The Calgary Group Chat: What your friends are talking about this week (June 16)

Welcome to the Calgary group chat. If you’ve been trying to keep up with everything happening in the city lately, this is your shortcut. New spots are opening, events are popping up, and summer is officially starting to take over the city.

Think of this as your weekly cheat sheet so you can stay ahead of the conversation.

Here’s everything you need to know this week!

What’s new, Calgary?

Patio season has officially entered the chat

Calgary has officially entered patio season, and honestly, the city just feels completely different the second the sun comes out. Suddenly, everyone is outside again, and every patio in the city is packed like we have all been waiting for this moment all year. If you’ve been in search of some good spots to kick off the summer season, there is no shortage of places to sit outside with a drink and soak up the weather while it lasts.

The Rooftop YYC is an easy pick if you want burgers, pizza, and a solid patio to actually sit and stay. It’s a great spot to hang out when the weather is nice, especially if you are already wandering around downtown.

Bow and Bend Rooftop recently opened in 2024, and it’s the perfect spot to choose if you’re all about beautiful city views.

Porch has a completely different energy from the previous two patios; it’s located on 17th Avenue and is an amazing spot if you’re looking for a busier atmosphere. They have some great food and drinks, along with a gorgeous floral-themed interior.

Still looking for Father’s Day plans?

If you’re still on the hunt for Father’s Day plans, Calgary has a few solid options this year.

At The Hangar Flight Museum, Wings and Wheels runs from June 20 to June 21, 2026 and brings together aircraft displays, a vehicle show, and a full family-friendly experience.

And if you’re looking for something a bit more relaxed, the Father’s Day brunch at the Calgary Zoo includes a full brunch experience along with zoo admission for the day.

Needless to say, there are plenty of things to do around Calgary that will make your dad feel special.

Summer just got a whole lot sweeter 

Made by Marcus is opening a new location in Greenwich Village this summer, and ice cream season just got an upgrade.

The Calgary-born shop is known for making everything from scratch using real ingredients. Their menu rotates weekly, but some regular favourites like sea salt caramel and malted chocolate homeycomb stay on the menu year-round. They also do ice cream flights and sundaes, if you want to try a little bit of everything.

I recently tried their new baklava flavour last week, and it was absolutely amazing, so let’s just say this new location is a win for us, northwest Calgary folks!

A new chapter for the Calgary Zoo

The Calgary Zoo has officially opened its new Asian Highlands exhibit on June 15, and it’s giving visitors a completely refreshed experience.

Asian Highlands is the first phase of the Imagine Asia transformation, featuring a mountain-inspired landscape and redesigned habitats that feel immersive and natural. You will now have the opportunity to see snow leopards and red pandas, along with a new species, the Sichuan takin.

A prehistoric takeover is coming to the city

Jurassic Quest is coming to Calgary from June 19 to 21 at the BMO Centre, and it’s essentially a full dinosaur takeover.

We are talking giant moving and roaring dinosaurs, fossil dig pits and interactive zones all under one roof. It is designed to be both immersive and educational, giving visitors a closer look at prehistoric creatures that once walked the earth.

And that’s your Calgary group chat for the week.

You are now officially in the loop, so if anything Calgary-related comes up during conversation, you are covered. Calgary is only getting busier from here, so there will be plenty more to talk about next week.

We will catch you then.

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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.

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