Did you break a sweat while just going out to get your mail? You know what that means – the summer months are knocking on our doors!
We don’t know about you, but summer makes us want to try out new adventures – far away from our mailboxes, of course. We’re finally defrosting, with the heat slowly igniting our spirit of adventure.
If you’re raring to join us for some summer fun, great! Grab your sunscreen because we’re about to serve up a scorching list of exciting activities to do in Calgary from June to September so you can make the most of summer!
Table of Contents
- 1. Attend Marda Gras
- 2. Go kayaking at the Bow River
- 3. Hang out at the Inglewood Night Market
- 4. Take a lovely stroll at Prince’s Island Park
- 5. Go on a hike at Glenmore Reservoir Loop
- 6. Witness the exhilarating Calgary Stampede
- 7. Take the family to Canada Olympic Park
- 8. Catch an outdoor theatre performance by Shakespeare by the Bow
- 9. Listen to live music performances at Calgary Folk Music Festival
- 10. Attend Calgary Pride
- 11. Try out several local eateries at Food Bike Tour
- 12. Taste unique ice cream flavors at the Village Ice Cream
- 13. Take photos of the Peace Bridge
- 14. Explore local wildlife at Fish Creek Provincial Park
- 15. Attend a yoga class at Yoga in Bowness
1. Attend Marda Gras
Website: https://www.visitmardaloop.com/mardagras/
Address: Marda Loop – 33rd Avenue SW between 18th and 22nd street
Happening at Marda Loop, hence the name, Marda Gras is an exciting annual event that happens every second Sunday of August – during the pinnacle of the summer month in the city.
There’s an abundance of enjoyable things to do, which is why it attracts a crowd. This includes live music performances and the local stalls showcasing an assortment of offerings, from local crafts to novelty goods.
2. Go kayaking at the Bow River
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1fvYhN7HC4evaAxPA
During the summer months, plenty of locals go to Bow River, participating in different kinds of outdoor activities.
While trout fishing remains one of the most popular choices, we recommend trying kayaking too, especially if the idea of a nature excursion amidst marvelous scenic views sound good to you.
3. Hang out at the Inglewood Night Market
Website: https://www.inglewoodnightmarket.ca
Address: 1235 26 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0W5, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-453-7424
There’s an undeniable allure about bazaars and markets that make them especially exciting during the summer. After all, this is the perfect season to be adventurous!
Fortunately, Inglewood Night Market is the perfect avenue for this thirst for discovering new things.
Here, there’s always plenty of variety with the vendors, so you’re guaranteed local delights every visit. A few examples of the items you’ll find here are vintage clothing, handmade products, delicious dishes, and more.
4. Take a lovely stroll at Prince’s Island Park
Website: https://www.calgary.ca/parks/princes-island-park.html
Address: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 5N4, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-268-2489
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 5 AM to 11 PM
Prince’s Island Park is a beautiful place to explore if you want to briefly escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Serving as an oasis for those who want to reconnect with nature, it’s a place where one can easily get lost on a quiet stroll within nature’s presence.
You can usually catch us here with a bagged lunch during one of our breaks. It’s also a great place for unwinding with a refreshing drink in the embrace of the tranquil atmosphere.
5. Go on a hike at Glenmore Reservoir Loop
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z1qwpewK8s8PevZf6
Engaging in an exciting hiking adventure is one of the most popular activities in Calgary during summer and of course, there’s no better trail than the Glenmore Reservoir Loop!
This route takes you on an exploration of the entire reservoir, which means it’s a 9-mile (14-kilometer) excursion that promises a sweaty workout session.
While it takes a total of 3 hours and 20 minutes to complete, it’s quite friendly for beginners. Additionally, you can tap out anytime so there’s no need to push your limits.
6. Witness the exhilarating Calgary Stampede
Website: https://www.calgarystampede.com
One of the most famous events in Calgary, the Calgary Stampede, is an event that you shouldn’t miss. The millions of visitors it attracts yearly seem to think so!
It’s basically an outdoor rodeo event. Even those who aren’t fans of rodeo would enjoy this because there are other shows to watch – like a dog show and live cultural performances.
By the way, you can already snag tickets for the next Calgary Stampede happening on July 5 to 14, 2024. Just head over to their website to secure one!
7. Take the family to Canada Olympic Park
Website: https://www.winsport.ca
Address: 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW, Calgary, AB T3B 5R5, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-247-5452
Operating hours:
- Monday – closed
- Tuesday to Friday – 11 AM to 7 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 10 AM to 4 PM
If adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities are what you’re looking for during the summer months, you should definitely put Canada Olympic Park at the top of your Calgary itinerary.
During the summer, it’s a popular destination for mountain biking, downhill karting, and more.
8. Catch an outdoor theatre performance by Shakespeare by the Bow
Website: https://www.theatrecalgary.com/artists-and-education/shakesbow/
Shakespeare by the Bow hosts yearly events at selected Calgary locations for their outdoor performances.
If you want to catch them act out popular Shakespeare plays like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, make sure to visit their website for the complete performance schedule.
9. Listen to live music performances at Calgary Folk Music Festival
Website: https://www.calgaryfolkfest.com
Another exciting activity to do in Calgary during the summer is listening to live musical performances at Calgary Folk Music Festival.
An annual event, the upcoming 2024 edition will be the festival’s 45th iteration. If you don’t want to miss it, save the date for July 25 to 28, 2024. For the complete line up, see their website to know more details.
10. Attend Calgary Pride
Website: https://calgarypride.ca
Calgary Pride is another exciting event that happens in the city every summer. It’s a celebration of being one’s true and authentic self while being surrounded by a supportive community.
Participating in the pride march brings a symbolic significance, as it allows you to not just march for yourself, but for other people who are still in the closet. Showing support for these people is important because it imparts the message that things get better.
11. Try out several local eateries at Food Bike Tour
Website: https://foodbiketour.com
Contact details: +1 780-250-2453
There are plenty of splendid restaurants in Calgary. Rather than trying them out the traditional way, why not try joining a food bike tour where \local foodies can point you in the right direction?
While the spots are a secret to give you the element of surprise, you can choose from two offerings: a brunch food bike tour and a donut bike tour. Both activities are ones beginners can easily pedal through, so no need to worry about not being able to keep the pace!
12. Taste unique ice cream flavors at the Village Ice Cream
Website: https://villageicecream.com
Address: 431 10 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0W3, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-261-7950
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday – 11 AM to 11 PM
Beat the sizzling summer days by getting your ice cream fix at the Village Ice Cream. They have plenty of interesting flavors that can cool you down, including maple pecan, mint, and honeyberry.
Additionally, they also have more unique seasonal flavors, which is always something to look forward to.
13. Take photos of the Peace Bridge
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ddXdjRZ5fo2t7E6a9
Contact details: +1 403-268-2489
The Peace Bridge is an iconic structure that adds color to the Calgary skyline. Accessible only to people on foot or on bikes, it has a versatile appeal, which serves as both functional and picturesque.
Plenty of individuals go here to take photos of the bridge itself or also to create images with the bridge in the background. In any case, this spot is always a great place to go to if you’re in Calgary looking for a scenic view of the city.
14. Explore local wildlife at Fish Creek Provincial Park
Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/G3y2TB3mfudMKX6Y6
Contact details: +1 403-297-5293
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 10 PM
The Fish Creek Provincial Park is an exciting destination where one can witness the rich wildlife Calgary has to offer.
While there are plenty of animals to spot here all year round, it becomes especially lively during the summer months. A few of the species you can see here are foxes, minks, red squirrels, Great Horned Owls, and plenty more.
By the way, before you go, it’s important to keep your distance when you spot wildlife in the park because of the unpredictability of their actions. Stay safe by admiring them from afar.
15. Attend a yoga class at Yoga in Bowness
Website: http://www.yogainbowness.com
Address: 6323 Bowness Rd NW #102, Calgary, AB T3B 0E4, Canada
Contact details: +1 403-288-2909
Operating hours:
- Monday & Wednesday – 9 AM to 1 PM, 5:30 to 9:30 PM
- Tuesday & Thursday – 9 AM to 1 PM, 4 PM to 9 PM
- Friday – 9 AM to 1 PM
- Saturday – 8:30 AM to 12 PM
- Sunday – 9 AM to 1 PM, 3 PM to 5 PM
Make the most of the warmth of summer by participating in a yoga class at Yoga in Bowness. While their regular classes are often held indoors, the summer season calls for exciting outdoor classes.
This lets you enjoy a refreshing yoga session while appreciating beautiful natural views.