Your ultimate guide to fall fun in Calgary

It’s time to say so long to the sweltering days of summer and hello to fall’s golden larch trees, strolls along the Bow River and delicious apple and pumpkin baked goods from Glamorgan Bakery. To help you enjoy everything this season has to offer, we’ve curated a list of fun fall activities happening around Calgary.  

From art exhibits to food festival favourites and outdoor adventures, with this guide in hand, every day can be as fun as jumping into a pile of freshly raked leaves (without the mess, of course).

Sing along at a concert 

• Dermot Kennedy | October 21 | Scotiabank Saddledome – Soulful lyrics, golden vocals and an unforgettable sound—that's what you’re in for when Kennedy hits the stage to perform songs from his latest album, Sonder.  ‍
• Bruce Springsteen | November 8 | Scotiabank Saddledome – Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see “The Boss” perform his classic hits live on his first North American tour since 2016.  ‍
• Shania Twain | November 11 | Scotiabank Saddledome – After all this time, Shania remains an iconic Canadian singer-songwriter whose music defined an era. This is your chance to sing along as she hits the stage for the first time in nearly five years!   ‍
• Loreena McKennitt | November 13 | Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – McKennitt’s ethereal voice will transport you to the Celtic world of folklore as she performs songs from her 4x platinum album, The Visit.

Go to a CFL game  

In terms of fall faves, cheering on your local football team is right up there with pumpkin spice lattes. The crisp autumn air, fans bundled up in team colours and high-stakes games make for an unforgettable experience. Whether you're a football fanatic or just looking for a fun outing with friends, make sure you’re decked out in black and white to show your Stampeders pride. View the full schedule here.  

Attend a food festival 

• Soupalicious Calgary | October 1 | Highfield Regenerative Farm – Celebrate the season by indulging in warm bowls of locally inspired soup before you explore the artisan market, play outdoor games and sing along to live music!  ‍
• YYC Pizza Fest | Until October 1 | Multiple Locations – Eat your heart out as local restaurants battle it out to see whose original pizza will win the coveted title of Calgary's best slice. Perfect for those who appreciate charity, community and quality pizza crust! ‍‍
• Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival | October 13-14 | BMO Centre at Stampede Park – Explore an incredible array of tasty wines, smooth spirits and downright delicious beers from around the globe. Cap it all off with tantalizing bites from some of Calgary’s best restaurants and food purveyors. ‍‍
• Ghost Tea | October 14 & 15, 21 & 22 | Heritage Park – Embrace spooky season with this ghostly edition of Heritage Park’s afternoon tea! This unforgettable experience includes a family-friendly ghost tour through the park followed by tea and treats to warm you up after the chilling event.  ‍‍
• Taylor Swift Brunch Experience | October 28 & 29 | Trolley 5 Brewpub – Bond with like-minded Swifties at a brunch that features 'style', 'peace' and 'happiness' in honour of the songwriting queen. Enjoy a meal from the 'Enchanted' Taylor-themed menu whilst listening to her timeless songs.  

Catch a laugh

• Nikki Glaser | October 7 | Grey Eagle Resort and Casino – Sit down for a laugh with Nikki Glaser, one of the funniest female voices in comedy. She’s delivered her shockingly honest, no-holds barred style of comedy to audiences for nearly two decades.
• An Evening with Mary Walsh | October 26 | Taylor Centre for the Performing Arts – Don’t miss this special opportunity to see Canadian cultural icon, comedian and social activist Mary Walsh perform some of her best comedic bits and most popular characters from Dancing with Rage, CODCO and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, along with up-to-the-minute local political satire. 
• Paul Taylor: Bisoubye X | November 14 | La Cité des Rocheuses – Get ready for a night of laughter and entertainment as British comedian Paul Taylor performs his hilarious new show Bisoubye X! Mixing French and British humour, Paul's unique brand of comedy has made him a sensation on social media and on stages around the world. ‍
• Just for Laughs | November 18 | Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – You’re guaranteed to have a good old-fashioned Canadian chuckle with host Roy Wood Jr. (The Daily Show) and an incredible line-up of hilarious comedians, including Lebanese Canadian comedian Malik Elassal, Critics Choice Award nominee Joyelle Nicole Johnson and Just for Laughs Festival favourite Arthur Simeon.

Meet your favourite author 

• Wordfest Presents: Mary Berg | October 21 | DJD Dance Centre – Dish up a full serving of the good stuff as MasterChef Canada champ, bestselling cookbook author and new daytime TV show host Mary Berg discusses her newest cookbook, In Mary’s Kitchen: Stress-Free Recipes for Every Home Cook, with food writer Julie Van Rosendaal.  
• Book Launch: Whistle at Night and They Will Come | October 24 | Memorial Park Library – Prepare to be drawn into the abyss by tales of apparitions, curses and hauntings, monstrous entities and chilling acts of vengeance at the launch of Blackfoot storyteller Alex Soop’s second collection, Whistle at Night and They Will Come. ‍
• Wordfest Presents: Waubgeshig Rice | October 30 | Memorial Park Library – Listen to Waubgeshig Rice discuss his hotly anticipated new novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, the sequel to his award-winning bestseller, Moon of the Crusted Snow. The event will include an audience Q&A and book signing.  ‍
• In Conversation with Chris Hadfield | November 19 | Indigo – CrossIron (Rocky View) – Join acclaimed astronaut Chris Hadfield as he signs copies of his novel, The Defector. The story follows the hunt for a shadowy Soviet defector and brings a nerve-shredding rush of aerial combat, as told by one of the world's top fighter pilots. 

Enjoy an art exhibit 

• Anda Kubis: Languorous | Until October 14 | Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art – Get inspired at this solo exhibit of work by Canadian contemporary painter, Anda Kubis. The works seen in Languorous are an accumulation of attuned decisions, yielding time for the pleasures of observation.
• Gathie Falk: Revelations | Until October 15 | Glenbow at The Edison – This is your chance to see the work of legendary Canadian artist Gathie Falk and learn about her contribution to art in Canada over the last 60 years.  
• Michelle Atkinson: Human Sprawl | Until March 31, 2024 | Leighton Centre – Atkinson’s work will open your eyes to humanity’s tendency to live in excess. Using materials destined for the landfill, her work reflects upon habitat loss in the Foothills region and, by extension, across the globe.

Delight in a theatre performance 

• The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie | Until October 8 | Max Bell Theatre – Stop by Theatre Calgary for a brand-new production of the world’s longest-running play by its greatest mystery writer. Can you put the pieces together and solve the murder before the final curtain? ‍
• Made in Italy | October 17-November 11 | Martha Cohen Theatre – Plan a night at the theatre for the whole family! This tour-de-force solo show is a comedic chronicle of the generational differences in an immigrant family.  ‍
• Hadestown | November 21-26 | Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – You won’t want to miss this acclaimed new musical by celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin. Winner of eight 2019 Tony® Awards, Hadestown is a love story for today…and always.

Spend time outdoors 

• Take in the fall foliage at Larch Valley | Banff – Take an awe-inspiring walk through one the biggest stands of larch trees in Banff and watch it transform from summer green to autumn gold.  ‍
• Ghouls’ Night Out | October 27 | Heritage Park – Embrace the Halloween spirit at the Ghouls’ Night Out bash! Round up your family, don your favorite costumes, grab flashlights and get ready for a spook-tacular evening for ghosts and goblins of all ages.  ‍
• Pumpkins After Dark | Until October 31 | WinSport, Canada Olympic Park – Explore a magical pathway of lit pumpkin sculptures and displays, with music, sounds and special effects. With classic Halloween characters, dinosaurs and dragons, movie and pop culture icons—this family-friendly event has something for everyone.