2026 AUTUMN EDITION - IS HERE!

Autumn is here, and there’s lots to discover!

Our Autumn Edition is packed with ideas for getting out, staying well, celebrating the season and making the most of family time in Calgary and area. Plus, our Family Wellness and Inclusivity Resource Directories are here to help you find the support, services and resources your family needs.

You’ll find it online and on stands all across Calgary and the surrounding area.

READ IT HERE

October 30, 7 to 9:30pm; Youth Music Open Mic Night. Support the next generation of YYC music talent at this Youth Music Open Mic at Tribal Connection Market in Okotoks. If you are a musician aged 15 to 24 with polished covers or original works (instrumental or vocal) sign up. Families, friends and those not performing are also welcome. You can attend without performing; it's a good way to check out this scene. TribalConnectionMarket.com

October 30, 7:30pm; Schumann, Strings + Soundscapes. Revel in beautiful symphonic sound in this Calgary Phil concert, which culminates with Robert Schumann's Fourth Symphony — a free-flowing fantasy at Jack Singer Concert Hall. calgaryphil.com

October 30 to November 13, 4:45 to 5:45pm; Free Soccer Fridays. An opportunity for interested youth to play the game they love, to keep kids active, to create new opportunities for youth to access sport, and to encourage unstructured play. calgaryminorsoccer.com

Until October 31, 10am to 2pm; Harvest Pumpkin Fest at Butterfield Acres. Celebrate fall at Butterfield Acres during Harvest Pumpkin Fest! Families can enjoy a real farm fall experience close to Calgary with animal visits, autumn photo opportunities, tractor-pulled wagon rides through Scarecrow Alley, cozy fire pits, and plenty of fresh-air farm fun. butterfieldacres.com/harvest-pumpkin-fest

Until October 31; Storybook Theatre Presents: A Concrete Jungle Book. Set within an urban landscape shaped by rules, hierarchies, and survival instincts, the story follows a young protagonist searching for identity, belonging, and family in a city that doesn’t always make space for difference. storybooktheatre.org

Until October 31, 10am to 3pm; Breastfeeding Support Meetings. Peer-to- peer online and in-person breastfeeding support meetings led by trained volunteers. Find community, get support and feel confident in your breastfeeding journey. lllc.ca/lllc-group-listings/AB

Until October 31; Pasta La Feasta. An annual, month-long culinary festival in Calgary local restaurants feature exclusive, limited-edition pasta dishes to raise money for charity. pastalafeasta.ca

October 31 to November 22; Loose Moose Theatre Presents: Three Little Pigs. The Loose Moose Theatre Company makes going to the theatre an experience that is truly magical for children four to ten years old, as well as fun and entertaining for parents. loosemoose.com

Until November 1; Signature Festival of Crafts. An annual tradition where visitors can meet passionate creatives in-person, hear their stories, and feel their works first-hand at BMO Centre. festivalofcrafts.com

November 1, 2 to 4pm; Calgary Hitmen Sunday Funday. Watch the game and check out special concourse fun like activities and face painting. Plus, there will sometimes be in-game family entertainment or an after-game skate. hitmenhockey.com

November 1, 2 to 4pm; The Art of Mehendi. Each November, communities across Canada recognize the rich culture, traditions, and valuable contributions of Hindu Canadians. In celebration of this vibrant heritage, we invite you to join at Inspire (Airdrie Public Library) for a hands-on Mehendi application session. bookings.yourapl.ca/event/3970880

November 1, 5 to 9pm; Day of the Dead Festival. Join at Fonda Fora for a unique cultural and gastronomic experience where Mexican flavors, heritage, and traditions come together to celebrate life and honor the memories of our loved ones. casamexico.ca

November 1, 7 to 9pm; New West Symphony and Chorus Concert. Join New West Symphony & Chorus at Falconridge Family Church for an amazing evening of music that will uplift and encourage. newwestsociety.com

November 1 to 11; Field of Crosses. The public is welcome to walk amongst the crosses along Memorial Drive. Visitors are encouraged to stop in front of each cross that moves them to pay respect to that soldier by quietly calling their name out loud while holding their hand over their heart and expressing whatever sentiment they are feeling. Sunrise and Sunset ceremonies are held each day from November 1 until November 10. fieldofcrosses.com

Trick-or-treat at the zoo this Halloween!

Join us on October 31 and November 1 for a hauntingly good time. With two days of Halloween fun to choose from, get your kids dressed in their most fang-tastic outfits and enjoy activities and treat stations throughout the zoo! This event is FREE with the purchase of a daily admission ticket.

Halloween should be fun, not scary

Halloween is all about fun – not frights! For more than 30 years, Partners for Safety has helped Calgary kids trick-or-treat with confidence, and we’re back again this year. On Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 6 to 8pm, you’ll see hundreds of vehicles out in the community, making sure families can enjoy a safe and happy Halloween night.

October 28 to 31; Ghosts and Gourmet at Heritage Park. The night begins inside the historic Wainwright Hotel with a three-course dinner featuring seasonal flavours and a choice of entrées. But when the plates are cleared, the evening is only getting started. Guests will head into the darkened Historical Village for a guided ghost tour, discovering chilling stories of haunted buildings, unexplained encounters and restless spirits said to inhabit the Park's historic streets. heritagepark.ca

October 29, 9:30 to 11:30am; The Hangar Flight Museum Events Fly Babies. During the festivities, your little bats and ghouls will search around the planes for hidden pumpkins, make a personalized Jack-O-Lantern craft, and learn about what powers a witch's broom during our story time. thehangarmuseum.ca

October 29, 5 to 8pm; Alberta Craft Free Make and Take. Create your own personalized, two-sided Jack-O’-Lantern decoration and customize it to match your style. Scary or cute — the choice is yours at cSPACE Marda Loop. albertacraft.ab.ca

October 29, 5 to 8pm; cSPACE October Showcase. The halls of cSPACE Marda Loop come alive with crafts and programming, trick-or-treating, activities, sales and more. cspacemardaloop.com

October 29, 7 to 9pm; The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). For the first time ever, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is coming to The Confluence! This iconic cult classic takes newly wed couple Brad and Janet on a strange journey through the deranged house of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, filled with curious characters, sensational songs, and innuendo that will make you shiver in antici………… pation. theconfluence.ca/events/rocky-horror

October 30, 10am to 12pm; Trico Centre Lil’ Pumpkins Halloween Party. Boo-tiful fun awaits at our Preschool Halloween Party! Little pumpkins, ghosts, and giggle-monsters (up to six years old) can enjoy spooky-silly crafts, bouncy inflatables, magical balloon creations, games, and activities. tricocentre.ca

October 30, 4 to 6:30pm; Sensory Friendly Halloween Party. Join for a fun and welcoming Halloween celebration designed with sensory needs in mind at #101 816 55 Avenue NE. elevatedabilities.ca

Various dates until October 30; Spooky Spides, Snakes and More. Join Calgary Reptile Parties at the library to explore myths and realities of “creepy” creatures in a hands-on, interactive program. Find out where and when at calgarylibrary.ca

October 30 to 31; Frights & Delights. Part market, part Halloween celebration, join for two frighteningly good times for spirits of all ages at The Confluence. theconfluence.ca

October 30 to 31; End of Days Haunted House. Check out the tenth annual garage walkthrough haunted house at 241 Prestwick Circle. There will be live actors, photo opportunities with props, and lots of fun. Bring a donation for the Calgary Food Bank.

October 30 and November 1; Halloweekend at SkyCastle. Spooktacular fun is coming to SkyCastle this Halloween. Come for music, face painting, glitter tattoo, treats and character visits. October 30 at New Horizon Mall and November 1 at the Macleod location. skycastleab.ca

October 30 to November 1; Hangar Flight Museum: The Haunted Pumpkin Hunt. Creep on down to the museum for a frightfully fun day filled with Halloween activities. Your little boos (and you!) will take part in a scary scavenger hunt for our missing pumpkins, enjoy a themed BINGO, and create a flying ghost to take home. thehangarmuseum.ca

Fridays and Saturdays until October 31, 7pm to 12am; ScreamFest. Haunted houses, Halloween-themed carnival games, creepy and disturbing entertainment at Stampede Park, GMC Stadium. Not recommended for children under the age of 13.  screamfest.ca

Select dates until October 31; Where Dark Things Dwell Outdoor Escape Room. Guided by live actors, Where Dark Things Dwell is an immersive outdoor escape room that transforms Heritage Park into a chilling after-hours experience. Follow a trail of clues through shadowed streets, solve puzzles, uncover hidden secrets and race against time to save the village before darkness consumes it. heritagepark.ca/events/where-dark-things-dwell-thursdays

Until October 31; Nightmare Creations: Nightmare in the Campground. This the attraction evolved from an award-winning residential driveway haunt into one of Alberta's largest seasonal mazed haunted attractions at Okotoks Lions Campground. nightmarecreations.ca

Until October 31; The Nightmare Bar. Nightmare Bar is a 90-minute Halloween bar experience packed with creepy décor, themed cocktails, music, photo opportunities and a lineup of fun games hosted throughout your session at Limericks Traditional Public House. events.showtime-presents.com

Until October 31; Pumpkins After Dark. Transform an evening out into a memorable Halloween experience at WinSport. Explore illuminated pumpkin displays, enjoy live entertainment and pumpkin carving demonstrations, indulge in seasonal treats, and capture incredible photos along the way. pumpkinsafterdark.com

Until October 31; Haunted Historic Inglewood. Discover the spooky side of Calgary’s oldest neighborhood at Haunted Historic Inglewood. With more than 150 years of history, Inglewood is full of stories, legends, and haunted places. inglewoodyyc.ca

October 31, 9am to 4pm; HallowSTEAM at TELUS Spark. Catch live science shows, dissect a worm, get crafty with creepy creations and dig into hauntingly cool merch. Costumes? Encouraged. sparkscience.ca

October 31, 10am to 1pm; Splitsville Bowloween Party. Splitsville Bowl is hosting a Bowloween Party at its Creekside, Glamorgan, Highfield, and Meridian locations for family-friendly fun with costumes, games and spooky activities for all. splitsville.ca

October 31, 10am to 2pm; Halloween Afternoon Tea at Lougheed House. This immersive tea experience goes beyond seasonal treats, teas, and savouries and into the mysterious world of tea leaf readings and the supernatural. lougheedhouse.com/events

October 31, 10am to 4pm; Ready Set Halloween. Family-friendly, police-themed Halloween activities and interactive museum exhibits. calgarypolicediscoverycentre.com

October 31, 11am; Cineplex Family Favourites: Super Simple Songs Halloween Spook-tacular! Visit participating Cineplex theatres near you and watch a favorite family film each week for only $3.99. cineplex.com

October 31, 11am to 3pm; Trick-or-Treat Trail in Inglewood. A family-friendly Halloween event held in Calgary's historic neighborhood as part of the month-long Haunted Historic Inglewood festival. inglewoodyyc.ca

October 31, 11am to 5pm; Roller Palace Kids’ Halloween Party. A family-friendly Halloween roller-skating event for all ghosts and goblins. rollerpalace.ca

October 31, 1 to 3:30pm; Bowness Halloween. Get ready for a frightfully fun day in the heart of Bowness. Bring the whole family (and your pets) for a community Halloween celebration filled with spooky surprises and delicious treats. mainstreetbowness.com

October 31, 1 to 5pm; Spooktacular Market Trick-or-Treating. Join the South or West locations of Calgary Farmers Market for trick-or-treating, live music, kids’ crafts and more. calgaryfarmersmarket.ca

October 31 to November 1; ZooBoo. Your little ones can dress up in "fangtastic" costumes and celebrate Halloween with their favorite zoo animals, treats and special activities. calgaryzoo.com

Until November 5; Tricks, Treats, & Traditions. Explore all the Halloween history you never knew at Lougheed House. lougheedhouse.com

Upcoming

November 3 to 8; Jazz YYC Canadian Jazz Fest. Canadian Jazz Fest brings established voices and rising talent to Calgary for six nights of homegrown jazz. jazzyyc.com

November 5 to 8; Kids Fair Consignment Sale. Shop a massive selection of high-quality, gently used, and brand-new items for kids, from newborn to pre-teen at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex. kidsfair.ca

November 5 to 15; Millarville Christmas Market. This market is one of the premier craft shows in Alberta. You’ll enjoy food trucks, music, reindeer viewing, photos with Santa, and more at Millarville Racetrack. millarvilleracetrack.com

November 6 to 7; Okotoks Christmas Market. Kick off your Christmas shopping at the annual Okotoks Christmas Market. This year’s event has two locations. Check it out at Viking Rentals (formerly Foothills Centennial) Centre and D’Arcy Ranch Golf Club. okotoks.ca

November 6 to 7; Tchaikovsky's Sixth: The Final Symphony. Arvo Pärt's mesmerizing Fratres opens the concert, after which the Calgary Philharmonic Chorus joins the Orchestra in Ralph Vaughan Williams' passionate plea for peace at Jack Singer Concert Hall. calgaryphil.com

November 6 to 8; Petri Dish by Beakerhead. This is a science festival produced by TELUS Spark Science Centre in association with the University of Calgary. Check the website for times and locations. petridish.sparkscience.ca

November 6 to December 23; Rosebud Dinner Theatre Presents: It’s a Wonderful Life. This uplifting holiday classic comes to life as a high-energy radio play, blending 1940s retro charm with hilarious theatrical hijinks, as five multi-talented actors portray dozens of characters with live sound effects and lovable Christmas spirit. rosebudtheatre.com

November 7, 10am to 2pm; Calgary Christian School Community Fall Fair. Check out the Maker’s Market and enjoy a photo booth, activities, treats, and community at Calgary Christian School Secondary Campus. facebook.com

November 7, 10am to 4pm; Kensington Art Supply Community Art Market. Art markets are a fantastic way to celebrate the creativity within the community and Kensington Art Supply Community Art Market wants to contribute to that by using their space to host low-barrier, handmade market that support local artists. kensingtonartsupply.com/kas-cam-2026

November 7, 10am to 5pm; Supermarché de l’Art. The inspiring Studio Theatre at cSPACE Marda Loop will host the new edition of the Supermarché de l’art. The venue transforms into an artistic supermarket where visitors can handle and explore artworks in a playful, accessible way. supermarchedelart.ca

November 7 to 8, 10am to pm; Parkland Winter Market. Join at beautiful Park 96 for an artisan winter market. Meet talented artisans, enjoy seasonal treats including free coffee and hot chocolate and soup and a bun ($5), live Western music (12 to 2pm both days), free admission and parking. Enjoy the seasonal cheer and take a Fall walk in the park. park96.com

November 7 to December 20; Festive Foothills Art Sale at Leighton Art Centre. Fine craft and artworks by local artists will be featured in the galleries of the historic Leighton home. leightoncentre.org

November 7 to December 24; Santa at Bass Pro and Cabela’s. Enjoy a visit with Santa Claus at Bass Pro Shops or Cabela’s in a Christmas wonderland! Make a reservation for a free 4X6 photo with the Man in Red. cabelas.ca/pages/santa

November 7 to January 9; Jubilations Junior Presents: Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Has anyone asked what happens if, on Christmas Eve, Santa disappears? Will all the presents get delivered before Christmas morning? Will they have to cancel Christmas? Find out with this festive family-friendly production. jubilations.ca

Until November 7; Fluid Fest 2026. Fluid Fest 2026 is a celebration of dance, contemporary performance and connection unfolding across the city. Framed by the curatorial invitation: A Messy Gorgeous Love, we invite artists and audiences into the unpredictable brilliance of bodies in motion, where uncertainty and precision share the same breath, and every work unfolds as a living question and response. springboardperformance.com/programs/fluid-fest-2026

November 8,10:30am to 3pm; Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar & Craft Sale. Check out a wide variety of unique homemade baking, handmade crafts, toys, woodworking, knitting, and more at Scan Centre. scancentre.ca

November 8, 1 to 2pm; StoryMusic, Green Fools Theatre & NMC Presents: Little Red Riding Hood with Beethoven. A storytelling concert with live music and puppetry. Listen to Beethoven’s dynamic String Quartet No. 11 with Liza Scriggins’ version of the much-loved fairy tale and puppets by Green Fools Theatre at Studio Bell. storymusic.ca

Ongoing

Mondays, 6 to 8pm; Monday Night Toonie Skates at Olympic Oval. On these special evenings, you skate for just $2. Be sure to check the schedule, as Toonie Skates don’t run every Monday night. schedules.oval.ucalgary.ca

Until November 29; SUE the T. rex Experience at TELUS Spark. SUE the T. rex is the most complete, best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever found. sparkscience.ca

Until December 6; Buffalo Treaty: Keystone to Wellness Exhibit. 2024 marked the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Buffalo Treaty, a framework for reconciliation that focuses on cooperation, restoration, and renewal. This exhibit explores how the Buffalo Treaty can support individual and community wellness in all its forms: spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental. theconfluence.ca

Until December 11; Bison Survival Story Robe by Adrian Stimson. Bison Survival Story Robe recalls the history of the bison as a story of both slaughter and survivance. Once numbering in the millions, bison herds were driven to the brink of extinction in the 19th century. Bison Story Robe shares this history in the form of a pictographic winter count drawing on the Blackfoot tradition of recording collective memory on hide. theconfluence.ca

Sundays until December 20; Faith through Music and Story. Through the generosity of the David Ferguson Memorial Fund, Lake View United Church can offer an exciting and innovative children’s program that includes 30 minutes of music instruction provided by Forte Music Studio. A professionally trained instructor will inspire creativity through music education. About 20 minutes of crafts, dance, story or games, mirroring the theme of the day completes the program. There is no cost for this program and ages three to eight years old, are welcome. lakeviewunitedchurch

Until January 9; Jubilations Dinner Theatre Presents: Footloose: A Cutloose Parody. Yes, in this new town, someone’s gonna fall in love, someone’s gonna make an unlikely friend, and someone’s gonna end up breakin’ all the rules. jubilations.ca

Thursdays until June 2027; NMC Jam Club. Youth ages 13 to 19 are invited to jam, practice their skills, and explore their creative potential, all while making new friends, every Thursday at Studio Bell. studiobell.ca/jam-club

Until August 2027; TELUS Spark FREE Grade 7 Purple Galaxy Pass. Every Grade 7 student in Calgary and surrounding areas is eligible to receive a one-year pass for free admission at TELUS Spark. Register here: sparkscience.ca/purple-galaxy

Drop in

Mondays to Thursdays, 9am to 12pm; Active Toddlers at the Genesis Centre. Bring your little one for a delightful playtime adventure with our bouncy castle, toys, puzzles, and a lot more for free. genesis-centre.ca

Thursdays, 4 to 4:30pm; Storytime at Mastermind Toys. Mastermind Toys often has special events at their Calgary stores, including storytime. Check with your store to confirm details. mastermindtoys.com

Monday and Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 am. The Beach YYC Drop-In Children’s Playtime. On Monday and Wednesday mornings take part in children’s play time at the beach. thebeachyyc.ca

Monday to Thursday, 9am; Parent + Tot Drop-In at Cavalry FC Regional Field House. Cavalry offers a variety of drop-in programs for parents to participate in with their children ages 18 months to three years old. regionalfieldhouse.com

Drop-In Programs at City of Calgary Recreation Centres. Don’t miss out on Active Play where you can bring your kiddo’s energy to an indoor play space. calgary.ca

Storytime at Calgary Public Library. Drop into various Calgary Public Library locations to enjoy stories, songs, and finger plays for the whole family at Family Storytime. calgarylibrary.ca

Ellias Cote invites you to get cozy and reminisce with him about Christmases past through an evening of story and song.

Featuring generations of family stories in the grand Canadian storytelling tradition of Stuart MacLean and David Bouchard and musical performances of classic holiday favorites, this all-ages family celebration is sure to warm your heart.

Accompanied by acclaimed pianist Hanako Rodgers, the Chinook Horn Quartet, and soprano Chelsea Woodard, Ellias's stories will create an evening of Christmas memories you'll always remember.

Disney’s beloved Beauty and the Beast returns in a breathtaking musical filled with romance, grandeur and Disney magic. Enjoy the timeless tale brought to life with spectacular sets, dazzling costumes and the Oscar-winning, Tony nominated score featuring classic favourites like “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.” It’s an enchanting theatrical experience sure to fill your heart with joy.

Playing at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium from November 10 to 15. 

2027 Parents' Choice Awards Voting is OPEN

It’s time to pick your favorites!

Calgary parents, we want to know who gets your vote!

What’s the best festival in Calgary? The best place for a family haircut? The best class, activity, attraction or family-friendly business?

Vote for your favorites, and you could WIN a family getaway at Deerfoot Inn & Casino! Enjoy a one-night stay in a comfortable guestroom featuring two queen beds, with plenty of room for the whole family to relax after a day of fun. The highlight? Unlimited use of the waterpark, where kids can splash in the pool, explore the toddler area, soak in the excitement of the two hot tubs, and race down the thrilling two-storey, four-curved waterslide. It’s the perfect recipe for a family getaway filled with waterpark adventures and memories to last!

Subject to availability at time of booking. Not redeemable on New Year’s Eve.

Your votes help us celebrate the businesses, organizations, events, and places that make Calgary such a great place for families. Results will be published in our 2027 Chinook Edition of Calgary’s Child Magazine.

• Hamilton Beach® Easy Measure 14 Cup Coffee Maker
• The Kaze Paddle Brush
• Game Night Package
• Trunki Glide Ride-On Suitcase
• PhoneSoap Baby UV Sanitizer
• Manta PRO Sleep Mask

here's your complete guide to family life in Calgary!

The 2026 YYCFamilies Resource Directory

Your complete guide to family life in Calgary.

The YYCFamilies Resource Directory is here! We've brought together the very best of Calgary in one trusted place.

From family wellness and camps & classes to education, unforgettable birthdays & celebrations, family fun, and reliable local support and services, this directory is designed to make family life easier, richer, and more connected. Read it online and find it on stands everywhere!