Stampede is packed away for another year and the city has gone straight back to work. Two cultural festivals land downtown on the same weekend, the Stampeders host Montreal at an unusual afternoon kickoff, and Stephen Avenue turns into a World Cup fan zone on Sunday. Eight things worth leaving the house for.
Fiestaval Latin Festival
Festival
Three days of Latin American food, dance and craft at Eau Claire Plaza, and it costs nothing to walk in. Thirty-plus food vendors, an artisan market, and a kids area that gives you somewhere to put the little ones while you eat. Sunday shuts an hour earlier than Friday and Saturday, so do not save it for late.
When: Friday to Sunday, July 17 to 19. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Where: Eau Claire Plaza, 101 Barclay Parade SW
Cost: Free
Instagram: @fiestavalyyc
Omatsuri: Calgary Japanese Festival
Festival
The Calgary Japanese Community Association turns 15 this year and has built the programming out to match: taiko drumming and traditional dance on the main stage, kendo, karate and judo demonstrations, an authentic food zone, and a market of crafts, anime merchandise and Japanese imports. It runs across the indoor arena and the paved outdoor space at Max Bell, so strollers and wheelchairs get around it without a fight. Kids 12 and under are free, which makes it one of the better value family days of the summer.
When: Friday, July 17, 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Max Bell Centre, 1001 Barlow Trail SE
Cost: $17.50 general, $10 seniors 65+, free for children 12 and under. Family bundle $45
Instagram: @yycomatsuri
Stampeders vs. Montreal Alouettes
Sports
A 2 p.m. Saturday kickoff at McMahon, which is early enough to plan the rest of your day around. Afternoon games in July put the sun on the west side for most of the first half. Given the choice, take the east.
When: Saturday, July 18, 2 p.m.
Where: McMahon Stadium, 1817 Crowchild Trail NW
Cost: Tickets at stampeders.com
Cavalry FC vs. Halifax Wanderers
Sports
Canadian Premier League soccer at Spruce Meadows, 1 p.m. Saturday. It runs almost exactly into the Stampeders kickoff, so local sport is an either or this weekend. ATCO Field is small enough that there is no bad seat in it.
When: Saturday, July 18, 1 p.m.
Where: ATCO Field, Spruce Meadows
Cost: Tickets online
Calgary Surge vs. Winnipeg Sea Bears
Sports
CEBL basketball on Friday night at WinSport. The Sea Bears travel well and bring a loud contingent, so expect more away support than a Surge game usually gets.
When: Friday, July 17, 7:30 p.m.
Where: WinSport Event Centre, 88 Canada Olympic Road SW
Cost: Tickets online
FIFA World Cup watch party on Stephen Avenue
Free
Stephen Avenue becomes a fan zone on Sunday afternoon: big screen, food trucks, interactive drills off to the side for the kids. Free, outdoors and central. Get there early if you want to sit rather than stand.
When: Sunday, July 19, from 1 p.m.
Where: Stephen Avenue, downtown
Cost: Free
Beaulieu Flower and Artisan Market
Market
Lougheed House puts its gardens to work for a morning of flowers and local makers. It wraps at 3 p.m. The grounds are worth the trip on their own if you have never been down there.
When: Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Lougheed House, 707 13 Avenue SW
Cost: Free to browse
Park n Play drop-in
Free
The city runs free supervised games for kids 6 to 12 in neighbourhood parks, and you sign up on site rather than in advance. One catch: it runs Monday to Friday, so this is a Friday option only, not a whole-weekend one. Abbeydale, Hidden Valley, Coventry Hills, Ranchlands, Cranston, Woodcreek, Forest Heights and Glendale are all running it.
When: Friday, July 17, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Eight parks across the city, check the listing for your closest
Cost: Free
Editor's Pick
Omatsuri. Fiestaval is bigger and it is free, but the Japanese festival runs two days, comes once a year, and the 15th anniversary programming is the strongest it has been. Go Saturday morning before the arena warms up.
Know an event we missed? Tag us @culturealberta or email hello@culturealberta.com.
