Calgary Fall Festivals 2025: Top Events to Attend

Fall in Calgary is magic. The leaves along the Bow River turn gold and red. The air is crisp, but not yet too cold. And the atmosphere is magical with some of Calgary's best annual festivals. 

Calgary's fall festival scene shows what makes this city special. You'll find everything from world-class films to pumpkin patches, beer gardens to ghost tours, and international food to local art shows.

Here's what you need to know about Calgary's top fall festivals. Whether you're looking for family fun, cultural experiences, or just a great way to spend a weekend, you'll find it here.

Quick Calgary Fall Festival Guide

Before we dive in, here's a quick list of the must-attend fall festivals:

• Calgary International Film Festival: Late September (25 years of great movies)
• Alberta Culture Days: All September
• Heritage Park Thanksgiving Weekend: October long weekend (history comes alive)
• Pumpkin Festivals: September through October (corn mazes and hayrides)
• ScreamFest: All October (one of Canada's biggest Halloween events)

Plus all sorts of food, craft, and cultural festivals!

Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF)

• When: Sept. 18–28, 2025
• Where: Downtown Calgary venues
• Why it matters: This is Alberta's biggest film festival and Canada's sixth-largest.

CIFF celebrated its 25th year in 2024. Now, attendance has nearly quadrupled to ~30,000 for the expanded 11-day festival. That's a lot of movie lovers!

What to Expect

Showcasing an average of 200 short and feature-length multi-genre films from Canada and around the world, CIFF is a qualifying, accredited festival for the Academy Awards® and the Canadian Screen Awards. You'll see films you can't watch anywhere else. Yet.

The festival is one of the most fun things to do in Downtown Calgary every year. You'll see everything from indie dramas to international documentaries. Plus, there are filmmaker Q&As after many screenings. Ever wanted to ask a director what they were thinking during that weird scene? Here's your chance.

There's a ticket option for every movie lover, too, ranging from 3-ticket bundles at $49.50 to philanthropic Diamond All-Access+ Passes for $10,000!

Don't Miss the Gala Nights

The opening and closing gala screenings are worth the extra money. These are the big premieres, complete with all the fancy elements: red carpet photos, cocktail receptions, and films that might win Oscars next year.

Alberta Culture Days

• When: Sept. 1–30, 2025
• Where: All over Calgary—libraries, museums, community centres
• Cost: Most events are FREE

This is your chance to try new things without spending money. Alberta Culture Days will feature hundreds of free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to discover their inner artist, experience their heritage, and celebrate what it means to be part of this community.

Not in Calgary? No problem—events take place throughout Alberta's best cities (more than 60 in total).

What's On Offer

Art workshops where you can make something to take home. Dance classes that teach you steps from around the world. Music performances from places you've never been before.

The best part is that you don't need experience. These events are designed for curious people, not experts.

Thanksgiving Weekend at Heritage Park

• When: Oct. 11–13, 2025
• Where: Heritage Park Historical Village in Southwest Calgary
• Perfect for: Families with kids of all ages

Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend and experience endless family fun at Heritage Park Historical Village during its final weekend of the 2025 season! Enjoy the beautiful fall colours and crisp autumn air while cozying up with one of their many Thanksgiving dining options.

This is the last hurrah before winter at Heritage Park, one of Calgary's best attractions. They go all out.

What Makes It Special

You can eat Thanksgiving dinner in the historic Wainwright Hotel, which dates back to the 1800s. Kids can ride the steam train through the fall colours. There's gold panning, wagon rides, and animals to pet.

The Wainwright Hotel offers seasonal favourites like maple-roasted butternut squash soup and oven-roasted turkey while surrounded by history. It's like time travel with good food.

Pro tip: Come early or stay late to avoid crowds. The train rides at sunset are incredible.

Pumpkin Festivals and Harvest Events

Fall means pumpkin season, and Calgary farms go big.

Butterfield Acres and Calgary Farmyard

These working farms transform into fall wonderlands. Butterfield Acres is located on the outskirts of Northwest Calgary, and Calgary Farmyard is just outside of Southeast Calgary.

Corn mazes that challenge adults. Petting zoos where city kids can meet real farm animals. And pumpkin patches where you pick your own jack-o'-lantern.

Picking the perfect pumpkin at the Calgary Farmyard is an annual tradition for many families and friends. In addition to enjoying hours of fun on the farm, pumpkins are on display for photos and purchase.

What to Bring

• Warm layers (farms get chilly)
• Cash for treats and pumpkins
• Phone with lots of storage (photo ops everywhere)
• Comfortable shoes for walking through fields

Ticket tip: Buy online ahead of time. Weekends sell out, especially in October.

Oktoberfest Events Around Calgary

You don't need to fly to Germany for great Oktoberfest fun. Calgary's beer scene knows how to throw a party.

Where to Go

Local breweries and community centres host Oktoberfest celebrations. Guests can enjoy traditional German food, local craft beer, and live polka music.

Some events are family-friendly with kids' activities, while others are strictly for adults who want to sample serious beer selections. Participating breweries in years past include Bow River Brewing (Southeast Calgary) and Last Best Brewing & Distilling (Beltline).

Local tip: Check if the event focuses more on authentic German traditions or showcases local Calgary breweries. Both are fun, but very different experiences.

Fall Food & Market Festivals

Calgary's food scene doesn't slow down when summer ends.

Inglewood Night Market Fall Edition

Artisanal goods, food trucks, and live entertainment take over Inglewood—one of Calgary's coolest neighbourhoods. Local vendors sell everything from handmade jewelry to gourmet tacos. The September dates are 5 and 12.

Calgary Fall Home Show

Don't let the name fool you. Yes, it's about home improvement. But the food vendor section rivals some dedicated food festivals. Local restaurants and top Calgary food trucks set up booths featuring signature dishes that can't be found anywhere else. The show takes place Sept. 26–28.

Spooky Season Events (Late Fall)

Halloween in Calgary means ScreamFest. Period.

ScreamFest

ScreamFest is one of the largest and scariest Halloween festivals in Canada, often described as a local horror-head's dream. 

On Fridays, Saturdays, and a few special dates throughout October, head to GMC Stadium at Stampede Park, site of the world-famous Calgary Stampede every July. In October, the grounds host haunted houses filled with ghouls, ghosts, and other spooky creatures, all designed to guarantee a scream.

This isn't some small-time Halloween setup. Seven different haunted houses each have their own theme and scare level. Plus, there are carnival games and prizes if you need a break from all the terror.

Tickets start at $30 but increase as Halloween approaches. Book early.

Ghouls' Night Out at Heritage Park

If you want a spooky experience but not one that's terrifying, Heritage Park offers Halloween for families. The ghost tours through historic buildings, costume contests, and "scary" stories won't give kids nightmares. The event runs from Oct. 23–26.

Indigenous and Cultural Celebrations

Fall cultural festivals celebrate Calgary's diverse community.

Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival (Sept. 20–22) is a collaboration between the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre and the National Music Centre. It celebrates Canada's Chinese and other Asian communities through music and cultural traditions. 

Head over to Studio Bell—one of the most famous buildings in Calgary—for three days of events, including choir performances, dances, evening concerts, and more.

The event features traditional performances combined with modern presentations, accompanied by food vendors offering authentic dishes. It's cultural education that doesn't feel like school.

Fall Powwows

Check local Indigenous community centres for fall powwows and cultural showcases. These events welcome everyone and offer chances to learn about Indigenous traditions, art, and food.

Tips for Attending Fall Festivals in Calgary

Dress Smart

Fall weather in Calgary changes fast. Bring layers you can add or remove, like a warm jacket for evening events. Also, bring comfortable walking shoes; you'll be on your feet more than you think.

Weather reality check: September can still hit 25°C during the day but drop to 5°C at night. October is usually cooler.

Parking and Getting Around

Downtown festivals: Use Calgary's public transit, particularly the CTrain. Parking fills up fast and costs more than train tickets.

Heritage Park and farm festivals: Drive, but arrive early. These places have parking lots, but they fill up on weekends.

Transit tip: Calgary Transit runs extra service during major festivals. Check their website for special routes and schedules.

Family-Friendly Planning

Most Calgary fall festivals welcome families, but be sure to check the age recommendations first.

ScreamFest is designed to scare adults. Heritage Park and pumpkin farms are perfect for kids. CIFF has some films appropriate for families and some not.

Food note: Festival food can get expensive quickly. Many outdoor events let you bring snacks and water bottles.

Why Fall Festival Season Rocks in Calgary

Calgary's fall festivals showcase everything that makes this city great, including international culture blended with prairie hospitality, cutting-edge art alongside traditional celebrations, and family fun that doesn't patronize kids.

The weather is usually perfect: warm enough to be outside but cool enough to enjoy hot chocolate and comfort food. The leaves are changing colours, and everyone's in a good mood.

Whether you're looking for adult beverages or kid-friendly activities in Calgary, the fall festival season has something that'll make your autumn memorable.

If you're ready to explore, start with one festival that sounds interesting. You'll probably end up going to three more before the season's over. That's the Calgary fall festival effect. Once you start, it's hard to stop.

If you're interested in Calgary real estate, contact Justin Havre Real Estate Team with eXp Realty with Calgary Homes at (403) 217-0003 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find your Calgary dream home today.