Grab a drink and a bite on a sunny rooftop patio
It’s officially patio season, and the only thing better than basking on a lovely patio with a drink in your hand is basking on a lovely patio with a drink in your hand plus a great view. Thankfully, there are tons of great rooftop patios around the city that deliver exactly that.
Read more: 21 Great Rooftop Patios in Calgary
Have a blast at the Calgary Stampede
When: July 3 to 12
The Calgary Stampede is back! Whether you attend it for the midway games, the animals, the music, the food, the rodeo or all of the above, there’s no shortage of things to do during the 10-day festival.
Shop at the new 17th Avenue Night Market
When: July 17
Grab your tote bag and put on your sun hat to check out a new night market that’s launching this month. Head to the front lawn of Western Canada High School for a night of outdoor shopping from local vendors from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. And if you can’t make it this month, the market will be back on August 21.
Western Canada High School front lawn, @17thavenuenightmarket
Check out some horsey sporting events
Show jumping, polo, chuckwagon races — these are just some of the horse events that take place in and around Calgary. Here’s a look at some of the events and what you need to know about them.
Read more: Hot Horse Summer: The Ultimate Calgary Summer Sporting Guide for the Equine Curious
Spend a day celebrating Latin culture at Fiestaval
When: July 17 to 19
Celebrate Latin culture at this three-day festival in Eau Claire Plaza. Expect more than 30 food vendors, beer gardens, a market and tons of exciting performances by dance groups, DJs and musicians. Admission is free.
Eau Claire Plaza , fiestaval.ca
Try fun ice cream creations during YYC Ice Cream Fest
When: July 17 to August 16
There’s no better time to go for ice cream than during YYC Ice Cream Fest, a food festival that invites anyone with a sweet tooth to try featured ice cream creations at participating eateries and ice cream shops. Each time the featured treat is sold, between $1 to $3 will go towards supporting Calgary Meals on Wheels. You can also vote for your favourites online.
Multiple locations, yycicecreamfest.com
Enjoy a River Café picnic basket in Prince’s Island Park
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What could be more summery than a picnic along the river? River Café makes that experience easy to have with its summer picnic baskets that you can pre-order online. Get one of the set baskets for two, or mix-and-match dishes like Gull Valley tomato salad, smoked salmon sandwiches, baked goods and more. Once you have your basket in hand, find a spot within Prince’s Island Park to settle in and enjoy.
25 Prince’s Island, 431-450-0844, river-cafe.com
Shop for tasty treats at Avenue‘s Best Things to Eat and Drink Market
When: July 18
Every year, Avenue highlights some of the best things to eat and drink in the city. On July 18 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., you can shop for many of those products (and ones from previous years) all in one spot at the Best Things to Eat and Drink Market. Expect more than 15 local vendors selling ice cream sandwiches, hot sauce, macarons, drinks and more.
Read more: All the Vendors Coming to Avenue’s 2026 Best Things to Eat and Drink Market
Rangeview Drive S.E.
Make your own mini doughnuts at home
If you find yourself missing the tastes and treats of Stampede once it’s over, fear not — you can still make one of its most beloved treats at home with some friends or family.
Read more: How to Make Homemade Mini-Doughnuts
Watch a Broadway Across Canada show inspired by a board game
When: July 21 to 26
We need to know: Was it Mr. Green in the hall with a rope? Find out at Broadway Across Canada’s production of Clue, which will be in Calgary for eight performances this month.
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. N.W., calgary.broadway.com
Grab a bite at a new Vietnamese brunch spot
The next time you’re feeling peckish, head to An Sang. This new Vietnamese brunch spot, which also offers all-day dining, is full of must-try dishes like the An Sang special pho, nuoc mam wings, a poutine with pho gravy and grilled beef and more.
843 17 Ave. S.W., 587-703-3107, ansang.ca
Listen to your favourite artists at the Calgary Folk Music Festival
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When: July 23 to 26
Prince’s Island Park will be lit up with music and community spirit during the Calgary Folk Music Festival. This year, the line-up includes artists like Of Monsters and Men, The Neighborhood Kids, Thundercat, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Corb Lund and more. Single-day tickets and four-day passes are available.
Prince’s Island Park, calgaryfolkfest.com
Relax at a new outdoor hydrotherapy spa in Ramsay
Calgary has a new hydrotherapy spa destination. At Thermae Eleven, guests are treated to a relaxing outdoor experience complete with features like a stillness lounge, warm and cool wells, an immersion shower, an exfoliation room and more. Head to this new spot in Ramsay the next time you need to relax.
1034 21 Ave. S.E., thermaeeleven.com
Meet some friends for an outdoor hang at River Hall
When: Thursdays to Sundays from July 23 to September 27
River Hall is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever. Previously running for around a month the past two summers, this year, the outdoor activation featuring local food/drink vendors and fun activities will be around for more than two months. Grab some friends and head to the downtown site by the river for some weekend fun.
Lot 6, 311 8 St. S.W., @riverhallycc
Shop from local vendors and see fun performances at Inglewood Sunfest
When: July 25
For one day only, Inglewood’s main strip will be filled with 200+ local vendors, food trucks, performances and more when this annual festival returns on July 25. Head down between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to explore the celebrations and local businesses in the area.
9th Avenue S.E., inglewoodsunfest.ca