Summer is in full swing and though we’ve already had an action-packed season, we can confidently say that the fun is just getting started. We can also say that our wallets have taken quite a hit in the process, luckily – there’s plenty that you can check out for under $25 this upcoming month. Not sure what’s happening? Here are 23 of the best FREE and cheap things to do in Calgary this August.
TASTE OF CALGARY
This August, explore global cuisines from all over the city – for cheap! With a unique mix of restaurants and beverage companies, Taste of Calgary will be celebrating the finest food, drink, and entertainment in the city for the first time since the pandemic began. It’s gonna be a good one, friends!
When: Thursday, August 4th – 7th 2022
Where: 311, 8 Street SW
Cost: FREE Admission
THE CALGARY FRINGE FESTIVAL
Featuring a series of Indie Films, Calgary’s FringeFestival returns in support of lesser know creators, and up and coming legends. Tickets are on sale now so check out the link above for more information!
When: Until August 6th
Where: Various locations
Time: Various times
Cost: $15+
MUSEUM OF FAILURE
If you don’t succeed, try, try, try again. Filled with everything from board games and skin care products, to vehicles and foods – browse and ogle flops from all over the world at the recently opened Museum of Failure.
When: Until August 31st
Where: Southcentre Mall – 100 Anderson Rd SE
Cost: $18.99+
HOTEL ARTS POOL PARTIES
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This summer, hit Calgary’s ultimate pool party destinations for sun, fun, and on occasion – live music! Open to the public this summer (without its winterized top), Hotel Arts will be THE place to wind down and catch a tan on the weekends.
Where: 119 12 Ave SW Calgary, AB
Cost: $20
GO BERRY PICKING
Strawberries, raspberries, and saskatoons? This summer, head to one of the many u-pick fields in and around Calgary and come home with a bucket full of fruit and a head full of memories. Could there be a sweeter way to spend a day?
Cost: Prices vary
COBB’S ADVENTURE PARK
This summer, 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+
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!
Cost: FREE
CACTUS COULEE FUN PARK
We love a little healthy competition! This August, rev your engines for a wild day at Drumheller’s Cactus Coulee Fun Park. From go-karting and Eurobungy trampolines to their mini-putting green – they’ve got a little something for everyone.
Where: Box 388, Drumheller, Alberta
Cost: $13+
THE INGLEWOOD NIGHT MARKET
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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, August 12th, September 9th and 16th
Where: 925 11 St SE, Calgary
Time: 5 pm – 11 pm
Cost: FREE
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, August 13th & September 10th
Where: 4th Street at Elbow Drive SW
Time: 4 pm – 10 pm
Cost: FREE
COCHRANE FOOD FEST
It’s a bit of a drive, but Cochranes Food Festival is back for its second year and you won’t want to miss it. Here, attendees can enjoy live music, performances, local food and fun activities at Mitford Park – but don’t forget to take note of it! It’ll only last for a few hours.
When: Saturday, August 13th
Where: 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
Time: 11 am – 6 pm
MARDA LOOP MARDA GRAS
Get ready to party, Calgary! Marda Loop’s big Marda Gras event returns this year with vendors, live music, performances and of course, their annual pet pageant. This is the area’s longest-running street festival so you can bet it’s going to be a ton of fun. They know what they’re doing!
When: Sunday, August 14th
Where: 33rd Avenue SW between 19th and 22nd Street
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Cost: Free
YOGA IN THE PARK
Inhale, exhale, stretch and sweat at an all-ages free Yoga class in the fields of some of Calgary’s most beautiful green spaces – 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: Pay-what-you-can
FLOAT THE BOW
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It’s going to be a long hot summer! The best way to cool off? By floating the Bow, of course! This season, grab your pals, a dingy, and some snacks then hit the city’s winding river. Kick back and enjoy the warmth on your face and the water on your toes on an obligatory Calgary adventure.
Cost: FREE+
YYC PUP CRAWL
In collaboration with local vendors, small businesses and dog-friendly breweries, you and yours will be challenged to hit over 20 patios for a drink, some shopping, live entertainment, food and fun – all for a good cause!
When: Sunday, August 14th
Where: Various locations
Time: 12 pm – 4 pm
Cost: FREE to register
SYLVAN LAKE AQUA SPLASH
Located just outside of Red Deer, Alberta, the Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash park is THE place for sizzling summer days. With launch pads, trampolines, an obstacle course, slides, a 15-foot tower, and more – this ginormous floating playground is truly one of a kind.
Where: Bay #1, 5100 Lakeshore Drive– Sylvan Lake, Alberta
Cost: $17.50+
GLOBALFEST
Get ready! The city’s most explosive festival is back for 2022! Like the years before it, Calgarians will be able to cuddle up close in Elliston Park under a sky illuminated by stars and fireworks. It really is magical.
When: Thursday, August 18th – 27th
Where: 1827 68 St SE, Calgary, AB
Time: 6 pm – 11:30 pm
Cost: $18.50+
PARK RETRO ROLLER RINK
With the sun in the sky, Calgary’s Deerfoot city wants to let the good times roll – in the literal sense! This summer, 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
SUMMER ON 17TH
From still walkers and aerialists, to drag royalty and local musicians – 17th Avenue has kicked off its 2022 summer series with a ton of Canada Day events – then continues on throughout the summer with 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
THE PERSEID METEOR SHOWER
Whether you put your feet on the dash and point your peepers through the sunroof or really commit to an evening with snacks and a picnic blanket, stargazing is a fail-safe date idea and an original way to chill with your friends. This August, check out one of the many dark sky reserves in and around the city and take in the year’s most magical meteor shower.
When: Until August 21st (peak on August 12th)
Time: After sunset
Cost: FREE
CALGARY PRIDE 2022
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From humble beginnings to thousands of allies, participants, and leaders, Calgary’s Pride Festival is easily one of the most vibrant occasions of the entire year. From a parade to inspirational speakers, parties, and more, there are a ton of incredible events happening in and around Calgary in celebration of the LGBTQIA2S+ community!
When: Friday, August 26th – September 5th
Where: Various locations
Cost: FREE+
THE CALGARY FARMYARD
This summer take every wrong turn (and like it) at the Calgary Farmyard. Located 30 minutes from Calgary’s inner city, this family-friendly spot has yard games, rabbits, goats and pigs, a ropes course, mini golf, a sunflower field (in bloom mid-August) and an 11-acre corn maze.
Where: 284022 Township Rd 224, Rocky View County
Cost: $19.95
SHAKESPEARE ON THE GO
A Calgary Classic! Theatre Calgary is back again for a summer of tragic, comedic, and dramatic stories written by a literary genius– but with a twist! This season, catch the company on the run as they perform at various locations around the city. For more information, check out the schedule above!
When: Until August 7th
Where: See locations above
Time: See times above
Cost: FREE
And there you have it, folks! 23 FREE and cheap things to do in Calgary this August. Enjoy!
