Calendar

Takes place September 18, 9am to 5pm, and September 19, 10am to 4pm. Snake your way down to the Calgary Reptile Expo! This is your family's opportunity to find your favorite local reptile and amphibian breeders and enthusiasts all under one roof. T.A.R.A.S members have free admission when they bring their active membership card and children under 4 have free admission with an adult. To purchase tickets, visit the website.

Based on the success of the past “Dinosaurs Alive” exhibit, the Calgary Zoo is introducing 26 new realistic animatronic dinosaurs (across 17 species) within Prehistoric Park, from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, covering the zoo’s regions including Canada, Asia, Africa, South America, and Antarctica. The exhibit, designed to educate, as well as entertain, encourages visitors to go on an immersive journey through the newly designed Prehistoric Park to experience what it may have been like to roam the Earth with the dinosaurs, while inspiring action to prevent the loss of endangered species today. “Dinosaurs: Awakened” will be viewable within Prehistoric Park until October 31, and is included in the price of daily admission. Tickets can be purchased from the Calgary Zoo website.

Pumpkin Fest takes place on weekends in October, 10am to 4pm. Stroll through the farmyard and find your perfect pumpkins! Add in some great animal visits, fabulous fall photo-ops, pony rides, a ride thru Scarecrow Alley in the back woodlands (spectacular at this time of year), and you’ve got the must-do fall family fun day! With COVID still lurking, please wash your hands both before and after every activity or pen visit and please maintain social distancing. For more information and details on all of the pumpkin family fun and to purchase your tickets, visit the website.

Takes place October 8 to 11. Dinosaur Era Calgary will feature more than 19 moving, breathing, blinking, and roaring animatronic dinosaurs, which will be classified in three various segments of the prehistoric eras, namely Jurassic, Triassic, and Cretaceous periods; some 250 million years ago! The Jurassic tour will capture your imagination, taking you back in time to the land of dinosaurs where you will come face to face with the breathtaking, agile, life-sized raptor among other dinosaurs! The accurate to science dinosaur specimens are improved recreations as a result of recent paleontology discoveries. This unique outdoor and indoor educational exhibition is the perfect opportunity for science explorers of all ages to underpin their theoretic knowledge of the pre-historic world in dinosaur paleontology to level of reality. There will be various amusement rides and dinosaur-themed activities! Ideal for kids’ parties, family outings, and school groups. Tickets are limited and only available to purchase online. Due to the high demand for Dinosaur exhibitions, tickets usually get sold out before the event dates. Book tickets in advance to avoid last minute disappointments. No tickets will be sold at the door.

The YMCA is excited to offer Calgary Flames Grade 6 activities live and in person in a safe and fun outdoor environment and a virtual at-home experience! This free membership supported by the Calgary Flames Foundation is still available and will be extended to expire December 31, 2021 for any children that began their membership after August 1, 2020. Grade 6 Memberships for 2021/2022 school year will be available as of August 1, 2021. Programming will return to in-person in the coming weeks and months with some virtual resources also being offered. For more information, visit the website.

Takes place Saturdays, Sundays, and Holiday Monday from September 11 to October 11. Join the Boo Crew at Calaway Park! Stroll through Hallotown… if you dare! Is it scary? No, it’s friendly! It’s a spooktacular good time! Dress up as your favorite family-friendly character and enjoy a day of fun! Join in these special adventures: Stroll through Hallotown and discover spooky scenes; witches magical meet & greets between Noon and 3:45pm; photo opportunities. New in 2021? The Halloweekends Parade: Calaway Park's Spooktacular Spectacle! At 4pm on each Halloweekends day, the Halloweekends Parade will travel along the inner pathway of Calaway Park. Watch for special characters and a spooky parade float. Optimal viewing areas are at Dodgem and the Celebration Square Stage. Want to join in the fun? Dress up in a family-friendly costume and join the parade!

Head to Chinatown for the first Chinese Lantern Festival! There will be 30 carefully-selected cultural, market, food tents, and food trucks combined with high end entertainment. This is an event you don't want to miss. Up to 400 Chinese-style lanterns will be hanging to decorate the event. Markets and bazaars are popular around the world. They invite leisurely strolling, shopping, and munching on delicious street food. The Chinese Lantern Festival goes one step further, bringing live music, entertainment, artists and artisans great food and fun surprises to the streets of Chinatown.

Celebrating the art of expression with some of Calgary's local dance performers and spoken word artists, featuring The Tomorrows, Bollywood Signature, Honey Sturdy, Tri-Tone Tap Ensemble, At The Hip, and more! Doors open at 5pm. Tickets: $15 or PWYC options available.