25 Of The Best Things To Do In Calgary This October
Finally! The month of fright, freaks, and fleeing to the nearest exit from what may or may not be a funhouse actor is here, and unapologetically, we can hardly contain our excitement. Despite the COVID pandemic, Halloween is a go, and we’re not letting you miss a beat. Here are 25 (spooky) things to do in Calgary this October!
MONSTER MARCH
Put your Halloween costume to work! This month, show your support for the Children’s Cottage Society by dressing up and getting active. Like almost every annual event this month the Monster March Run has been reimagined, but with so many ways to participate this year, it’s actually easier than ever to give back! Register now and begin fundraising by downloading Strava and going the distance, purchase merch or raise awareness by using the hashtag #MONSTERMARCH2020 on social media!
When: Thursday, October 1st – 31st
Where Anywhere
Time: Anytime
Cost: $10 registration fee
CALGARY PHILHARMONIC VIRTUAL CONCERT SERIES
Miss live music? Never fear, the philharmonic is here! With their 2020 series of live concerts, Calgarians can get in on the action without ever even getting up from their couch! Pour yourself a glass of wine, settle in, and get lost in beautiful pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Stravinsky performed by the CPO over a 4 week period.
When: October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 30th
Where: Register for link
Time: 7:30 pm
Cost: FREE
RUN FOR THE CURE
Run for the cure – online! This year marks the 24th year in a row CIBC has held the well-known charity event in support of breast cancer research in Calgary, but for the first time ever it will take place behind a screen. Create an avatar, begin fundraising to unlock cool features, and then on October 4th, tune in for their opening ceremonies, then take to your neighbourhood and walk or run like the wind!
When: Sunday, October 4th
Where: Wherever!
Time: Anytime
Cost: By donation
HOTEL ARTS WINTERIZED POOL
Pool parties? In this climate? … Well of course! Why the heck not? Don’t hang your shorts and bikini tops up just yet because Hotel Arts is actually gearing up to reopen their pool party deck next week with an inflatable ‘toque’ fit for the chillier weather.
When: Thursday, October 8th
Where: Hotel Arts, 119 12 Ave SW, Calgary
Time: Anytime
Cost: $20+
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Alberta has some incredible writers, directors, and actors, so it just makes sense to celebrate them, right? Until October 4th, Calgarians can check out films by talented prairie-cats and international artists online and in theatres as part of the 2020 Calgary International Film Festival.
When: Until Sunday, October 4th
Where: See locations and online link here
Time: Times vary
Cost: $27+
BOW VALLEY RANCHE – WONDERLAND DINNER IN A DOME
2020 has been a wild journey through the looking glass. This month, escape your hectic day-to-day by taking an extraordinary culinary adventure further down the rabbit hole. Bow Valley Ranche’s ‘Foodies in the Park’ have announced their October series, A Wonderland Dinner in a Dome, inspired by topsy-turvey tea parties and very merry unbirthday’s.
When: Thursday. October 1st November 1st
Where: 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE
Time: See times here
Cost: $110
PLAY THE PARKS: CALGARY
Last month, Calgary launched it’s very own virtual series, Play the Parks: Calgary, a program that has showcased 9 amazing multi-genre local musicians as well as our beautiful green spaces, but now it’s gearing up to come to an end. Catch the last week, by tuning in every day at 12 pm until October 7th!
When: Until Wednesday, October 7th
Where: Online here
Time: 12 pm EST
Cost: Free
HAUNTED CALGARY: THE DEVILS DRIVE-IN
Unfortunately this year, we won’t be able to get our spooks elbow to elbow with other Calgarians, but we will be able to sneak a fright or two bumper to bumper thanks to Haunted Calgary. This October, feel so safe it’s scary at The devils Drive-in, a 2020 Halloween Experience at Balzac’s New Horizon Mall!
When: Saturday, October 10th – 31st
Where: 260300 Writing Creek Cres, Rocky View County, AB
Time: See times here
Cost: $50/car
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MOTOR NIGHTS DRIVE-IN
Curiocity has shown everything from vintage classics to new school cool, but in the spirit of October, things are about to get spooky at Motor Nights. Catch some freaky faves, a few surprises, and some tasty treats provided by the YYC Foodtrucks while you and yours make some memories at the drive-in. Showtimes TBA, so keep an eye on @MotorNightsDriveIn for updates!
When: October 23rd – 25th and October 30th – November 1st
Where: 43080 Bow Valley Trail – Cochrane, AB
TROLLEY 5 – BACHELORETTE VIEWING PARTY
Hey Calgary, can we steal you for a second? Trolley 5 wants you to accept their rose! This month, win prizes, enjoy specials, and experience crippling second-hand embarrassment amongst friends during their weekly Bachelorette viewing party!
When: Starting October 13th – Every Tuesday
Where: 728 17 Ave SW, Calgary
Time: 6 pm
Cost: Prices Vary
CALGARY POP-UP MARKET
Kale yeah! Fruit and vegetables just taste better when they’re bought outside, don’t they? This month, 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
YOKO ONO: GROWING FREEDOM
This month, open your eyes, and your mind with Growing Freedom: The instructions of Yoko Ono and the art of John and Yoko. This two-part exhibition of peace and activism will include rarely seen footage, stills, and stories from the legendary Montreal Bed-In for Peace protest.
When: All month long
Where: 701 11th Street SW, Calgary
Time: See times here
Cost: $10
CALGARY GHOST TOURS
See the darker side of Calgary’s beloved Heritage Park. Start your evening with a few drinks and then head to your chosen meeting point. Wince, scream and mix and mingle with other groups while you visit “active” sights on one of these tophat guided lantern-lit tours.
When: Until Thursday, October 15th
When: 1900 Heritage Dr. SW
Time: Times vary
Cost: $22+
GET AWAY FOR A WEEKEND
This month take a little trip! From the grand Rocky Mountains to the deep river valleys, we can’t think of anywhere we’d rather be in the Autumn than Alberta. The leaves are yellow, there’s a nip in the air and honestly, we’re all stressed AF, so what better way to wind down than a few days of uninterrupted bliss, luxury, seclusion, and oxygen.
When: Anytime
When: See locations here
Time: Anytime
Cost: Prices vary
FIVER FRIDAY AT SPARK
There’s nothing wrong with shaking things up now and then – especially when it’ll only cost you $5! End every week right and bright, with super cheap admission, food specials, and of course, drink specials by heading to Spark anytime between 5 pm and 9 pm.
When: Every Friday
Where: 220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
Time: 5 pm – 9 pm
Cost: $5
HIKE THROUGH ALBERTA’S LARCH TREES
Call us biased, but we live in one of Canada’s most beautiful provinces. In the fall the mountains are practically covered with golden larch trees, wildflowers, and wildlife and we (usually) have some of the freshest air a pair of lungs could ask for. This month, hit the ol’ dusty trail and enjoy the autumn leaves and the Alberta Rockies.
When: Anytime
Where: See locations here
Time: Anytime
Cost: Free
THANKSGIVING AT HERITAGE PARK
Take in the beautiful fall colours from the steam train, historical village, or pathways in and around Calgary’s Heritage Park. Stop at the candy store, or pop into the Selkirk grill for a family, COVID-friendly harvest bite.
When: Saturday, October 10th-12th
When: 1900 Heritage Dr. SW
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Cost: $15+
MILLARVILLE MARKET
We love a good market stroll. This month, enjoy the last of our warmer fall mornings with goods from local to Calgary vendors. These folks will be selling everything from organic foods to household products all day long! Grab a cold lemonade or a tasty bite at one of their food trucks and breathe in the out-of-city air.
When: Saturday, October 3rd and 10th
Where: 306097 192 Street West, Millarville
Time: 9 am – 2 pm
Cost: Free
SPOOKTACULAR GRIM MINI GOLF
Let’s go ghouls! This month, hit up Winsport Canada for a round of family-friendly mini-golf! Guests are encouraged to dress up, make bets, and get into the Halloween spirit with this 18-hole spooktacular event! You won’t want to miss it!
When: October 16th-18th, 23rd-25th, and 30th – November 1st
Where: 88 Canada Olympic Road SW, Calgary
Time: 4 pm – 10:20 pm
Cost: $12
SCREAMFEST
This screamfest – though it will look a little bit different – will be a cocktail party of terror with new attractions that will have you screaming twice as loud as last year. Clowns? Yeah, they’ll be there. Grim Reaper? Yup, he RSVP’d too. Basically anything and everything that lurks in the dark, under your bed and in your nightmares, will be in attendance.
When: Thursday, October 22nd – 31st
Where: 20 Roundup Way SE, Calgary
Time: 7 pm – 12 pm
Cost: $25+
FALL DAYS AT THE CALGARY FARMYARD
Corn mazes, kettle corn, corn dogs, pumpkins?! The Calgary farmyard is fall. Pick the perfect Jack o’ lantern, play some outdoor carnival games. Visit with farm animals, hit the pedal carts, or grab something tasty and make some mems along the way. These folks practically live for this season.
When: Until Saturday, October 31st
When: 284022 Township Rd 224, Rocky View No. 44, AB
Time: 10 am – 9 pm
Cost: $17.95
ASPEN CROSSING TRAIN OF TERROR
Are you afraid of the dark, Calgary? The only thing scarier than forgetting your mask at the grocery store is those that lurk in the shadows on Aspen Crossings Train of Terror. Despite everything going on right now, the Mossleigh attraction has confirmed that they will be going forward with their spooky must-visit, in fact, they’ve added a few new attractions like their photo-op alley and will preview their 2021 haunt.
When: Friday, October 9th – 31st
When: Box 30 Mossleigh, AB
Time: See times here
Cost: $76.66
LOCKED ZOO: TOOTH AND CLAW
Spooky month is upon us and to our surprise, despite the COVID pandemic, Calgary will be seeing some haunting (but safe) events. This month check out the zoo for an 18+ escape-room-type boo bash. Crack codes, enjoy drinks, dinner, and a kids-free environment!
When: Thursday, October 29th – 30th
Where: 210 St. George’s Drive NE
Time: 5 pm – 9 pm
Cost: $45+
SCARE WASH
Washing your car has never been so terrifying. In 10 minutes, this uniquely haunting experience will take you from hell and back – incorporating special effects, real-life actors, and professional lighting, all to get the mood just right. Tickets are limited so get yours now, folks. You won’t want to miss this.
When: Thursday, October 29th
Where:1104 10 Ave SW, Calgary
Time: See times here
Cost: $49
STROLL THROUGH THE GLENBOW’S NEIL ZELLER EXHIBIT
Thanks to Calgary photographer, Neil Zeller, some families, and their COVID experience will be immortalized beautifully in a new exhibit at YYC’s Glenbow Museum! This month, mask up and re-live the crazier times of the pandemic – man we’ve come so far!
When: Until Saturday, October 31st
Where: 130 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
Time: Book times here
Cost: $19.95+
There you have it, witches. 25 things to do in Calgary this October. Have a good one out there and remember to be safe, be smart, and get scared!
