Well, it’s here, folks. In the blink of an eye, we went from snow and COVID-restrictions to parades, fireworks and festivals. As of the 1st, YYC is free to be once more (with caution of course) and we can bet that you’re not going to want to miss a beat. This month, rain or shine, there is a ton of exciting, new and delicious things to attend, do and see – so get up, get out and get moving! Here are 28 of the best things to do this July in Calgary.
WATCH AN EXPLOSIVE CANADA DAY FIREWORKS DISPLAY
Canada Day is here and with restrictions having been lifted just in time to celebrate, many are wondering what public events the city has planned. This year, Calgarians can check out the fireworks (in a different location), and are encouraged to pick up one of 10,000 FREE at-home kits. For more information check out the link above!
When: Thursday, July 1st
Where: Tom Campbell Hill – 25 St Georges Dr. NE, Calgary, AB
Time: 11 pm
WALK-IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
This week, mask up, wear orange, tie your shoes and march with Idle No More, an indigenous female-led organization that calls for mutual respect and imminent change. This peaceful protest will be socially distanced and will be held in hopes of getting the government’s attention on a variety of key issues – all of which are outlined at the link above.
When: Thursday, July 1st
Where: 17th Avenue
Time: 4:30 pm
GRAB SOME CANADA DAY GRUB RIGHT BY THE RIVER
Grab your friends, family and a fork, Calgary, because this Canada Day YYC Food Trucks are holding a delicious summer drive-thru event! Start your engines and hit Calgary’s Waterfront Park where you’ll be able to grab some grub from local favourites and wander a classic car show before spending the rest of the afternoon riverside! Check it out!
When: Thursday, July 1st
Where: Waterfront Park 5225 101st. NW
Time: 12 pm – 4 pm
Cost: Prices vary
INDULGE IN A MEAL UNDER THE STARS
This month, dine like the kings and queens that you are! Foodies In The Park are back, this time with a Bridgerton themed dining experience and what’s more stereotypically romantic than that?! Until July 4th, enjoy an incredible meal under the stars in one of Bow Valley’s unique, distance-friendly, backyard garden domes – because you deserve a little royal treatment!
When: Until July 4th
Where: 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary
Time: 5 PM, 7:05 PM and 9:10 PM for dinner
Cost: $75+
TAKE A DIP IN A SWIMMING HOLE
Summer is here and so some serious heat. The best place to hide away from the Milky Way’s spiciest boy? Under the water! Grab your swim trunks, your flippy floppies and click the link above for a link to some extremely refreshing swimming holes in and around Calgary.
SUPPORT LOCAL AT CALGARY’S SUMMER COOL-ER
We hope you’re ready to indulge, because a new community-positive event meant to showcase local businesses and celebrate seasonal grub, clothing, and more, is hitting Calgary! From the folks who put on Calgary’s massive Hot Chocolate Fest comes another amazing way to raise money for Meals on Wheels so don’t miss it!
When: Thursday, July 1st – Tuesday, August 31st
DUST OFF YOUR COWBOY HAT FOR THE 2021 STAMPEDE
YAHOOO! After last year’s cancellation, the midway, the food, the music, and the rodeo are back and despite things looking a little bit different this year, some of you could not be happier. This summer, mask up and hit the Stampede grounds in celebration of the city’s resilient spirit!
When: July 8th (sneak-a-peek) – 18th, 2021
Where: 1410 Olympic Way SE
DANCE YOUR WAY THROUGH THE BADLANDS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Not only is the Calgary Stampede back this year, so are a ton of its sister events! Featuring a ‘star-studded’ lineup of musicians, the 2021 Badlands Music Festival returns to the grounds for 10 crazy loud, crazy fun nights. Check out the link above for updates!
When: Thursday, July 8th – July 18th
Where: 840 9 Ave SW Calgary, AB
WATCH THE FIRST EVER VIRTUAL CALGARY STAMPEDE PARADE
What better way to kick off a major event than with a parade! This July, ahead of the Greatest Show On Earth, catch a live stream of the first-ever Calgary Stampede Parade to take place, not in front of thousands of people lining the streets, but online!
When: Friday, July 9th
Where: Online at link above
Time: 8 am
SHOP THE INGLEWOOD NIGHT MARKET
The days are getting longer the nights are getting a little warmer, which can only mean one thing! Calgary, get ready because the Inglewood Night Market has officially set dates for summer 2021, and it all kicks off this month! As always this annual after-hours event will feature everything from handmade goods, crafts, vintage clothing, collectables and a ton more
When: Friday, July 9th
Where: 10 Avenue & and 10th Street – 11th Avenue & 11th street
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm
EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT INDIGENOUS HISTORY
From exchange relationships to residential schools, the University of Alberta’s 12-lesson course is incredibly informative and extremely effective. This particular class was actually endorsed by Dan Levy of Schitt’s Creek, is available online and can be taught in a variety of different languages at your own pace. Enroll now, folks.
GET YOUR ADRENALINE PUMPING AT CALAWAY PARK
Not ready to hit the Stampede grounds, but are still looking to do something a little more fast-paced this summer? Adrenaline junkies prepare yourselves because Calaway Park is officially open for the season. Mask up and head out for a full day of sun, fun and of course, cheap and delicious carnival food in a more controlled environment.
Where: 245033 Range Road 33, Calgary
Cost: $47.95+
WALK WITH THE DINOS AT THE CALGARY ZOO
Have we got some dino-mite news, YYC! it’s no secret that the Calgary Zoo is one of the city’s best attractions in the city. What was a secret – until recently, was that it’s actually gotten even better! This month, take a trip back to prehistoric times with a stellar new exhibit, Dinosaurs: Awakened.
Where: 210 St. George’s Drive NE
RE-CENTER WITH AN OUTDOOR YOGA CLASS
Is all of this sudden craziness too much for you? Every Sunday this month, inhale, exhale, stretch and sweat out the insanity at an incredibly relaxing Yoga class in Stanley Park. After all, there’s really no better way to spend an afternoon than by winding down and breathing in some fresh air with your toes in the grass.
When: Every Sunday
Where: 1300 12 Street Northeast
Time: 1 pm
Cost: Free
TAKE A ROAD TRIP ‘OFF THE BEATEN PATH’
Wild Rose Country looks beautiful on Instagram and postcards, but we’re so much more than blue water and the Stampede. Contrary to popular belief, Albertans are as strange as they come and we’re hardly shy about it. In fact, all over the province, we have entire towns and monuments in honour of our ‘particular’ interests and passions. This month, check them a few of them out!
GO RAFTING
Ready to take the ride of a lifetime? This summer, buckle into your life jacket and grip a paddle for dear life as you ride the wild Kanaskis rapids through the mountains with an experienced guide. Name a better way to cool off this season – we’ll wait.
When: Until September
Where: 109 – 829 10th Street, Banff
Time: 9 am
Cost: $110
EXPLORE THE ROYAL TYRELL MUSEUM
Arguably the best museum in the province, The Royal Tyrell Museum not only has an incredible collection of dino bones and fossils but also several informative and fun tours around the area as well as super cool classes that will help you fulfil your backyard paleontologist dreams.
Where: 1500 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller
Cost: $21+
CONTROL, ALT & DELETE YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS
Saturday, July 10th hit cSPACE at The King Edward for an informative, helpful and enlightening event featuring 25 guest speakers. all of which have taken control of their lives by using alternative concepts and ideas. Learn about what it takes to do the same at CTRL. ALT. DEL brought to you by Ted X Youth.
When: Saturday, July 10, 2021
Where: cSPACE King Edward, 1721 29 Ave SW
Cost: $10+
FLOAT THE BOW
It’s going to be a long hot summer, Calgary! This month, grab your pals, a dingy, and some snacks then hit Calgary’s winding river. Kick back and enjoy the warmth on your face and the water on your toes on an obligatory YYC adventure.
LOUNGE ON AN ALBERTA BEACH
From Jasper to Waterton, Alberta has some beautiful beaches. No, we don’t have coconut trees and year-round heat, but we do have sand and occasionally comfortable sun. Click the link above and see which provincial spots are our favourite!
ENJOY A SUMMER OF SERENADES IN PRINCES ISLAND PARK
Despite being in-between normals right now, the Calgary Folk Music Festival is back with a new, more COVID-safe concept! This summer, take a seat on the grass with a basket of snacks and enjoy a day of Summer Serenades, featuring local and national artists. Get your tickets at the link above!
When: Tuesday, July 22nd – 28th
Where: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary
Cost: $150+
WANDER THE LITTLE MODERN MARKET
It’s market season, YYC! This month, check out the Little Modern Market, a two-day celebration of local vendors, entrepreneurs, and artists, as well as the sunnier days ahead. The best part? This event is totally free to attend, so check it out!
When: Saturday, July 24th
Where: 11500 35 St SE #1000, Calgary
Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
GO FOR A SCENIC RUN
From beautifully landscaped gardens for lounging in to open fields where you can work up a sweat, YYC has got you covered when it comes to outdoor activities. One of the most popular ways to get out and about in the city? Running! So – if you’re like us and feel like you’ve taken too many laps around your own block check out the link above for 10 of the best places to go for a run in Calgary!
EXPLORE THE VAN GOGH IMMERSIVE EXHIBIT
After being rescheduled no thanks to COVID, the Van Gogh Immersive Exhibit finally hits Calgary later this month and you won’t want to miss it! With your ticket in hand. immerse yourselves into the wonderfully colourful world of a mad genius! Guided by his own dreams, thoughts and words, experience the world of the troubled artist as if it were the first time.
When: Opens Friday, July 30th
Where: 20 Roundup Way SE, Calgary
Time: See times above
Cost: $35+
BINGE NETFLIX’S JULY RELEASES
From documentaries comedies and originals, Netflix will be delivering hours of entertainment to get us through a long summer that might almost be too hot. This July those who would prefer to stay indoors can binge their way through Calgary’s heatwave with a ton of new releases!
HIT ONE OF CALGARY’S OUTDOOR POOLS
With temperatures well into the 30s, city-slickers are going to need somewhere to cool off and we just don’t think we’re all going to fit comfortably into the Bow. This July, why not consider checking out one of the many spray parks, outdoor or wading outdoor pools throughout Calgary!
COMPETE IN A CITY-WIDE SCAVENGER HUNT
Organized by Parks Calgary in cooperation with PlayCityYYC will challenge those looking to get out and about to a game of wit, speed, and problem-solving. Every Saturday this month, take part in a city wide-scavenger hunt that will have you racing for clues, exploring the city, and hopefully, winning some killer prizes1
When: Every Saturday
Cost: Free
CHECK OUT THE FARMERS & MAKERS MARKET
Whether you’re a foodie, love shopping local or are just looking to get some fresh air check out this month’s Farmers and Makers Market! Support the community in a safe and fun environment and grab some grub at the food trucks. That sounds like a perfect spring afternoon to us!
When: Every Saturday until October 9th
Where: 1729 29 Ave SW, Calgary
Time: 10 am – 2 pm
Whew, there you have it, friends. 26 things to do in Calgary this June. What will you check out first? Let us know and remember to stay safe, wash your hands and have fun. We’ll see you out there!
