🎸 GEDFEST 2026 🎸

GEDfest is the most awesome party! It’s a celebration of the life & music of Gordon Edgar Downie and the music of the Tragically Hip. The concert features Tragically Hip tribute band Trickle Down and they put on a fantastic show. (I’ve seen them twice now!) Fun fact, GEDfest started in Calgary and has spread across Canada raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight cancer. 👊

Tickets for the October 17th show have been selling so well, they added a second show on the 16th. I do have a discount code for 14% off (Sarah14OFF) but it doesn’t activate until Oct 3. (I’m giving it to you early shhhhh🤫)

🏆 BEST EVENTS IN CALGARY THIS WEEK

Looking for things to do in Calgary this week? Here’s a curated list of the best events, festivals, live music, and activities happening Sept 28-Oct 4, 2026. Whether you’re looking for free events or something new to try, there’s something here for everyone.

MONDAY

• 🍿 CIFF: It’s the last week of Calgary International Film Festival! Make sure you catch a flick to support! ($19)

TUESDAY

• 🌇 CALGARY CULTURE DAYS: This is your last few days to check out the calendar for Calgary Culture days ending at the end of the month.

WEDNESDAY

• 💛 NATIONAL DAY OF TRUTH & RECONCILIATION: Studio Bell is free all day (10am-5pm). The Speak Up exhibition on Level 3 showcases Indigenous artists who have made a social impact on music in Canada.

THURSDAY

• 🎃 PUMPKINS AFTER DARK ADULTS NIGHT: I am not entirely sure how their adults night differs from their regular nights other than no kids? I hope they let you roam with drinks but I have no idea. ($29)

• 🚂 TRAIN OF TERROR: It is Oct 1st so of course all the Halloween activities are in full force, like Aspen Crossing’s 18+ train of terror. I have not done this, but it looks like a legit experience. It’s on weekends all October. ($76)

• 🪦THE CRYPT & THE CROW: Starting Oct 1, all the way until the end of the month, TOPS Pizza South has created a creepy crawly gothic inspired Halloween pop-up. Food and drinks are on theme to scare and delight!

• 🍝PASTA LA FEASTA: This month long festival celebrates pasta as participating restaurants feature a special dish with $3 from each sale supporting The Alex Community Food Centre. Prices vary, see the list of participating restaurants on their site (looks like about 12 as of time of writing)

FRIDAY

• 🍕 YYC PIZZA FEST: Another fun food festival, this one supporting Meals on Wheels. Participating restaurants for this one are not yet listed.

• 🦏 ZOODUNNIT: The Zoo is holding an adults-only murder mystery game. Gather clues, and get some eats and dranks. I went to ZooBrew recently and had a spectacular time so I assume this event is good too. Dress warm tho, we froze by the end of the night. ($94)

• 🇩🇪 OKTOBERFEST: There’s been a bunch of Oktoberfest events around this year. Bow River Brewing has jumped on this as well with a night of Lederhosen, beer and German music. ($35) I don’t want to brag, but I went to the REAL Oktoberfest last year. (okay I am bragging).

SATURDAY

• 🍂BUTTERFIELD ACRES DATE NIGHT: This is the adult version of their pumpkin festival. It looks super cuuuuute. ($25)

• 🎃PUMPKINS IN THE PARK: Happening at Granary Road all weekend, family-oriented fun with photo ops. ($30)

• 🔪 CALGARY HORROR CON: Catch “Canada’s biggest horror weekend” on at the Genesis Centre both Sat & Sun. ($35+)

• 🥪 NATIONAL FRANCHISE SHOW: Wanna start a business? This could be the way to do it. This show is in town at the BMO Centre Sat & Sun. I find it odd you must buy tickets to go, but at least they are only $10.

• 👠MERCEDES-BENZ NICU FASHION SHOW: If you want to get glammed up, this is the event to do it. A fashion-filled night that supports the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ($200).

SUNDAY

• 🥔 TRIWOOD FALL MARKET: This seasonal market is only on 4 times per year so don’t miss it! I believe entry is free.

• 🎃THE COLOSSAL CARVE: Watch a giant pumpkin carving live the Calgary Farmer’s market. It’s at the West location Saturday and the South location Sunday. (Free)

🤩 SAVE THE DATE: 4 CALGARY EVENTS UPCOMING

😮DID YOU HEAR? CALGARY NEWS & WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT

What the group chat is talking about this week. 💬

• 🚁The 2027 STARS Calendar is now out! Support with your purchase of calendar for $30. This is their 35th year of making calendars!!

• Back to school ramen? These deals aren’t just for students! Jinya Ramen is offering up new specials for Fall and they are DELISH. I’ve tried myself and do recommend.

• 🥂If you’re looking for a unique event Market Wines is doing a Champagne & Caviar pairing night Dec 17th. Tickets are $168 but I’m sure it’ll sell out. (If someone wants to buy me a ticket that would be greaaaaat)

• In more food news a whole slew of franchises have opened lately. We’ve now got Jersey Mike’s (subs), Jimmy Johns (subs again?), Wingstop, and Shake Shack. I feel like I’m forgetting some.

• 🦫Beaver Fest?! I stumbled upon this event and it cracked me up. Apparently Calgary is getting it’s first Beaver Festival this October. It’s free and educational!

• The first ever Justice Run is happening Oct 17. This is organized by students. Participants can run or walk to raise funds.

• As you know, Ricardos Hideaway is closing. Their final date was originally going to be end of August, then they stayed open into September. It’s unclear when the final final day of Ricardos will be, but if you wanna go, I’d jump on this ASAP before they’re gone forever! (Fun fact, I went on my first date with my boyfriend here)

• The giant King Crabs are back at Rodney’s Oyster House, they are only available for a short time and you must pre-order.

💰 CALGARY DISCOUNTS & DEALS 💰

I’m always on the look out for new deals, discount codes, and happy hours to share! Lemme know if you know of any I can add to the list.

• 20% OFF RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE: At Grey Eagle March 21, 2027 with code WTWAA2027 (code good until Nov 1).

• 50% OFF @ WINE WAREHOUSE: Use code Sarah for 50% off the winery fee when you make wine at Wine Warehouse. I’ve made wine here multiple times and it’s great! Couldn’t be any easier and now is the perfect time to have a batch ready for Christmas.

• 50% OFF @ SKIP THE DEPOT: If you’re like me and you hate going to the bottle depot - stop! Do Skip the Depot instead. Get 50% off your first pick up when you use my link. (Trust me, you’ll never go back)

• 50% OFF SUBSCRIPTION @ INSPIRED GO SALADS: I’ve been ordering these salads every 2 weeks for about 3 years now. Can’t beat the fantastic taste and convenience. Use my link for 50% off your first try.

• $30 SPENDING MONEY @ RAKUTEN: This site gives you the best coupon codes when shopping online. I’ve been using it since 2015. It’s free! Get $30 when you sign up with my link.

• $45 OFF @ DOORDASH: Sign up for Doordash using my link for $15 off your next 3 orders.

• FREE FOR SENIORS AT STUDIO BELL: Wednesdays are now free for Seniors at Studio Bell the National Music Centre. (Ends Nov 4)

• $45 LAUGH SHOP MEMBERSHIP: Get a year’s worth of shows for $45. Individual shows are around $17 each so this is a good deal if you see more than 2 shows. (Deal ends Sept 30)

p.s. To keep this email list clean, subscribers who haven’t opened 1 in the last 6 emails are automatically unsubscribed. But don’t worry, if you’re reading this, you are safe!

_{⚠Accuracy: I do this newsletter alone and inevitably it will feature a typo or two (or I might have got my details mixed up, I am just a frequently hungover person after all). Furthermore, event details can change at the organizer’s whim, please double check before you head out anywhere. That said, I think this is 99.9% accurate! I try my best!}

🫥 _{Full Transparency:  Sometimes I include events or businesses within this newsletter that have a sponsored connection to YYC Sociables (my local small business). Some links may be affiliate (very rarely, but sometimes) which means I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Or I may refer to a hosted media event or gifted food.}