Top 7 things to do on Thanksgiving in Calgary region

Long weekends are always much awaited! With the one coming up this Thanksgiving Day, you must be busy planning how to make the most of it. While some of you may want to spend time at home with family, some of you may have shortlisted the places you’d like to visit or things you’d like to do before winter sets in. There are lots of exciting options for how to spend your Thanksgiving weekend in Calgary and around. 

We’ve put together the top seven things you can do on the Thanksgiving long weekend in the Calgary region. They are: 

1. Visit Calgary Rock ‘N’ Gem Show
2. Watch Disney in Concert: Frozen
3. Go on a Fall Bike Ride
4. Enjoy the Halloweekends
5. Explore the Wildlife & Birds
6. Catch the Goblin: Macbeth by The Shakespeare Company
7. Hunt for the best fall colours 

Let’s get into the details of each. 

Visit Calgary Rock ‘N’ Gem Show

This holiday weekend, the Calgary Rock N' Gem Show might be the ideal destination if you're seeking to have some fun time with family. The Winsport Olympic Park Arena will be crowded with sellers from October 6 to October 9 displaying gems, crystals, jewelry, fossils, and more, with something for every price range. This expo is worthwhile visiting, regardless of whether your goal is to shop or simply spend some time admiring interesting rocks. It costs $2 per person or $5 for a family to enter.

88 Canada Olympic Road S.W., 403-247-5452, canadagemshows.com

Watch Disney in Concert: Frozen 

If you liked Disney's Frozen movie, then you’ll enjoy watching this concert based on the animated movie. While Frozen has nearly assimilated into every aspect of the society, with both youngsters and adults humming the tunes from this classic film, the concert will present it in a new light. The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra will perform three performances of this concert version at the Jubilee Auditorium on October 7 and 8. The performances take place on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $24.

1415 14 Ave. N.W., 403-297-8000, calgaryphil.com

Go on a Fall Bike Ride 

A bike is one of the greatest ways to view everything in Calgary's fall foliage if you really want to enjoy it. Calgary's Best Bike Rides: 50 Urban Cycle Tours and Pathway Pedals, written by author Lori Beattie, was just published. In it, she offers some of her favourite routes, such as the ones that go around Nose Hill and Glenmore Reservoir. The fall splendor can be beautifully captured while you are riding a bike through amazing trails across the city and region. 

Check out these fun bike trails.

Enjoy the Halloweekends  

Would you like to celebrate Halloween a few days earlier? Here’s a great option to witness the festivities and enjoy the scary things put together for the Halloweekends. For the final Halloweekend of the year, visit Calaway Park on Saturday, Sunday, and the holiday Monday. Bring the kids, dress up, and explore the park's rides and trick-or-treat stands. A lot of eerie figures and parade floats will be present in this weekend's Halloweekends Parade, which will begin at 4 p.m. every day.

245033 Range Road 33, 403-240-3822, calawaypark.com

Explore the Wildlife & Birds 

Overall in Alberta, fall is a fantastic season to take pictures of birds and other wildlife. The scenery is a bonus because there are birds active practically everywhere you walk in the province throughout the fall. The wetland regions of Alberta are a good example of this. And if you drive across the Rocky Mountains, you do have a chance of seeing the larger mammals. In addition to the mountains, it is possible to see bears, deer, coyotes, or moose in the foothills or in areas with boreal forests. All this is just an hour’s drive away from Calgary. 

Compared to Banff and Jasper, Waterton Lakes National Park is less inhabited and can provide more opportunity for animal observation. The Akamina Parkway or one of the many nearby trails can be explored. You can also explore nearby areas to catch a glimpse of wildlife and go birdwatching.

Catch the Goblin: Macbeth by The Shakespeare Company

You wouldn’t have seen a Macbeth quite like this one, which is being performed by The Shakespeare Company and Hit and Myth. Goblin: Macbeth features improvisation and "fourth-wall breaching" acts as players who have been transformed into goblins are let loose on the audience. Up to October 16, the performance can be seen at Vertigo Theatre Tuesday through Sunday.

115 9 Ave. S.E., 403-221-3708, shakespearecompany.com

Hunt for the Best Fall Colours 

You may simply drive around during your long weekend. Anywhere in Alberta, doing this will lead you to some cool Alberta sights. You can spend some time visiting the tiny villages and shops along the way, the nature/hiking trails, and the best vistas and photo opportunities.

• Alberta’s provincial parks showcasing the best fall colours provide scenic captures for your camera. 
• Get on to hot air balloon rides to see Alberta’s fall colours from up above. You can also opt for paragliding/paramotor lessons, discovery flights, and helicopter tours.
• The abundance of larch trees in the Rockies, which turn a stunning gold colour each fall, is well-known. It is a stunning site that may be reached by a variety of routes. Check out 15 Fall Hikes to See Golden Larches in and Around Calgary and 15 Fall Colour Hikes in Kananaskis Country.

Final Thoughts

‍Thanksgiving is a time of being grateful for what we have and for the lovely nature around us. You can choose how to spend your long weekend - be it participating in fun activities or cooking Turkey dinner and spending some quiet time with your family and loved ones.

‍ABM College wishes you all Happy Thanksgiving!

Graphics: freepik.com