Our summers in Calgary are so short — we need to enjoy the outdoor weather as much as possible! One of the greatest things about the Calgary summer is the opportunity to enjoy great entertainment outdoors, entertainment al fresco. Here are some popular outdoor events that take place in Calgary over the summer season.

Heritage Park’s Music in the Plaza series offers free concerts every Wednesday from July 6 – August 31, 2022, from 6 – 8 pm. Catch music from a variety of genres in the plaza in front of the park gates. Bring a picnic, pick one from the Railway Café, or book a table at a Selkirk Grill patio. Performances are free of charge and take place before the Park gate in the Engineered Air Bandstand.

An annual Calgary summer tradition is Theatre Calgary’s Shakespeare by the Bow in the natural amphitheatre in Prince’s Island Park. In 2022, this tradition has become Shakespeare on the Go and it travels all over the city, bringing one of Bard’s popular works to life. This year’s production is The Merry Wives of Windsor. It will run on select dates from July 8 – August 7, 2022. This is a pay-what-you-will production that features local and up-and-coming actors and technicians.

The Wagonstage Theatre is also presenting a free outdoor show at various times and locations all over the city from June 24 to August 27, 2022. This year’s production is Bee-trayal, and features bees, wasps, and hummingbirds in a hilarious and interactive performance where the creatures vie for the top spot as Pollinator Extraordinaire. The show is suitable for all ages.

Periodically throughout the summer season, you’ll find family-friendly outdoor movies. These are a fun way to curl up with your family under the stars!

Every Sunday afternoon in August, you can head to the East Village to soak up the sun with free concerts from the National Music Centre. Summer Sundays in C-Square bring you local performers and these family-friendly concerts are the perfect complement to visiting the East Village. Stop by Studio Bell for pay-what-you-can admission while you’re there.

And for the last of the warm weather, as summer’s rays fade into fall, the Honens Festival presents open-air concerts. On September 10, 2022, bring your sunglasses and a picnic blanket to soak up the warmth of the September sun at Central Memorial Park, from 2 – 3:30 pm for a special open-air family concert.

Of course, these inexpensive options only scratch the surface of great outdoor entertainment in Calgary! Take a look at all of the other amazing outdoor festivals that happen in Calgary over the summer and get out there to enjoy your summer weather while it lasts! Before you know it, we’ll be donning our sweaters and buying those pumpkin spice lattes.