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!
What’s on your summer fun bucket list? We want to do more than banish boredom and survive summer — we want to make some memories and have some FUN! Check out our guide for terrific Calgary summer events to help you find the best ways to spend your time. We have all sorts of ideas, from those that will fill any afternoon, to specific Calgary events we love, and plans to head out of town.
From the beginning of summer to those last precious days before school starts … find out what’s on our Summer Fun Bucket List.
FEATURED The Paddle Station
Summer might be short in Calgary, but you just need to add a little adventure and playtime to make the most of your moments! And nothing says summer fun like time spent on the water. Sunshine, beautiful scenery, and the chance to enjoy a memorable day with your family? Yes, please! Book a floating experience down the Bow River with The Paddle Station and watch your city slide past while you relax. It’s a recipe for the best summer ever!
Read more about it here.
Calaway Park: Your Guide to a Great Day
What does a day of summer fun look like? How about carousel rides, roller coasters, and splashing in the water? What about the clang of winning a midway game, watching a show, or cotton candy sticky fingers? A day of summer fun looks like a day at Calaway Park! And did you say it’s Western Canada’s largest amusement park?! Let’s go!
Read more about it here.
Calgary Library Ultimate Summer Challenge
Remember the long, lazy days of summer when you were a kid? Calgary Public Library’s free Ultimate Summer Challenge is back! This year, Calgary Public Library invites you and your kids to let your imagination grow and enjoy those summer days with a good book, fun activities, and free programs. Plus, there are amazing prizes! Can you read every day this summer?
Read more about it here.
Flying Squirrel Sports
The long, lazy days of summer can quickly turn on you when you have kids. While we can appreciate those long, lazy days, we really appreciate a place where the kids can burn their energy and have a fabulous time doing it! Your kids will have an epic summer experience with a visit to Flying Squirrel Sports, home to the World’s Largest Indoor Trampoline Fun Park!
Read more about it here.
Go East of Edmonton Roadtrip Adventure Game
We love the mountains. But if you hit the road in another direction this summer, you’ll find family adventures, games, and PRIZES! Summer is made for roadtrips; exploring our beautiful province never gets old. Make it even more fun with the Go East of Edmonton Roadtrip Adventure Game! It’s a prize-packed opportunity to hit the open road, enjoy family time, take unforgettable photos, and explore hidden gems.
Read more about it here.
Jubilations Dinner Theatre ABBAMANIA
Daily chores, errands, picking up kids … a parent’s life is filled with mundane realities. It’s time for a date night to remember! Forget dinner and a movie. Jazz up date night this summer with Jubilations Dinner Theatre and a fabulous night out, filled with delicious food and lively entertainment. They are thrilled to bring you ABBAMANIA: Back to the Disco Dimension until August 9, 2025!
Read more about it here.
Jubilations Junior Super Mario’s Bowser Boogie Battle
Nothing bonds a family like family giggles and some yummy food. It’s the perfect recipe for a family outing! Plan a visit to Jubilations Junior this summer for a special event the whole family can enjoy stress-free. It’s a dinner theatre experience designed for families. Okay, you might not all be laughing at the same things, but you’ll be laughing for a wonderful summer memory!
Read more about it here.
Le Petit Chef
Have you met Le Petit Chef yet? Just 6 inches tall, this diminutive cook appeared in Calgary in 2024, whipping up a 4-course meal as he scurried around your plate, through the magic of 3-D video projection. Now his friends have arrived, and there’s an all-new show. Le Petit Chef and Friends features our original culinary maestro competing in a delicious duel with his friends from Spain, Italy and Japan for the perfect summer celebration.
Read more about it here.
Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash
Where can you enjoy summer sun, towering climbing slides, and launch bags to send you flying into a cool, refreshing lake? Only a short drive from Calgary, that’s where! The Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash is back this summer with exciting new features and tons of family playtime! Jump into the biggest water fun in Alberta this summer: the 2025 pre-season kicks off June 21, 2025. Let’s go!
Read more about it here.
Calgary Stampeders Family Day Game
What if you could find an event that the kids love (Bouncy houses! Face painting!) and a chance to catch a terrific football game? You can, with tickets to the Calgary Stampeders Family Day Game on June 21, 2025! It’s nothing but a good time, and it’s affordable entertainment, too! Whether or not your family loves football, this Family Day Game is an exciting experience for everyone, with extra activities before and after the game.
Read more about it here.
Spruce Meadows EPIC Weekends
What does show jumping have in common with outdoor movie nights, live music, face painting, corgi races, shopping, and more? We know! It’s all part of EPIC Weekends at Spruce Meadows! With affordable family fun (kids under 8 are free!) and a day in the summer sun, these events running alongside the world-class show jumping tournaments at Spruce Meadows can’t be beat. Check it out on select weekends in June (and the first weekend in July!).
Read more about it here.
Canada Day Guide
We have so many privileges living in Canada, and this July 1, it’s time to celebrate our country and make some memories with our families. We’re collecting all the best Canada Day events we can find in and around Calgary, so get out there and embrace every opportunity! Happy Canada Day, Calgary!
Read more about it here.
Calgary Stampede
For 10 days each July, Calgary gets back to its Western roots and whoops it up during “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” Visitors from the world over, together with the plaid- and Stetson-clad locals, take in exhibitions, concerts, competitions, the midway, and all manner of special events highlighting the ranching and farming roots of the Alberta Prairies.
Read more about it here.
Calgary Folk Music Festival
Can you think of anything better than relaxing in the summer sun, enjoying the company of friends and family, and listening to great music? Well, add the Calgary Folk Music Festival at a beautiful island location and it’s pure magic! Cherish the moments this summer with a wonderful weekend at the Calgary Folk Festival. Don’t forget, kids 12 and under get in for FREE!
Read more about it here.
Kraay Family Farm
Summer is here, so let’s hit the road and get out of the city! You’ll find fun in the fresh air, experience new things, and enjoy your family time at Kraay Family Farm. Pack up the kids and hit the road for a day filled with amazing attractions and ‘farm-tastic’ fun! Kraay Family Farm opens on July 17, 2025, and is open through August and the fall.
Read more about it here.
More Events Coming Soon!
Bike Parks and Pump Tracks
Do you remember being a kid and the joy and freedom of riding a bike? Bike parks and pump tracks have been popping up all over Calgary, and they are a fantastic way to get outside and stay active, plus build amazing skills. Whether your kids are just beginning to ride their balance bike or amaze you with their tricks, check out these Calgary and area bike parks for a summer filled with active, and mostly free, fun.
Read more about it here.
Farmers Markets
There are many fabulous food producers in and around Calgary, and the city’s many seasonal farmers markets allow us to take advantage of their products when they’re at their absolute freshest! Visiting a farmers market is a community event, a chance to buy the freshest local produce, and sometimes, an opportunity for family fun, with live music or activities.
Read more about it here.
Golf Courses
When the grass starts getting greener, it means golf season is upon us! If you’re looking to introduce your kids to golf or want to get out on the links as a family, many Calgary-area golf courses have family deals or special programs for young golfers. Here are just a few family-friendly courses.
Read more about it here.
Ice Cream Guide
Are you a classic vanilla or a decadent chocolate peanut butter? Maybe you’re an exotic rosemary rhubarb sorbet. Whatever you choose, who doesn’t love a good ice cream cone on a hot day? Sweet and creamy, cool and refreshing, going for ice cream can be the crowning touch on a family outing or an event all its own. Calgary has great ice cream shops in every quadrant, so find your favourite!
Read more about it here.
Miniature Golf
That family that plays together, stays together. Whether you have tots or teens, it’s fun to get out as a family and enjoy an activity. Mini golf is suitable for all ages, and Calgary has several options for families, both indoors and out. Go outside and enjoy a summer day or find a place to play inside with the Family Fun Calgary Miniature Golf Guide.
Read more about it here.
Night Markets
It’s a summer market, it’s entertainment, and it’s community: what’s not to love?! Calgary night markets offer a fun alternative to traditional options, and they are the perfect way to enjoy the gorgeous, long summer evenings in our city. Head out with friends and family, celebrate the community and local food and goods, and enjoy the best that summer has to offer.
Read more about it here.
Outdoor Movies
A beautiful summer evening is one of my favourite things. The summer flies by so quickly, though, it sometimes feels like I missed out. So, make the most of the summer – grab some lawn chairs and snacks (and maybe even a toque) and enjoy a movie under the stars! We’ll also post drive-in movies if we find any.
Read more about it here.
Parade Guide
From the lively music to colourful costumes and ingenious floats, and maybe even the chance of flying candy … what’s not to love about a parade? Find a parade for your family to enjoy with the help of our Parade Guide!
Read more about it here.
Parks Guide
Calgary has tons of parks for all kinds of interests. Playgrounds are often an attraction, but parks hold so much more than that. 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.
Picnic Spots
Nothing says summer quite like a tasty meal eaten outdoors. When your own backyard gets repetitive, a picnic in a nearby park is a perfect choice! Parents can relax, and kids can run around in the fresh air and enjoy amenities like wading pools, playgrounds, spray parks, and wide-open spaces for playing games. Here are 5 of our favourite picnic spots in Calgary. Don’t feel like cooking or making sandwiches?
Read more about it here.
Playground Guide
Public playgrounds are great places to have some active fun in the fresh air while exploring our city and perhaps making a new friend or two (kids and parents alike!). So, whether you have all day with your kids and are looking to add some interest and physical activity, or you’re a working parent and want to make the most of those longer-than-usual evenings you get with your kids, we recommend checking out some new playgrounds and parks.
Read more about it here.
Skateboard Parks
There are so many places in Calgary where kids and teens can go to practice their tricks, as skateboard parks seem to be popping up in many communities. Grab your skateboard (or scooter) and find some outdoor fun at these notable locations. (We’ve also included a couple of indoor skate spots we’ve heard about, and there will be a fee for those.)
Read more about it here.
Coming Soon 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. Calgary’s outdoor pools will be open around June, depending on AHS inspection in some cases. Be sure to book your time to avoid disappointment.
Read more about it here.
Coming Soon Swimming – Spray Parks and Wading Pools
Stay cool this summer at a City of Calgary splash park. All amenities at the locations opening will be available for use, including washroom facilities, where available. Parks are open from 9 am – 9 pm, usually open around Father’s Day.
Read more about it here.
Swimming – Open Water Swimming
When the days get hot and the kids get cranky, it’s time to pack some snacks, grab the towels, and find some water. There are wading pools and spray parks in the city, but sometimes you need to reconnect to the natural world. Find places to go ‘wild swimming’ at beaches on rivers and lakes in and around Calgary. (But safety first — swimming is at own risk.)
Read more about it here.
Coming Soon Summer Food Deals
It can be pricey to take a family out for treats these days. So we’ve compiled a list of hot summer deals where you can grab a treat for only a dollar or two and save some loonies for a rainy day! As always, things are subject to change and only at participating locations, so be sure to check ahead.
Read more about it here.
Urban Hikes
Family time is important, and if you can combine it with outdoor activity and a short (or non-existent!) drive, it’s even better. As Calgarians do, our family often heads to the mountains for a day of hiking and picnicking. But Calgary, being the sprawling city that it is, has many urban hikes that you can enjoy throughout the year, without ever leaving the city.
Read more about it here.
Find more events to enjoy this summer at www.familyfuncalgary.com and plan your own Summer Fun Bucket List filled with great Calgary summer events on our calendar!
If you would like your event featured in our Summer Fun Bucket List, please send us an email.
Summer might be short in Calgary, but you just need to add a little adventure and playtime to make the most of your moments! And nothing says summer fun like time spent on the water. Sunshine, beautiful scenery, and the chance to enjoy a memorable day with your family? Yes, please! Book a floating experience down the Bow River with The Paddle Station and watch your city slide past while you relax. It’s a recipe for the best summer ever!
Rafting on the river is the perfect summer adventure for everyone, even beginners and kids. Of course, the logistics of making it happen can seem overwhelming amid a busy life. But that’s where The Paddle Station comes in! From single or double kayaks, and small rafts to giant ones, The Paddle Station takes care of all the details. With no hidden fees, tours include your raft or kayak, plus life jackets, paddles, and safety kits. All you need to do is show up!
Rafts launch from Shouldice Park and end on St. Patrick’s Island near the Calgary Zoo West Lot. If you’ve never paddled before, don’t worry! Staff can give you a lesson and take your group through the basics before you set out. The Bow River is classified as Level 1, so it’s perfect for beginners and intermediate kayakers and rafters. Guides are also available for hire, if that makes you more comfortable.
No matter what you’re planning this summer, The Paddle Station will make it memorable. From family reunions and birthday parties, to enjoying a summer’s day or any excuse to connect with your teenager, your river is waiting! Book today and enjoy the allure of summer on the water.
