Summer 2025 is here and we have compiled a list of 25 things to do around Calgary and Airdrie to help make your summer season spectacular.
Hit a Patio
Summertime is prime patio season! Whether you’re in the mood for a quiet alfresco dining experience or a party-like atmosphere, there’s a perfect patio out there for you. A few local favourites include Calgary’s always-busy patio at the Ship and Anchor Pub on 17th Avenue and the dog-friendly space at Cold Garden in Inglewood. In Airdrie, 525 Restaurant & Patio is a popular spot.
Go on a Picnic
Patios are a summertime must, but so are picnics! Bask in the sunshine with a laid-back picnic at one the many scenic parks that Calgary and Airdrie have to offer. You’re truly spoiled for choice when it comes to picking your spot, but a few of our favourites include Stanley Park, Bowness Park and Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary, and Chinook Winds Park and Nose Creek Park in Airdrie.
Attend a Music Festival
From Jazz YYC Summer Festival and Sled Island to Calgary Folk Fest and Country Thunder, there are so many summer music festivals happening in and around Calgary this year that you’re sure to find one (or two or three) that suits your tastes and timing. Pick your faves, secure your tickets and enjoy the show(s)!
Get EPIC at the Meadows
Spruce Meadows is turning up the fun in June and July with EPIC weekends during its summer tournaments. Friday and Saturday on specific weekends, a general admission ticket will give you unlimited access to world-class show jumping, live music, a great kid’s zone, and can’t-miss entertainment like Corgi races, riding demonstrations and Friday-night movies beneath the stars.
Saddle Up for the Airdrie Pro Rodeo
Head over to the Airdrie Rodeo Grounds for this annual celebration of Western culture. Running from June 27 to July 1, the Airdrie Pro Rodeo is a popular local tradition, packed with thrilling rodeo events, live music, food trucks, beer gardens and plenty of family-friendly fun.
Celebrate Canada Day
Show your national pride at one of the many free Canada Day celebrations taking place in Calgary and Airdrie on July 1. If you’re in Airdrie, head to Main Street for the lively Canada Day parade (starting at 10 am). In Calgary, enjoy live music, an Indigenous showcase and great food at Calgary’s Confluence Historic Site & Parkland or check out the live entertainment on St. Patrick’s Island.
Try Downhill Karting at WinSport
Savour the thrill of downhill karting at WinSport Canada Olympic Park. Zoom down the winding, 1,800-metre track on a three-wheeled kart, then hop on the chairlift and do it all over again. This adventure is suitable for kids and adults, alike. Check the website for hours and ticket information.
Go Stampeding
The Calgary Stampede is a time-honoured Calgary tradition for a reason! Make the most of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth by checking out the bustling midway, taking in the live music on the Coca Cola Stage, watching thrilling rodeo events, learning about Indigenous culture and more. This year’s Stampede runs from July 4 to 13.
Float the bow
Nothing says summer in Calgary like drifting down the Bow River in a raft with friends. This laid-back local tradition is a must—and it’s easier than you might think, thanks to the various raft rental outfitters who are ready to help you out, including The Paddle Station and Lazy Day Raft Rentals.
Explore Aquatic Habitats
Before or after you’ve floated the Bow, head to the Bow Habitat Station, where you and the family can learn all about the fish and other wildlife that live in and around Alberta’s rivers. Located in Inglewood, the Bow Habitat Station has plenty of exhibits and interactive fun (including feedings at the fish hatchery) that are suitable for all ages.
Step Back in Time at Heritage Park
This summer, Heritage Park has some new attractions to check out. In addition to exploring the permanent “living history” exhibits that span the 1860s to 1950s, now you can also try your hand at making Indigenous art (using traditional tools and pigments) or tour the newly launched Prairie Royalty exhibit, which celebrates the icons and trailblazers who helped shape prairie culture through the decades.
Scream for Ice Cream
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, YYC Ice Cream Fest is the event for you! From July 18 to August 17, you can try featured ice cream creations from participating vendors throughout the city, then vote for your favourites online as each eatery competes for the coveted titles of YYC’s Best Scoop, Best Non-Dairy Scoop and the special Golden Scoop Award.
Take a Guided Nature Walk
Grab your binoculars and discover the beauty of local wildlife on a free guided birding walk with Nature Calgary. Led by knowledgeable volunteer naturalists, these summer excursions are open to everyone and take place at a variety of parks in and around the city. Check the website for times and locations.
Feel the Beat at Studio Bell
If the summer weather gets too hot or too rainy, spend an afternoon indoors at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. Explore five floors of beautifully curated exhibitions that share the story of music in Canada, then make music of your own at one of the interactive instrument installations.
See the Musical Ride
Every year between May and October, the RCMP Musical Ride tours select communities across Canada. This summer they’ll be performing at the Calgary Stampede in July and at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in August. Enjoy watching RCMP members and their horses perform impressive figures and drills—all choreographed to music. It’s a quintessentially Canadian experience. Check the website for dates and times.
Enjoy a Polar Bear Breakfast
On select Saturday mornings until August 30, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is hosting its Polar Bear Breakfast event. Bring your family or friends to the zoo’s Wild Canada zone for an exclusive before-hours viewing of the polar bear habitat, learn some interesting polar bear facts, then dine on a yummy breakfast buffet at the Kitamba Café. Check the website for more information on times and tickets.
Sample Treats at Taste of Calgary
Explore Calgary’s exciting and always evolving culinary scene at Taste of Calgary, where you can sample select dishes and drinks from some of the city’s best-loved restaurants, breweries, distilleries and more. Running from July 21 to August 4, this four-day event takes place in a massive parking lot on the corner of 4th Avenue and 9th Street SW. Check the website for more info on purchasing sampling tickets.
Watch the Summer Skirmish
Summer Skirmish is back at The Military Museums on August 16 and 17, 2025. Watch exciting battle re-enactments and demonstrations spanning 2,000 years of warfare history, from Viking raids and medieval duels to gladiator combat, musketry and more. You and the family can meet costumed re-enactors and enjoy an epic weekend of military action.
Cheer on the Dragon Boats
Join the 400-plus spectators at North Glenmore Park to cheer on teams of paddlers as they compete in the exciting sport of dragon boat racing. An action-packed event, the Calgary Dragon Boat Race and Festival runs from August 8 to 10, 2025, and includes live entertainment, beer gardens, and an array of food and retail vendors.
Make a Splash at a Spray Park
Beat the heat by spending some time at one of Calgary or Airdrie’s spray parks. There are lots to choose from in Calgary (check the City website for details), including the very popular ones at Prairie Winds Park and Rotary Park in the northeast part of the city. And in Airdrie, the kids are sure to enjoy plenty of splashing and laughing at Chinook Winds Spray Park.
See Some World-Class Fireworks
Celebrate Calgary’s diversity and watch spectacular fireworks displays at Globalfest, an annual event featuring live music, international cuisine, cultural exhibits and pyrotechnic shows from around the world. Countries displaying fireworks this year include the United States, Malaysia (for the first time!), the Philippines, China and, of course, Canada. The ticketed event takes place at Elliston Park, East Calgary, from August 14 to 23.
Do Some Summer Cycling
Calgary is home to the longest urban pathway network in Canada—and one of the best ways to explore it is on two wheels. Hop on your bike and enjoy a leisurely ride through river valleys, parks and vibrant neighbourhoods. To the north, Airdrie offers up a number of peaceful and scenic routes as well!
Tour Calgary’s Outdoor Art Scene
Turn your regular summer evening stroll into something a little more special. Use the City of Calgary’s public art map to create a self-guided tour of the murals, sculptures and installations that adorn the city’s streets, parks and pathways. It’s an inspiring way to slow down, look around and see Calgary through fresh eyes.
Have a Laugh at the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
Running August 22 to 24 at Prince’s Island Park, this funny event features an all-star lineup of comedians, including Bert Kreisher, Whitney Cummings and Marc Normand, as well as local performers. Whether you want to enjoy all three days of hilarity or just a single show, the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival is sure to make you laugh. Check the website for more info.
Embrace Your Inner Soccer Fan
Calgary is now home to two professional soccer teams—and you can cheer for both of them this summer! Established in 2018, the Calvary FC compete in the men’s professional Canadian Premier League and play their home games at ATCO field in Spruce Meadows. The Calgary Wild FC, meanwhile, are marking their debut season in Canada’s first women’s pro league—the Northern Super League—and play their home games at McMahon Stadium. Both offer action-packed games that are sure to entertain.
