming for all ages, the Central Library is truly a cultural hub and gathering place for the entire community. calgarylibrary.ca.

Esker Foundation

The gallery reflects on current developments in local, regional, and international culture; creates opportunities for public dialogue; and supports the production of groundbreaking new work, ideas, and research. eskerfoundation.com.

Markets

Bridgeland Riverside Farmers’ Market
Bridgeland Riverside Community Hall, 917 Centre Avenue NE
Thursdays, June to October
brcacalgary.org/programs/farmers-market

Dalhousie Farmer’s Market
5432 Dalhart Road NW
Thursdays, June to September
dalhousiecalgary.ca/farmers-market

DJ Market
4645 12 Street SE
Seven days a week, spring, summer, and fall
djmarket.ca

Farmers & Makers Markets

Farmers & Makers Market Beltline – 1221 2 Street SW
Wednesdays, end of May 24 to October 4
Farmers & Makers Market Sunalta – 1627 10 Avenue SW
Saturdays, beginning of June to October
farmersmakersmarket.ca

Inglewood Pollinator Park Market
9 Street and 9 Avenue SE
May to end of October
downtownmarkets.ca

The Market at cSPACE Marda Loop
1721 29 Avenue SW
Select dates end of May to end of September
cspacemardaloop.com/cspace-news/news-from-the-market

Triwood Farmers’ Market
Triwood Community Association Hall – 2244 Chicoutimi Drive NW
Select dates June to September
triwoodcommunity.com/farmers-market

4th Street Night Market
4 Street at Elbow Drive SW
Select dates from July to September
4thstreetnightmarket.ca

Calgary Night Market
917 Centre Avenue NE
Last Friday of every month, June to August
calgarynightmkt.com

Heritage Park Night Market
Heritage Park
Saturdays from June 29 to September 14
heritagepark.ca

Inglewood Night Market
1235 26 Ave SE
May to end of September
inglewoodnightmarket.ca

Kensington Night Market
1209 Kensington Road NW Parking Lot
Select Thursdays from July to September
thedowntownmarkets.ca

Marda Loop Night Market
34 Avenue SW between 18 Street and 19 Street
Select dates June to August
mardaloopnightmarket.ca

University District (U/D) Night Market
Central Commons Park – 4019 University Avenue NW
Last Wednesday of every month, May to September
myuniversitydistrict.ca

These activities and events offer a wide range of options to explore in Calgary this summer, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy without spending money.