Calling your inner nerd. The Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo runs April 25-28 at the BMO Centre on Stampede Park. Check out this guide for recommendations on where to stay, what to eat, and what to do while visiting Calgary.
What to Do:
POW! Parade of Wonders
Friday, April 26 starting at 10:30 am
The Parade of Wonders kicks off the Calgary Comic Expo with a Cosplay Parade through Downtown Calgary. Parade Route: Stephen Avenue from 8th Street SW to Olympic Plaza (1st Street SE).
Calgary Comic Expo
April 25-28, 2019
BMO Centre, Stampede Park, 20 Roundup Way SE Calgary
Show Hours: Thursday: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Friday: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm| Saturday: 10:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Sunday: 10:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The Calgary Comic Expo welcomes around 100,000 fans and features celebrity guests like Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman), Michael J Fox (Back to the Future) and Camila Mendes (Riverdale); panel discussions and hundreds of exhibitors. Wondering what to wear? Get outfit inspiration from Calgary Cosplayer Yelaina May.
Historic Marvel Tour
The Calgary Tower has a Marvel claim to fame with a visit from the X-Men back in 1979! In this classic X-Men issue penned by John Byrne, Shoot-Out at the Stampede, the team battles the Alpha Flight (Canadian super heroes) in a blizzard at the Calgary Tower and the Stampede Grandstand Infield.
“The teams are evenly matched, but Alpha Flight gains the upper-hand through team-work. Shaman creates a blizzard to keep the X-Men off guard, but it quickly engulfs the entire city. Atop the Calgary Tower, restaurant patrons John and Darice find their pleasant dinner disrupted when the windows burst inwards.” – X-Men Vol 1, Issue 121, (1979), Shoot-Out at the Stampede!
Recreate the scene (sans blizzard) with a ride to the top of the Calgary Tower and enjoy stunning views of the city, foothills and Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Where to Stay:
Hotel Arts
119 12 Avenue SW
Hotel Arts is the closest hotel to the Calgary Comic Expo at the Calgary Stampede. Downtown Calgary’s boutique hotel, Hotel Arts is just steps away from shopping, dining and entertainment hot spots. Book your stay.
Getting There:
Leaving from Hotel Arts, you can walk or rent a Lime Bike to zip over to the BMO Centre along the 12th Avenue Cycle Track!
Walking Time: 9 Minutes
Biking Time: 4 Minutes
Where to Eat:
Breakfast of Champions
Award-winning brunch at Yellow Door Bistro.
Yellow Door Bistro serves up an impressive weekend brunch buffet with hot selections that change each week. Chef de Cuisine Scott Redekopp prepares delicious surprises that highlight seasonal ingredients and creative influences on traditional favourites.
Breakfast of Villains
Death Star Waffle at Yellow Door Bistro
119 12 Avenue SW
Specially crafted for the Calgary Comic Expo, Yellow Door Bistro will feature their dark side Death Star Waffle April 25-28!
The Borg Hash-brown at Oxbow
1126 Memorial Drive NW
Resistance is futile. Delicious to destroy, Oxbow’s Borg hash-brown is available on their breakfast menu (also known as the crispy confit potato).
