20 Of The Best Things To Do in Calgary This September
How is it already the end of summer?! We’re not going to lie, we tend to overlook this upcoming month year after year, but not no more! In 2020 we recognize … back to school season? The release of the Pumpkin Spice Latte? Earth, Wind and Fire? OH! We know! Pride, Labour Day, and all of the exciting events happening within the next 30 days! Here are 20 of the best things to do this September in Calgary!
EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH LE CHEESEBURGER WEEK
This September, the Saputo wants you to, once again, participate in the grate-est countrywide food festival, the 9th annual Le Cheeseburger Week. From coast to coast, restaurant favourites all of differing price points and specialties have submitted cheesy, juicy, carb-happy masterpieces check out the link above for Calgary’s participating restaurants!
When: September 1st – September 7th
Where: See nearest locations here
Time: Anytime!
Cost: Prices vary
HAVE A PERFECT-FOR-YOU DATE IN THE PARK
Fingers crossed for beautiful weather this month! River Cafe has been giving Calgarians one of the most special inner-city dining experiences for the past 29 years. Check out one of their newest offerings, a customizable picnic! Create your own menu, pick your favourite bottle of wine, your basket and enjoy!
When: Whenever!
Where: Where ever!
Time: Anytime!
Cost: Prices will vary
ENJOY A SERIES OF DISTANCE FRIENDLY CONCERTS AND FOOD
Eat, drink and celebrate Canadian Musicians at a COVID friendly distance! This month, pair Southern-inspired fare, and a lineup of cool cocktails and local craft beer with 18 incredible performances! You won’t want to miss this one, Calgary!
When: Wednesday, September 2nd – September 4th
Where: Mikey’s On 12th 918 12 Ave SW, Calgary
Time: 5:30 pm
Cost: $40
CAST YOUR VOTE DURING THE MARDI GRAS PET PAGENT
Until September 4th, cast your vote for Marda Loops fanciest floof during the first-ever virtual Mardi Gras Pet Pagent… If that’s not enough because you’re more of the participation type, dress your pet to the nines and compete for amazing community prizes! Who is the goodest boy, really? We’re about to find out!
When: Until September 4th
Where: 1817 Crowchild Trail NW Calgary
Time: 12 pm
Cost: $25
TAKE A CALGARY FARMERS MARKET TOUR
Enjoy brunch, fresh air, wine, and fantastic service during one of the Calgary Farmers Markets Sunday brunch tours! Eat savoury pastries, learn a thing a two about ‘local,’ receive a generous portion of fruits and veggies and then head home with some incredible must-try recipes! Will it be the perfect day? It sure sounds like it!
When: Every Sunday
Where: 510 – 77 Ave SE – near Blackfoot Tr and Heritage Dr. SE
Time: 10:30 am – 1 pm
Cost: $65
CUDDLE GOATS AT COBB’S ADULTS ONLY EVENT
leave the kids at home and enjoy one… or several glasses of wine and kangaroos snuggles, as well as axe throwing and minigolf! During this afternoon of food trucks and perfect aim, guests can grab a glass of red, white, or rosé, get lost within Cobb’s corn maze, or play a round of mini-golf – all without screaming kidlets or crying babies.
When: Saturday, September 5th
Where: 1500 84th Street NE, Calgary
Time: 3 pm
Tickets: $49.99
CELEBRATE LOVE WITH HOTELS LOVE
Celebrate love, pride, and colour during the newest balcony show by Hotels Live! This year, to celebrate the 30th birthday of Calgary Pride, in collaboration with Show Pass and Plain Jane Events, the company will hold the very first Hotel Balcony Drag Show in history – “you betta work” your way to ticket sales, Calgary! This one is flyin’!
When: Saturday, September 5th
Where: Ramada Plaza Calgary Downtown – 708 8 Avenue SW, Calgary
Time: 7 pm
Cost: $396.00
VISIT A CALGARY POP-UP MARKET
Fruit and vegetables just taste better when they’re bought outside, don’t they? Kale yeah, they do! This summer, through until Thanksgiving the local farms in partnership with the city will be hosting pop-up farmers’ markets all over the Calgary encouraging you to buy fresh, Alberta-grown, good-for-you produce!
When: Until Thanksgiving 2020
Where: See locations here
Time: See times here
Price: Prices vary
GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY DURING THE 2020 RIBFEST
We hope you don’t mind the smell of car meat because 2020s juiciest bonanza will take place in your driver’s seat! Taste and vote on everything from ribs pulled pork, and chicken without undoing your seat belt! Different year, same old sausage fest!
When: Saturday, September 11 – September 13th
Where: McMahon Stadium
Time: 11 am – 8 pm
Tickets: Prices vary
FLOAT THE BOW
The sunshine won’t last forever! This summer cool off with a good ol’ float down the Bow. Grab your pals, a dingy and some snacks then hit Calgary’s winding river. Kick back and enjoy the sun on your face and the water on your toes on an obligatory YYC adventure.
When: Anytime
Where: See launch points here
Time: Anytime
Cost: Prices vary
GO GLAMPING
Camping isn’t for everyone. Setting up a tent, living off the land, and substituting a flush toilet with a stump is certainly not universally beloved. Alberta’s Sundance Lodges are the glampers answer to comfort and nature. There’s nothing wrong with appreciating 21st-century luxury, but man is it good to get outdoors everyone in a while.
When: See available dates here
Where: AB-40 Kananaskis, Alberta
Time: Any time
Cost: $34+ a night
INDULGE IN CALGARY’S BEST SUMMER EATS
Summer will be over within a blink of an eye, and although we haven’t been able to spend the majority of it on a beach somewhere, we have been able to hit the YYC patio circuit! Unfortunately, with one official month left, and only so much room in our stomach, we’ll need to be strategic. Check the link above for our list of Calgary’s best seasonal foods/drinks!
When: Whenever!
Where: See locations here
Time: Anytime!
Cost: Prices will vary
CHECK OUT HORIZON MALL’S LEGO GALLERY
This month, check out the incredible sky-high structures built during 2020’s BUILDCON. Artwork will be featured in 12 stores throughout the marketplace so Calgarians can “ooh,” “ahh” and take photos! Just watch your elbows! You don’t want to be the person that knocks over the Statue of LEGO Liberty. Trust us.
When: Entire month of September
Where: 260300 Writing Creek Cresent – Rocky View County, AB
Time: See times here
Cost: Free
GRAB A DRINK AT A PUP-FRIENDLY PATIO!
After months of being together 24-7, some of you might have a bit of mutual separation anxiety from your pets. Without them, we may have lost our minds back in May, but they kept us grounded and responsible. This September, to say thank you for the constant companionship and snuggles throughout quarantine, why not take your doggo out for a night on the town?
When: Anytime
Where: See locations here
Time: Anytime
Cost: Free +
BROWSE THE MILLARVILLE MARKET
This month, enjoy a beautiful summer Saturday morning with Calgary’s local vendors selling everything from organic foods and to household products at the Millarville Market. Grab a cold lemonade or a tasty bite at one of their food trucks and breathe in the out-of-city air.
When: Every Saturday
Where: 306097 192 Street West, Millarville
Time: 9 am – 2 pm
Cost: Free
TAKE A LITTLE DAY TRIP
This month, get out there for a few hours and see or do something different! We hope you’ve got a killer playlist, folks because we’re taking a drive! Fuel up, grab some road snacks, and check out one of our favourite spots just outside of Calgary listed in the link above!
When: Anytime
Where: See locations here
Time: Anytime
Cost: Free +
VISIT THE CALGARY FARMYARD CORN MAZE
With the launch of their incredible maze celebrating our frontline workers, the Calgary Farmyard has kicked off another lively season of fun. The air is fresh, the goats are snuggleable and the sunflowers are finally in bloom – but they won’t last forever! Get out there and enjoy folks!
When: Wednesday – Sunday
Where: 284022 Township Road 224, Rocky View County, AB
Time: 10 pm – 4:30 pm
Cost: $16.95
CATCH THE GAME ON THE BIG SCREEN
Canada’s favourite movie theatre chain has teamed up with TSN and Sportsnet for an incredibly unique viewing experience. Catch an NBA or NHL matchup during the Cineplex Game On series. Instead of admission, the theatres ask that you donate your money to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, an organization that encourages and supports sports and leadership programs!
When: See dates here
Where: See the nearest location here
Time: See times here
Cost: $5 for charity
CATCH A FLICK DURING THE 2020 CIFF
Alberta’s film scene doesn’t get enough credit! We have some incredible writers, directors and actors, so it just makes sense to celebrate them. This summer, check out the 2020 Calgary International Film Festival in honour of the talented Prairie-cats, as well as the film-works that has chosen from all over the globe.
When: Thursday, September 24 – October 4, 2020
DISTANCE YOURSELF IN THE MOST COLOURFUL WAY
We hope you’re camera ready, folks! This summer, Park has teamed up with several artists to create more than one incredible, interactive art installment encouraging social distancing and positivity! Check out what they’ve been up to on their website here.
When: Until the end of September
Where: See locations here
Time: Anytime
Cost: Free
There you have it folks, 20 things to do in Calgary this September! We told you it was going to be an exciting one! Have an amazing month, friends! Be safe, be smart and stay busy!
