10 unique things to do in Calgary this June if you want to try something new
Music festivals, art tours, rafting and more!
Band playing at Sled Island Music & Arts Festival Right: Rafters on the Bow River.
Looking for some fun things to do in Calgary this June? Well, look no further because we’ve got you covered with the hottest happenings around the city this month.
As the summer season approaches, a diverse range of Calgary events are kicking off, including vibrant art tours, music festivals, concerts, and more. Plus, the warmer weather makes it the perfect time to head outdoors and explore.
Clear your calendar because you’ll definitely want to add these events and activities to your bucket list of things to do in Calgary this month!
Expand your mind at Spark After Dark
Price: $26 per adult
When: Friday, June 14, 2024
Address: Telus Spark Science Centre, 220 St. George's Drive NE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Spark After Dark is an adults-only event that takes place at the Telus Spark Science Centre on select evenings throughout the year. The events focus on science-related themes and includes a full bar service and snacks.
"Artificial Intelligence and Us" is the latest installment and it will delve into the future of artificial intelligence. There will be different stations focusing on topics like facial recognition, AI art and even an AI dating workshop. You can also take a ride on a robot roller coaster.
Try a street art walking tour
Price: $20 per adult
When: Multiple dates
Address: Multiple locations
Why You Need To Go: Stroll through Calgary’s streets and you’ll come across some seriously spectacular murals painted on the city's buildings and walls. That’s mostly due to a citywide art movement called the Beltline Urban Murals Project (BUMP).
You can do your own Calgary art walk or join a BUMP guided mural tour to learn about the artists and the meanings behind the imagery. The tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays throughout June.
Scare yourself silly at Calgary Horror Con
Price: From $25 per adult for a single day pass
When: Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, 2024
Address: DoubleTree Hotel, 2120 16th Ave NE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: If you love creepy movies then Calgary Horror Con is for you. The two-day horror convention will be a celebration of all things frightening with film screenings, panels and celebrity guests.
Meet some of your favourite stars from the horror genre including Harvey Stephens from The Omen, Karen Cliche of Thanksgiving and Alyssa Sutherland of Evil Dead Rise. The celebrities will be available for photo ops at scheduled times across the weekend.Get Father's Day Brunch at the Calgary Zoo
Price: Varies
When: Sunday, June 16, 2024
Address: 210 St. George's Drive NE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Looking for something unique to do this Father’s Day? Why not give him a wild day to remember with brunch at the Calgary Zoo? The Safari Brunch takes place in the heart of the Africa exhibit and includes delicious dishes like Belgian waffles and eggs Benedict.
After brunch, families can stroll through the zoo to see fascinating animals like polar bears, tigers and Komodo dragons. There will also be a craft station where little ones can create their own Father’s Day gifts.
Calgary Zoo Father's Day Brunch website
Rock out at the Sled Island Music & Arts Festival
Price: Varies
When: From Wednesday, June 19 until Sunday, June 23, 2024
Address: Various locations
Why You Need To Go: Get ready for five days of music, comedy, art, film and more at the Sled Island Music & Arts Festival. Over 150 performers will be hyping up the crowds at multiple venues across Calgary including Planet Giza, Cherry Glazerr and Courtney Gilmour.
If you can only hit up one event during Sled Island, it should be the Sled Alley block party. The all-day event will take place behind The Palace Theatre and feature DJs, food trucks, skateboarding and art activities. Other events during the festival include a drag brunch and punk rock bingo.
Float down the Bow River
Price: Free (additional costs if you need to rent a raft)
Address: Bow River, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Calgary may be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun in the water -- and rafting down the Bow River is a warm-weather ritual for many locals.
If you’re looking for an easy lazy river float trip, you can start at Bowness Park or Baker Park and make your way down to Prince’s Island or Edworthy Park. The trip can take anywhere from one hour to three hours depending on where you launch and end up.
If you don't have your own raft, there are several companies that rent rafts and equipment including Lazy Day Raft Rentals and The Paddle Station.
Catch Snoop Dogg at the Cali to Canada Tour
Price: Ticket prices from $96.75
When: Friday, June 21, 2024
Address: Scotiabank Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Snoop Dogg will be showing Canada some love this June as he embarks on his Cali to Canada tour, along with DJ Quik and Warren G. His first stop is Halifax at the beginning of the month, and the tour will end in Vancouver.
Calgary is the second last stop for Snoop's cross-country tour.
He'll be performing at the Scotiabank Saddledome on June 21. Tickets are now on sale via Saddledome's website or Ticketmaster.
Eat Korean barbecue at a jail-themed restaurant
Address: 2 Royal Vista Link NW #3120, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Makchang Dodook opened its first location in Calgary last month, and it’s already making waves with Korean barbecue fans. The South Korean chain’s name translates to "intestine thief," which is a riff on one of its signature dishes and its prison theme.
Step inside and you’ll find yourself in a quirky dining room with prison bars sectioning off booths and tables. Grab a seat and you can grill up tasty eats like ribs, pork belly and scallops right at your table.
Dance to Latin beats at the Calgary Bachata y Cultura Festival
Price: Single day pass $150
When: Friday, June 21 until Sunday, June 23, 2024
Address: 1000 Glenmore Court, Southeast Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: If you’ve been wanting to pick up some new dance moves, now's your chance. The Calgary Bachata y Cultura Festival will feature dance workshops with international instructors teaching everything from bachata to salsa, zouk and merengue.
When you're not two-stepping and twirling to Latin rhythms, you can catch dance battles, concerts and performances by talented artists from around the world.
Calgary Bachata y Cultura Festival website
Groove to soulful rhythms at the TD JazzYYC Summer Festival
Price: $250 for a Festival Pass
When: Tuesday, June 25 until Sunday, June 30, 2024
Address: Various locations
Why You Need To Go: The JazzYYC Summer Festival will bring a slew of award-winning musicians from a wide range of jazz genres to the city this June. Concerts will take place at multiple venues throughout the city including outdoor stages, cafes and the Festival Hall.
The musicians come from a wide variety of backgrounds and each has their own signature style. You can groove to swing, bebop, psychedelic and classical jazz. Headliners will include Veronica Swift, Pasquale Grasso Trio and Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East.