TELUS Spark's new science festival, Petri Dish by Beakerhead, throws its doors open for free on Saturday, Cavalry FC plays a do-or-die CPL semifinal at Spruce Meadows, and the Flames are home on Friday and Sunday. The Christmas market season starts in earnest, with Millarville, Okotoks and a weavers' sale in Parkdale, and the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival wraps up its final weekend.
It's also Veterans' Week. The Field of Crosses is up on Memorial Drive, and The Military Museums marks National Indigenous Veterans Day on Sunday with a free-with-admission guided tour.
Fourteen things worth doing in Calgary this weekend, with times, addresses and what each one costs.
Petri Dish by Beakerhead at TELUS Spark
Free
TELUS Spark's newest festival, produced with the University of Calgary, mixes science, art and engineering over three days. Saturday is the big one and it's free for all ages: hands-on experiments, workshops, exhibitors and live performances on the Main Stage, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free tickets are handed out first come, first served at the door, so go early. The same day, seven U of C researchers present Seven Wonders of Science, free talks on everything from space science to paleontology, on campus. Sunday is the paid last round of hands-on science and demos.
When: Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (free); Sunday, November 8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre, 220 St. George's Drive NE
Cost: Saturday free; Sunday $10 adults, $5 kids
Cavalry FC vs FC Supra du Québec, CPL semifinal
Sports
Cavalry lost the first leg of the semifinal 2-1 in Québec, so Saturday's second leg at ATCO Field is all or nothing. A win by two or more goals and Cavalry host the CPL final in Calgary, according to the league. Cavalry went more than a year without a home loss this season, which is why fans like their odds. Kickoff is 2 p.m. It's a long drive south with no train, so leave early and dress warm.
When: Saturday, November 7, 2 p.m.
Where: ATCO Field, Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
Cost: Tickets through the club
Flames vs Anaheim and Philadelphia
Sports
Two Flames home games in the Saddledome's farewell season: the Anaheim Ducks on Friday at 7 p.m. and the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday at 6 p.m. Tickets start around $35. Take the CTrain to Victoria Park/Stampede.
When: Friday, November 6, 7 p.m.; Sunday, November 8, 6 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Cost: From about $35
Indigenous Veterans tour at The Military Museums
Community
On National Indigenous Veterans Day, The Military Museums Foundation leads a one-hour guided tour on the contributions of Indigenous service members, including Mike Mountain Horse, Edith Anderson Monture and Lloyd Hamilton, with stories of nurses, Canadian Women's Army Corps members, paratroopers, code talkers and sharpshooters. No registration is needed, and it's included with regular admission. The museums are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
When: Sunday, November 8, noon to 1 p.m.
Where: The Military Museums, 4520 Crowchild Trail SW
Cost: Included with regular admission
Field of Crosses on Memorial Drive
Free
Thousands of white crosses, each carrying the name of a Southern Albertan who died in service, line Memorial Drive until November 11. You can walk among them at any hour, and they're lit through the night. Sunrise and sunset ceremonies are held every day until November 10; Saturday, November 7, is Youth Day. Arrive 15 minutes early for a ceremony.
When: Daily through Wednesday, November 11
Where: Memorial Drive NW at Sunnyside Bank Park
Cost: Free
Calgary Justice Film Festival
Free
Every screening at this festival of justice-focused documentaries from around the world is free, and each film is followed by a community discussion. It runs at The Confluence through Saturday. Get free tickets online, and if you can, bring a non-perishable item for the Calgary Food Bank.
When: Through Saturday, November 7
Where: The Confluence, 750 9 Avenue SE
Cost: Free, tickets required
YYC Noodle Festival
Food
Locally owned restaurants across the city put their best noodle dishes forward for 11 days, and you rate what you eat. Pick up the Noodle Passport, collect stamps at participating restaurants and earn entries for the grand prize. Part of every bowl supports a local charity. The full list of restaurants is on the festival site.
When: Thursday, November 5 to Sunday, November 15
Where: Participating restaurants across Calgary
Cost: Price of a bowl
Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, final weekend
Culture
The festival's final weekend brings adventure films from around the world, talks by climbers, authors and filmmakers, and a festival marketplace, with some events free. It's about 90 minutes from Calgary, so make a day of it. It wraps up Sunday.
When: Through Sunday, November 8
Where: Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and other venues, Banff
Cost: From about $20; some events free
Millarville Christmas Market
Shopping
One of Alberta's best-known Christmas markets, running since 1988, opens its first of two weekends southwest of Calgary. Local vendors fill four heated spaces (the Arena, Hall, Quonset and big heated tents), with food trucks, face painting and photos with Santa. Kids can shop on their own at the Kids Only Shoppe on weekends. Dress in layers and wear boots; the outdoor areas can get muddy.
When: Through Sunday, November 8, and November 12 to 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society grounds, Millarville
Cost: Tickets online
Okotoks Christmas Market
Shopping
The 15th Okotoks Christmas Market spreads more than 200 local makers across two locations, with different vendors at each, so plan to visit both. This is the first of two weekends.
When: Friday, November 6, 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, November 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (again November 13 to 15)
Where: Viking Rentals Centre, 204 Community Way, and D'Arcy Ranch Golf Club, 376 D'Arcy Ranch Drive, Okotoks
Cost: Tickets at themarketsquare.ca
Heritage Weavers and Spinners Guild Sale
Free
More than 30 guild members sell handmade tea towels, placemats, scarves, bags, pillows, rugs and fibre art. Admission and parking are free and the hall is fully accessible. Saturday morning is the time to go for the best selection.
When: Friday, November 6, 4 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Parkdale Nifty Fifties, 3512 5 Avenue NW
Cost: Free
Festive Foothills Art Market at the Leighton Art Centre
Shopping
The Leighton Art Centre in the foothills southwest of Calgary opens its holiday market on Saturday, with original art and fine craft by Alberta artists. It runs until December 20, so there's no rush, but the opening weekend has the fullest selection. Check the centre's site for hours before you make the drive.
When: Opens Saturday, November 7; runs to December 20
Where: Leighton Art Centre, 282027 144 Street W, Foothills County
Cost: See the Leighton Art Centre site
The Three Pigs at Loose Moose Theatre
Family
Loose Moose's Theatre for Kids show this fall is The Three Pigs, told in the company's own playful style for children aged 4 to 10. Shows are Saturdays at 1 p.m. and Sundays at 1 and 3 p.m. until November 22.
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.; Sunday, 1 and 3 p.m.
Where: Loose Moose Theatre, 1235 26 Avenue SE
Cost: About $18.89
SUE: The T. rex Experience at TELUS Spark
Family
The most complete T. rex ever found is at Spark until November 29, so there are only three weekends left to see it. It's included in regular admission. With Petri Dish on this weekend, the building will be busier than usual; check Spark's site for how the two fit together before you go.
When: Through November 29
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre, 220 St. George's Drive NE
Cost: Regular admission
Editor's Pick: Saturday at Petri Dish, which is free all day for all ages. Get to TELUS Spark close to 10 a.m. for the free door tickets, spend the morning on the hands-on experiments and workshops, then make the drive south to Spruce Meadows for Cavalry's 2 p.m. semifinal. On Sunday, take a quiet walk through the Field of Crosses.
Know an event we missed? Tag us @culturealberta or email hello@culturealberta.com.
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