What’s happening Thanksgiving Weekend in Calgary
Whether winter arrives early or delays its appearance until later in the season, Alberta residents and Calgary visitors have a lot of reasons to celebrate Thanksgiving. There are non-stop events and activities throughout the long weekend, extending from October 7 through 10 in 2018.
From pumpkin festivals and corn mazes to a "Frozen" adventure with Disney characters, weekend activities are geared toward young and old alike, and there's no reason not to partake of the fun. Here's a roundup of some of the attractions that sound like winners:
Family Friendly Activities
Thanksgiving Weekend at Heritage Park: End of season activities at the Park are always a highlight of Thanksgiving Weekend. Enjoy a turkey lunch at the Wainwright Hotel or dinner with all the trimmings at the Selkirk Grille, and then make a point to visit the Ranch House, the Livingston House or the Rectory to gain pumpkin-baking inspiration and gather some recipes to try at home. Kids will love taking a ride in a horse-drawn wagon or the park's steam train; a final stop at the antique midway could round out the weekend in style.
Calvin & Hobbes at Wordfest: The comic strip will come alive Thanksgiving Monday at the second annual free family day celebrating these beloved characters. Indoor and outdoor activities are planned to capture the imagination of tots and adults alike.
Sporting Events
Catch a hockey game: There will be several to choose from. There's an October 5 match between the Saskatoon Blades and the Calgary Hitmen, a contest October 6 featuring the Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames, and then on October 8, Prince Albert Raiders battle the Calgary Hitmen. Take your pick!
Music and Theatre
Disney in Concert: Jack Singer Concert Hall is the place to be Friday or Saturday, no matter what your age, for Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra renditions of Disney favourites both old and new. Be transported to simpler times through tunes from Cinderella, Frozen, Tangled and more.
Ironwood Stage and Grille: Woodhouse Big Band appears on October 7, following a performance by Jr. Gone Wild the previous evening and The Mocking Shadows on October 5. Be sure to call Ironwood Stage for reservations.
Do You Love Film Noir? Fuel your passion for mystery and drama Thanksgiving weekend by attending a performance of Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep. It's a world premier stage adaptation that runs through October 16 at Vertigo Theatre in Calgary Tower.
The Diaries of Adam and Eve: Mark Twain's humour will come alive at The Rosebud Theatre with performances of this romantic tale of the earth's first couple. Matinees begin at 1:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6, with an evening performance as well on Saturday.
With Halloween not far away, there are fun, spooky and scary adventures for the children and an abundance of fall arts and crafts festivals for all ages. Screamfest, Canada's largest Halloween Festival, runs from October 14 through 31 at Stampede Park. But if you're in town for Thanksgiving Weekend, the Cornfield of Terror at Cobb's Corn Maze on Saturday, October 8, is not to be missed! Tickets are $20, with entrances scheduled every 30 minutes between 7 and 10 p.m.
Thanksgiving is a great time to visit Calgary, whether you come to be active, shop, visit local coffee bars and farmers' markets, or plan a day trip to Banff or the Columbia Icefield. There are plenty of reasons to just stay in Calgary, with more than enough indoor and outdoor activities to fill your days.
