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 always 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 2023
Saturday, September 23 – See Broadway Across Canada’s latest production about The Temptations (runs September 19 to 24).
Sunday, September 24 – Try a special pizza creation at a local restaurant during YYC Pizza Fest (runs from September 15 to October 1).
Monday, September 25 – Nominate your favourite hotels, restaurants, attractions and more in the mountains near Calgary.
Tuesday, September 26 – Celebrate the winners of the 2023 Made in Alberta Awards.
Wednesday, September 27 – See jaw-dropping acrobatics at Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza production (runs until October 8).
Thursday, September 28 – Watch a movie at the Calgary International Film Festival (runs September 21 to October 1).
Friday, September 29 – Check out light-art installations, projection mapped architecture and more at the new Night Light festival (runs September 28 to 30).
Saturday, September 30 – Learn more about the Elders Story Project on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
October 2023
Sunday, October 1 – Go to the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival (runs from September 27 to October 1).
Monday, October 2 – Go skating at the Olympic Oval for only a toonie.
Tuesday, October 3 – See Vertigo Theatre’s adaptation of the gothic horror story The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (runs from September 30 to October 29).
Wednesday, October 4 – Watch the Battle of Alberta on TV as the Calgary Flames play the Edmonton Oilers.
Thursday, October 5 – Try an espresso flight at Q.Lab Coffee Roasters.
Friday, October 6 – Drive to the mountains to celebrate Banff Pride (runs October 6 to 15).
Saturday, October 7 – Take a yoga class with some puppies.
Sunday, October 8 – Meet soccer stars like Christine Sinclair at the Allstate Soccer Show.
Monday, October 9 – Relax at an urban thermal spa in the Beltline.
Tuesday, October 10 – Enjoy some vegan Indonesian cuisine at one of Calgary’s newest restaurants, Padmanadi.
Wednesday, October 11 – Hear from celebrated authors during Imaginairium by WordFest (runs October 11 to 15)
Thursday, October 12 – Learn about Canadian artist Gathie Falk’s work from the last 60 years at Glenbow at The Edison (runs until October 15).
Friday, October 13 – Sample wine, beer, snacks and more at the Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival (runs from October 13 and 14).
Saturday, October 14 – Check out the launch event for a new community fridge and pantry in the Beltline.
Sunday, October 15 – Pick out the perfect pumpkin for Halloween at Butterfield Acres’ Harvest Pumpkin Fest (runs Saturdays and Sundays in October).
Monday, October 16 – Dine at one of Calgary’s many great Filipino restaurants.
Tuesday, October 17 – Take a DIY terrarium workshop at Plant Plant.
Wednesday, October 18 – Shop at Calgary’s first Uniqlo store.
Thursday, October 19 – Attend artist talks, live theatre experiences and more during Fluid Fest (runs from October 18 to 28).
Friday, October 20 – Get spooked on a ghost tour through Inglewood
Saturday, October 21 – Eat at a pop-up restaurant specializing in wagyu beef (runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from October 6 to 28).
Sunday, October 22 – Go on a ghost tour and then enjoy a spooky afternoon tea at Heritage Park (runs October 14, 15, 21 and 22).
Monday, October 23 – Grab a beer at a dog-friendly brewery in Victoria Park.
Tuesday, October 24 – Learn the art of Furoshiki at Nanao Kimono in Kensington (runs on Tuesdays).
Wednesday, October 25 – Play pinball for free at Pinbar (only on Wednesdays).
Thursday, October 26 – See more than 10,000 carved pumpkins at Pumpkins After Dark (multiple dates from September 22 to October 31).
Friday, October 27 – Check out Workshop Theatre’s adaptation of Dracula (runs October 27 to November 4).
Saturday, October 28 – Spend 12 hours at Globe Cinema for a horror movie marathon.
Sunday, October 29 – Bring your kids to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo for an all-ages Halloween event (runs October 28 and 29).
Monday, October 30 – Go to The Rec Room with some friends to play arcade games.
Tuesday, October 31 – Get scared in six haunted houses at ScreamFest (runs multiple dates in October).
November 2023
Wednesday, November 1 – Cheer on the players at the 2023 World Ringette Championships (runs October 29 to November 4.
Thursday, November 2 – Join Avenue for the 2023 Top 40 Under 40 celebration.
Friday, November 3 – Spend the weekend in Banff at the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival (runs from October 28 to November 5).
Saturday, November 4 – Learn about latte art at this Phil & Sebastian workshop.
Sunday, November 5 – Do some holiday gift shopping at the Festival of Crafts (runs from November 2 to 5).
Monday, November 6 – Go to a professional tennis tournament at the Osten & Victor Alberta Tennis Centre (runs from November 5 to 12).
Tuesday, November 7 – Watch a film from Albania, Italy, Serbia or Switzerland at the Calgary European Film Festival (runs from November 3 to 12).
Wednesday, November 8 – Learn how to knit in just two classes with Stash.
Thursday, November 9 – Shop for vintage and pre-loved fashion at Wild Rabbit Vintage.
Friday, November 10 – Hear the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra play Gustav Mahler’s Third Symphony together.
Saturday, November 11 – Spend Remembrance Day at the Field of Crosses Memorial Project.
Sunday, November 12 – Play volleyball on an indoor beach at The Beach YYC (drop-in hours available on Fridays and Sundays starting October 13).
Monday, November 13 – Treat yourself to a staycation at Alt Hotel’s new second location in Calgary.
Tuesday, November 14 – Dine family-style with a group of friends or family at one of these local restaurants.
Wednesday, November 15 – Practice your swing at LaunchPad golf.
Thursday, November 16 – Check out some independent animation at the Giant Incandescent Resonating Animation Festival (runs November 16 to 19).
Friday, November 17 –Watch a musical about some of the greatest boy bands around, like The Beatles and the Backstreet Boys (runs from November 17, 2023 to February 4, 2024).
Saturday, November 18 – Start your holiday shopping early at Spruce Meadows’ International Christmas Market (runs from November 17 to 19, 24 to 26, and December 1 to 3).
Sunday, November 19 –Get all the ingredients you need to make a Caesar at this Inglewood liquor store dedicated to Caesars.
Monday, November 20 – Attend a National Geographic Live event about photographer and filmmaker Andy Mann’s experiences climbing and diving (runs November 19 and 20).
Tuesday, November 21 – Play Punk Rock Bingo with some friends at The Ship & Anchor.
Wednesday, November 22 – Watch a documentary film (or a few) at the 11th CUFF.Docs festival (runs from November 22 to 26).
Thursday, November 23 – Choose from more than 100 wing flavours at Wing’n It’s new restaurant in Kensington.
Friday, November 24 – Watch the Calgary Opera take on the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast (runs November 24 to 26 and December 1 to 3).
Saturday, November 25 – Take a holiday wreath making workshop with Milk Jar.
Sunday, November 26 – Sign up for a Christmas baking class with Cookbook Co. Cooks.
Monday, November 27 – Spend the day learning about science at Telus Spark.
Tuesday, November 28 – Go for a fall walk or bike ride on one of the many pathways and trails in Calgary.
Wednesday, November 29 – Fill up at an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant.
Thursday, November 30 – Reunite with Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts at Theatre Calgary’s production of A Christmas Carol (runs from November 30 to December 31).
December 2023
Friday, December 1 – Snack on a burger and some Coney fries at Class Clown Hamburgers.
Saturday, December 2 – Listen to a live performance of the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Sunday, December 3 – Toss a teddy bear onto the ice at the Calgary Hitmen’s Teddy Bear Toss game.
Monday, December 4 – 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 5 – Spend your lunch break seeing Lunchbox Theatre’s production of With Bells On (runs from November 28 to December 17).
Wednesday, December 6 – Try the claw crane game at a Contemporary Calgary art exhibition (runs from October 19, 2023 to March 17, 2024).
Thursday, December 7 – Check out one of Calgary’s best happy hours with a few friends.
Friday, December 8 – Take in the Christmas lights at the Glow YYC festival (runs December 7 to 31).
Saturday, December 9 – Order some skewers at a new yakitori bar in Inglewood.
Sunday, December 10 – Listen to holiday music with the Calgary Civic Symphony and the Heebee-jeebees.
Monday, December 11 – Grab some brunch at Ora Bread and Wine.
Tuesday, December 12 – Buy a book from a great local bookstore.
Wednesday, December 13 – Have sushi delivered to your table on a bullet train at Point Sushi.
Thursday, December 14 – Pick up some skincare products from Routine’s new shop and refill bar.
Friday, December 15 – Pick up local food products, apparel, home decor and more at Market Collective (runs December 8 to 10 and 15 to 17).
Saturday, December 16 – Rent equipment from the Outdoor Centre for hiking, skiing, biking and more.
Sunday, December 17 – Attend Alberta Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker (multiple dates from December 15 to 24).
Monday, December 18 – Learn about Canadian music at the National Music Centre.
Tuesday, December 19 – Pick out some jewellery at Tuu, a new shop by local brand Coutukitsch.
Wednesday, December 20 – Go for a swim at one of Calgary’s many indoor pools.
[Note: A previous version of this story indicated the wrong dates for the tennis tournament at the Osten & Victor Alberta Tennis Centre. The story has been updated.]