21 Best Things to Do in Calgary This August

This month, wear pink to a Barbie exhibition, check out new murals, watch the fireworks at GlobalFest and more.

Cirque du Soleil's Kooza production starts in Calgary this month. Cirque du Soleil 2022 photos by Matt Beard and Bernard Letendre. Costumes by Marie Chantale Vaillancourt.

Learn more about Calgary’s past during Historic Calgary Week

When: Until August 7

Historic Calgary Week offers a blast of the past as it explores the history of our city through more than 80 events that include walking tours, film screenings, presentations and more. Most of the events are free to attend and require registration.

Multiple locations, chinookhistory.ca

 

Snack the day away at Taste of Calgary

When: August 3 to 7

One of Calgary’s biggest food festivals returns this month and if you’re going, you’ll want to arrive on an empty stomach. At Taste of Calgary, expect dozens of restaurants, food trucks, breweries and distilleries offering a wide range of tasty bites ranging from handmade mango mochi from Mama Dessert to rum punch from Simply Irie. Admission is free, and you can purchase food using $1 digital tickets on passes (dishes are two to seven tickets each).

4th Avenue and 9th Street S.W., tasteofcalgary.com

 

Drink a Pride-inspired cocktail

When: August 4 to 25

Shake, Stir & Strainbow! is a Pride-themed fundraiser campaign by Eat North that features creative and colourful cocktails created by dozens of local restaurants and bars. For each featured cocktail sold, at least $1 will go towards supporting local non-profit Skipping Stone. Try one of the 60+ drinks available at participating venues throughout most of the month.

Read more: Try Pride-Inspired Cocktails During Shake, Stir & Strainbow! in August

 

Have a staycation at the new Alt Hotel in the University District

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alt Hotels (@althotel)

The next time you need a little escape without leaving the city, you may want to head to Alt Hotel’s newest location in the University District for a night away. The new hotel opened in July and features modern rooms where you can enjoy perks like flexible departure (if you book directly with the hotel), a 24/7 gym, Nespresso coffee machines and more. And of course, there are plenty of local restaurants and shops in the neighbourhood to explore during your stay.

482 Mclaurin St. N.W., 403-648-0482, germainhotels.com

 

Seek out a patio with the help of Avenue‘s new patio finder

Looking for a patio in southwest Calgary? One on a restaurant rooftop? Or maybe one where you can bring your pooch? Whatever you’re looking for, you can find the patio of your dreams using Avenue‘s new patio finder, which lets you sort local patios by various criteria.

Read more: Avenue’s Calgary Patio Finder

 

Check out local murals during the BUMP Festival

When: August 5 to 26

BUMP Festival is back for the month of August and promises plenty of fun with mural tours, an outdoor movie screening, artist talks and more. And of course, keep your eyes peeled for the new murals that will be painted over the course of the month.

Read more: Calgary’s Giant Mural Festival Returns with 16 New Massive Artworks

yycbump.ca

 

Do yoga with puppies at a new yoga studio

Add some cuteness to your next yoga session by attending a class at Puppy Yoga Calgary, where puppies are brought into the room while you do the class. There are multiple classes on Saturdays and Sundays throughout August.

Read more: You Can Try Puppy Yoga at This New Calgary Yoga Studio

1, 117 17 Ave. N.E., calgarypuppyyoga.com

 

Wear pink to the new Barbie exhibition at Telus Spark

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TELUS Spark (@telus_spark)

When: August 5 to September 10

Don your best pink outfit and head to Telus Spark to take in its latest exhibit that is an ode to the iconic Barbie doll. Expect vintage dolls, interviews, fashion and more that cover the last 60+ years. Access to this exhibit is included with general admission/membership.

220 St. George’s Dr. N.E., 403-817-6800, sparkscience.ca

 

Check out the Chinatown Pop Up Movie Club’s latest film screening

When: August 10

The newly launched Chinatown Pop Up Movie Club showcases classic Hong Kong/Chinese films in different spaces in Calgary’s Chinatown. The movie club’s next screening will feature the 1996 film The God of Cookery at the Da Qing Square behind the Chinese Cultural Centre and is free to attend.

Read more: A New Pop-Up Movie Club Brings People and Energy to Calgary’s Chinatown

Da Qing Square, chinatownpopupmovieclub.com

 

Cheer on competitors at the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival

When: August 11 to 13

Head to North Glenmore Park to cheer on more than 1,850 competitors as they take part in the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival. Now in its 31st year, the free event will also have a kids’ play zone, food vendors, a beer garden, cultural entertainment and more.

North Glenmore Park, calgarydragonboatsociety.com

 

Celebrate the province’s food scene during Alberta on the Plate

When: August 11 to 20

Farmers, producers, restaurants — they all play an important part in Alberta’s food industry. This month, you can celebrate and support them during Alberta on the Plate, a food festival that highlights the products and stories of local farms and producers with prix-fixe dinners available at local restaurants. Nearly 50 Calgary restaurants are participating and you can check out each one’s festival menu now.

albertaontheplate.com

 

Eat some fried chicken served to you in a shoebox

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Food n Drinks YYC (@food_drinks_yyc)

At this new Bankview eatery along 17th Avenue S.W., crispy fried chicken is served up to guests inside shoeboxes, along with sides like mango salad, fritters, curry and more. The fried chicken comes in eight flavours ranging from Seoul hot to corn padano. Wash it all down with a house made punch.

1439 17 Ave. S.W., 587-351-1761, @shoeboxfriedchicken_canada

 

Take part in a pickle eating contest at Granary Road

When: August 12 and 13

If you can’t get enough of pickles, don’t miss Granary Road’s Pickle Palooza event on August 12 and 13. There will be a pickle eating contest, amateur pickling contest, a brine chugging contest, pickling classes and pickleball games.

226066 112 St. W., Foothills County, 403-453-7623, granaryroad.com

 

Spend the day at a massive street festival

When: August 13

On August 13, bring the whole family to Marda Loop for Marda Gras, a huge street festival that offers something for everyone. There will be live music, dancing, a pet photo booth and pageant, local vendors and more.

33rd Avenue S.W. from 19th to 22nd Street, visitmardaloop.com

 

Stay up to watch the fireworks at GlobalFest

When: August 17 to 26

This popular multicultural festival returns for five nights this month, showcasing international food, cultural pavilions, performances and more. One of the biggest highlights are the fireworks presentations put on by teams from different countries each night. Catch Austria’s fireworks display on August 17, Italy’s on August 19, Portugal’s on August 22, Spain’s on August 24 and the Canadian-produced finale on August 26.

Elliston Park, globalfest.ca

 

Watch an outdoor movie

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 17th Ave SW (@17thavesw)

When: Multiple dates

Watching outdoor movies is a quintessential summer experience, and thankfully, there are several places you can catch an outdoor flick in Calgary this summer.

Read more: Where to Watch Outdoor Movies in Calgary

 

Celebrate Pride 2023 in Calgary

When: August 18 to September 3

Celebrate and support Calgary’s LGBTQ2S+ community during Calgary Pride, which is back from August 18 to September 3. A few community events have already been announced, with options ranging from a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show to a Pride patio party in Inglewood. And of course, don’t miss the Calgary Pride Parade and Festival on September 2 and 3.

calgarypride.ca

 

Check out the fourth edition of the Woezo Africa Cultural Festival

When: August 25

Live music, dancing, a visual arts exhibition — these are just a few of the activities and performances you can take in at this year’s Woezo Africa Cultural Festival, which is back for its fourth edition at The Grand on August 25. There will also be a screening of the short documentary Roots 2 Branches with a panel discussion.

The Grand, 608 1 St. S.W., woezoafrica.com

 

Have a laugh at The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival

When: August 25 to 27

If you need a laugh this month, snap up some tickets for The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival taking place in Prince’s Island Park. Catch headliners like Nick Offerman, Jonathan Van Ness, Andrew Schulz and more.

Prince’s Island Park, greatoutdoorscomedyfestival.com

 

Catch a Cirque du Soleil performance under the Big Top

When: August 25 to October 8

Starting on August 25, Cirque du Soleil will be staging its Kooza production in Calgary for around a month and a half. This magical show features incredible acrobatics and clowning performances set to a live score within the Big Top on Stampede Park. While you’re there, be sure to try the Village Trickster, a lager collab beer between Kooza and Village Brewery.

Under the Big Top, Stampede Park, Lot 6, cirquedusoleil.com

 

Watch a free concert in Olympic Plaza

When: August 30

The only thing better than a great concert is a great concert that’s free to attend. So, on August 30, don’t miss this free concert with Kardinal Offishall and Kiesza in Olympic Plaza starting at 6 p.m. In addition to the headliner performances, there will be a hip-hop opening showcase presented by 10 at 10, food trucks and drinks.

Olympic Plaza, artscommons.ca

Want more suggestions for the best things to do in Calgary? Sign up for our Weekender Newsletter.

Related posts

3 New Places to Play Arcade Games in Calgary

Riley Fonger

Quiz: Which Springtime Activity Should You Try In or Around Calgary?

Chris Landry

Calgary Officially Has a New Roller Skating Rink

Chris Landry

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Privacy Policy

Privacy & Cookies Policy
Avenue Calgary