The Calgary International Film Festival runs its last three days, a champion carver works on giant pumpkins at both Calgary Farmers' Market locations, the Wranglers open their season with two home games at the Saddledome, and every pumpkin farm around the city is open. It is the first weekend of October and it looks like it.
Saturday is the full day: Dinos football at 1 p.m., the Colossal Carve at the west market, the toy show in Edgemont and the Wranglers at 5. Sunday is quieter and better for the farms, with the carve moving to the south market and the Hitmen playing a 2 p.m. matinee. Friday night is the Wranglers' home opener.
Sixteen things worth doing in Calgary, with times, addresses and what each one costs.
Calgary International Film Festival, closing weekend
Festival
The festival ends Sunday, with films from more than 40 countries still screening across three venues. Weekend titles include Run Terry Run on Friday at 6 p.m. and Man in Motion: The Rick Hansen Story on Sunday at 4:45 p.m., plus a youth-made shorts program on Saturday at 2 p.m. and a best-of shorts program on Sunday at 1:45 p.m. The schedule has a family-friendly filter if you are bringing kids. Be in your seat 15 minutes before showtime, because unclaimed seats go to the rush line.
When: Friday from 1 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. Last screenings Sunday evening
Where: Scotiabank Theatre Chinook, Globe Cinema and The GRAND
Cost: Single tickets $19 plus fees
Instagram: @ciffcalgary
The Colossal Carve at the Calgary Farmers' Market
Free
The market bills this as Calgary's only live giant pumpkin carving event. Champion carver Yann Blanchard works on a giant pumpkin in front of the crowd, at the west market on Saturday and the south market on Sunday. Around it there is a guess-the-weight contest with a Thanksgiving market basket as the prize, a Golden Gourd Hunt for kids and a pumpkin decorating station. Come near the end if you want to see the finished piece, or at the start if your kids want to watch it take shape.
When: Saturday, October 3 at CFM West and Sunday, October 4 at CFM South, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: CFM West, 25 Greenbriar Drive NW. CFM South, 510 77 Avenue SE
Cost: No admission
Instagram: @calgaryfarmersmarket
Calgary Wranglers home opener vs Abbotsford
Sports
The Flames' AHL affiliate opens its season at home with back-to-back games against the Abbotsford Canucks, the first two of twelve meetings this year. This is also the Saddledome's final season, so it is the last home opener in the building. Wranglers tickets are a fraction of Flames prices, and Saturday's 5 p.m. start is the one for kids. Take the train to Victoria Park/Stampede station.
When: Friday, October 2, 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 3, 5 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Cost: Tickets through the Wranglers
Instagram: @ahlwranglers
Calgary Hitmen vs Regina Pats, Sunday Funday
Sports
An afternoon WHL game, which is the most family-friendly slot on the hockey calendar: done by late afternoon and home for dinner. The Hitmen are in Lethbridge on Saturday, so this is their only home game of the weekend.
When: Sunday, October 4, 2 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Cost: Tickets through the Hitmen
Dinos football vs Regina Rams
Sports
University football at McMahon on a Saturday afternoon. The Dinos are 1-3 after a 42-35 loss to Alberta and need this one. Seating is general admission, so sit where you like. Enter on the east side; gates open an hour before kickoff. The Dinos women's soccer team also plays at McMahon on Friday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at noon, and the men's basketball team hosts the Calgary Cup at the Jack Simpson Gym on Friday and Saturday nights.
When: Saturday, October 3, 1 p.m.
Where: McMahon Stadium, 1817 Crowchild Trail NW
Cost: $9 to $48
Instagram: @ucalgarydinos
Pumpkins After Dark at WinSport
Family
A walk-through of thousands of hand-carved, lit pumpkins with live carving demonstrations and food trucks. The organizers call it family friendly with no jump scares. Entry is by time slot and slots are limited, so book ahead and take the earliest one if you have small kids. Parking at WinSport is free. It is on a hill and it is windy up there, so dress warmer than the forecast suggests.
When: Nightly through October 31. Last entry 10 p.m., closes 11 p.m.
Where: WinSport, 88 Canada Olympic Road SW
Cost: About $23 to $33, depending on the night
Instagram: @pumpkinsafterdarkyyc
Harvest Pumpkin Fest at Butterfield Acres, opening weekend
Family
The farm in the northwest opens its pumpkin festival this weekend and runs it every weekend through October. Kids visit the farm animals, ride ponies if they are under 60 pounds, take a tractor-pulled wagon through Scarecrow Alley, roast s'mores at the firepits and pick a pumpkin. Morning tickets include pumpkin hunts for the youngest. Pumpkins are priced separately, from $4.99 for a small one.
When: Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4. Weekends through October
Where: Butterfield Acres, 254077 Rocky Ridge Road NW
Cost: Children $16.99, adults $19.99, plus GST. Pumpkins extra
Pumpkins in the Park at Granary Road, final weekend
Family
Last chance for this one. A pumpkin ticket gets you a tractor ride out to the field and one pumpkin to take home, and there is caramel-apple decorating, a pumpkin scavenger hunt, s'mores and fall games. The active learning park day pass is sold separately from the pumpkin ticket, so check which one you are buying. It is not on Friday.
When: Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Granary Road, 226066 112 Street West, Foothills County
Cost: Park day pass $24.95 plus GST. Pumpkin tickets sold separately
Instagram: @granaryroad
Calgary Farmyard: Fall Days and Harvest Lights
Family
More than 40 attractions east of the city, including the corn maze, zip lines, a tower tube slide, tractor rides, petting animals and mini golf. On Friday and Saturday it stays open until 9:30 p.m. for Harvest Lights, when the farm is lit with thousands of lights after dark. Buy online: the day pass is about $5 cheaper than at the gate.
When: Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Season ends October 25
Where: 284022 Township Road 224, Rocky View County
Cost: Day pass $25.95 plus GST online, $30.53 at the gate. Adult evening pass $36.95 plus GST
Instagram: @calgaryfarmyard
Halloweekends at Calaway Park
Family
The park's last stretch of the season, dressed for Halloween: Hallotown scenes, character meet-and-greets, a 3:30 p.m. parade and a costume party, all included with admission, on top of the rides. Parking is included. If you can only come for the afternoon, admission drops to $39.95 after 2 p.m., and you still catch the parade.
When: Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Runs through October 12
Where: Calaway Park, 245033 Range Road 33
Cost: $55.95 plus GST for ages 3 to 49, $45.95 for 50 and over, free for 2 and under. $39.95 after 2 p.m.
Instagram: @calawaypark
Calgary Toy Show and Sale
Family
More than 80 tables of vintage and modern collectibles: Hot Wheels, LEGO, action figures, Funko Pops, Pokémon cards and board games. At $3 for adults and free for under-16s it is the cheapest thing on this list that is not free. Admission is cash only, there is no ATM on site and some vendors only take cash, so stop at a bank first. Parking is free.
When: Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Edgemont Community Centre, 33 Edgevalley Circle NW
Cost: Adults $3, families $5, under 16 free. Cash only
Millarville Farmers' Market, second-last of the season
Market
The big outdoor market in the foothills closes for the year on October 10, so this is the second-last Saturday. Hundreds of makers, growers and food vendors, a kids' game area, and the drive down Highway 22 with the leaves turning is half the point. Go early. It ends at 2 p.m. and the good baking is gone well before that. There is plenty of parking on site.
When: Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society, 306097 192 Street W, Millarville
Cost: By donation
Instagram: @millarvilleraceandag
Heritage Park's Historical Village, two weekends left
Heritage
The Historical Village is open weekends only now, and after this one there is just Thanksgiving weekend left before it closes for the season. Admission includes the midway rides, the wagon rides, the steam train and the S.S. Moyie. Gasoline Alley Museum stays open daily, including Friday, if you only have a weekday.
When: Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Cost: Adults $39.95, children 3 to 15 $27.95, seniors $31.95, plus GST
Instagram: @heritageparkyyc
SUE: The T. rex Experience at TELUS Spark
Family
A full cast of SUE, the most complete and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex ever found, with an exhibition built around sight, sound, smell and touch. It is included with general admission and it is here until November 29. This is the indoor plan if the weather turns.
When: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Through November 29
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre, 220 St. George's Drive NE
Cost: Included with general admission
Instagram: @telus_spark
A Concrete Jungle Book at StoryBook Theatre, opening weekend
Theatre
Part of StoryBook's 50th season, this is an original stage show that moves The Jungle Book into a city, following a young character looking for identity, belonging and family. The theatre recommends it for ages 10 and up. It opens Friday and runs all month, so if this weekend is full there is time. Check the theatre's site for this weekend's showtimes.
When: Opens Friday, October 2. Runs to October 31
Where: Beddington Theatre Arts Centre, 375 Bermuda Drive NW
Cost: Adults $33 to $38, children $28 to $33, plus GST and fees
Instagram: @storybookyyc
Hansel and Gretel at Loose Moose, final weekend
Theatre
The last three performances of Loose Moose's kids' show, which is aimed at ages 4 to 10 and written to keep parents entertained too. It is the one for children too young for StoryBook's show.
When: Saturday, October 3 at 1 p.m. Sunday, October 4 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Where: Loose Moose Theatre, 1235 26 Avenue SE
Cost: Tickets through Loose Moose
Instagram: @loosemooser
Editor's Pick: The Colossal Carve. It is free, it is the only event of its kind in the city, and watching a champion carver turn a giant pumpkin into a sculpture is something kids will stand still for. Go Saturday at the west market, do your Thanksgiving shopping while you are there, and you still have time for the Wranglers at 5.
Know an event we missed? Tag us @culturealberta or email hello@culturealberta.com.
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