Fall already? Not quite, but it’s just around the corner! With a new season upon us, so are a ton of events – but that doesn’t mean you should have to spend an arm and a leg. Not sure what’s happening in and around the city? Here are 20 of the best FREE and cheap things to do in Calgary this September!
SINK YOUR TEETH INTO CANADA’S BURGER FESTIVAL
Get ready, friends, because Canada’s tastiest festival, Le Burger Week, is back with a special plant-based edition! From local bars to cafes Calgary is in for one last week of some wildly tasty creations and we couldn’t be more excited. Bon Appetit, friends!
When: Thursday, September 1st – 14th
Cost: Prices vary
ATTEND A CALGARY PRIDE EVENT
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You’ve only got a few days left, friends – but you won’t want to miss it! From humble beginnings to thousands of allies, participants, and leaders, Calgary’s Pride is easily one of the most vibrant occasions of the entire year. From inspirational speakers to parties, the parade and more, there are a ton of incredible events happening in and around Calgary in celebration of the LGBTQIA2S+ community!
When: Until September 5th
Where: Various locations
Cost: FREE+
CATCH A MOVIE IN THE PARK
We love hitting the theatre, popcorn in hand – but there’s something extra special about feeling the grass beneath your toes while you watch one of your favourite movies light up the night. This September, rally your friends, pack a snack, a blanket and a chair then catch Mamma Mia at Royal Sunalta Park for FREE.
When: Friday, September 9th
Where: 1747 14th Ave SW Calgary
Time: 8 pm
Cost: FREE
CELEBRATE ALBERTA DAY
Get ready to party! In celebration of the first-ever Alberta Day, Calgary will host a huge kick-off that will feature a beer garden, food trucks, a kids’ corner, a marketplace and performances by Wyatt C. Louis, Ben Crane, Natural Twenty and Mocking Shadows. You won’t want to miss it!
When: Friday, September 2nd
Where: 698 Eau Claire Avenue SW, Calgary
Time: 4 pm – 8 pm
Cost: FREE
THEN CLOSE IT OUT WITH A BANG
We hope you’ve got energy, folks, because Saturday, September 3rd is going to be a big one! Featuring performances by the Tryzub Ukrainian Dance group, Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, ZENON+, Amy Hef and many more – guests will be able to hit the beer gardens, the food trucks, walk around a marketplace and can catch a pyrotechnics show at 9:30 pm
When: Saturday, September 3rd
Where: 698 Eau Claire Avenue SW, Calgary
When: starts at 12 pm
Cost: FREE
ROCK OUT WITH BRETT KISSEL
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Big deal, Alberta! This September, catch fellow Albertan Brett Kissel as he helps wrap up our first ABD celebration series, in BOTH Calgary and Edmonton! You won’t want to miss it!
When: Saturday, September 3rd
Where: 698 Eau Claire Avenue SW, Calgary
When: 2 pm – 3 pm
Cost: FREE
CATCH THE LABOUR DAY PARADE
Floats, performers and more! This Labour Day check head over to Cochrane for their annual Parade, which kicks off at 10 am sharp. Bring your fold-out chairs, your families and a smile and enjoy a colourful morning in the streets!
When: Monday, September 5th
Where: See route here
Time: Pre-parade 9 am | Main event 10 am
Cost: FREE
OR THE 2022 LANTERN FESTIVAL
Held the day before China’s annual Mid-Autumn celebration, this event will see food trucks, vendors and performers – as well as traditional displays and music. The very best part? It’s totally FREE to attend and guests are encouraged to bring their own lanterns in participation!
When: Friday, September 9th
Where: 2nd Ave SW and Daqing Square
Time: 4 pm – 10 pm
Cost: FREE
SHOP THE INGLEWOOD NIGHT MARKET
This sunny season vendors from all over the city will gather again for the beloved Inglewood Night Market! Here, you can check out their beer garden, food trucks, live music, and the many, MANY dogs that fellow attendees will be walking through the area. Enjoy!
When: Friday, September 9th and 16th
Where: 925 11 St SE, Calgary
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm
Cost: FREE
THEN HAVE A STINKING GOOD TIME AT GARLIC FEST
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With a clove in every colour, sink your teeth into everything from garlic bread to garlic pizza at this deliciously potent food festival! No, it’s probably not the BEST first-date destination, but it will be pretty interesting, especially if you like to cook – so check it out!
When: Saturday, September 10th – 11th
Where: 226066 112 Street W, Foothills No. 31, AB
Time: 9 am – 5 pm
Cost: $15+
WANDER THE 4TH STREET NIGHT MARKET
Brought to life by the folks behind the Inglewood market, guests from all over the city are will be able to head over to the community of Mission to shop, eat, drink and explore at a similar event.
When: Saturday, September 10th
Where: 4th Street at Elbow Drive SW
Time: 4 pm – 10 pm
Cost: FREE
FILL UP AT CALGARY’S PIZZA FEST
No matter the day or the occasion – we’re always in the mood for carby deliciousness covered in cheese and sauce. If you’re like us and just can’t get enough of the good stuff, unhinge your jaws because YYC Pizza Fest is coming, and with it, a spotlight on some of the city’s best thin crust, deep dish, topping-heavy restaurants, and their most inventive slices!
When: Friday, September 16th – October 2nd
Cost: Prices vary
SOAK UP THE SUN ON 17TH
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From still walkers and aerialists, to drag royalty and local musicians – 17th Avenue is in the thick of its 2022 summer series with a ton of fun to come! This month, enjoy one of their many events which include movies in the park, fitness classes and more. For a full itinerary, check out the link above and enjoy!
When: Until September 21st
Where: 17 Ave. & 8 St. S.W, Calgary
Cost: FREE
EAT APPLE EVERYTHING AT GRANARY ROAD
This month, slip on a pair of booties then head over to one of Calgary’s favourite fun farms for Applefest, a pie-heavy day of ooey-gooey goodness, cinnamon and excitement. Featuring wild apple-based foods, jams, ciders and more this sweet festival, will not be one to miss. It’s going to be delish!
When: Saturday, September 24th – 25th
Where: 226066 112 St W, Foothills County, AB
Cost: $15+
SPOOK YOURSELF SILLY AT PUMPKINS AFTER DARK
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.
When: Thursday, September 22nd – October 31st
Where: 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW, Calgary
Time: See times above
Cost: $21.05
TAKE NEW HEIGHTS AT A BALLOON FESTIVAL
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Air balloons are incredibly cool and probably on almost everyone’s bucket lists, regardless of the season. This month “oooh and ahh” while giant inflatables float peacefully overhead and get up close and personal with the balloons at The Heritage Inn Balloon Festival.
When: Wednesday, September 21st – 25th
Where: MacLeod Tr SW, High River
Time: See times here
Cost: FREE
GO SKATING
The sun is in the sky and Calgary’s Deerfoot city wants to let the good times roll – in the literal sense! This September, lace into a pair of skates and glide the new retro roller rink at the third annual Block Party in partnership with the art-forward organization, PARK.
Where: 901 64 Ave NE, Calgary
Cost: FREE
PET A ROO
This September, snuggle a kangaroo or two, go axe throwing and place a bet on a round of minigolf! Whether you check them out for one of their many adult nights or just go during regular hours, you and yours are bound to have a ton of fun at Cobb’s Adventure Park.
Where: 1500 84th Street NE, Calgary
Time: 11 am – 5 pm
Cost: $19.75+
APPRECIATE THE NIKKA YUKO GARDEN
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Lethbridge’s Iconic Japanese Garden is one of the most beautiful places in not just Alberta, but all of North America. This month, grab the hand of someone special and wander through fields of flowers, trees, and beautifully cut grass of Nikka Yuko.
Where: Corner of 9th Ave S &, Mayor Magrath Dr. S, Lethbridge
Cost: $8+
POP SOME CORN AT CIFF 2022
This September, 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 nearly here and this year’s lineup is just as impressive as you’d expect. Check it out at the link above!
When: Thursday, September 22nd – October 2nd
Time: See times above
Cost: $13.50+
And there you have it, folks! 20 FREE and cheap things to do in Calgary this September. Enjoy!
