Looking for places to visit in Calgary? Things to do? Start exploring the incredible activities, events, attractions, festivals, museums, shopping, and nightlife that make Calgary a vibrant place to visit. Whether it’s your first visit or you are hosting friends and family in the city, there are always exciting things to do in and around Calgary.

Updated: October 2024

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Arts & Culture

Arts and Culture in Calgary

Get a front row seat to world class live arts and entertainment experiences in Calgary.

Alberta Ballet

Details: Canada's second largest ballet company performing everything from classics to contemporary.

Alberta Dancesport

Details: Calgary's best place to dance for beginners to professionals in ballroom, salsa, country, and Latin dance.

Alberta Theatre Projects

Details: Celebrating the art of live theatre with new works by Canadian playwrights and contemporary theatre from around the world.

Arts Commons

Details: One of Canada's largest and most vibrant art centres and home to the world-class Jack Singer Concert Hall.

Broadway Across Canada

Details: Bringing the best of Broadway theatre to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary.

Calgary Opera

Details: One of Canada's most innovative professional opera companies, featuring fresh new works and timely masterpieces.

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

Details: More than 80 concerts each season offer orchestral music from the classics to popular songs.

Decidedly Jazz Danceworks

Details: Professional dance company dedicated to evolving the art of jazz dance.

Jubilations Dinner Theatre

Details: Interactive musical comedies take on the best in pop culture and served with a four-course dinner.

Lunchbox Theatre

Details: Noon hour theatre serving shows to downtown audiences during their lunch hour.

Mount Royal University Conservatory

Details: Hosting regular performances from both established talent and up-and-coming faces at the beautiful Leacock Theatre.

One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre

Details: Award-winning theatre company that has created over 80 original productions, noted for intricate physical movement and musicality all over the world.

The Shakespeare Company

Details: Calgary’s award winning classical theatre company offering premium productions throughout the year.

Stage West Theatre Restaurants

Details: Live theatre productions paired with a Grand Buffet.

Theatre Calgary

Details: Theatre Calgary brings Canadian and international plays to life on stage, entertaining locals and visitors since the 1940s.

The GRAND

Details: Calgary's culture house for contemporary live arts including local, national, and international theatre, dance, and music.

Vertigo Theatre

Details: Add a little mystery to your life with Canada’s only professional theatre dedicated to the mystery genre.

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Museums

Museums in Calgary

From downtown galleries to music memorabilia at Studio Bell, explore history, culture, sports and art with interactive activities and events at these memorable museums.

Alberta Craft Gallery

Details: Discover contemporary and traditional fine craft from Alberta-based artists working across ceramics, furniture, jewellery, wood, textiles, and glass.

Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre Museum

Details: Community centre serving the community with educational and cultural programs to enrich the lives of all Calgarians.

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame

Details: 40,000 square feet of sports galleries and a collection 100,000 pieces of memorabilia at the home of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary.

Please note: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is currently closed.

Contemporary Calgary

Details: Art exhibitions, speaker series and education programs at Canada’s newest modern and contemporary art gallery.

Esker Foundation

Details: Largest privately funded, non-commercial contemporary art gallery in Calgary, hosting exhibitions, contextual talks, tours and hands-on workshops.

Gasoline Alley Museum at Heritage Park

Details: Return to the golden age of the automobile with memorabilia ranging from collections of antique vehicles to gas-related artifacts.

Lougheed House

Details: A great spot to stop to smell the flowers in the garden and learn about local history without having to leave downtown.

Sam Centre

Details: Through hands-on exhibits, multimedia shows, and themed galleries, experience the people, events, and traditions that make the Calgary Stampede legendary.

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre

Details: Explore five floors of music memorabilia that tells the story of music in Canada, with Canadian Halls of Fame and Rolling Stones Mobile Studio.

The Hangar Flight Museum

Details: Take flight with aircraft and exhibits that tell the story of flight in Western Canada.

The Military Museums

Details: Second largest military museum in Canada, telling the stories of Canada's navy, army, and air force.

YouthLink Calgary

Details: Discover the world of policing through interactive exhibits, stories of true crime and facts.

Beyond Calgary

Pioneer Acres of Alberta Museum (Irricana)

Details: Two museums dedicated to preserving Alberta’s pioneering heritage.

Remington Carriage Museum (Cardston)

Details: The world's largest carriage museum, the Remington houses over 250 coaches, carriages, wagons and sleighs.

Royal Tyrrell Museum (Drumheller)

Details: Canada’s only museum devoted exclusively to palaeontology celebrates the diversity of life on Earth.

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Outdoor Activities

Things to Do Outdoors in Calgary

Calgary is the perfect place for outdoor activities. Home to expansive parks and rivers, while also neighbouring the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park, there are endless experiences for you to get fresh air and have memorable adventures.

‣ An Insider's Guide to the Top Hiking Experiences in Calgary

‣ 6 Hikes Near Calgary That Everyone Will Love

‣ 10 Best Lakes Near Calgary for Swimming and Summer Fun

‣ Why Calgary is a Fly Fishing Paradise

‣ 10 Epic Bike Pathways in Calgary

‣ Canadian Rocky Mountain Ski Resorts Near Calgary

‣ Cross-Country Skiing In and Around Calgary

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Attractions

Calgary Attractions

From the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo to Heritage Park Historical Village, discover awe inspiring things to do at attractions in Calgary you will never forget.

Aspen Crossing (Mossleigh)

Details: Family friendly fun with historic dining car, replica train station gift shop, big rig friendly campground, glamping caboose cabins and a full-size train themed excursions.

Bow Habitat Station

Details: Explore Alberta's fish, wildlife, water, and aquatic ecosystem with family friendly interactive exhibits and activities.

Butterfield Acres Children’s Farm

Details: Get the real farm experience with interactive kids activities, pony rides, and goat milking.

Calaway Park

Details: Fun for the whole family with Western Canada's largest outdoor family amusement park.

Calgary Farmyard

Details: Barnyard petting farm, miniature train rides, giant slides, zip lines, mini golf, jumping pillows, paintball, gemstone mining, and giant mazes.

Calgary Selfie Museum

Details: A photo studio outfitted with 25+ backdrops for the perfect Instagram selfie.

Calgary Tower

Details: Iconic Calgary destination with 360 degree panoramic views of the city from 191 metres in the air.

Cobb’s Adventure Park

Details: Over 250 animals including sloths, kangaroos, wallabies, alpacas, goats, pigs, emus, reptiles, and more. Activities include giant mazes, mini golf, pedal carts, slides, games and more.

Downhill Karting

Details: More than 50 twists and turns take you down an 1,800 metre track on a purpose built kart everyone in the family can ride.

Fort Calgary

Details: Past meets present at this family friendly attraction with the story of how Calgary came to be.

Granary Road

Details: Family friendly fun with a 36 acre Play and Learn Park and local farmers' market with over 30 vendors for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

The Hangar Flight Museum

Details: Take flight with aircraft and exhibits that tell the story of flight in Western Canada.

Heritage Park Historical Village

Details: Over 180 exhibits on 127 acres of land tells the story of Western Canadian history from the 1860s to 1950s at Canada’s largest living history museum.

Sam Centre

Details: Through hands-on exhibits, multimedia shows, and themed galleries, experience the people, events, and traditions that make the Calgary Stampede legendary.

Spruce Meadows

Details: World renowned equestrian venue featuring indoor and outdoor tournaments and home to the Cavalry FC and International Christmas Market.

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre

Details: Explore five floors of music memorabilia that tells the story of music in Canada, with Canadian Halls of Fame and Rolling Stones Mobile Studio.

TELUS Spark Science Centre

Details: Ignite your curiosity with the thrilling overlap of science, art and technology with over 200 hands on experiences and the largest Dome theatre in Western Canada.

Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo

Details: Home to nearly 1,000 creatures from around the world, including the Penguin Plunge and Land of Lemurs.

WinSport

Details: Year round sports facility with downhill karting, mini golf, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding and Western Canada's largest tube park.

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Sports, Fitness, & Games

Sports, Fitness, & Games in Calgary

Get into the game with world class sports facilities, activities, and professional teams in Calgary.

Adrenaline Activities

Activate Calgary South West

Alpine Air Adventures

Calgary Harley Davidson

Calgary Shooting Centre

Capture the Flag Paintball & Airsoft

Downhill Karting

House of Skate

iFly Indoor Skydiving

LaunchPad Golf

The Rec Room Calgary

TracksVR Virtual Racing

Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours

Vortex Sports

Professional Sports Teams

Calgary Flames (NHL Hockey)

Calgary Wranglers (AHL Hockey)

Calgary Hitmen (WHL Hockey)

Calgary Roughnecks (NLL Lacrosse)

Calgary Stampeders (CFL Football)

Cavalry FC (CPL Soccer)

Calgary Surge (CEBL Basketball)

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Golf Courses in & Around Calgary

Blue Devil Golf Club

Coyote Creek Golf & R.V. Resort

D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club

HeatherGlen Golf Course

Heritage Pointe Golf Club

Kananaskis Country Golf Course

The Links of GlenEagles

McKenzie Meadows Golf Club

Serenity Golf Club

The Track Golf Course

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Cycling

BikeBike

Bow Cycle E-Bikes

Bow Cycle & Sports

Escape Rooms & Laser Tag

Board Game Cafés

Hexagon Board Game Cafe

Y Not Today

Equestrian Activities

Anchor D Guiding & Outfitting

Banff Trail Riders

Boundary Ranch

Century Downs Racetrack and Casino

Homeplace Ranch

Rocky Mountain Show Jumping

Spruce Meadows

Timberline Tours

River Activities

Chinook Rafting

Fish Tales Fly Shop

Foot & Chain Fly Fishing Exchange

Harvie Passage

Lazy Day Raft Rentals

Out Fly Fishing Outfitters

The Paddle Station

Surf Anywhere

Squatchy Water Fly Fishing

Swimming Pools

Acadia Aquatic & Fitness Centre

Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre

Canyon Meadows Aquatic & Fitness Centre

Foothills Aquatic Centre

Glenmore Aquatic Centre

Inglewood Aquatic Centre

Killarney Aquatic & Recreation Centre

Renfrew Aquatic & Recreation Centre

Shouldice Aquatic Centre

Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic & Recreation Centre

Southland Leisure Centre

Thornhill Aquatic & Recreation Centre

Village Square Leisure Centre

Venues & Facilities

Practice your soccer skills at the Calgary Soccer Centre.

Train, learn, and connect with your community at The Genesis Centre of Community Wellness.

Active your health & wellness routine at UCalgary Active Living.

Enjoy a public skate at the Olympic Oval.

Train, swim, and get active at the MNP Community & Sport Centre.

Experience live concerts and high energy sports at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Summer and winter activities at the home of Calgary’s Olympic legacy at WinSport.

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Festivals

Festivals & Events in Calgary

Feel the energy of live events and fill your calendar full of festivals and events in Calgary.

Alberta Beer Festivals (various events)

Details: Bringing the beer world together with hundreds of breweries and hundred of beers to taste.

Beakerhead (September)

Details: Beakerhead is a smash-up of art, science and engineering with artists, performers, engineers, designers, makers, scientists and inventors.

Block Heater (February)

Details: The Calgary Folk Music Festival's annual winter music extravaganza.

Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo (April)

Details: Celebration of all things pop culture including comics, sci-fi, gaming, fantasy, horror and more for fans of all ages.

Calgary Dragon Boat Festival (August)

Details: Calgary’s premier water sport festival brings together over 1000 competitors, 4000 spectators for an exciting cultural experience.

Calgary Folk Music Festival (July)

Details: Annually featuring 70 artists from over 16 countries on nine stages on Prince's Island Park.

Calgary International Blues Festival (July/August)

Details: A week of Calgary’s best bass-slapping blues rhythm from around the world covering multiple genres.

Calgary International Film Festival (September)

Details: Showcase of the year's must-see movies from around the world in-cinema.

Calgary International Salsa Congress (April)

Details: World class salsa dancing featuring some of the best salsa dancers in the world, local professionals, and troupes from all over North America.

Calgary Marathon (May)

Details: A challenging, competitive, and fun event with a race designed for everyone at any level.

Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest (February/March)

Details: Full week of blues workshops, concerts & dance parties featuring some of the best blues musicians in the world.

Calgary Pride (August/September)

Details: Celebrating Calgary's diverse and inclusive community with a variety of events throughout the week.

Calgary Stampede (July)

Details: The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth features world’s top rodeo, chuckwagon races, First Nation culture, Agriculture showcase, live music and much more.

Carifest (August)

Details: Calgary's celebration of Caribbean music, costumes, tradition and culture.

Chinook Blast (January/February)

Details: Calgary's midwinter festival showcasing the best of Calgary’s art, music, theatre, sport and recreation.

Funnyfest Calgary Comedy Festival (May/June)

Details: Memorable shows and amazing laughs for 11 days & nights of pure comedy from multiple venues, from theatres, hotels, and pubs.

GlobalFest (August)

Details: Celebrate Calgary’s diversity through song, dance, food and five nights of mind blowing firework displays.

High Performance Rodeo (January)

Details: Theatre, music, dance and comedy come together at Calgary's International Festival of the Arts.

Honens International Piano Competition & Festival (August/September)

Details: Listen to one-of-a-kind collaborations or inspiring solos from the world’s top piano talent.

Inglewood Sunfest (August)

Details: Free family festival with over 200 vendors, artisans, community organizations, live music, entertainment, and kid's activities.

Lilac Festival (June)

Details: Shake off the winter blues and jump into festival season with a pedestrian-friendly zone of patios, bands, free kids’ activities and more.

Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park (November – December)

Details: Family friendly holiday fun with wagon rides, food, shopping, and a visit from Santa.

Otafest (May)

Details: All ages Japanese anime and pop culture festival with meet and greets, video game tournaments, and merchandise.

Pet-a-Palooza (July)

Details: The social event of the year for pets and their people.

Rocky Mountain DanceSport Grand Prix (October)

Details: Featuring dancers from So You Think You Can Dance, top ballet and contemporary companies, and concluding with an exciting after party each night.

Roundup MusicFest (July)

Details: Internationally acclaimed artists take the stage in a first class outdoor music festival format.

Sled Island Music & Arts Festival (June)

Details: Dozen unique venues around the city featuring amazing performers from around the world.

Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market (November)

Details: Traditional European style holiday market with food, beverage, artisan, craft, and local vendors.

Taste of Calgary (August)

Details: Calgary's best outdoor food and beverage festival with live music and entertainment.

The Imaginairium by Wordfest (October)

Details: Calgary's top destination for connecting audiences with the world's best writers.

ZOOLIGHTS at Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo (November – January)

Details: Calgary's award winning, magical holiday tradition glows for six weeks of festive family-friendly fun.