Calgary’s about to throw down a weekend packed with cinematic brilliance, bone-rattling riffs, retro grooves, and Bavarian beer steins the size of your head. Whether you’re craving high culture at Alberta’s biggest film festival or want to scream along with Korn at the Saddledome, this weekend is basically a choose-your-own-adventure story. Here’s your no-BS guide to the hottest tickets in town.
🎬 Calgary International Film Festival
📅 Sept 18–28 | 📍 Multiple Theatres
Alberta’s largest film festival is back and bigger than ever. With over 200 films from Canada and across the globe, CIFF isn’t just about screenings—it’s a playground for cinephiles. Expect red-carpet premieres, intimate Q&As, panel talks, and maybe even a glimpse at the next Oscar contender. If you’ve been itching to flex your Letterboxd game, this is the place.
🤘 Korn: The Kanada Tour Stop
📅 Sept 28 | 📍 Scotiabank Saddledome
Brace yourself, Calgary—nu-metal royalty is descending. Korn hits the Saddledome with support from Gojira and Loathe, promising a night of throat-shredding vocals, monstrous riffs, and the kind of cathartic chaos that defined a generation. Doors at 6:30 PM, so warm up those neck muscles for a headbanging marathon.
👻 The Brothers Paranormal
📅 Sept 27–Oct 26 | 📍 Vertigo Theatre
Sharp comedy? Check. Creepy horror? Double check. Prince Gomolvilas’ The Brothers Paranormal brings Thai-American ghost hunters face-to-face with a terrifying spirit in a witty, unpredictable ride. Equal parts spooky and hilarious, this one’s tailor-made for fans of clever theatre with a supernatural twist.
🌊 The Surfrajettes
📅 Sept 26 | 📍 Palomino Smokehouse
Toronto’s psychedelic surf rock queens are hitting Calgary with beehives, go-go boots, and their signature reverb-heavy sound. The Surfrajettes bring retro flair and covers like “Toxic” that shimmer with surfy sass. Expect fuzzed-out guitars, vintage vibes, and an 18+ night of pure groove at the Palomino.
🍻 Harvest Haus
📅 Sept 26–27 | 📍 Big Four Roadhouse
Pull on your lederhosen—it’s Oktoberfest, Calgary style. Harvest Haus transforms Big Four Roadhouse into a Bavarian bash with authentic German fare, oom-pah bands, DJs, and more than 25 European and craft beers on tap. Doors swing open at 6 PM, and the party goes until the beer steins run dry. Prost!
The Bottom Line
Calgary isn’t playing around this weekend. From the silver screen to sweaty mosh pits and frothy Oktoberfest steins, there’s something for everyone. The only hard part? Choosing where to be when everything’s happening at once.