Things to Do in Calgary This October 2024: ActiviFinder’s Picks

Welcome to your go-to guide for an amazing October in Calgary! We have put together an exciting list of events and activities that everyone can enjoy. 

Each activity was picked for its special charm and ability to create great memories, from thrilling experiences like the Train of Terror to peaceful Hot Air Balloon Rides.

This article is here to inspire you and help you discover the best things to do in Calgary this October 2024, making sure your fall is filled with fun. Check out our suggestions and get ready for an adventurous month!

If you're visiting Calgary this October, get ready for an exciting experience at Ghosts and Gourmet at Heritage Park!

The event takes place in the old Wainwright Hotel, where the atmosphere is filled with mystery and excitement.

The evening starts with a fancy three-course meal that's sure to make your taste buds happy while adding a spooky touch to the night.

You’ll kick things off with a warm bowl of roasted cauliflower cream soup. It’s creamy and delicious, with crunchy smoked and roasted almonds and a tangy pesto on top.

For the main dish, you’ll have a choice between two tasty options: a juicy whole roasted striploin steak with a yummy red currant and red wine sauce, or a flavorful Cajun chicken topped with a black garlic sauce.

If you’re vegetarian, you can enjoy crispy fried gnocchi served in a creamy butternut squash sauce. And for dessert, get ready for a spiced Southwest chocolate cheesecake paired with a rich red velvet macaroon!

But the fun doesn’t stop with the food. After dinner, guests will head outside for a ghost tour. As you stroll through the park, you’ll hear spooky stories about haunted buildings and mysterious ghosts that have been told for years.

As the night goes on, don’t forget to dress warmly because the ghostly adventure awaits you outside.

With delicious food and spine-chilling stories, this event is a perfect mix of tasty treats and thrilling tales. So, prepare yourself (and your warm clothes) for a night of fun in Calgary!

If you’re looking for a fun challenge this October in Calgary, you should definitely check out the Lethbridge Corn Maze!

The tall walls of corn surround you, way higher than your head, as you try to find your way through one of their four cool mazes.

If you’re feeling adventurous, start with the Big Maze. It’s perfect for those who love a good challenge, with lots of twists and turns that create a real-life puzzle!

If you want to mix it up, try the Trivia Maze. In this maze, you don’t just find your way, you answer trivia questions to help you navigate. It adds an exciting twist that keeps you guessing!

For families with younger kids, there's the Kid's Maze. It’s designed for little ones to explore without getting too confused.

You can spend anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours wandering through these mazes, each offering its own fun challenges.

And if you ever feel lost, don’t worry—by November, the harvest will help clear things up!

The Lethbridge Corn Maze is all about making memories, getting a little lost, and having a blast.

As the leaves change color and it gets a bit creepier outside, Calgary is getting ready for one of the spookiest events of the year—the Dash of Doom!

This fun Halloween event happens on October 26 and is perfect for anyone who enjoys dressing up and being active.

It’s a fun tradition that brings together families, fitness fans, and even pets for a great evening.

The Dash of Doom has something for everyone: a 1 km race for kids, a 5 km walk or run, and a 10 km run. The focus is not on who finishes first, but rather on the costumes!

Everyone is encouraged to wear fun outfits and even match with their dogs. The best dog costume will be featured on next year’s medals and shirts.

Before the race starts, participants can enjoy a lively festival atmosphere with Halloween games, a family dance party, face painting, and a photo booth to capture moments with family and pets dressed up in their Halloween costumes.

Since it started in 2015, the Dash of Doom has raised over $50,000 for the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS), so it’s a race that helps a good cause.

This year, you can choose to get a finisher's medal to help promote being eco-friendly. For those who love collecting medals, you can get one when you sign up, and kids will automatically receive one for joining in.

Participants will also get a custom long-sleeve shirt featuring last year’s best dog costume, enjoy candy stations along the way, and have chances to win prizes for the best costumes.

If you want to dive into the Halloween spirit this October in Calgary, you have to check out the Candlelight Halloween Special.

It’s happening right in the city and promises an amazing experience. In a cozy room lit only by candles, live musicians play music that fills the air. The vibe is warm and comforting.

These Candlelight Concerts are different from your usual music shows. They take you on a 60-minute journey through all kinds of music, blending classical tunes with popular songs.

One moment you might be enjoying a beautiful piece by Bach, and the next, you’re grooving to The Beatles.

They also play songs from Coldplay and Imagine Dragons, mixing modern hits into the mix. Also, there’s a special tribute to Queen, celebrating their legendary songs that everyone loves.

The best part is the candlelight, which creates a beautiful atmosphere that makes the whole experience feel unique.

Each performance connects not just with your ears, but with your heart too. The musicians really bring the music to life, making it something you won’t forget.

Be it you love classical music, pop, or rock, the Candlelight Halloween Special has something for everyone. It’s going to show you how special live music can be.

This October, the Calgary Petting Farm is the place to be! It’s where fall vibes come alive and you can make awesome memories with friends and family.

It's one of Calgary’s top spots for fall fun, offering a great mix of activities and, of course, tons of pumpkins!

Many families love to visit every year for some good outdoor fun. With all the pumpkins around, it’s also the perfect place to take those Instagram-worthy autumn photos.

If you need a pumpkin, they have plenty available, and prices depend on size and type. They take care of them by keeping them indoors when it’s really cold.

The farm welcomes visitors of all ages, and you can buy tickets online for a small discount at $24.38 plus GST and fees if you’re 3 years old and up.

Also, don’t miss the Harvest Lights event starting September 13th, lighting up the Farmyard every Friday and Saturday until October 27th.

It transforms the place into a magical wonderland with thousands of colorful lights. The corn maze turns into a fun flashlight adventure, making it even more exciting.

Are you ready for an exciting day filled with amazing sights and friendly animals?

The Woof & Hoof Tour Adventure invites you to explore the beautiful Kananaskis area, where you'll see stunning landscapes and meet some adorable animals!

This fun 5-hour trip is perfect for anyone who loves huskies, horses, and even buffalo.

Your adventure starts with the Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours Adventure Dog Cart Tour. You will be pulled by a team of lively huskies as you ride through the gorgeous forest at Boundary Ranch, with the impressive Rocky Mountains surrounding you.

You’ll get to enjoy the ride and help take care of these amazing dogs. There’s even a stop at the buffalo paddock and a chance to check out the Guinn Wildlife Wonders Museum!

But wait, there’s more! Next, you’ll go on the Valley Vista Trail Horseback Ride. Get ready to hop on a horse and ride through a cool aspen forest, past a peaceful pond with beautiful views of Mount Kidd.

The trail goes through tall Lodgepole Pines and takes you to see the Buffalo Paddock. This ride provides a unique view of the Kananaskis area.

After all that fun, you might be feeling hungry! You’ll enjoy a delicious BBQ Beef Burger lunch, complete with Boundary Baked Beans, Caesar Salad, Ranch squares with vanilla ice cream, and your choice of a refreshing drink.

This tour runs from June to October and changes with the weather to make sure every visit is amazing.

If you're searching for a spooky thrill this October, check out the Train of Terror at Aspen Crossing! It’s the only moving haunted house in Canada, and it's ready to give you chills.

From October 3rd to November 3rd, fearless adventurers can take a terrifying trip through a bunch of haunted mazes that will challenge even the toughest among us.

The fun begins at the train station, where you and your friends can get checked in and gear up for a night of scares.

You’ll start with three different mazes, and trust me, these are not your typical corn mazes. They’re full of surprises and jump scares that will definitely get your heart racing! If you make it through, you’ll hop aboard the haunted train itself.

Once you’re on the train, get ready for a 1.5-hour ride filled with eerie entertainment and even more frights.

This is a great chance to relax before facing the final and possibly most terrifying maze of the night. Just a heads up—this event is for ages 18 and up, so leave the little ones at home!

If you want to enjoy a nice meal before or after the adventure, the Bergquist House Tavern has dining available, but it’s a good idea to make a reservation.

Remember, this isn’t your average haunted house. The performers might come up and touch you, which definitely ups the scare factor.

Located in the beautiful Canadian Rockies, Banff offers amazing horseback riding adventures that mix history with stunning views of nature.

Riding along the Bow River provides an opportunity to connect with the area's history, with sights of the natural hot springs that have attracted visitors to Banff for many years.

The Bow River Ride is a perfect one-hour trip that lets you enjoy these historic spots. If you go on the special evening ride at 5:30 pm, you can watch the sky change colors as the sun sets behind the Rockies.

If you want a little more adventure, try the Spray River Ride. This unique ride takes you across the lovely Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course, where nature’s calm meets the beauty of a well-kept golf course.

For those looking to spend more time enjoying nature, the two-hour Sundance Loop Ride, available three times a day, extends the Bow River experience and takes you up Sulphur Mountain for breathtaking views.

If that’s not enough, the Bow Valley Loop Ride lasts three hours and takes you through forests and varied landscapes that showcase the true beauty of the Rockies.

For those who want the ultimate adventure, the four-hour Sulphur Mountain Ride is a must-try. This daily trip takes you two-thirds of the way up the mountain, where you can see remarkable views of Rundle Mountain and Bow Falls.

Before you head out, make sure to check in 30 minutes early, wear the right clothes, and get ready for a ride that captures the spirit of the Wild West. This is your chance to discover the wild beauty of Banff, one horseback ride at a time.

If you're looking for an exciting adventure that also lets you relax, a hot air balloon ride over Southern Alberta could be perfect for you!

You will float calmly in the sky, feel the gentle breeze, and take in incredible views of the Canadian Rockies and beautiful parks below. That’s what a hot air balloon ride with Sundance Balloons is all about.

As you glide through the air, you’ll be amazed by the stunning scenery of Southern Alberta, filled with over 600 lakes and endless green areas—it's a sight that remains memorable.

Safety and fun are really important to the team at Sundance Balloons. Their friendly and skilled staff make sure that your adventure is both exciting and safe.

The pilots are well-trained and follow all the safety rules set by Transport Canada, so you can just sit back and enjoy the ride without any worries.

The hot air balloon flights usually happen from May to September, so you’ll have plenty of time to plan your trip.

On the day of your flight, you’ll need to call a number to check on the status of your flight and where to meet.

The meeting spots can change based on the weather, but you might go to places like South Glenmore Park, Hotel Blackfoot, or North Glenmore Park, each offering a different starting point for your adventure.

As Halloween approaches, ScreamFest is back to bring some serious scares to Calgary! It’s the biggest one in the city, packed with screams, thrills, and memories you won’t forget.

With tons of haunted houses, each scarier than the last, ScreamFest is sure to be the highlight of October.

Let’s check out the terrifying attractions waiting for those brave enough to enter. First up is The Dollhouse, where creepy dolls with unsettling eyes follow your every move.

Next is the Slaughterhouse, where the air is thick with a chilling vibe. This spooky meat locker dares you to navigate through hanging hooks and escape before you lose your mind.

If you think clowns are funny, Clown Town might change your mind. With a mix of playful and creepy energy, these clowns are ready to give you a scare. That cheerful look could be hiding something more sinister!

Then there's Bates Motel, which puts a twisted spin on a hotel stay. You might chuckle at Norman Bates and his creepy taxidermy collection, but watch out—meeting his mother could be your last experience.

In Reapers & Grimm, the concept of a funeral home is flipped upside down. The dark humor and shocking surprises will make you question your sanity as you navigate through this spooky space.

Afraid of the Dark takes you into complete darkness, where every step tests your bravery. With monsters lurking around, it’s an experience that messes with your senses and sanity.

Finally, the Zombie Outbreak is not for the faint-hearted. This extreme haunt requires you to sign a waiver, as you’ll face zombies up close.

When the sun goes down and the stars start to shine over Calgary, the zoo turns into an exciting place full of mysteries.

This October, adults are invited to join a fun murder mystery game night that's different from any other.

Every bite and sip contributes to figuring out the mystery. By the end of the night, attendees will enjoy a delicious dinner while justice is served.

Now, let’s talk about the food! The menu is just as intriguing and delicious as the night itself. Enjoy a juicy “medium rare” AAA carved striploin, topped with crispy onions on a red beet ciabatta.

If you want something lighter, there’s a “Tuxedo” mango salad roll with a touch of pineapple aioli. And who can resist the “Spicy Serial Killer” butter chicken poutine? It’s a spicy twist on a classic dish!

But the fun doesn’t stop there. The “Wild After Hours” event lets you peek into the secretive world of the amazing Amur Tiger.

This special 18+ experience gives you a rare chance to see these stunning animals after the zoo closes.

While you admire their beauty, you’ll enjoy a fancy four-course meal, making the night both wild and wonderful.

As October rolls into Calgary, there’s no shortage of fun things to do! You can get in the spooky spirit with events like Ghosts and Gourmet or the scary Train of Terror. If you're more into family-friendly activities, check out the Lethbridge Corn Maze or visit the petting farm at Calgary Farmyard. You've got endless options.

These options were picked because they offer a mix of adventure, fun, and just the right amount of scare—perfect for enjoying October’s festive vibe.

And don’t forget, ActiviFinder Calgary is the best place to find more exciting events and activities. So go ahead, enjoy the season, and let the fun begin!