While the days are getting a little shorter and the forecast is starting to cool down, Calgary’s September calendar is still giving us plenty of reasons to get out of the house. This weekend you can spend the morning watching cartoons at Tomkins Park, catch monster trucks flying through the air, or dance the night away along the Bow River.
To save you from all the scrolling, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best things happening in the city this weekend, so you can skip the endless event hunting and start making plans.
Learn a little more about Alberta’s wildlife at the Calgary Zoo this weekend. The Alberta Biodiversity Festival will offer hands-on activities, games, and opportunities to learn about the province’s plants, animals, and ecosystems. You’ll even have a chance to meet the world’s fastest animal – the peregrine falcon.
When: Friday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Calgary Zoo – 210 St. George’s Dr. NE, Calgary, Alta
Cost: General admission starting at $36.95
Grab a blanket and head to Tomkins Park for a weekend of free outdoor movies. The lineup includes Footloose, Little Shop of Horrors, Frozen, and The Princess Bride, plus a new Saturday morning cartoon package with three hours of animated cartoons from 9 a.m. to noon.
When: Friday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Tomkins Park – 7th St. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free
Get ready for massive trucks, impressive stunts and plenty of noise as Monster Jam rolls into the city this weekend. The event will take place at GMC Stadium and will feature truck racing and freestyle stunts, with some of the sport’s biggest trucks going head-to-head throughout the weekend.
When: Friday, Sept. 11 to Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026
Time: Times vary
Where: GMC Stadium – 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $37.50
The Calgary Zoo is staying open late for an adults-only night featuring local craft beer, food stations and plenty of time to wander around the zoo after hours. The event will also include lawn games, a Lego building activity, and a special viewing of the new Asian Highlands habitat.
When: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
Time: 6 to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Calgary Zoo – 210 St. George’s Dr. NW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $99 plus GST
Spend your Friday night listening to some of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits as the Calgary Philharmonic performs Threads: My Songs in Symphony. The show combines footage of Dolly telling her story with live vocals, musicians and orchestral arrangements of songs like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.”
When: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall – 225 8th Ave. SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $58
The historic Shawnessy Barn is staying open late for The Barn After Dark. Shop from 34 local vendors across two floors, with live music, food trucks, and a bar for a little “Sip and Shop” action.
When: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Shawnessy Barn – 224 Shawmeadows Rd. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free admission
The Calgary Wild FC are back at McMahon Stadium this weekend to take on the Halifax Tides FC. The Match is also part of Wild’s Active Girls Day, with activities planned around the game to celebrate girls and women in soccer.
When: Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026
Time: Noon
Where: McMahon Stadium – 1817 Crowchild Trl. NW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $29.40
For one day, Waterfront Park will be transformed into three lush garden dance floors for Zen Garden. The festival brings a lineup of house, disco, hip-hop and bass to the Bow River, along with food trucks, drinks and lots of art.
When: Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026
Time: 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park – 5225 101st St. NW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $80.33
The RBC Race for Kids is celebrating its 10th year in Calgary this weekend with a six-kilometre run, a shorter 1.7-kilometre route for the little ones and a pancake breakfast at Heritage Park.
When: Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Where: Prince’s Island Park – 698 Eau Claire Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free; registration is required
Pizza making, grape stomping and an Italian fashion show are just a few things happening at the Taste of Italy Festival this weekend. The free event is taking over the Bridgeland Riverside Community Association with Italian food vendors, live music, local artisans, and family-friendly activities.
When: Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Bridgeland Riverside Community Association – 917 Centre Ave. NE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free to attend
Have a spectacular weekend, Calgary!
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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