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Two Olympic legends, one big bun, and a golden Nose Hill 📚

Here's what's happening in Calgary this week (Oct 13-18).

Author

From Calgary
October 13, 2026

Good morning, Calgary! The snow has melted, the sun is back, and we've got a mild week ahead with highs pushing toward 19° by Saturday.

Canada's liveliest literary festival kicks off tonight with two Olympic legends, one of Calgary's most-loved cinnamon bun brands is opening its first real shop, and a downtown project just picked up a provincial planning award.

Plus a New York-style tavern in Marda Loop, a rooftop with the best skyline view in the city, a packed week of live music, and the Flames back home Sunday. Let's get into it.

City Spotlight: Golden Hour on Nose Hill Park

The snow is gone, the grass has turned gold, and Nose Hill is putting on its last big show of the fall. It's one of the largest urban parks in North America, and on a clear evening you get the whole skyline on one side and the Rockies on the other.

Park at any of the free lots (14 St NW, Edgemont Blvd, Brisebois Drive & John Laurie Blvd, Berkley Gate, 64 Ave or Brisebois Dr) and just start wandering. The park is open 5 AM to 11 PM daily and it's completely FREE.

Two pro tips: sunset is around 6:40 PM this week, so aim for a 5:30 PM start, and bring a layer because it's always windier up top. Dogs are welcome, just stay on the trails and pack out what you pack in.

Side note: every Monday morning, there is a FREE men’s rucking group that meets in the Nose Hill parking lot at Brisbois Dr and John Laurie Dr NW from 5:30-6:15am. We put some weight in a backpack and walk up to the top of Nose Hill and back. It’s open to all men and always FREE. No catch! Come join us!

Men’s Rucking Group on Nose Hill Every Mon

Top 3 Stories

📚 Wordfest's Imaginairium Kicks Off Tonight With Two Canadian Legends

Canada's "Liveliest Literary Festival" is back for its 31st year, and it's a big one. The Imaginairium runs today through Sunday with 41 shows and 60 authors at Central Library and Memorial Park Library. It all starts tonight at 7:30 PM with the Opening Night Showcase starring hockey icon Cassie Campbell-Pascall and Olympic legend Clara Hughes, talking grit, resilience and life after the podium. Tickets are $25 and running low. The rest of the week is stacked with big names like Emily St. John Mandel and fan-favourite shows like Literary Death Match and The Way We… Wear, and some events are already sold out. Even if you haven't cracked a book since high school, this is the most fun you'll have at the library all year.

🥐 Big Buns Club Is Opening Its First Shop in Montgomery

If you've ever lined up at a pop-up for a cinnamon bun, you know the name. Big Buns Club started online, grew through a string of sold-out pop-ups and a stall at Crossroads Market, and is now opening its first storefront in Montgomery this fall. Expect soft, fluffy buns in full size and adorable minis, with flavours like salted pecan and churro plus seasonal specials, and hand-crafted coffee and matcha to wash them down. No opening date yet, so give them a follow and be ready to pounce. Montgomery, your mornings are about to get a lot sweeter.

🏆 Downtown Calgary Project Wins a Provincial Planning Award

Some well-earned love for our core. The Alberta Professional Planners Institute just gave The City of Calgary and design firm DIALOG a provincial planning award for a project that's making downtown public spaces more welcoming. The team looked at 10 downtown spots and, instead of writing a report and walking away, worked with local businesses, community groups and City crews to actually make changes. Better lighting and other upgrades are already done or underway. "Together, we developed practical solutions," said Darshan Tailor with The City. More welcoming streets mean more reasons to head downtown for dinner, a show or a walk along the river. Nice work, Calgary.

A quick word from today's sponsor that helps keep the From Calgary Newsletter FREE!

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Location: Unit 102, 1926 34 Ave SW (Marda Loop)
Vibe: Dim, cozy New York tavern

From the team behind DOPO and Bar Rocca, Penny Crown brings a real New York tavern feel to Marda Loop: low lights, great music, and a room that feels like it's been there for a hundred years. The menu runs from mussels and baked scallops to steak frites and Calabrian fried chicken, but owner Tony Migliarese is clear about what you order first: the burger. It's an Alberta beef burger the chef has been perfecting for years, made with beef from a rancher just north of Edmonton. Cold fall night, a burger and a martini at the bar? That's the move.

Pro Tip: Open nightly from 4 PM (until 10 PM Sunday to Wednesday, 11 PM Thursday to Saturday). Walk-in space is limited, so book a table.

A quick word from today's sponsor that helps keep the From Calgary Newsletter FREE!

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REPORT

🌤️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

TUE 13

WED 14

THU 15

FRI 16

SAT 17

SUN 18

MON 19

13° / -3° ⛅

18° / 0° ☁️

9° / 0° 💨

12° / -4° ⛅

19° / 2° ☁️

16° / 6° ☁️

16° / 8° ☁️

Heads up: Goodbye snow, hello sweater weather. Wednesday and Saturday are the stars of the week, flirting with 18° and 19°. Thursday brings a cooler, breezy dip, so grab a jacket, but overall it's a dry, gorgeous week to get outside.

PETS: Time to meet some new friends. Charles the Great Dane, Dutch the Domestic Longhair cat, and Enzo the budgie are all looking for forever homes.

CALGARY FLAMES

Featured Game - Boxing Day

Dec 26 vs Vancouver Canucks at 9:00 PM 
Sec 206, Row 18 (2 or 4 tickets) - $350/pair

Call / text 403-975-5515

It's still a tough start in Calgary. The Flames fell 4-2 to Anaheim on Saturday and sit 0-5-0, last in the Pacific. The bright spot? Rookie Aydar Suniev scored his first NHL goal on a slick feed from Matt Coronato, and Simon Nemec picked up his first point as a Flame. The kids are giving the Saddledome something to cheer about. Calgary visits Anaheim on Tuesday and Vegas on Thursday, then comes home Sunday to face Carolina.

Upcoming Calgary Flames Games - Call / text 403-975-5515

Oct 18 vs Carolina Hurricanes at 6:00 PM - SOLD OUT - Let me know how many you need, and I can source them for you!

Oct 22 vs Minnesota Wild at 7:00 PM 
Sec 206, Row 18 (2 tickets) - $129/pair
Sec 206, Row 18 (2 tickets) - SOLD

Oct 24 vs Detroit Red Wings at 6:30 PM 
Sec 206, Row 18 (2 or 4 tickets) - $195/pair

Oct 26 vs Toronto Maple Leafs at 6:30 PM 
Sec 206, Row 20 (2 tickets) - $399/pair
Sec 206, Row 18 (2 or 4 tickets) - SOLD

Oct 30 vs Seattle Kraken at 6:00 PM - SOLD OUT - Let me know how many you need, and I can source them for you!

Let me know how many you need, and I can source them for you!

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 and Cochrane 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.

2019 Chicoutimi Dr. NW (MAP):
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30–6:15 AM 
Saturdays & Sundays, 6:30–7:30 AM

16210 McKenzie Lake Way SE (MAP):
Mondays (rucking) & Wednesdays, 5:30–6:15 AM 
Saturdays, 6:30–7:30 AM

Nose Hill Park, Brisebois Parking Lot (MAP):
Mondays, 5:30–6:15 AM (rucking)

20 Bow Valley Trl, Cochrane (MAP):
Wednesdays & Fridays, 5:30–6:15 AM 

Unlock your potential at a FREE Men's Workout.

TUESDAY 13th

WEDNESDAY 14th

THURSDAY 15th

FRIDAY 16th

SATURDAY 17th

SUNDAY 18th

LIVE MUSIC

  • The Palace Theatre – The Menzingers, Tue Oct 13, doors 6 PM. Philly punk heroes with Hot Water Music on the same bill. 18+.

  • Grey Eagle Event Centre – UB40: The Unstoppable Tour, Wed Oct 14 at 8 PM. "Red Red Wine" live, from $83.90.

  • Jack Singer Concert Hall – Branford Marsalis & Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane, Wed Oct 14 at 7:30 PM. Two jazz giants, one Coltrane tribute.

  • The Palace Theatre – Paul Cauthen, Thu Oct 15, doors 7 PM. Big-voiced East Texas country soul. 18+.

  • The Palace Theatre – Moontricks, Fri Oct 16, doors 7 PM. The Kootenay electro-folk duo that turns a dance floor into a campfire. 18+.

  • The Palace Theatre – HVDES, Sat Oct 17, doors 9 PM. Bass-heavy late night, and it's FREE before 10:30 PM with RSVP. 18+.

COMING UP

  • WinSport Event Centre – JAMMY CON, Oct 31 to Nov 1. Canada's leading K-pop festival, with a P1Harmony concert on Halloween night.

  • Various venues – Canadian Jazz Fest, Nov 3 to 8. Six nights of Canadian jazz, with a $125 sampler pass for four shows.

  • Big Four Roadhouse – Alan Doyle with The Strumbellas, Thu Nov 12 at 7:30 PM. Grey Cup Festival party, $75 general admission.

  • McMahon Stadium – 113th Grey Cup, Sun Nov 15 at 5 PM. General seats are gone, but premium experiences are still available.

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!

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Who doesn’t like FREE money?!? Click here and set up a new Wealthsiple account, and you can earn a $25.00 bonus (for a limited time)! Wealthsimple has become by favorite banking option in Canada and you have a chance to win a million each month!

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