- From Calgary
- Posts
- Free farm animals, a speakeasy, and a $6 million bet on Calgary.
Free farm animals, a speakeasy, and a $6 million bet on Calgary.
Here's what's happening in Calgary this week.
From Calgary
April 15, 2026
Good morning, Calgary! We've got a packed weekend edition for you today. Aggie Days is back and free for families, the Hitmen are fighting for their playoff lives on Sunday, and the city's chuckwagon auction just shattered every record in the books, a sign of how good Calgary is feeling right now.
We've also got a featured restaurant that's quickly becoming one of the most talked-about spots downtown, a Flames season wrap-up, and a full happenings guide from Thursday through Sunday. Let's get into it.
Top 3 Stories
🌾 Aggie Days Is Back — And It's Free
The farm comes to the city this weekend as Calgary Stampede's beloved Aggie Days returns to the Nutrien Western Event Centre at Stampede Park. Running Saturday April 18 and Sunday April 19 from 10am to 4pm, the free family event has been connecting Calgarians to their agricultural roots for over 40 years. Watch live demos of cow milking, sheep shearing, and auctioneering, get up close with horses, goats, calves, and mini donkeys, and cheer on riders in the Extreme Cowboy Race. Admission is free for everyone, just show up.
🏒 The Hitmen Are Down 3-0. Sunday Is a Must-Win
After sweeping the Brandon Wheat Kings in the first round, the Calgary Hitmen ran into a buzzsaw in round two. The defending champion Medicine Hat Tigers have won three straight to take a commanding series lead, outscoring Calgary in each game with clutch goaltending from Jordan Switzer and big contributions from the Ruck brothers, Liam and Markus. The Hitmen have shown fight — they held a 3-1 lead in Game 2 before Medicine Hat came roaring back — but they need a win Sunday at the Saddledome (4pm) just to keep the season alive. Come out and make some noise.
🤠 Calgary's Chuckwagon Auction Just Broke Every Record
If you want to know how confident Calgary's energy sector is feeling right now, look no further than the Stampede's annual chuckwagon canvas auction. Companies bid a collective $6.08 million to put their logos on the 27 wagons competing in this summer's Rangeland Derby — shattering the previous record of $4.02 million set during the Stampede's centennial in 2012, and blowing past last year's $3.84 million. The Stampede doesn't start until July, but apparently, the oil patch couldn't wait to celebrate.
A quick word from today’s sponsor that helps keep the From Calgary Newsletter FREE!
✈️ Travel Like a Rockstar (Status Upgrades, Exclusive Discounts, & More)
VIP Travel Privileges. FoundersCard members receive preferred pricing and elite status with leading airlines, rental car programs, loyalty programs, and innovative travel brands. Benefits include:
Complimentary Platinum, Gold, & Silver status
Preferred pricing with 8 major airlines
Priority check-in
Up to 20% off first-class and business fares
High-level loyalty status with major car rental brands
🍽️ L'Après
Location: 811 1st St. SW (Downtown)
Vibe: French Speakeasy & Cocktail Bar
Calgary's newest hidden gem opened earlier this year and it's already one of the most talked-about spots in the city. Tucked behind an unmarked door in the heart of downtown, L'Après is an intimate speakeasy serving curated cocktails, French-inspired bites, and live jazz. Inside, you'll find dim moody lighting, vintage French artwork on the walls, mid-century furniture, and a grand piano on the stage — it genuinely feels like stepping back in time. Signature cocktails include the Café Noir and Salon Rouge, and the French 75 comes highly recommended. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 5pm, closed Mondays. Reservations are a good idea.
A quick word from today’s sponsor that helps keep the From Calgary Newsletter FREE!
The same cell network as Telus, for a fraction of the price. That’s the tagline that Public Mobile should use because that’s what they offer.
Their Canada-USA-Mexico plans are amazing because you can use your phone in all 3 countries with ZERO roaming charges. I’ve been using Public Mobile for a while now, and (obviously) recommended it.
REPORT
🌤️ 7-Day Weather Forecast
WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN | MON | TUE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-6° / 5° | -10° / -2° | -11° / 5° | -5° / 10° | 0° / 16° | 4° / 18° | 6° / 20° |
🌨️ | ❄️ | 🌥️ | 🌥️ | 🌥️ | 🌥️ | ☀️ |
CALGARY FLAMES
🔥 One Last Night at the Saddledome (this year). The Calgary Flames' season comes to a close Thursday when the LA Kings visit the Saddledome at 7pm, the final home game of a year that didn't go as hoped. Calgary was officially eliminated from playoff contention on April 7, marking the fourth consecutive season without a postseason appearance. The team sits at 33-38-9, seventh in the Pacific Division. The silver lining? The Flames currently hold the third-best odds for the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. The rebuild continues… but Thursday night, let's send them off right.
Apr 16 vs Los Angeles Kings at 7:00 PM - SOLD OUT
Let me know how many you need, and I can source them for you!
If you are interested in a ¼ or ½ season’s worth of Flames tickets next season, please call / text 403-975-5515.
HAPPENINGS
FEATURED EVENT
FREE MEN’S WORKOUTS
Here's the deal: it's free, it's outdoors, and nobody cares how fit you are. F3 is a men's workout group that meets outside 4 times per week in the early morning.
No gym membership. No registration. No judgment. You show up, you follow along, you get better. Every workout is different, every workout is led by a fellow member, and every workout will push you.
Men across Calgary are showing up in the dark, in the cold, and walking away sharper, stronger, and more connected than they've been in years. Your only barrier is your alarm clock. Set it, wake up, and show up.
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30–6:15 AM
Saturdays & Sundays, 6:30–7:30 AM
Unlock your potential at a FREE Men’s Workout at 2019 Chicoutimi Dr. NW (MAP).
THURSDAY 16th
F3 Calgary FREE Men's Workout – 5:30-6:15 AM at 2019 Chicoutimi Dr NW.
Scotiabank Saddledome – Calgary Flames vs. Los Angeles Kings at 7pm. The final home game of the season. Send them off right. Text 403-975-5515 for tickets
Grey Eagle Event Centre – Lee Brice: Sunriser Tour at 7:30pm. Country star Lee Brice brings his latest tour to Calgary. Tickets
The Palace Theatre – The Wailers: 50 Years of Positive Vibrations at 8pm. Bob Marley's legendary band celebrates half a century of reggae. Tickets
Globe Cinema – CUFF Opening Night: HOKUM at 7pm. The Canadian premiere of Adam Scott's supernatural horror. Sold out — but the full festival runs through April 26. Full Schedule
FRIDAY 17th
Jack Singer Concert Hall – Calgary Philharmonic: Vivaldi's Four Seasons at 7:30pm. Violinist Timothy Chooi performs and conducts one of classical music's most beloved works. Tickets
Heritage Park – Death on the Dancefloor Murder Mystery Night at 6pm. An interactive whodunit set at Heritage Park, with live folk music and a different story every night. Tickets
Globe Cinema – CUFF: The Fox at 6:30pm, Imposters at 7pm, Shorts Package: Friday in the Park with Gore at 9pm, Friday the 69th at 10pm. Tickets
SATURDAY 18th
F3 Calgary FREE Men's Workout – 6:30-7:30 AM at 2019 Chicoutimi Dr NW.
Nutrien Western Event Centre – Aggie Days Family Day at 10am–4pm. Free admission — farm animals, live demos, the Extreme Cowboy Race. Details
Scotiabank Saddledome – Calgary Roughnecks vs. Colorado Mammoth: Roughnecks Rodeo at 7pm. Tickets
The Palace Theatre – Dwayne Gretzky at 7pm. Calgary's favourite cover band plays everything from Alanis to the Chili Peppers. Tickets
Globe Cinema – CUFF: Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party at 10am, Beyond the Duplex Planet at 1:45pm, Shorts Package: How to Succeed in Love Without Really Trying at 4:15pm, Little Doors at 7pm, Goody Goody at 7:45pm, Saccharine at 9:30pm, Bagworm at 10:15pm. Tickets
SUNDAY 19th
F3 Calgary FREE Men's Workout – 6:30-7:30 AM at 2019 Chicoutimi Dr NW.
Nutrien Western Event Centre – Aggie Days Family Day at 10am–4pm. Free. Details
Calgary Opera – The Barber of Seville at 2pm. Opera's most beloved comedy, with that Figaro aria. A great first opera. Tickets
Globe Cinema – CUFF: Claire's Hat: The Unmaking of a Film at 12:30pm (with director Bruce McDonald), Decorado at 1pm, My Bloody Valentine 45th Anniversary at 7pm (with director George Mihalka). Tickets
THANK YOU!
Thank you for reading From Calgary today. If you enjoyed this edition, found something useful, or learned something new, please share it with someone who lives in Calgary.
Chat soon,
Brent
Publisher - From Calgary
P.s. BUSINESS OWNERS: Want to advertise to smart Calgary locals? Email [email protected] (or reply to this email) and let me know!
P.p.s. Open a New CIBC Account, Get $50.00 $75.00 Bonus (for a limited time)!
Who doesn’t like FREE money?!? Click here and set up a new CIBC account, and you can earn a $50.00 $75.00 bonus (for a limited time)! I’ve been banking with CIBC for 25+ years now, and have never had an issue. Get your $75.00 bonus here.
Select the type of account you want to open:
Powered by beehiiv - Click here to start your newsletter
Copyright © 2026 FromCalgary.com. All Rights Reserved. The information presented here is for general educational purposes only. Please consult with your professional (doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc.) before doing anything new. This email is subject to our Terms of Service.
MATERIAL CONNECTION DISCLOSURE: You should assume that the sender of this email has an affiliate relationship and/or another material connection to the persons or businesses mentioned in this message and may receive commissions from purchases you make on subsequent web sites. You should not rely solely on information contained in this email to evaluate the product or service being endorsed. Always exercise due diligence before purchasing any product or service.