Spooky season is almost upon us, and with it comes a lot of fall fun in YYC! If you’re looking to get outside while the weather’s still warm and the leaves are changing colour, there’s no shortage of fun family activities to attend in Calgary in October. On chillier days, head inside for concerts and trade shows that everyone in the family can enjoy.
Here’s our list of family-friendly activities to check out in YYC before the snow begins to fall!
Fun Family Activities in Calgary in October
Harvest Pumpkin Fest at Butterfield Acres | butterfieldacres.com
All Weekends in October and Thanksgiving Monday from 10 am to 4 pm (visits are scheduled for a 2 hour window)
Whether you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin or just want to spend a beautiful day soaking up the sun and fun of Calgary in October, head to Butterfield Acres for their Harvest Pumpkin Fest. Animal visits, pony rides, autumn photo-ops, and a ride through Scarecrow Alley are just a few activities to kick off your day. Warm up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate or apple cider, and don’t forget to grab a S’More kit! Costumes are highly encouraged, and by posting a photo to Instagram, you’ll be entered to win a 2022 Season’s Pass! Tickets are $14.99 for kids 17 and under and $16.99 for adults.
Halloweekends At Calaway Park | calawaypark.com
Saturdays, Sundays & Holiday Monday until Monday, October 10th
Get your costume ready and head to Calaway Park for a celebration of all things spooky (but don’t worry – it’s not scary!) In addition to all your favourite rides, ghosts and ghouls who visit the park can stroll through Hallowtown, pose for photo ops, and take in the Halloweekends Parade each day at 4 pm (excluding October 10th). If you’d rather join the parade than watch, anyone with a costume is invited! Regular admission rates of $39 for guests 3 and up apply.
Pumpkins After Dark | pumpkinsafterdark.com
Thursday, September 22nd – Monday, October 31st
If you thought your pumpkin carving skills were impressive, just wait until you catch a glimpse of over 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins in all kinds of creative configurations at Pumpkins After Dark, located at Winsport in Canada Olympic Park. This one-of-a-kind walk through experience is totally family-friendly and includes all kinds of pumpkin displays including Disney characters and superheroes, in addition to some creepier carvings – but nothing jumps out to scare anyone! Tickets for adults are $21.95, Youth Tickets (for kids 4-16) are $17.95, and a Family Pass for 2 adult and 2 youth tickets is $74.80.
ScreamFest | screamfest.ca
Weekends in October from 7 pm to midnight
For family members 12 and up who are up for a truly bone-chilling experience, Calgary’s largest Halloween event is returning to Stampede Park for weekends during the month of October. ScreamFest features 6 terrifying haunted houses, carnival games, and axe throwing, rides, and a Screaming (screening) Room playing highlights from independent Halloween, Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy films. If you still have an appetite after all of the screaming, food trucks will also be on site. Tickets start at $30. For the month of September, you can save 10% using the promo code: YOUWILLSCREAM. The event takes place both inside and outdoors, so be sure to dress according to the weather in Calgary in October!
The Calgary Philharmonic Presents: Disney In Concert: Frozen | calgaryphil.com
Friday, October 7th & Saturday, October 8th
The only thing more magical than watching Disney’s Frozen is watching while its score is performed by the talented musicians in the Calgary Phil live beneath the big screen! Plan a Thanksgiving weekend the Frozen fans in your family won’t forget. Tickets start at $36.
Pumpkin Fest and Pumpkin Chunkin at Granary Road
Saturday, October 22nd and Sunday, October 23rd
Join Granary Road and the Okotoks Optimist Club for a one of a kind event you won’t want to miss! Pumpkin Chunkin is back for its fourth year to Granary Road. What exactly is Pumpkin Chunkin? Well, contestants can make their own catapult and use it to launch pumpkins as far as possible for a pumpkin-smashing good time. This event is a fundraiser for the Okotoks Food Bank with funds raised through entry fees and sponsorship opportunities. Your family can also come to watch the fun without entering the competition. In addition to the Chunkin, don’t miss out on wagon rides, hot apple cider, delicious food, and pumpkin carving!
Wee Wild Ones Monster March | monstermarch2022.causevox.com
Fundraising takes place all month; Monster March, Market, and Mural Unveiling on Saturday, October 29th
The Children’s Cottage Society has been dedicated to preventing harm and neglect to children and building strong families through support services, respite programs and crisis nurseries in Calgary for 36 years. The Monster March is a fundraising effort organized by Wee Wild Ones (now known as WilderFutures) to help fund The Children’s Cottage Society’s new Child and Family Centre in the northwest Calgary community of Montgomery. The new centre will include a 20-bed crisis nursery, counselling services, a therapeutic child development program and more. To help with the fundraiser, take part in the month-long Monster Scavenger hunt and be entered to win one year of free childcare at any centre in the city! On October 29, join in on the full-day, family-friendly 3km March, Local Vendor Market and Mural, set to unveil by Katie Green in the community of Currie. Register Now to participate and collect pledges on your personal fundraising page. All registration funds goes towards the $100k donation goal in support of children and families in need.
The Wiggles | artscommons.ca
Thursday, October 27th
I don’t think there’s a toddler on the planet who isn’t at least a little bit obsessed with The Wiggles, and they’re going to be performing live across Canada. Anthony, Tsehay, Lachy, and Simon will be singing, dancing and playing everyone’s favourite songs along with Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, and Shirley Shawn the Unicorn as well as some new friends! There are two shows to choose from (one at 3:30 and one at 6:30). Tickets are $45 and are selling out quickly!
Calgary Baby and Tot Show
Saturday, October 29th – Sunday, October 30th
The Calgary Baby and Tot show is a collection of all big things for your littles. Visit local and national exhibitors to check out the latest in services, products, apparel and toys, enjoy interactive entertainment with your kiddos, and take in panels of industry experts as they discuss hot topics in parenting. You won’t want to miss the daily Diaper Derbies, draws for Baby Bux, Princesses and petting zoos! General admission is $12 and kids 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance or in cash at the door.
What fall events are your family looking forward to in Calgary in October? Did we miss any? Be sure to add them to the comments!
Tagged under: activities in Calgary,Things to do in Calgary,fall in calgary,calgary in october
Category: events,attractions,outdoor-play
