Calgary
Around Calgary
Photo: DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Alberta · 1.5M people
Calgary
“Cowtown”, “Stampede City”, “Heart of the New West”
Big sky, big heart, and a cowboy spirit.
Calgary Flames redCalgary Flames gold
Welcome to Calgary, where the mountains meet the prairies and the Bow River runs through it all. Whether you're here for the Stampede or the quiet trails, you'll find a city that loves the outdoors and a good time. Pull up a chair and join the conversation – we're glad you're here.
Clubs for Calgary
No clubs for Calgary yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Calgary. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Calgary. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Bow River Pathway Extensive network of riverside trails for walking, cycling, and rollerblading.
- Scotiabank Saddledome Home of the Calgary Flames and iconic saddle-shaped arena.
- Prince's Island Park Urban island park in the Bow River with gardens and festival spaces.
- Calgary Tower 190-meter observation tower offering panoramic city views.
- Glenbow Museum Museum of art, culture, and history with a notable western collection.
- Canada Olympic Park Winter sports park with ski jumps, bobsled, and mountain biking.
- Outdoors Hiking in the foothills
- Outdoors Cycling along the Bow River
- With kids Calgary Zoo
- With kids Telus Spark Science Centre
- Evenings Bar hopping on 17th Avenue
- Evenings Live music at the Palace Theatre
- Locals love Brewery taprooms
- Locals love Riverfront patios
Through the year
- Calgary Stampede July World-famous rodeo, exhibition, and festival held every July.
- Calgary Folk Music Festival July Four-day outdoor music festival in Prince's Island Park with local and international acts.
- Calgary Fringe Festival August Theatre performances in various venues across the city.
- Calgary Food Truck Wars Summer A gathering of food trucks competing for the best dish.
- Calgary Marathon May Annual marathon and half-marathon through the city streets.
Calgary has a semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons, notorious for chinook winds that can raise winter temperatures dramatically. The best time to be out is summer, when the city is alive with festivals and outdoor activities. Best: Summer (July–August) offers warm, sunny days perfect for festivals and river activities.
Talk like a local
- “Cowtown”
- Nickname for Calgary, referencing its cowboy heritage.
- “Chinook”
- A warm, dry wind that can rapidly raise winter temperatures.
- “The Bow”
- The Bow River, a central waterway.
- “The Dome”
- The Scotiabank Saddledome, home of the Flames.
Getaways
- Canmore Mountain town with hiking, skiing, and stunning Rockies views.
- Okotoks Charming small town with the Big Rock and scenic river valley.
- Sylvan Lake Popular lake destination for swimming, boating, and beach time.
- Red Deer Mid-sized city with parks, trails, and the Kerry Wood Nature Centre.
Local flavour
Teams
- Calgary Flames NHL
- Calgary Stampeders CFL
- Calgary Hitmen WHL
- Calgary Wranglers AHL
- Calgary Dinos U Sports
Eat and drink
- Alberta beef Signature steak and burgers
- Calgary-style ginger beef Invented in Calgary, a sweet and spicy stir-fry
- Peters' Drive-In burgers and shakes Local icon since 1962
Where people go
- Stampede grounds Home of the Calgary Stampede
- Cowboy dance halls Honky-tonks and country bars
- Mountain foothills The Rockies to the west
- Bow River pathways Riverside trails and parks
- Hockey rinks Community arenas and the Saddledome
Heritage and traditions
Calgarians are proud of their cowboy heritage, the world-famous Stampede, and their city's role as Canada's energy capital, set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
Say it like a local: “Toque” — A knitted winter hat.
Festivals
- Calgary International Film Festival September Showcases independent and international cinema.
- Calgary Pride September One of the largest Pride celebrations in Canada.
- Expo Latino August Celebrates Latin American culture with music, dance, and food.
- Calgary Jazz Festival June A week of jazz performances across the city.
- Beakerhead September A unique festival blending science, engineering, and art.
- Lilac Festival May A street festival on 4th Street with food, crafts, and entertainment.
Landmarks with a story
- Fort Calgary The original North-West Mounted Police fort that founded the city in 1875.
- Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre Features a replica of the Temple of Heaven, symbolizing Calgary's Chinese community.
- Lougheed House A Victorian mansion built in 1891, now a museum and event venue.
- Stephen Avenue Walk A pedestrian street with historic sandstone buildings and shops.
- Mewata Armoury A 1918 military drill hall, still used today.
- Old City Hall A sandstone landmark from 1911, now a museum.
Food traditions
- Perogies Ukrainian dumplings, often served with sour cream and fried onions, a staple in Calgary's prairie food scene.
- Cabbage rolls Another Ukrainian classic, filled with rice and meat, often served at community dinners.
- Stampede breakfast Free pancake breakfasts held across the city during Stampede week, a beloved civic tradition.
- Bison burgers Lean, local meat from the prairies, a nod to the region's ranching history.
- Saskatoon berry pie A prairie berry dessert, often found in local bakeries and at festivals.
Music and arts
- Country music scene A strong tradition of country and western music, with many local artists.
- Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Professional orchestra performing classical and contemporary works.
- Alberta Ballet A professional ballet company with a national reputation.
- Calgary Opera Produces full-scale opera productions each season.
A little history
- 1875 Founded as a North-West Mounted Police fort.
- 1883 Canadian Pacific Railway arrives, sparking growth.
- 1912 First Calgary Stampede is held.
- 1947 Oil discovered at Leduc, making Calgary the centre of Canada's petroleum industry.
- 1988 Hosts the Winter Olympic Games.
Rivalries
- Battle of Alberta Fierce rivalry between Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers in the NHL.
- Calgary Stampeders vs Edmonton Elks CFL rivalry with a long history.
- Calgary Dinos vs University of Alberta Golden Bears University football and hockey rivalry.
- Calgary vs Edmonton Friendly civic rivalry over culture, weather, and sports.
- Game day The C of Red
- Game day The Red Mile
- Outdoors Hiking Nose Hill Park
- Outdoors Cross-country skiing in Fish Creek Park
- With kids The new Central Library
- With kids Calgary Farmers' Market
Calgarians speak a Western Canadian English with a slight prairie twang, often using Canadian terms like 'eh' and 'toque'. The accent is fairly neutral but can have a subtle drawl.
Only here
- The White Hat tradition, where Calgarians wear white cowboy hats as a symbol of hospitality.
- The Red Mile, the street where fans celebrate during Flames playoff runs.
- Chinook winds, which can raise winter temperatures by 20 degrees in minutes.
- The Calgary Stampede is the world's largest outdoor rodeo.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce it 'Cal-guh-ree', not 'Cal-gary'.
- Dress in layers; weather changes quickly, especially with chinooks.
- Get a car; the city is spread out and public transit is limited.
- Try a Stampede breakfast during July.
- Learn about the White Hat tradition and maybe buy one.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaOkotoksAlbertaThe heart of the FoothillsStrathmoreAlbertaSmall town, big skies, warm heartsHigh RiverAlbertaWhere the foothills roll and the river flowsOldsAlbertaWhere the prairies meet the Rockies, and neighbours feel like family.CanmoreAlbertaAlpine air, mountain soulBanffAlbertaWhere every peak feels like homeRed DeerAlbertaWhere the prairies meet the parkland.Sylvan LakeAlbertaClear water, big skies, and small-town warmth.
Calgary. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.