How is your summer going? We hope there are some fun and memorable moments amid work, chores, and constant cooking! There are lots of fun family August events in Calgary, so keep reading, visit some of our great Calgary attractions and the local pools and parks, and call it a summer success. (You can also take a look at our Summer Bucket List for a wide variety of summer fun ideas, too.)
Taste of Calgary | July 31 – August 4, 2025
The Taste of Calgary is here, so make a plan to head out to try something delicious! Discover global cuisines from a mix of unique restaurants and beverage companies, plus get a taste of Calgary’s great musicians and a variety of artisans!
City of Calgary FREE Programs | All Month
The City of Calgary has a variety of FREE programs throughout August, including their popular Park n’Play and Stay n’Play programs. See if they are in a park near you. Don’t forget to check out Birding Breaks or Wetland Wonders, too.
Olympic Oval Public Skating | Select Wednesday and Saturdays
Need to cool off in the heat? The Olympic Oval has brought back summer public skating on select Wednesdays and Saturdays. Grab your helmet and skates and stay cool!
Globalfest | Select Nights, August 14 – 23, 2025
It’s time for the explosive Globalfest, featuring amazing fireworks and diverse cultural opportunities. Enjoy food vendors, cultural performances, and of course, the fireworks. Taking place over 5 nights, the entertainment will be outstanding every time.
Jubilations Dinner Theatre | Opens August 16, 2025
Featured | Head back to the danger zone with Jubilations Dinner Theatre’s Top Gunn 2: A Supersonic Spoof! It’s the perfect summer show for an evening of laughter, entertainment, and memories with your big kids.
All Sport One Day | August 16, 2025
All Sport One Day is coming back, so kids can have a chance to try a new sport for FREE. However, you need to register, and since this is a popular event, please note the registration date of August 7, 2025.
Alberta Open Farm Days | August 16 – 17, 2025
Get out of the city with Alberta Open Farm Days. On this special weekend, farmers and ranchers invite their urban and rural neighbours to stop for a visit to share stories, see demonstrations, and learn more about the farmers who grow their food.
Festivals | All Month
There are so many summer festivals and fairs in Calgary, taking place all month. Find something that interests you on our festival page.
The Military Museums Summer Skirmish | August 16 – 17, 2025
Don’t forget The Military Museums Summer Skirmish. Watch 2000 years of warfare come to life in a weekend of scripted battle re-enactments and demonstrations.
Strathmore Medieval Faire | August 22 – 24, 2025
Don your robes and head to the Strathmore Medieval Faire and Artisan Market. End your summer with a little shopping, jousting, or tales from a jester.
Cirque du Soleil ECHO | Opens August 30, 2025
Featured | Don’t miss an amazing new perspective on our world — suspend reality as the magic of the circus enchants you when Cirque du Soleil ECHO opens in Calgary! This unforgettable show is a treat for the whole family and is coming to Calgary from August 30 – October 19, 2025.
Jubilations Junior: Top Gunn Barbie | Opens August 30, 2025
When your kids head back to school this fall, it’s also time to head for family giggles. Nothing bonds a family like enjoying yummy food and laughing together — it’s the perfect recipe for a family outing! This fall, head to Jubilations Junior for Top Gunn Barbie: Captain Ken Takes Flight.
Calgary Parks – Beyond the Playground
It’s a good month to escape to a park! Now that my kids aren’t so little, playgrounds are often an attraction, but parks hold so much more than that for us these days. Calgary parks offer everything from playgrounds to exploring nature to playing a rousing game of whatever you can imagine. (Disc golf, anyone?)
Read more about it here.
Farmers Markets
There are many fabulous food producers in and around Calgary, and the city’s farmers markets allow us to take advantage of their products when they’re at their absolute freshest! Visiting a farmers market is a chance to buy the freshest local produce, and sometimes, an opportunity for family fun.
Read more about it here.
Outdoor Movies
A beautiful summer evening is one of my favourite things, but the summer flies by so quickly. Steal every moment this year and enjoy a summer evening watching a movie outside with your family! Grab some lawn chairs and snacks (and maybe even a toque) and enjoy a movie under the stars! Oh, and don’t forget the bug spray! (And, yes, some will be more teen-friendly than kid-friendly.)
Read more about it here.
Playgrounds
Public playgrounds are great places to have active fun in the fresh air while exploring our city and perhaps making a new friend or two (kids and parents alike!). Add some interest and physical activity to your day, or make the most of those longer-than-usual evenings! Check out some new playgrounds and parks, in your part of the city or further afield.
Read more about it here.
Summer Fun Bucket List
You know what they say about family life: the days are long, but the years are short. But we say, let’s claim those ‘long’ days as summer days filled with light and adventure and wonderful summer events to make the most of the moments with your family! From specific events to ideas that will work anytime this summer, take a peek and make your own summer bucket list!
Read more about it here.
Swimming – Outdoor Pools
When the weather gets hot, there’s nothing nicer than taking a refreshing dip (or an extended frolic) in an outdoor pool. From outdoor swimming pools to wading pools and spray parks, you can just add water for family fun. (If you’re heading to a swimming pool, be sure to book your time to avoid disappointment.) Grab your swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen, and let’s get outside and play!
Read more about it here.
Urban Hikes
From tots to teens, family time is important, and if you can combine it with outdoor activity and a short (or non-existent!) drive, it’s even better. Our family often heads to the mountains for a day of hiking and picnicking, as Calgarians do. But Calgary, being the sprawling city that it is, has several urban hikes to enjoy throughout the year, without ever leaving the city.
Read more about it here.
But Wait … There’s More!
There are lots of August events in Calgary — this is a great place for families to enjoy activities together. For a complete listing of all the best events, click on our calendar to find more family fun and stay tuned to all the best local family events through our Facebook and Instagram pages. Plus, we’re now on TikTok and Threads!
Did you know you can submit your family-friendly event to us? Fill out the submission form with your event details, and we’ll do our best to add your event to our events calendar. You can also sign up for the monthly Family Fun Calgary e-newsletter. We give you a peek at all of the great, upcoming, family-friendly activities scheduled in Calgary.
Enjoy the month, Calgary!
Spectacular. Breathtaking. Sensational!
The FUTURE is bright as Cirque du Soleil presents ECHO, the latest touring show coming to Calgary this summer and fall. The gorgeous set and costumes are a treat to behold. The acrobatics, circus arts, and clowning around will astonish and entertain you. This unforgettable show is a treat for the whole family and is coming to Calgary from August 30 – October 19, 2025.
If you’re talking about fantastic, sought-after shows for the whole family, Cirque du Soleil is the name on everyone’s lips. The show was born from a troupe of street performers in Baie-Saint-Paul, a town near Quebec City. Created in 1984 to commemorate the 450th anniversary of Jacques Cartier’s arrival in Canada, Guy Laliberté presented a plan for a show called Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun). Years later, millions of people on 6 continents and in 86 countries have been transfixed. As one of the most successful theatrical productions of our age, Cirque du Soleil has redefined what circus means. They don’t just perform incredible tricks; they invite you into a story with multimedia production, acrobatics, dance, and humour.
Get your tickets soon for this dramatic mix of circus arts and entertainment. Take advantage of the Family Offer and save a little money when you buy a minimum of four tickets, including at least one adult and one child. Don’t miss an amazing new perspective on our world — suspend reality as the magic of Cirque du Soleil enchants you!
