10 of the best things to do in and around Calgary this week (Aug. 17 to 21)

A fresh week means a fresh new chance to get out and make some fun plans. There are some amazing events coming up around Calgary over the next few days, and we’ve rounded them up so you don’t have to go searching for them yourself. From a massive street hockey takeover to live music, adult summer camps and a spooky outdoor locked room, your calendar could be looking a lot more exciting by the time you finish reading this.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the events popping up around the city this week.

Learn more about one of the most famous dinosaurs in history during this adult-focused evening with Canadian Palaeontologist Dr. Emily Bamforth. The presentation will cover the latest T. rex fossil evidence, followed by an after-hours look at Sue: The T. rex Experience.

When: Monday, Aug. 17, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Telus Spark Science Centre – 210 St. George’s Dr. NW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: $28.00

Live music is taking over 17th Avenue for an hour with 17th on 17th. The free event will feature local bands and artists performing at five different spots along the corridor, so you can wander the area and listen to a few tunes along the way.

When: Monday, Aug. 17, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Tomkins Park – 17th Ave and 8th St. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free

Grab your brightest running gear because this 40-minute run through Bowness Park is all about the colours. Pick one shade and build your entire outfit around it, then line up with everyone else for a giant rainbow photo before heading out on a jog. It’s open to runners of all levels, so you don’t need to be a marathoner to join in.

When: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: Bowness Park – 8900 48th Ave. NW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free

Taste of Asia is returning to downtown Calgary for four days of food, culture and live entertainment. The free festival will feature more than 100 food vendors, giving you a chance to taste dishes from across Asia and discover new flavours.

When: Thursday, Aug. 20 to Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026
Time: Times vary
Where: 311 8th St. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free to visit

Street hockey is leaving the driveway and taking over downtown Calgary this week. The Play On! Street Hockey Tournament will transform 10 blocks of city streets into outdoor hockey rinks, bringing hundreds of players downtown for games and plenty of competition.

When: Thursday, Aug. 20 to Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Time: Times vary
Where: Locations vary throughout downtown
Cost: $79 per person

Get ready to break out your best all-white outfit because Dîner en Blanc is returning to Calgary for another unforgettable summer evening. Hundreds of guests will gather for an elegant outdoor dinner, but there’s one major catch: nobody knows where they’re going until the big reveal.

When: Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: 
Cost: $60 to $80 per person

Looking for something spooky to add to your plans? Heritage Park is transforming into a chilling outdoor escape room, where you’ll follow clues, encounter mysterious characters and solve puzzles as you try to stop an unspeakable evil from entering the village.

When: Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Dr. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: $49.95

Calgary is about to get a week of professional golf as the Rogers Charity Classic returns to the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. Over the weekend, 78 PGA TOUR Champions players will compete for a U.S. prize purse of $2.5 million in a three-round tournament.

When: Friday, Aug. 21, to Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club – 12501 14th St. SW, Calgary, Alta,
Cost: Starting at $39.29

Spend an evening at the Calgary Zoo learning about Alberta’s most endangered birds. Guests will enjoy a multi-course dinner at the Safari lodge while hearing about conservation efforts to protect burrowing owls and whooping cranes across the province.

When: Friday, Aug. 21, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Calgary Zoo – 210 St. George’s Dr. NW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: $130 plus GST

If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to summer, there’s still time for one more night of playing outside. Recess Calgary is wrapping up its fourth annual adult summer camp series at the Lougheed House. You can expect an evening of old-school games, snacks and plenty of chances to embrace your inner kid before the season comes to an end.

When: Friday, Aug. 21, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Lougheed House – 707 13th Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free

Have a spectacular week, Calgary!

Recent posts:
This historic Alberta coal mine lets you step 150 feet below the surface
Matt Rife, John Mulaney, and Bill Burr are coming to Calgary this month

Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

Read articles