Looking for things to do in Calgary this weekend? We’ve narrowed down some of the best events happening from August 21 to 23, from major festivals and food events to live music, sports, markets and a few smaller finds you might otherwise miss.
Last updated: August 19, 2026
There are hundreds of events happening around Calgary on any given weekend, but you probably don’t need hundreds of ideas.
This week’s Calgary Locale edit includes a huge Asian food festival downtown, an indie music festival at a local brewery, an adults-only mystery at the Calgary Zoo, one of the city’s biggest food events of the summer, a Pride market and party, live soccer and a few unexpected ways to spend your Saturday or Sunday.
Here are 10 things we think are actually worth doing in Calgary this weekend.
Eat Your Way Through Taste Of Asia
Come hungry.
Taste of Asia is taking over Lot 6 downtown from Thursday through Sunday, bringing together more than 100 food and vendor stalls representing flavours from across Asia, along with cultural performances and entertainment.
Because admission is free, this is an easy one to drop into for lunch, dinner or an afternoon snack crawl.
WHEN: Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, August 23
WHERE: Lot 6, downtown Calgary
COST: Free admission
WHY GO: More than 100 food and vendor stalls in one downtown spot without paying to get in.
Spend Saturday At DANDYFEST
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Beer, bands and a full day in Ramsay sounds pretty good to us.
DANDYFEST returns to Dandy Brewing on Saturday with two stages, 10+ bands and 10+ breweries, along with art and other festival extras. The event runs from noon into the evening.
It’s one of the weekend’s best options if you want something that feels distinctly local rather than another arena-sized festival.
WHEN: Saturday, August 22, noon to 11pm
WHERE: Dandy Brewing, 2003 11 St SE
AGES: 18+
WHY GO: Independent music, local beer and an entire Saturday built around both.
Solve An After-Hours Mystery At The Calgary Zoo
The zoo gets considerably more mysterious after everyone else goes home.
Locked Zoo: Havoc in the Highlands turns the Calgary Zoo into an after-hours puzzle experience on Saturday night.
Teams will follow clues through the zoo while investigating a fictional wildlife relay station linked to snow leopards, Sichuan takin and red pandas. Dinner boxes are included with admission.
Think escape room meets scavenger hunt meets night at the zoo.
And after this week, we’re just hoping “escaped grizzly” isn’t one of the clues.
WHEN: Saturday, August 22, 5 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
COST: $59 + GST
AGES: 18+
WHY GO: One of the most unusual date-night options happening in Calgary this weekend.
Feast Over Open Fire At Brewery & The Beast
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If you plan weekends around food, this is the big one.
Brewery & the Beast returns to The Confluence on Sunday with more than 60 restaurants and chefs from Calgary and Banff cooking over open flame. The all-inclusive event pairs all that food with beer, wine, cider and cocktails.
It’s one of the pricier things happening this weekend, but it’s also designed as a full afternoon experience rather than a quick festival stop.
WHEN: Sunday, August 23, 2 to 5 p.m.
VIP ENTRY: 1 p.m.
WHERE: The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, 750 9 Ave SE
WHY GO: More than 60 chefs and restaurants cooking over fire in one place.
Dance Through The Afternoon At Dos Leches
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If your ideal Saturday involves sunshine, music and no cover charge, Dos Leches is back in Inglewood.
The community-run outdoor music series is taking over Jack Long Park for Vol. 10, with DJs playing from the afternoon into sunset. There are no tickets or guest list. Just bring a blanket, your friends, your kids or your dog and settle in for the afternoon.
The organizers describe it as a family- and dog-friendly outdoor music event built around bringing Calgary together through music.
WHEN: Saturday, August 22, 3 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Jack Long Park, 920 9 Ave SE
COST: Free
ALL AGES: Yes
WHY GO: Free outdoor DJs, sunset in the park and one of the easiest Saturday plans on this list.
Check Out Calgary Pride’s First COLORES Queer Arts Market
This one combines an afternoon market with a late-night party.
COLORES Queer Arts Market celebrates local Latinx 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and makers at La Bodeguita Estéreo on Saturday afternoon, with the free market running from 1:30 to 6 p.m. as part of Calgary Pride programming.
Later that night, the space switches gears for the COLORES Latino Circuit Party, an 18+ Pride event beginning at 8 p.m.
WHEN: Saturday, August 22
MARKET: 1:30 to 6 p.m.
PARTY: From 8 p.m.
WHERE: La Bodeguita Estéreo
COST: Market admission is free
WHY GO: Shop local queer and Latinx makers by day, then come back for the party at night.
Watch Cavalry FC Take On Atlético Ottawa
For a sports pick this weekend, head south to ATCO Field.
Cavalry FC takes on Atlético Ottawa Saturday afternoon at Spruce Meadows, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m.
There’s also a limited buy-one-get-one ticket offer available in select sections using the code PLUSONE, according to Cavalry FC.
WHEN: Saturday, August 22, 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows
WHY GO: Live local soccer plus a current two-for-one ticket offer makes this a particularly good-value Saturday plan.
Shop By The Bridge In Inglewood
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Not every market needs 100 vendors.
By The Bridge is a smaller Sunday pop-up outside Worn Studio in Inglewood, with more than 10 local vendors selling things like vintage clothing, jewellery, pottery, handmade goods and home décor.
It’s free, relaxed and easy to pair with brunch, coffee or an afternoon wandering 9th Avenue.
WHEN: Sunday, August 23, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Worn Studio, 915 9 Ave SE
COST: Free
WHY GO: A smaller local market that works nicely as part of an Inglewood afternoon.
Step Into The Strathmore Medieval Faire
If you have ever wanted to spend a weekend around knights, Vikings and medieval markets, this is your chance.
The Strathmore Medieval Faire returns this weekend with costumed performers, live entertainment, artisan vendors, demonstrations and plenty of medieval-themed fun throughout the grounds.
It is one of the more unusual family-friendly events happening this weekend and a good option if you want to get out of the city for the day.
WHEN: Friday, August 21 to Sunday, August 23
WHERE: Strathmore, Alberta
COST: Tickets start around $14 online
WHY GO: Knights, Vikings, medieval markets and a full day that feels completely different from a typical summer festival.
Watch Barbie Outdoors At Stampede Campus
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Movie night gets a little more fun when it happens outside.
Cinema at Stampede Campus is screening Barbie at the BMO Amphitheatre on Saturday evening, with free admission to the Sam Centre beforehand, family activities and free popcorn for the first 200 guests.
There are also Barbie-inspired roller skaters making an appearance, so this one is leaning fully into the theme.
WHEN: Saturday, August 22
SAM CENTRE ACCESS: 4 to 5 p.m.
MOVIE: 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Stampede Campus, BMO Amphitheatre
COST: Free
WHY GO: A free outdoor movie night with family activities, popcorn and a little extra Barbie flair.
Stay Late At Cobb’s Endless Summer Nights
If Friday night plans are still wide open, Cobb’s Adventure Park is keeping things going after dark.
Endless Summer Nights is an adults-only evening with live music, drinks and access to the park after regular daytime hours.
This week’s event features live music from Paul Woida, making it a good pick if you want something casual and outdoorsy without heading downtown.
WHEN: Friday, August 21, 6 to 10 p.m.
LIVE MUSIC: 7 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Cobb’s Adventure Park
AGES: 18+
WHY GO: An adults-only summer night with live music and a more relaxed Friday-night vibe.
Catch A Drive-In Movie At Horizon Drive In
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Drive-in movie nights are back in Calgary this weekend, with a mix of family favourites, romance and late-night horror at Horizon Drive In.
Friday starts with Disney’s Cars at 9:30 p.m., followed by The Notebook at 11:30 p.m. Saturday switches things up with Jurassic Park at 9:30 p.m. and The Conjuring at 11:30 p.m.
The screenings take place at the Badlands parking lot, so you can stay in the car, bring snacks and lean into the full drive-in experience.
WHEN: Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22
FRIDAY: Disney’s Cars at 9:30 p.m. and The Notebook at 11:30 p.m.
SATURDAY: Jurassic Park at 9:30 p.m. and The Conjuring at 11:30 p.m.
WHERE: Badlands Parking Lot, Calgary
COST: $2.14 to $16.12
WHY GO: Two movies each night, including a family pick followed by a later screening for grown-ups.
More Things To Do In Calgary
Still looking for weekend plans?
For even more things to do in Calgary, browse the Calgary Locale event calendar for upcoming concerts, markets, festivals, workshops and events around the city.
And if you’d rather have the best picks sent to you, subscribe to The Locale List for our weekly edit of what’s worth eating, seeing and doing around Calgary.