Get ready to stay up late because night markets are all around this week.
On Wednesday, head to the University District and shop local vendors while a live DJ plays. Thursday, you’ll want to spend the evening in Kensington for the fifth anniversary edition of its night market. On Saturday, you’ve got the Bridgeland night market, the Montgomery night market, and the chalk the block arts festival. If you’re feeling extra creative, try entering the chalk art contest, where there’s $1500 in cash prizes to win for the best Canada Day or Life On The Bow-themed chalk art.
JazzYYC kicks off Summerfest on Monday, with headliner ARTEMIS performing at Studio Bell. Check out the Calgary debut of this killer jazz act for $60. But if you’re looking to save a little cash, the first day of the festival also includes a free drum clinic over at the Cornerstone Music Cafe, with one of the members of ARTEMIS, Allison Miller. This free event is at 12 p.m., and you can register over at jazzyyc.com.
Get yourself Stampede-ready on Tuesday with a Disco Cowgirl Hat workshop at Whiskey Rose on 17th Avenue. Hats in black, white, and pink are included in the cost of the ticket, along with rhinestones, fringe, and feathers — everything you need to make the most extra hat you can.
If bedazzled cowgirl hats aren’t really your speed, try something a little more subdued with WordFest’s Reading in the Wild event over at Memorial Park Library. Bring along your favourite book, or select something from WordFest’s curated collection, which you can check out with your library card. Read and relax in the grass of Memorial Park, all while listening to live music from Calgary string duo Solatido. The event starts at 4, and you’ll want to come early because Village Ice Cream offers free scoops to the first 200 guests. And bring your dog along — Village has dog-friendly ice cream for them too!
On Thursday, it’s time for another round of Radio Retro from Talespin Trivia over at Establishment Brewing. Brush up on your music knowledge from those classic ’60s hits to 2000s bops. It’s 5 dollars to partake, and it starts at 7 p.m., but be sure to register for a table on the Establishment’s website.
If your senior prom — or “grad party” — wasn’t everything it was cracked up to be, The Confluence has got you covered on Friday with its 2nd annual Queer Prom. The night’s theme is gothic glam, so dress up in your best vampy attire and dance the night away. Special guest Karla Marx will act as prom host and perform, and DJ MollyFi will keep the tunes going all night long. Whether your queer or an ally, all are welcome to come, and tickets are on a flexible pricing system, so pay what you can to keep this celebration going for years to come.
The Hanger Museum‘s Helicopter Weekend is a wicked Saturday and Sunday event. Enjoy tours and presentations showing off the interior of the museum’s helicopters, and cross your fingers that the weather is good because LR Helicopters is offering helicopter city tours for $95 per person. Be sure to check out the Hangar Museums site for more info.
And if you haven’t yet, be sure to dedicate some time this weekend to tasting some of the best Chinese food Calgary has to offer. Taste of Chinatown 2025 ends following Monday, so hit up restaurants and cafes in Chinatown for $5 goodies like barbecue bao buns, iced dalgona lattes, and fluffy bubble waffles.
For more events and things to do around the city, grab our June issue of The Scene hitting stands this week, and visit us online at thescenecalgary.com
