It’s almost time, friends! Fall is officially here and in a matter of days, October will be too. With this – events celebrating pumpkins, ghosts and horror are a dime a dozen and you won’t want to miss a single one! If you’re not totally sure where to start, here are 10 exciting things that you can check out this week in Calgary.
WANDER AN AFTER DARK PUMPKIN DISPLAY
And so it begins! Halloween is only weeks away and it all kicks off this week with Pumpkins After Dark – a one-of-a-kind event featuring more gourds that you could bake, carve or bash in an entire lifetime. It all kicks off this week, so check it out!
When: Until October 31st
Where: 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW, Calgary
Time: See times above
Cost: $20 / per adult (early bird pricing)
WANDER AN ALBERTA GHOST TOWN
No matter the time of year, exploring abandoned (and possibly haunted) ghost towns around Alberta makes for a solid adventure. From mining towns and mountain settlements to a town sitting at the bottom of a lake, this province is filled with historical hamlets from a time gone by. Check out the link above for 15 ghoulish ghost towns in Alberta that you can actually visit this fall!
POP SOME CORN IN CELEBRATION OF CIFF 2021
This week, pop some corn, settle in and check out a flick or two that your favourite streaming service hasn’t even gotten its hands on yet. The Calgary International Film Festival is finally here and this year’s lineup is just as impressive as you’d expect. Check it out at the link above!
When: Until October 3rd
Time: See times above
Cost: $13.50+
PAY HOMAGE TO THE 80S
The 80s were iconic. There’s no doubt about it! This week, watch as Calgary’s Jubilations Dinner theatre pays its respects to some of the greatest women of the neon generation. For more information or tickets, hit the link above.
When: Until October 16th
Where: 1002 – 37th Street SW Calgary, AB
Cost: $51.25
VISIT THE MARKET ON STEPHEN AVENUE
Though it was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID, the market on 8th Avenue is back- but only for one last date this month. This week, in celebration of the chillier season, this busy inner city destination will see small businesses, incredible products and a fun-filled day of shopping, eating and fun – it’s going to be delightful!
When: Tuesday, September 28th
Where: 8th Avenue, Calgary AB
Time: 11 pm – 4 pm
Cost: FREE
TAKE IN THE HARVEST LIGHTS AT THE CALGARY FARMYARD
Ready for an evening of whimsy and fun? This Friday, check out the Calgary Farmyard for Harvest Lights, a vibrant after-dark event, that will give you more time to snuggle with their animals, get lost in their giant corn maze, challenge each other to a game of mini-golf, or make a fool of yourself in their giant rat rollers.
When: Friday, October 1st
Where: 284022 Township Rd 224, Rocky Mountain Couty
Time: until 9:30 pm
Cost:: $19.95 +
TAKE A FREE UNIVERSITY COURSE
In cooperation with Coursera, The University of Alberta has been able to develop 17 programs in a wide range of topics from dinosaurs to Indigenous history – all of which you can actually take for FREE! This week, check out the link above for a master list of masterclasses.
INDULGE DURING CALGARY’S HOMEGROWN DOME DINING EXPERIENCE
Food tastes better under the glimmer and glow of the stars and that’s just a fact! This Friday, the folks behind Foodies in the Park are back, treating you to a quintessentially Canadian cuisine as part of their tasty new Homegrown Dome Dining series – an event at the gorgeous Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant that will have you dressing up, filling out, and winding way down after an incredible 4-course meal.
When: Friday, October 1st – 31st
Where: 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary
Time: 5 pm, 7:05 pm, and 9:05 pm
Cost: $115+
SPOOK YOURSELF DURING A BANFF GHOST TOUR
It’s finally spooky month, Calgary! This week, in celebration of the first day of October you can wince, cringe, mix and mingle and visit Banff’s most “active” sights. Family-fun in the day, haunting history by night!
When: Offered until October 31st
Where: 333 Banff Avenue, Banff, AB
Time: 7 pm
Cost: $32
GO DOWNHILL GO-KARTING
A little competition never hurt anybody, right? This week, grab your friends, family or special someone and proceed with caution to Calgary’s downhill go-kart facility where you’ll be able to go head to head on their 1800 metres track or their mini-putting green!
Where: 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW, Calgary
Cost: $24+
There you have it, 10 things to do in Calgary this week! Enjoy yourselves out there and have a ton of fun!
