22 Things To Do this August in YYC

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“August is like the Sunday of Summer”

With the blink of an eye, June and July seemed to have vanished into thin air and August is now upon us. While we may already be seeing Halloween decorations in stores and Fall seems to be lurking right around the corner, we insist that time, and you,  both slow down and enjoy the last month of Summer. To help, we’ve prepared a list of 22 things for you to do this August in YYC.

1. Movies on the Rise
August 4th, 10th, 18th, 25th, from 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm
St. Patrick’s Island, 1300 Zoo Rd NE
Website

Starting August 4th, come experience outdoor cinema like never before at The Rise every Thursday where a 9-metre high natural amphitheatre will be playing some epic movie selections guaranteed to please everybody:

August 4th, 2016 – The Goonies
August 10th, 2016 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
August 17th, 2016 – Mrs. Doubtfire
ugust 25th, 2016 – Top Gun

Cozy up to your date and bring some blankets with you, but leave the lawn chairs at home as they won’t work on The Rise’s steep slope.

2. YYC Taste the Trucks 6
August 5th – 7th, 2016 from 11 am – 7 pm
Haultain Park, 225 – 13 Ave SW
Website 

The beloved Food Trucks are back at Haultain Park this August to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of the Food Truck Pilot Project in Calgary. With over 20 of YYC’s best Food Trucks, live music from BassBus, giveaways, cold beer from Village Brewery, and a plethora of other things to see and do, there are sure to be multiple reasons to keep the celebrations going.   

3. Rock the ‘Walk 6
August 6th, 2016 from 12 pm – 6 pm
East Village Calgary
Website

Get ready to rock, YYC. Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, is back for the sixth year of rockin’ on Riverwalk. This event will celebrate both local talent and the Year of Music in Calgary with four awesome YYC bands. There will also be over 20 artisan vendors and snacks from your favourite YYC Food Trucks to enjoy while soaking in all the awesome live performances.

4. The Drop Saturdays Presents: Drakefest
August 6th, 2016 from 9 pm – 2 am
Marquee Beer Market & Stage, 4630 Macleod Trail
Website 

Stop putting in all that work, work, work, work, work, work and come dance to some Drizzy on Saturday, August 6th at Marquee Beer Market & Stage. Two Towers Concerts and Events and the Appreciation Society will be hosting a party especially dedicated to Drizzy Drake. That means 70% Drake music, Drake Cut outs and Drake Stickers. AKA. any and all things Drake RSVP before 10:30pm by emailing your first and last name plus the number of people in your group to info@twotowers.ca

5. Lawn Bowling League
August 7th, 2016 from 2 pm – 5 pm
Haultain Park, 225 – 13 Ave SW
Website 

If you love lawn bowling, but not spending the afternoon at the retirement home, come play a couple games with us. On Sunday, August 7th from 2pm to 5pm, join us for a Lawn Bowling tournament at Haultain Park (Bonus: the YYC Food Trucks will be here celebrating their birthday). Assemble your team of 4 or sign up as a single/pair and we will place you on a team. Costumes are highly encouraged, and will be rewarded.

6. Caskapalooza
August 7th, 2016 from 2 pm – 6 pm
Craft Beer Market, 345 10th Ave SW
Website

One Day, 20 Casks. 

Join Craft Beer Market on Sunday, August 7th for $25 a ticket  to sample casks from around Canada brewed for this event only. You can also win a chance to brew your own cask with Tool Shed Brewing Company. To top it off, partial proceeds support the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta.  

7. Plan a date to Royale Brasserie
Royale Brasserie, 730 17 Ave SW
Website

Royale Brasserie will be officially opening their doors to the public for lunch service on Monday, August 8th. The newest member of the Teatro Restaurant Group, Royale will be replacing the old home of Corbeaux Bakehouse with a menu full of French cuisine focused around the principles of simplicity, flavour, and deliciousness.

8. Afrikadey! 2016 World Music Festival
August 10th to 13th, 2016 from 12 pm – 10 pm
Various Locations
Website

Come celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Afrikadey! Festival. From August 10th to 12th, there will be a mix of music, film, dance, and entertainment to enjoy in various locations. The grand finale takes place on August 13th at Prince’s Island Park. Expect visual art displays, an arts and crafts market, beer garden, field performances, and more.

9. Rooftop Screening Series: Giant Monster Movies  
August 10th and August 24th at 7:30 pm

Marriott hotel, 110 9th Ave SE
Website 

This August, join the Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF) underneath the stars and city lights on the rooftop of the newly renovated Marriott hotel. Godzilla vs. Destoroyah will be playing August 10th, and you can check out Big Man Japan on August 24th. Full service on the patio bar will be available and hot dogs and chips available for purchase so you can experience Monster Movies with your date like never before.     

10. Taste of Calgary
August 11th to 14th, 2016 from 11 am – 9 pm
Eau Claire Market, 200 Barclay Parade SW
Website 

Calling all foodies: The 20th annual Taste of Calgary festival returns to our fair city from August 11th to August 14th celebrating Calgary’s global cuisines from a mix of unique restaurants and beverage companies around our ‘hood. They’ll be open from 11 am to 9 pm daily and sampling tickets will run for $1 each.

11. Rock the Sac
August 12th, 2016 from 12 pm – 6 pm
10 Ave SE – Between 3 St SE & 4 St SE
Website

Come party with Vic Park on August 12th.  The Victoria Park Business Association is holding a neighbourhood block party and you’re invited. Tunes will be provided by the BassBus crew and you can bet there will be tasty eats from Taiko Taco, The Dumpling Hero, and Vasilis. Local businesses will be partaking in the activities and the Calgary Public Library’s Book Truck will be making an appearance.

12. Archiebaldo
August 13th, 14th, 20th, and 21st at 7 pm
Chautauqua Tent at Opera in the Village, 618 Confluence Way SE
Website 

If you’re anything like us, you grew up reading the Archie Comics and obsessing over the love triangle between Archie and his frenemy love interests Betty, and Veronica – so you can imagine our excitement when Opera in the Village announced they would be doing an operatic version of our favourite comic. The play will be set in the quiet village of Riverderci and ‘Archiebaldo’ and the gang will be back to take the Chautauqua Tent by storm. We can’t wait.   

13. Spartan Sprint
August 15th and 16th, 2016 starting at 8 am
Wild Rose MX Park, 5608 Burbank Cres SE
Website

If you missed out on registration but still want a front row seat to see all the Spartan Sprint action, now’s your chance. Spectator tickets for the race are available for $10 which will get you entry to the festival area, a festival grounds map, and access to some of the obstacles on course. Of course, you’ll also enjoy some front row cheerleading action as your favourite athletes shimmy their way onto the finish line.

14. All Black Everything
August 18th, 2016 from 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Secret Location
Website 

Get ready for the biggest party of the summer, YYC. By now, we’re sure you’ve seen the posts for this party blow up your social media feeds and that’s only the beginning. Presented by Audi and featuring the sick musical stylings of Grandtheft, this is a party you definitely won’t want to miss. The name of the event is self-explanatory – All. Black. Everything. Dress up or down in all black attire – just be ready to party. Your ticket gets you access to a VIP experience, a drink in your hand, and a party that is sure to make all your friends swoon with jealousy.

15. Reggaefest 2016
August 18th, 2016 from 12 pm – 1 pm & 7 pm – 9 pm | August 19th, 2016 from 4 pm – 10 pm | August 20th, 2016 from 12 pm – 10:30 pm
August 18th – Various locations | August 19th & 20th – Shaw Millenium Park, 1220 9th Ave SW
Website 

The premier summer reggae festival of Canada is in Calgary August 18th to 20th. Chill out with a brew in the Village, savours the flavours of island spices, enjoy some awesome beats, and shop some merchandise to see which souvenir you’d like to take home.

16. Globalfest
August 18th to 27th from 6 pm – 11 pm
Elliston Park, 1827 68 St SE
Website 

Alberta’s most explosive festival takes Elliston Park from August 18th to August 27th. Pavilions from some of Calgary’s cultural communities will be showcasing their heritage dress, cultural music, incredible performances, and interactive activities for all. Take a stroll through the Night Market, featuring vendors with authentic handcrafted arts and keepsakes, followed by a world-class fireworks festival. 2016 will feature presentations from five countries of the Americas: Brazil, Chile, Mexico, the USA, and of course, GlobalFest’s own spectacular Finale presentation.

17. 5th Annual Yogathon
August 20th, 2016 from 10 am – 12:30 pm
100 Stephen Ave SE
Website 

Join some fellow yogi’s on Stephen Ave the morning of Saturday, August 20th and be prepared to get bendy for a cause. You’ll be challenged to do 108 Sun Salutations and funds raised from this event will support Care for Children, a program dedicated to providing free education to rural youth in India. So rise to the occasion, walk out all your downward dogs, and earn some good karma.

18. Calgary RibFest
August 25th to 27th, 2016 from 11 am – 9 pm | August 28th, 2016 from 11 am – 6 pm
Eau Claire Market, 200 Barclay Parade SW
Website 

Get your sticky on with the Calgary RibFest this August 25th to 27th. Enjoy free admission at the all-ages event (donations for the Kiwanis Kids of Calgary are welcome) – just pay for what you eat. Ribs, BBQ chicken, and pulled pork will be the stars of this event but there will also be live music, desserts, and Craft beer and wine pairings.

19. Calgary Pride
August 26th to September 5th, 2016
Various times and locations
Website 

Calgary Pride kicks off in our city August 26th this year. While our friends at Fiasco Gelato have already started the celebrations with Pride themed gelato (check their flavours Leather Daddy, Buttery Nipple, and Sex in a Pan), the official Kick Off to Pride happens on August 26th. Activities like the Drag Diva Cabaret on August 27th and Passionate Kisses: An Evening of Story and Song at Charbar on August 31st will keep you in the festive mood. Stay tuned for the Pride Parade coming September 4th.

20. Trivia Night: Friends 2.0 Edition
August 30th, 2016 from 7 pm – 9 pm
Wurst, 2437 4th Street SW
Website 

Tuesday is no longer the ‘wurst’ day of the week. Join us for a night of cocktails and a little healthy competition on the last Tuesday of every month at Wurst. We change up the games every month to keep your Monopoly ego in check. Tickets are $20 and include 1 drink.

This month’s theme? The return of the highly requested, Friends!

Get your squad together, brush up on all your favourite episodes and get ready to bring your A-game. There are awesome prizes to be won and tons of laughter that will bring you back to the most memorable Friends moments. See you there!

21. Play Board Games at The Hexagon Board Game Cafe
The Hexagon Board Game Cafe, 1140 Kensington Rd NW
Website 

Bring your bae to Calgary’s newest board game cafe for some friendly competition. Located in Kensington, The Hexagon Board Game Cafe boasts the largest collection of games in the city. Players are charged $2.50 per hour to play, and treats from Corbeaux Bakehouse and Fratello are available for you to munch on or sip while the competition heats up.  

22. Enjoy A Post-Workout Meal From Wise & Wright
Wise & Wright, 317 7 Ave SW
Website

Although Wise & Wright just recently opened its doors in YYC last month, this eatery is already making a huge impression in the best way. Based on the philosophy that food should be made with natural, wholesome ingredients that taste delicious, their menu consists of just that. With breakfast sandwiches, waffles, superfood lunch bowls, and local yogurts, to choose from, Wise & Wright has quickly become a new local favourite. Their cold pressed juices, coconut-filtered water, and smoothie program all cater to our health conscious lifestyles while being delicious. You truly can have the best of both worlds.  

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