Play On! 2026: One Nation
2026-08-21, 2026-08-22 | Barclay Parade Southwest, Barclay Parade SW, Calgary, T2P
Some of the best hockey memories don’t happen in arenas.
They happen on the street.
From August 20-22, 2026, downtown Calgary will become the gathering place for players, families, and fans from across Canada as we come together to celebrate the game that connects us all.
Our goal is to bring 300 teams together and to hold the largest street hockey event in Canada since 2017.But Road to 300 isn’t really about the number. It’s about the people behind it. Every registration brings us one step closer to the goal. Every team that signs up helps turn a challenge into a reality.300 teams. Ten city blocks. One unforgettable weekend.
Whether you’re lacing up your shoes, giving back to the community, or helping keep the games running smoothly, there’s a place for everyone at One Nation.
Please complete registration by August 16, 2026.
Play On! One Nation takes place over three days in Downtown Calgary and follows a slightly different format than our traditional tournaments. Here’s a general overview of what your team can expect throughout the event.

Minto Cup 2026
2026-08-21, 2026-08-22, 2026-08-23 | Max Bell Centre, 1001 Barlow Trail Se, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 6S2
The Minto Cup is emblematic of the National Junior ‘A’ Lacrosse Champions of Canada.

The Minto Cup has a storied history dating back over a century. From its inception in 1901 to the present day, this trophy has witnessed fierce battles, remarkable feats, and the emergence of future lacrosse stars.

Historic Stephen Avenue Guided Walking Tours
2026-08-21 10:00 - 15:30 (America/Boise) | Stephen Avenue Walk, 340 8 Avenue Southwest, Calgary, T2P 1C1
Discover the architectural gems, historic landmarks, and stories that have shaped this dynamic city on a guided walking tour that explores Stephen Avenue, Calgary’s National Historic District.
These tours are approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and include part of the surrounding area of Stephen Avenue.For a private tour or group larger than 20 people, please contact us at info@heritagecalgary.ca.
Tours are held twice a day at 10 am and 2 pm during July and August.

River Hall YYC
2026-08-21 11:00 - 22:00, 2026-08-22 11:00 - 22:00, 2026-08-23 11:00 - 22:00 (America/Edmonton) | 311 8 Street SW, 311 8 Street Sw, Calgary
River Hall YYC

☀️ Free open air community events
along the Bow River
🎶 Entertainment •
Activities • Wellness & more!
💫
Family + Dog friendly 🐾
📍 Lot 6, 311 8 ST SW

Hours
✨ Thursdays & Fridays:
5–10 PM
✨ Saturdays & Sundays:
11 AM–10 PM

Enjoy the best of summer at River Hall with vibrant events,
local talent, vendors, and plenty of opportunities to connect, relax, and have
fun!

Whether you’re looking for a fun weekend outing, a perfect
date spot, or simply somewhere to soak up the sunshine, there’s plenty of room
to hang out and make the most of the season.

Noor e Dastan by Bhuwin
2026-08-21 19:00 - 22:30 (America/Edmonton) | The GRAND, 608 1 St SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 1M6
An evening of Sufi storytelling, Punjabi and Rajasthani folk, and acoustic reinterpretations of the songs that shaped a generation.
Singer-poet Bhuwin Returns with his signature Baithak format to Calgary— an intimate, vocal-and-guitar-driven set that moves between original Sufi compositions, qawwali, and reimagined Bollywood and Punjabi folk classics. Using live looping, he builds full arrangements in real time on stage — layering rhythm, melody, and harmony into a sound that fills the room like a full band, performed entirely solo.
It’s a listening room, not a concert in the usual sense. Lyrics matter here. So does silence. Expect a roughly three-hour set of music — give or take half an hour — meant to slow the evening down and bring a restless heart some quiet.
Doors 6:00 p.m. Show 7:00 p.m. All ages

There are no refunds or exchanges on tickets. (If the performance is rescheduled, tickets will be valid for the rescheduled date or refunded at the discretion of the promoter.)
All patrons over the age of 1 year old must have a ticket in order to enter the auditorium.

Nick Callas
2026-08-21 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-08-22 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | Comedy Cave, 1020 8 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 1J2
Nick Callas is an NYC based stand up comic. He is a regular at the Comedy Cellar and frequents the top NYC comedy clubs. He’s opened for SNL’s Colin Jost, Dana Carvey and Tracy Morgan. On Television, Nick starred in Music Choice’s Questionable Choices and was featured on NY’s Funniest for NBC’s SeeSo. Nick hosted MTV’s One Shining Moment, and his impressions, original characters and physical comedy have landed him multiple 8H SNL Screen Tests with Lorne Michaels. Nick has created digital shorts for Comedy Central and Cracked.
As an actor Nick appeared in Jennifer Esposito’s FEATURE FILM, Fresh Kills, which debuted at the TriBeca Film Festival in NYC and starred as the lead in both JAMS and At Midnight which featured in San Francisco’s International Film Festival.He is a cast member and cofounder of American High Shorts which has grossed hundreds of thousands of views and followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Adam Ruby
2026-08-21 20:00 - 23:59, 2026-08-22 19:00 - 23:59, 2026-08-22 21:30 - 23:59 (America/Edmonton) | Yuk Yuk’s Calgary-Elbow River Casino, Calgary
Adam Ruby is a dynamic and vibrant comedian who knows how to light up the stage with his infectious energy and interactive style. As a finalist of the 2016 Yuk and comers contest, Adam continues to make waves in the comedy scene. His sharp observations of everyday life, relatable anecdotes, and hilarious takes on contemporary issues. He fearlessly tackles a wide range of topic from the mundane to the absurd. Adam also has worked comedy legends Ryan long, Andrew Shultz, and Mark Normand. Adam Ruby is definitely a name to remember. Catch him on his journey across Canada, spreading laughter to every corner of the country.

RetroVision
2026-08-21 21:00 - 23:59 (America/Edmonton) | The Palace Theatre, 219 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 1B7
French producer and DJ RetroVision plays The Palace on Friday, August 21st! FREE before 10:30PM—RSVP below.

Date: Friday, August 21st, 2026

Doors: 9:00 p.m.

18+ only with valid government issued ID

Get Ready for the Ultimate Summer Challenge!
2026-08-22, 2026-08-23, 2026-08-24 | Calgary Public Library – Central, 800 3 St Se, Calgary, T2G 2E7
The Challenge is simple — read every day this summer.
Everyone can be part of the Ultimate Summer Challenge. This shared reading adventure is a great way to connect, discover, and keep learning through the summer months.
From July 1 to August 31, read, attend programs, explore new stories, and have fun at the Library as part of the Ultimate Summer Challenge.
Registration opens June 15.

PlayLab: Rattle and Strum
2026-08-22 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Edmonton) | Studio Bell, 850 4 St SE, Calgary, Ab, T2G 0L8
Join children’s music duo Rattle and Strum for live music in PlayLab.
Set times: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m..
About Rattle and Strum
Rattle and Strum is a children’s music duo based in Calgary, Canada. Known for their engaging live shows and catchy tunes that appeal to children and their grownups, they make new friends and fans everywhere they go.
About PlayLabPlayLab is a hands-on sound playground where young visitors can discover how music works. With interactive stations that feature strings, wind, percussion, and electronic instruments, kids experiment with the building blocks of sound—pitch, volume, timbre, and vibration. Pluck a string, strike a drum, blow into an organ, or shape sound on a synth to hear how instruments create their unique voices. Designed for curiosity and creativity, PlayLab encourages visitors to listen closely, explore freely, and learn how musicians turn sound into music.
PlayLab is made possible with support from the Alberta Museums Association and the Radomski Foundation.
Backbeat weekend programming is supported by CIBC.

Jingle Cone Keychain Workshop
2026-08-22 12:00 - 16:30 (America/Edmonton) | The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, 750 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, T2G 5E1
Have you ever heard the twinkling of the jingle dress and wanted to know how they’re made? The jingle cones behind the iconic sound have been made from repurposed and recycled materials since at least the 18th century. Historically used as decoration on clothing and jewelry, now they typically adorn beautiful jingle dresses at powwows.
In this workshop, Saulteaux-Métis artist Rey-J Horsefall and Métis artist Arlan LaVallee-Nairn will teach guests the historical and modern Indigenous use of jingle cones. Using metalsmithing and cold smithing techniques, Rey-J and Arlan will walk you through the hands-on process of cutting and shaping jingle cones to create a unique jingle cone keychain.
Workshop includes materials, instruction, and admission to The Confluence Cultural Centre.

CIBC Backbeat: Bow & Tell with James Watson
2026-08-22 14:00 - 16:30 (America/Edmonton) | Studio Bell, 850 4 St SE, Calgary, Ab, T2G 0L8
Join us on Saturdays in PlayLab for a hands-on violin experience designed for young explorers and future musicians alike! Presented by Jubilee Arts in partnership with the National Music Centre, and featuring live performances alongside guided instruction from professional violinists, including musicians from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, this interactive program invites children of all ages and skill levels to step into the world of music-making.
PlayLab is a hands-on sound playground where young visitors can discover how music works. With interactive stations that feature strings, wind, percussion, and electronic instruments, kids experiment with the building blocks of sound—pitch, volume, timbre, and vibration. Pluck a string, strike a drum, blow into an organ, or shape sound on a synth to hear how instruments create their unique voices. Designed for curiosity and creativity, PlayLab encourages visitors to listen closely, explore freely, and learn how musicians turn sound into music.

4th Street Night Market
2026-08-22 17:00 - 22:00 (America/Edmonton) | Central Memorial Park, 1221 2 St Sw, Calgary, T2R 0W9
The 4th Street Night Market is located in the heart of The Beltline for 2026. Visit the lively main street neighborhood of 4th Street for food, fun, local finds, & friends at this family-friendly, free, pet-friendly night market all summer long! (May 16, June 20, July 18, August 22, September 19)

Locked Zoo: Havoc in the Highlands (18+)
2026-08-22 17:00 - 23:59 (America/Edmonton) | Calgary Zoo, 1300 Zoo Rd Ne, Calgary, T2E 7V6
Your team has been dispatched to the highlands of Bhutan to investigate a wildlife relay station that fell silent after a strange final broadcast. Something appears to have radically altered the behaviour of the area’s snow leopards, Sichuan takin, and red pandas.
With dinner boxes included in your ticket, you’ll be fuelled as you puzzle your way through this after-hours adventure through the zoo.

Home Residency - Artist Talk with Jona Redwood and Yu Chen
2026-08-22 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Edmonton) | Sparrow Artspace, 36 4 Street Northeast, Calgary, Ab, T2E 5A8
FREE, please register
Join HOME Residency artists Jona Redwood and Yu Chen for an artist talk exploring identity, belonging, cultural memory, and the personal meanings carried through handcrafted objects and portraiture. Jona will share their practice creating dreamcatchers, jewelry, and interactive craft experiences as intentional forms of grounding, self-expression, mindfulness, and connection. Yu Chen will speak about her oil painting practice, which uses portraiture and traditional attire to explore immigrant identity, cultural exchange, and collaboration. Together, the artists will reflect on how art can hold personal stories, honour cultural meaning, and create space for connection across lived experiences.
This is part of the HOME residency in July/August 2026 and gratefully funded by Calgary Arts Development.

NMC Presents — The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration
2026-08-22 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Edmonton) | Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, 850 4 Street Southeast, Calgary, T2G 1R1
Relive a defining moment in Canadian music history with the CBC rebroadcast of 2016’s The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre.
Captured live in Kingston, Ontario, this unforgettable performance marks the final tour appearance of The Tragically Hip and frontman Gord Downie. More than a concert, it became a shared national experience, uniting millions in a powerful tribute to music, memory, and identity.
Whether you’re revisiting the emotion or discovering it for the first time, this rebroadcast offers a chance to witness the raw energy, poetic storytelling, and deep connection that made this farewell performance truly historic.
For an elevated experience, add a special three-course dinner at the King Eddy before the show.

Red Panda Breakfast
2026-08-23 07:30 - 09:30 (America/Edmonton) | Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, 210 St. George's Drive Ne, Calgary, T2E 7V6
Get red-y to start your day with a hearty pancake breakfast, fresh fruit, and other buffet favourites while learning about our beloved red pandas. Your ticket includes exclusive early zoo access, a delicious breakfast, an engaging interpretive talk, and a private viewing of our red pandas in their newly redeveloped Asian Highlands habitat. Perfect for families and little ones of all ages, you’ll discover fascinating facts about red pandas, their unique adaptations, and the efforts conserving this beautiful species.

Where: Kitamba Café and Asian Highlands

Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

7:15 a.m. – Guests may begin to arrive at the North Entrance and proceed to Kitamba Café
7:30 a.m. – Red Panda Breakfast begins
8:00 a.m. – Red panda interpretive presentation from Conservation Education begins
8:30 a.m. – Guests proceed to Asian Highlands for an exclusive viewing of red pandas
8:45 a.m. – Early access to Asian Highlands with a special red panda enrichment
9:30 a.m. – Red Panda Breakfast concludes

Sunday Safari Brunch
2026-08-23 09:00 - 23:59 (America/Denver) | Calgary Zoo, 1300 Zoo Rd Ne, Calgary, T2E 7V6
Join us for a unique Calgary brunch experience in the heart of the zoo. You can enjoy both gourmet and comfort breakfast foods, including a free-flowing chocolate fountain with fresh fruit, eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon, a Belgian waffle bar, cooked to order omelets, and much more. Get your combo brunch and admission tickets today!

Brewery & the Beast
2026-08-23 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, 750 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, T2G 5E1
With more than 35 Brewery & the Beast events hosted in Western Canada, we welcome our guests to good times, exceptional food, refreshing beverages, live music + support for local charities. We’re stoked for you to join us!

Savour world-class food and beverage
Interact with top chefs and restaurateurs
Spend quality time with friends & family in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
Learn More about Brewery & the Beast

Perspective Film Series: A Clockwork Orange (1971)
2026-08-23 17:30 - 19:45 (America/Edmonton) | Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 Street Southwest, Calgary, Ab, T2P 2C4
Stanley Kubrick’s iconic A Clockwork Orange (1971) follows Alex, a charismatic but ultraviolent teenage delinquent in dystopian future Britain, who leads his “droogs” in drug-fueled crime sprees, narrating in futuristic slang (Nadsat). After being caught and imprisoned for murder, he undergoes the controversial Ludovico Technique, a psychological aversion therapy that conditions him to feel physically ill at the thought of violence, effectively removing his free will. Released as a “cured” citizen, he faces societal rejection and political manipulation, asking us to question the ethics of state control, the nature of free will, and whether true morality can exist without the freedom to choose.
Country: UK, US
136 minutes, in English
Disclaimer: This film contains some difficult subject matter, including violence and nudity, which may be triggering for some viewers.
FREE for members. Non-members: $10—your ticket to this screening includes admission to Contemporary Calgary. Our galleries are open from 12-5 PM for viewing prior to attending the program.
