A curated list by Hotel Arts of the best June events, shows, and festivals in Calgary.
Nick Cave: FEAT.
June 29 – September 22, 2019
Glenbow Museum 130 9th Avenue SE
For the first time in Canada, Glenbow will feature an exhibition solely dedicated to the artist Nick Cave. Covering highlights across his rich career, the exhibition features performance art, video, dance, fashion and sculptures. Organized by the First Art Museum, Nashville Tennessee
Calgary Stampede
July 5-14, 2019
Various locations
The Calgary Stampede is the city’s largest event. Festivities (concerts, midway, entertainment, Elbow River village) are centralized on the Stampede Grounds, with dozens of additional events hosted throughout the city.
Stampede Must Do’s:
- Eat Pancakes Every Day. Communities and businesses host free pancake breakfasts. That’s right, you can eat FREE pancakes every day! Check out http://www.flapjackfinder.com/Timeline to find a pancake breakfast occurring near you.
- Shop Local Souvenirs. Elbow River Camp on Stampede Park is an amazing place to visit and experience cultures of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai, Tsuut’ina, and Stoney Nakoda First Nations. The park includes 26 tipis which are open to tour, as well as artisans selling jewelry and art.
- Take a Midway Food Tour. Test out some of the new dishes at this year’s Midway on Stampede Park, like Corndog Poutine, a Churro Burger, Edible Flower Ice Pops and a Pop Rocks Watermelon.
Stampede Foodie Events
Cowboys Cook-off BBQ Invitational
July 11, 2019
Cowboys Music Festival Tent, 1410 Olympic Way SE
Local foodies, backyard BBQ masters and Calgary’s top Chefs will come together to compete for the title of best BBQ Ribs! Hosted by Guy Fieri and judged by a panel of special guests, winners will be awarded in categories of Best Beef, Best Pork, Most Unique Flavour and Best Team Spirit.
Hotel Arts Executive Chef, Quinn Staple and Yellow Door Bistro Chef de Cuisine, Scott Redekopp will be participating with the team from Victoria Park. Team Victoria Park is a powerhouse Chef collaboration also including Cody Willis from Two Penny/Native Tongues, David Sauve from Leopolds, Brendan Bankowski from Beltliner, Peter Fraiberg from Grumans and David Purcell from Elbow River Casino.
Stampede Kitchen Theatre
July 5-14, 2019
Stampede Market Hall A
Enjoy non-stop cooking shows featuring Calgary Chefs and sample local bison, lamb, cheese, and desserts. Stop by at 2:00pm on July 8 to see Yellow Door Bistro Chef Scott Redekopp perform.
Horse Races at the St. Louis Hotel
July 19 – August 30
St. Louis Hotel, 430 8 Ave SE
Best of Calgary is bringing back a wonderfully silly part of our city’s past this summer with the legendary George Stephenson Horse Races at the St. Louis Hotel.
For nearly two decades, until the early 2000s, St. Louis Hotel regular George Stephenson would frequent this popular local watering hole (also affectionately referred to as the East End Petroleum Club) every Friday with his friends and coworkers, successfully convincing everyone to not go back to work. They would play imaginary “horse races” – writing horse names on a napkin, each choosing a horse, and they would listen to George’s animated calling of the horse race made up on the spot. The game eventually caught the next table’s attention, and the next, and the next, before finally engulfing the entire bar with George yelling out the race details through a microphone at the front.
Brought to you by the fine folks with Best of Calgary, First Calgary Financial, CMLC and the East End Petroleum Club, join us for horse races while we serve up fried chicken and chips will be on the menu (courtesy of the talented team from Oxbow at Hotel Arts Kensington) as well as delicious brews from Village Beer as Dave Kelly host this fun lunch event every Friday starting July 19th until August 30th.
What better way to end the week than with your very own vintage horse race experience indoors at a historic Calgary landmark in the East Village. The St. Louis Hotel is located at 430 8th Avenue SE.
Get your tickets on EventBrite.
Market Collective
July – August
Friday: Noon – 7pm
Saturday: 11am – 5pm
Sunday: 11am-5pm
Market Collective brings together local makers, artisans, designers and musicians to pop-up markets throughout the year. This summer, they will be based out of St. Louis Hotel in East Village. The event space is nestled between the National Music Centre and the new Central Library and is open Friday-Sunday all summer.
Oxbow x Caravel Beermaker’s Dinner
July 25, 2019
Oxbow Restaurant, 1126 Memorial Drive NW Calgary
Calgary craft brewery Caravel and Oxbow Restaurant are collaborating on an evening of food and brew. The team of Chefs from Hotel Arts Group are working with Caravel to create a small batch brew for the event: Chef’s Rhubarb Sour. The Chefs will pull inspiration from the featured brews and infuse local ingredients into this four-course beer pairing experience.
Calgary Folk Fest
July 25-28, 2019
Prince’s Island Park
Held annually on Prince’s Island Park in Calgary, this will be the 40th anniversary of the Calgary Folk Music Festival. The four day festival brings 71 artists from 15 countries, 8 Canadian provinces and many Indigenous cultures for outdoor performances on the island.
Food Day Canada – Farm to Table Dinner
August 3, 2019
Trail’s End Beef, Nanton, AB
Hotel Arts and Trail’s End Beef have partnered to deliver a truly Albertan experience. Enjoy an unforgettable evening with open skies, rolling hills, Alberta ranchers and a locally inspired menu by award-winning Chef, Quinn Staple.
Set in a festive barn on the ranch, take in the picturesque Porcupine Hills of Southern Alberta while you enjoy a Canadian made 4-course dinner featuring Trails End Beef complemented Alberta Beer and drink pairings. Supporting an array of regional farmers, the menu features local beef, barley, vegetables, and honey.
