Catch a free concert on Stephen Avenue
When: September 1 and 2
Presented by the Calgary Downtown Association, Summer Songs on Stephen Avenue brings live music to this walkable street in Calgary’s core. Check out free concerts by artists like Emét, Emily Martinez, Ollee Owens and Hanna Taylor on September 1 and 2, or catch one of the later street concerts taking place until September 30.
Along Stephen Avenue, summersongs.ca
Celebrate Filipino culture at Fiesta Filipino
When: September 1 to 3
Taking place at Olympic Plaza, Fiesta Filipino brings together Filipino performers, restaurants and food vendors, artists and more for a multicultural celebration. Grab a snack from food vendors like Chopstix Filipino Restaurant or Amihan Grill + Bakeshop, take in performances by artists like BGYO or take your kids to the Playseum during this fun-filled weekend.
Olympic Plaza, fiestafilipino.ca
Have a glass of wine (or two) with brunch at Ora Bread & Wine
There’s a new spot to enjoy a boozy brunch in Calgary’s downtown core. Ora Bread & Wine is a new brunch spot/café/wine bar concept where the menu features dishes based around the restaurant’s daily baked breads, with options like the lamb Benedict or housemade toasty milk bread with ricotta and seasonal compote. Ora plans to launch a dinner menu soon as well.
465 8 St. S.W., orabreadandwine.com
Enjoy the end of summer with Summer on 17th events
When: September 1 to 4
Summer on 17th is an annual event series designed to help you rediscover 17th Avenue S.W. From movies and live music in the park to special fitness classes and theatre events, there’s something to do every weekend in this neighbourhood, and the September long weekend is no exception. Catch a performance from local band Sweet Barry Wine on Friday, a ‘70s and ‘80s cover band on Saturday, boxing workouts and classical music on Sunday, and a dance performance from the Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Calgary on the holiday Monday.
Go bouldering at Calgary’s newest outdoor climbing park
Three new climbing boulders, specifically designed to bolster the city’s outdoor rock climbing options, were recently unveiled at Millennium Park. The three boulders — named Big Brother, Middle Brother and Little Brother — range from 3.6-metres to 4.25-metres tall and feature 60 different routes already established by professional Canadian climbers. No ropes are required since these rock climbing features are designed for bouldering, but crash mats, helmets and climbing shoes are required for safety reasons. Equipment can be rented from climbing centres like Bolder Climbing Community or other local climbing facilities.
1220 9 Ave S.W., calgary.ca
Find a delicious burger during Le Burger Week
When: September 1 to 14
Le Burger Week is a yearly festival in which restaurants across Canada pit their burger creations against each other. During Le Burger Week (which is actually two weeks, but who’s counting when it comes to burgers), visit some of the participating restaurants for a delicious burger and vote for your favourite. Keep an eye out for a list of participating restaurants in Calgary coming soon.
Go shopping at the final summer night market at Heritage Park
When: September 2
All summer long, Heritage Park has been holding a night market every Saturday evening, and the market on September 2 will be the last one of the season. Stop by from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. to shop from local vendors, explore The Plaza at Heritage Park and grab a snack from one of the food vendors. Admission is free, and your furry friends are invited, too.
The Plaza at Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W., 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca
Eat Korean soul food at the newly opened Tiger K
Located in Ikemen Ramen’s former space in Kensington, Tiger K is a new Korean restaurant from the team behind Bincho Sushi & Izakaya. Tiger K offers a modern take on classic Korean fare with noodle dishes, dumplings, bibimbap and more, as well as cocktails made with spirits like soju and Korean whiskies. Tiger K is currently in a soft opening phase, so message the restaurant on Instagram to secure a reservation.
217 10 St. N.W., @tigerkyyc
Attend this year’s Calgary Pride Parade and Festival
When: September 2 and 3
This Labour Day long weekend, show your support and celebrate Calgary’s vibrant 2SLGBTQIA+ community at the Calgary Pride Parade and Festival. Check out the festival on September 2 and 3 at Prince’s Island Park, where you’ll find live music, performances, beer gardens, food trucks, a huge marketplace and more. The parade kicks off on September 3 at 11 a.m., starting at 9 Avenue S.W. and 4 Street S.W. and ending at Fort Calgary.
Experience wonder at Cirque Du Soleil’s Kooza production
When: Running until October 8
Cirque Du Soleil is back in Calgary with its exciting and wondrous production of Kooza. The show follows a naive clown transported to a magical world of self discovery. The high-flying action includes silk ropes, the wheel of death, double highwires and more.
Parking Lot 6, 1900 Big Four Trail, cirquedusoleil.com