Fall is one of the most exciting times of the year to be in Calgary (even if the weather isn’t always great for all of it). Not only does Calgary’s arts scene light up with new music, theatre, dance and art programming, but holidays like Halloween and Christmas mean there are tons of fun, seasonal events to check out. Use this list of activities to make sure there isn’t a dull moment this fall.
September 2024
Sunday, September 22 – Go for a fall walk or bike ride on one of the many pathways and trails in Calgary.
Monday, September 23 –Try a special pizza creation at a local restaurant during YYC Pizza Fest (runs September 20 to October 6).
Tuesday, September 24 – Watch a movie at the Calgary International Film Festival (runs September 19 to 29).
Wednesday, September 25 – Shop from Alberta businesses at the 2024 Made in Alberta Market (runs on September 25 and 26).
Thursday, September 26 – Check out dazzling light-art installations at the Night Light festival (runs September 26 to 28).
Friday, September 27 – Say goodbye to summer at River Hall (runs Thursdays to Saturdays until September 28).
Saturday, September 28 – Head to Mission to get a tasty bite for only $10 during the Feast on Fourth festival (runs September 25 to 29).
Sunday, September 29 – Go to the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival in High River (runs from September 25 to 29).
Monday, September 30 – Commemorate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the free Elders Story Project event.
October 2024
Tuesday, October 1 – Eat pasta for a good cause during Pasta La Feasta (runs October 1 to 31).
Wednesday, October 2 – Book a free ticket to the latest Glenbow at The Edison exhibit featuring Takao Tanabe’s print work (runs September 21 to November 24).
Thursday, October 3 – Dine on Peruvian fusion cuisine at the newly opened Sumaq on 17th.
Friday, October 4 – Drive to the mountains to celebrate Banff Pride (runs October 4 to 14).
Saturday, October 5 – Learn about astronomy and look through telescopes at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory.
Sunday, October 6 – See the work of nine Indigenous artists at the As the River Flows and the City Grows exhibit at Lougheed House (runs September 27 to November 17).
Monday, October 7 – Relax at an urban thermal spa in the Beltline.
Tuesday, October 8 – Listen to a local coffee podcast.
Wednesday, October 9 – Go on a ghost tour at Heritage Park (runs Wednesdays and Thursdays from September 18 to October 17).
Thursday, October 10 – Play Halloween-themed mini-golf at WinSport (runs Thursdays to Sundays from September 19 to October 31).
Friday, October 11 – Treat yourself to a towering dish of Japanese shaved ice at Monster Kakigori.
Saturday, October 12 – Learn more about tigers at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo’s adults-only Wild After Hours event (runs on October 5 and 12).
Sunday, October 13 – Pick out the perfect pumpkin for Halloween at Butterfield Acres’ Harvest Pumpkin Fest (runs Saturdays and Sundays in October).
Monday, October 14 – Go to a professional tennis tournament at the Osten & Victor Alberta Tennis Centre (runs October 13 to 20).
Tuesday, October 15 – Hear from celebrated authors during Imaginairium by WordFest (runs October 15 to 21).
Wednesday, October 16 – Play pinball for free at Pinbar (only on Wednesdays).
Thursday, October 17 – Celebrate Alberta Theatre Projects’ 50th anniversary by seeing actor Paul Gross in The Seafarer (runs October 15 to November 10).
Friday, October 18 – Sample wine, beer, snacks and more at the Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival (runs October 18 and 19).
Saturday, October 19 – Shop for fibre goods at The Fibre Shindig.
Sunday, October 20 – Plan a day trip to Drumheller.
Monday, October 21 – Check out some of the latest feature exhibitions on display at the National Music Centre.
Tuesday, October 22 – Grab a sandwich from new spots like My Piknic or Bonjour Sandwich Shop.
Wednesday, October 23 – Take a DIY terrarium workshop at Plant Plant.
Thursday, October 24 – See more than 10,000 carved pumpkins at Pumpkins After Dark (multiple dates from September 20 to October 31).
Friday, October 25 – Hear sci-fi film scores come to life with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus (runs on October 25 and 26).
Saturday, October 26 – Spend 12 hours at Globe Cinema for a horror movie marathon.
Sunday, October 27 – Attend a performance showcasing French, American and Canadian women composers with the Calgary Civic Symphony.
Monday, October 28 – Go to The Rec Room with some friends to play arcade games.
Tuesday, October 29 – Make plans to try an Indigenous-led stargazing experience.
Wednesday, October 30 – Join Avenue for the 2024 Top 40 Under 40 celebration.
Thursday, October 31 – Go see The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Plaza in Kensington.
November 2024
Friday, November 1 – Spend the weekend in Banff at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival (runs from October 26 to November 3).
Saturday, November 2 – Do some holiday gift shopping at the Festival of Crafts (runs from October 31 to November 3).
Sunday, November 3 – Watch the Battle of Alberta as the Calgary Flames play the Edmonton Oilers at the Saddledome.
Monday, November 4 – Go roller skating at the new SkyCastle Roller Rink.
Tuesday, November 5 – Watch a film at the Calgary European Film Festival (runs from November 1 to 10).
Wednesday, November 6 – Spend your lunch break seeing Jake’s Gift, the season opener for Lunchbox Theatre’s 50th anniversary (runs from October 30 to November 17).
Thursday, November 7 – Snack on some noodle dishes during YYC Noodle Festival (runs November 7 to 17).
Friday, November 8 – See Calgary Opera’s season opener about a nobleman named Don Giovanni (runs on November 2, 6 and 8).
Saturday, November 9 – Go on Alberta Food Tours’ new Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour.
Sunday, November 10 – Play volleyball on an indoor beach at The Beach YYC (drop-in hours for beach volleyball available on Fridays and Sundays starting October 18).
Monday, November 11 – Spend Remembrance Day at the Field of Crosses Memorial Project.
Tuesday, November 12 – Warm up with a bowl of ramen at Ramen Arashi’s new Calgary location.
Wednesday, November 13 – Practice your swing at LaunchPad golf.
Thursday, November 14 – Check out some independent animation at the Giant Incandescent Resonating Animation Festival (runs in-person from November 14 to 17 and online from November 18 to 24.).
Friday, November 15 – See a dinner theatre production celebrating girl groups like The Supremes, The Bangles and the Spice Girls (runs November 15, 2024 to February 2, 2025).
Saturday, November 16 – Start your holiday shopping early at Spruce Meadows’ International Christmas Market (runs from November 15 to 17, 22 to 24, and November 29 to December 1).
Sunday, November 17 – Shop for coolers, drinkware and outdoor gear at Yeti’s new store in CF Chinook Centre.
Monday, November 18 – Attend a National Geographic Live event with tree canopy ecologist Nalini Nadkarni (runs November 17 and 18).
Tuesday, November 19 – Play Punk Rock Bingo with some friends at The Ship & Anchor.
Wednesday, November 20 – Watch a documentary film (or a few) at the 12th Annual CUFF.Docs festival (runs November 20 to 24).
Thursday, November 21 – Meet a friend for a drink at Heliopolis Social Café in downtown Calgary.
Friday, November 22 – Pick out some local products at the Inglewood Holiday Night Market (runs November 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30).
Saturday, November 23 – See a social justice or environmental film at the Calgary Justice Film Festival (runs November 21 to 23).
Sunday, November 24 – Sign up for a Christmas baking class with Cookbook Co. Cooks.
Monday, November 25 – Swing by the new CampLand store in Inglewood for some shopping.
Tuesday, November 26 – Plan a day trip to High River.
Wednesday, November 27 – Spend the day learning about science at Telus Spark.
Thursday, November 28 – Reunite with Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts at Theatre Calgary’s production of A Christmas Carol (runs November 29 to December 29).
Friday, November 29 – Enjoy a Nigerian-Canadian fusion brunch experience at Ahinke.
Saturday, November 30 – Go shopping with a friend at Authentically Indigenous’ holiday market (runs November 30 to December 1).
December 2024
Sunday, December 1 – Toss a teddy bear onto the ice at the Calgary Hitmen’s Teddy Bear Toss game.
Monday, December 2 – Go for a walk or jog in the snow for Run Calgary’s virtual 12K’s of Christmas run (from December 1 to 12).
Tuesday, December 3 – Check out a murder-mystery production called Murder on the Links by Vertigo Theatre (runs November 16 to December 15).
Wednesday, December 4 – Check out a new tea and sand art café in the Beltline.
Thursday, December 5 – Break a sweat at a new pilates studio in Mission.
Friday, December 6 – Learn how to make ice cream at a Made by Marcus workshop.
Saturday, December 7 – Attend Workshop Theatre’s production of And Then There Were None (runs November 29 to December 7).
Sunday, December 8 – Pick up local food products, apparel, home decor and more at Market Collective (runs December 6 to 8 and 13 to 15).
Monday, December 9 – Grab a pint at Calgary’s new British pub.
Tuesday, December 10 – Nominate a Calgarian as the Innovator of the Week.
Wednesday, December 11 – Have sushi delivered to your table on a bullet train at Point Sushi.
Thursday, December 12 – Check out a “meditative 9-channel video installation and social engagement project” by two local artists at Contemporary Calgary (runs from November 7 to February 9).
Friday, December 13 – Find affordable art for your home at the Under $100 Art Show (runs December 5 to 8 and 12 to 15).
Saturday, December 14 – Rent equipment from the Outdoor Centre for hiking, skiing, biking and more.
Sunday, December 15 – Attend Alberta Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker (multiple dates from December 13 to 24).
Monday, December 16 – Start your day with a coffee and a beautiful pastry at Otie.
Tuesday, December 17 – Dine out at Mazza, a new restaurant serving Afghan cuisine in downtown Calgary.
Wednesday, December 18 – Go for a swim at one of Calgary’s many indoor pools.
Thursday, December 19 – Dig in to some delicious South Indian cuisine at Dosa & Co.
Friday, December 20 – Go to Cochrane on a day trip with some friends.