20 fun things to do in Calgary with your kids this fall!

Written by Karen Ung

Discover the best activities and events of the season in our guide to fall family fun in Calgary. From getting lost in a corn maze and picking the perfect pumpkin, to going on a fall hike or getting scared silly in a haunted house, there’s something for everyone! Here are 20 of our favorite autumn experiences around the city; plus a few kid-approved road trips to try before the snow flies. Happy fall!

1. Enjoy the fall colors: Mid to late September is the best time of year to see autumn leaves in Calgary parks. Bowness Park, Confederation Park, Edworthy Park, Fish Creek Provincial Park, North Glenmore Park and Weaselhead, and Prince’s Island Park have beautiful autumn foliage, walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
2. Railway Days at Heritage Park: Train lovers of all ages will enjoy riding a steam train and handcar, watching train turntable and telegraphy demonstrations, and taking an engine cab tour. September 14-15 ($).
3. Monster Jam Calgary: Watch in amazement as 12,000 pound monster trucks do wheelies and jumps and compete in head-to-head battles! September 14-15 at GMC Stadium ($).
4. Beakerhead is an awesome celebration of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and technology) featuring cool art installations, robots, live entertainment, and more. September 20-22 at Telus Spark ($).
5. Night Light Festival: See Victoria Park in a whole new light! Beautiful illuminated art installations and projections shine for three nights only. September 26-28 at Victoria Park (FREE).
6. Visit a new-to-you playground: For FREE active fun, take the kids to one of Calgary’s best playgrounds like Shouldice Park Inclusive Playground, South Glenmore Park Inclusive Playground, Hidden Hut Inclusive Playground (Hidden Valley), Crossroads Playground (East Village), or Edworthy Park Inclusive Playground.
7. Go on a Woof & Hoof Tour in Kananaskis! This unique tour at Boundary Ranch includes a trail ride and dog carting with Snowy Owl Sled Dogs. Ages 6 & up until the end of September, weather permitting ($).
8. Get lost in a corn maze: The Calgary Farmyard corn maze is fun during Fall Days and extra exciting after dark during Harvest Lights (bring a flashlight). Farmyard attractions include the petting farm, ziplines, pig races, mini train, jumping pillows, mini golf, and potato sack slide. September 13-October 27, weather permitting ($).
9. Look for larches: Head to higher elevations in late September to find golden alpine larches. There’s a short window between when the needles change color and fall off, so popular larch hikes like Chester Lake, Ptarmigan Cirque, and Arethusa Cirque can get quite busy. Go midweek if you can, or ride the Lake Louise Sightseeing Gondola and hike through larches to stunning viewpoints (open until October 14th.).
10. Harvest Pumpkin Fest at Butterfield Acres: Choose the perfect pumpkin, take a tractor pulled wagon ride through Scarecrow Alley, pet the friendly farm animals, or go on a pony ride. Weekends in October ($).
11. Harvest Fair and Pumpkin Hunt at Granary Road includes a pumpkin, mini golf, and tractor ride PLUS Pickle Palooza, Garlic Breath, Apple & Pumpkin Fest festivities. September 28-29 & October 5-6 ($).
12. Cobb’s Adventure Park Pumpkin Palooza: Pick a pumpkin, visit the Kangaroo Petting Zoo, go on a tractor ride, play mini golf, go down the giant slide, and more! Saturdays and Sundays in October and Thanksgiving Monday ($).
13. ZooBOO: Trick or treat, stamp your ZooBOO Safari at each station, watch the Wilder Bunch theatre performance, help color a Monster Mural - and of course, visit the animals! October 26-27 ($).
14. Heritage Park Ghouls’ Night Out: Explore the Town of Calamity, visit the Haunted Bog, and keep an eye out for spooky characters like the Headless Horseman! October 24-27 ($).
15. Halloweekends at Calaway Park: The Halloweekends Parade, Boo Crew Costume Party, Hallotown decorations, and Magical Meet & Greets promise fun times for all! Saturdays & Sundays September 7 - October 14 and Thanksgiving Monday.
16. Screamfest: “Calgary’s scariest Halloween event” features 7 haunted houses with creepy decorations and scare actors. Be prepared for jump scares… you will scream! Recommended for ages 12+. October 11, 12, 18, 19, 24 - Adults Only, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31 at Calgary Stampede GMC Stadium.
17. Field of Screams at Cobb’s Adventure Park has 6 terrifying haunted houses in a 20-acre field. Designed by the masterminds of Screamfest. Recommended for ages 12+. October 11, 12, 17 - Adults Only, 18, 19, 25, & 26.
18. Pumpkins After Dark: This walk-through experience features illuminated pumpkin art made with 10,000+ handcarved pumpkins. September 20-October 31 at Winsport ($).
19. WinSport Spooktacular Haunted Mini Golf: The 18-hole mini golf course is transformed with spooky decorations! Thursday to Sunday September 20 - October 31 ($).
20. Fall road trips near Calgary: 1) Visit 100,000 sunflowers at Bowden Sunmaze (113 km north of Calgary), 2) Find your favorite pumpkin from the pumpkin patch at The Jungle Farm(128 km north of Calgary), 3) Ride the Train of Terror at Aspen Crossing (91 km southeast of Calgary), 4) Spend the day at Kraay Family Farm & Lacombe Corn Maze (175 km north of Calgary).

Karen is a mother and a lover of maps, mountains, and mochas. With her geography degree and experience leading hikes and backpacking trips in the Rockies, she is full of ideas on where to go and what to do. The mission of her blog, playoutsideguide.com, is to provide everything families need to know to get outside and have fun.