Do you want to party the Calgarian way? Let us show you how it’s done when you travel to the city during Canada Day. We have fireworks, street markets, carnivals – you name it. The party is usually so epic, the Northern Lights start to dim by comparison!
Anyway, we’ll show you how to celebrate with patriotic Canadians in July, right here in Calgary. Let’s go over what to expect, where to drink, what to bring, and more.
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Where to Stay in Calgary During Canada Day
HI Calgary City Centre
Address: 520 7 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0J6, Canada
Phone: +1 403-269-8239
Pricing: $
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If you’re looking for an affordable stay, HI Calgary City Centre is recommended. It’s located in the prime location of Downtown with numerous restaurants and attractions around it. Additionally, it’s a quick walk to the Olympic Plaza and Fort Calgary.
Here, you can also share rooms with other travelers or book a private room for yourself. Moreover, you can even make new friends by hanging out at the shared game room
Alt Hotel Calgary
Address: 635 Confluence Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0G1, Canada
Phone: +1 587-441-6635
Pricing: $$
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Alt Hotel Calgary is perfect for those who want a slightly more luxurious and stylish stay. It’s located in a spot in Downtown Calgary that’s just a few minutes walk away from Bow River.
With that in mind, you’ll get a scenic view of the river from your hotel room, which is quite a plus, in our opinion!
And of course, you won’t have any problems reaching Canada Day events because plenty of them are just within arm’s reach.
Le Germain Hotel Calgary
Address: 899 Centre St S, Calgary, AB T2G 1B8, Canada
Phone: +1 403-264-8990
Pricing: $$$
If you’re really looking to splurge, you should try the Le Germain Hotel. This is recommended for those looking for lavish accommodation in the city for a vacation to remember.
For one thing, it’s located right next to one of the city’s most popular destinations – The Calgary Tower. It’s also in close proximity to a ton of striking amenities and attractions, which is extra-convenient during Canada Day.
Where to Eat in Calgary During Canada Day
Deane House
Address: 806 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0S2, Canada
Phone: +1 403-264-0595
Pricing: $$$
Website
Deane House is a restaurant in Downtown Calgary that looks like a simple, lovely home from the outside. The interior is just as welcoming and cozy, though it’s more extravagant than what you would expect.
During Canada Day, we suggest grabbing a quick, hearty lunch here if you can. We highly recommend getting the smoked rainbow trout burger, especially if you like tangy flavors.
You can also head here after the Canaday Day festivities to try their dinner menu instead. Since Alberta is well known for our beef, we recommend trying the Alberta beef selection.
Cardinale
Address: 401 12 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1A5, Canada
Phone: +1 403-264-6046
Pricing: $$
Website
Cardinale is a charming Italian restaurant in Downtown Calgary that offers an intimate dining experience through dimly lit tables and dishes that start a conversation.
Their plate of spaghetti is much recommended by a lot of staff here at The Best Calgary. A lot of our writers also suggest getting the tiramisu.
By the way, Cardinale is approximately 15 minutes away from Fort Calgary and Olympic Plaza, so it’s close enough for a walk. That said, you can always get a quick cab ride to those areas – it only takes about 2 minutes!
Where to Drink in Calgary During Canada Day
The Dirty Duck
Address: 1336 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0T3, Canada
Phone: +1 403-233-7574
Pricing: $
Website
The Dirty Duck is a cool drinking spot that’s reminiscent of old English taverns. A lot of locals end up being sucked into it because of its dive bar feel. So, it’s a great place to meet friendly Calgarians after the Canada Day celebrations.
A few of the famous dishes on their menu are the Montreal smoked meat sandwich, nachos, and ½ pound wing. They also have an extensive alcohol beverage menu, so be on the lookout for some local brews!
Cabeza Grande
Address: 60 9 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8B8, Canada
Phone: +1 403-474-8226
Pricing: $$
Website
For a Mexican-inspired night out, you should check out Cabeza Grande on Canada Day. After all, Mexican people are well known for their vibrant festivities where there’s an activity to enjoy!
At Cabeza Grande, they know how to make drinks that pack a punch. They have an assortment of drinks to choose from such as margaritas, cocktails, tequilas, mezcals, and more.
Greta Bar
Address: 213 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0A4, Canada
Phone: +1 403-984-6405
Pricing: $$
Website
Greta Bar is a popular spot downtown known for its wide variety of arcade games. We find that the arcade is a nice touch because it’s a great conversation starter.
You’ll most likely spot plenty of locals winding down after Canada Day at Greta Bar with drinks in tow, obviously still high from all the festivities. This is also a great spot to make new friends in the city, by the way.
What to Expect in Calgary During Canada Day
Fireworks
It’s not a party without fireworks! Fortunately, we always have those in Calgary for this event.
Last year, they launched the fireworks from the Stampede Park – if they do the same this year, those can be watched from plenty of vantage points in the city.
A lot of locals will tell you to watch it from Fort Calgary. Scotsman’s Hill and Hillcrest Avenue are also good spots to watch the show.
Musical Performances
During past Canada Day celebrations, there were musical performances by local musicians, mostly those who play jazz, country, and Afro-fusion. This is usually an afternoon outdoor event at the Olympic Plaza, but check out Calgary’s website to be updated on the location and schedule for Canada Day.
Street Markets
One of our favorite things about Canada Day is that there are various street markets worth visiting during it. In the markets of previous Canada Day celebrations, there were plenty of local artists selling their goods.
It’s always surprising what you can find in these markets, so make sure to go if you want to score some good finds!
Outdoor Carnival
Canada Day is a celebration perfect for the whole family, which is why there’s also an outdoor carnival at that time of year. Here, you can expect activities like carnival games, face painting, and more.
What to Bring to Canada Day in Calgary
Rainy day essentials – It’s warm in Calgary during July. However, it’s also known to be the city’s wettest month, so prepare for a lot of rain! Don’t forget to bring your umbrellas, raincoats, rain boots, and other rainy day essentials you might have in mind. Bring a waterproof bag too if you can.
Light clothing – Though it rains a lot in Calgary in July, the temperature is still fairly warm (around 21 C or 70 F) so you can pack light clothing. It’s pretty humid here too. That said, a light jacket wouldn’t hurt especially to combat the rainy weather.
Bug repellent – It doesn’t hurt to be extra-ready, right? When traveling to Calgary during July, you might want to bring some bug repellent with you. After all, July is also known as bug season in Calgary.
Apps to Download for Canada Day in Calgary
Uber or Lyft – If you’re trying to catch a lot of events during Canada Day in Calgary, you might want to download ride hailing apps like Uber or Lyft for a smooth and convenient commute. Of course, you can always use the C-Train which is also pretty efficient.
My Fare – My Fare App is a ticketing app in the city which helps you purchase tickets and passes from your phone. Sounds convenient, right? It can save you a lot of time so be sure to have it in your phone when you’re in Calgary for Canada Day!
Moovit – The Moovit app helps you navigate Calgary public transport through your phone. Know what station to hop on and where to alight by just typing the location.
Websites to Bookmark for Canada Day in Calgary
Calgary’s Website – Be updated on anything Canada Day related by checking Calgary’s website when you plan your trip. There, they’ll be posting the complete event schedule and location as well as road closures.
