Ahh, fall! The scent of pumpkin spice is in the air, and as the temperatures start to drop, the desire to cuddle up under a bundle of blankets with your date rises. Although the change of the season signifies that the year is coming to a close, it is a reminder to seize the season and plan the best dates for the rest of the year!
Are you SO ready for fall dates and everything spooky season? We’ve put together a list of some great fall date ideas happening in and around the city to make the most of the season!
Pumpkins After Dark
Pumpkins After Dark YYC features over 6,000 hand carved pumpkins. This one-of-a-kind walk-through experience is the must-see date idea of the fall season! Explore the magical pathway of lit pumpkin sculptures and displays, with music, sounds and special effects; perfect for the whole family!
Get your tickets here!
Located: Winsport at 88 Canada Olympic Road SW., Calgary
When: September 22 – October 31, 2023
Fall Days & Harvest Lights at Calgary Farmyard
Calgary Farmyard has become one of the city’s top fall destinations, and perfect for day and night dates! A fall trip to the Farmyard is an annual tradition for many families and friends. In addition to enjoying hours of fun on the farm, pumpkins are on display for photos and for purchase.
During the days (Friday-Sundays & holidays), your ticket to Fall Days gets you access to the multi-award winning venue to enjoy hours of fun on the farm, and the opportunity to take photos with pumpkin displays, and purchase your own to take home!
At night (Fridays and Saturdays), enjoy thousands of lights under the evening sky. You can also check out the many attractions such as a spooky dark corn maze you can explore with your flashlights, and endless photo-ops or admire the cute farm animals!
Get your tickets here!
Located: Calgary Farmyard at 284022 Township Rd 224, Rocky View County
When: Fall Days starts September 15th and are open Fridays – Saturdays from 9:30am until 5:30pm and Sundays from 9:30am – 5pm, Harvest Lights start September 15th and are open Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30pm-9:30pm with lights on at sundown.
Oktoberfest at Grey Eagle Event Centre
Get ready for Oktoberfest at Grey Eagle Event Centre presented by Fahr Brewery! The event will feature local breweries, traditional music, and Bavarian-inspired food such as pretzels, bratwursts and sauerkraut. This is a true German experience to be excited about in a transformed lively Bavarian Village!
Get your tickets here!
Located: Grey Eagle Event Centre at 3777 Grey Eagle Dr, Calgary
When: September 15th from 5pm – 12am, September 16th from 2pm – 12am
Spark After Dark: Fear at Spark
Get spooky with science this October at Spark! The Science Centre will transform into a Halloween extravaganza!
Ever wondered what the science is behind fear? With the event being open to adults only (18+), be prepared to face your biggest fears and experience a night of bewitching brew, gain wisdom from industry maestros, and participate in many more!
Get your tickets here!
Located: Telus SPARK Science Centre at 220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
When: Friday, October 13th from 6pm to 12am
Spooky Season at Heritage Park
This season, there’s tons of haunted fun to be had at Heritage Park. All September and October long, experience a number of ghost-infused events and activities to give your date a (small) fright so they can hold on tight.
Events include:
- Their ever-popular Guided Ghost Tours taking place throughout the Historical Village
- Dates:
- September 13, 20, 27, 28
- October 4, 5, 11, 12, 18
- Times:
- 7 – 8:30pm
- 7:30 – 9pm
- CURRENTLY SOLD OUT
- Dates:
- Ghosts & Gourmet: Frightfully delicious dinner followed by a ghastly ghost tour through the dark and deserted streets of the Historical Village on October 19, 21, 30, 31
- Call Guest Services at 403.268.8500 to buy your tickets!
- Ghost Teas & Tour: Enjoy a Halloween themed tea, paired with a ghost tour! Drink Witches’ Brew and munch on some Petit Frightful Finger Sandwiches, Mummy Wrappings or some of Dracula’s Delights
- Dates: Oct. 14, 15, 21, 22
- Sittings: 1:45pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 3:30pm
- Call Guest Services at 403.268.8500 to reserve your seat!
- Ghoul’s Night Out: Pick out your costumes, gather the family and get ready to experience this wildly popular, safe and fun-filled Halloween event for all ages on October 27 from 5 – 9pm
- Get your tickets here!
Find even more Halloween activities going on at Heritage Park online!
Located: Heritage Park at 1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary
When: Various dates throughout September and October
Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival
The Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival is back this October at the BMO Centre. Get your taste buds ready, because at this event you can experience hundreds of exhibitors with a variety of fine wines, premium spirits, and craft beers.
Chefs from local restaurants are in attendance, serving up delicious fare to pair with the wonderful assortment of beverages.
Get your tickets here!
Located: BMO Centre in Stampede Park at 20 Roundup Way SE, Calgary
When: October 13 – 14
Screamfest
Prepare to be very afraid… Screamfest is returning to haunt Calgary this October! Even buying tickets for this event on their website will bring you face-to-face with some seriously scary creatures. If you and your date love a good spook to get the heart rate going, this is for you; but be warned – you WILL scream.
Inside Stampede Park, Screamfest will bring carnival games, thrills and rides (like the Neighbours from Hell – Simulator Ride and Jurassic Attack) and more to Calgary! Explore bone-chilling haunted houses like Clown Town, Reapers & Grimm, Bates Motel, What Lies Beneath, and many more!
Get your tickets here!
Located: GMC Stadium at 2200 Stampede Trail SE, Calgary,
When: Weekends in October, including October 26th for Adults Night, and of course Halloween. Open from 7pm to midnight each night.
Harvest Days & Pumpkin Fest at Granary Road
It’s harvest time in Calgary! Within the next few weeks, local farmers will be harvesting their fall crops such as apples, cranberries, corn, turnips and of course – pumpkins! At Harvest Days, experience Granary Road’s wagon rides, and take pictures with all of their fall décor (like a beautiful orange truck)!
For Pumpkin Fest, Granary Road has partnered with the Okotoks Optimist Club to run their annual PUMPKIN CHUNKIN event. Contestants will create their own machine (catapult or trebuchet) to launch pumpkins as far as possible for messy and hilarious results! There will be pumpkins available for purchase, a costume contest, games, music and more for all ages!
Located: Granary Road Active Learning Park & Farmer’s Market at 226066 112 Street West, Foothills County
When: Harvest Days during Saturdays and Sundays in October; Pumpkin Fest from October 14 & 15
Murder Mystery Game Night at the Zoo
This event, ZooDunnit, is the first Murder Mystery-style event taking place at The Calgary Zoo! Solve the murder of a famous zoologist while you explore the zoo and stop at food stations with your detective crew! By the end of the night, you’ll have everything you need to know in order to solve the mystery – dinner and justice will be served!
This is event is perfect October date idea to get the gang together for a fun and interactive fall evening.
Get your tickets here!
Located: The Calgary Zoo at 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
When: October 13th; First timed ticket entry is 6pm-6:30pm, the last entry is 7pm-7:30pm. Game runs until 10pm.
Pumpkin Carving & Craft Beer
What could be a better fall date for Calgary beer lovers? Head to Free House YYC and carve your own pumpkin while enjoying some craft beer! You and your date can bring home your masterpiece and show it proudly on your stoop or in the window for Halloween.
They’ll have halloween movies on the TVs and a couple fun pumpkin beers by the can available, along with their usual drink specials.
Your ticket gets you:
- One pumpkin per person to take home
- Pumpkin carving tools
- A Draft Beer or Non Alcoholic Beverage
Get your tickets here!
Located: Free House YYC at 1153 Kensington Cres NW, Calgary
When: October 26th at 7:30pm or October 28th at 3pm
Looking for more date ideas? Click here!
