Dear New Neighbours, Welcome to Calgary
With all the recent talk about economic setbacks and fluctuating prices, it is easy to sometimes forget to look on the bright side. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome those who are new to the neighbourhood and now call Calgary home. Calgary is a thriving city with an abundance of opportunities. Our city leaders are dedicated to building a sustainable community that will serve the needs of its inhabitants now and in the future. Having faced hardships together and prevailed, the city of Calgary takes pride in the closeness of our residents. Our city celebrates this feeling of community each year in the third week of June with Neighbour Day. On the third weekend in June, people through the city will host block parties and other activities. If you’ve just moved into the area, please, feel free to join in the fun.
Join in for Summer Fun
Calgary Folk Music Festival – credit to visitcalgary.com
Neighbour Day is not the only time friends and neighbours in Calgary get together and celebrate. Calgary summers are filled with events. Residents and visitors alike enjoy art shows, races, festivals and concerts throughout the season. If you are new to Calgary, these summer events offer you a great opportunity to get to know your neighbour and your neighbourhood. Several areas of the city, including the Mission and Inglewood communities, host their own summer street fairs. You can expect to see people gathered at Calgary’s beautiful parks for picnics and fun all summer long.
City-wide Celebrations
This summer’s city-wide events include Calgary’s celebration of Canada’s 149th birthday on Canada Day. More than 250,000 people are expected to join in activities downtown and throughout the city including the famous Living Flag, fireworks, exhibits of Aboriginal traditions, and music concerts. Also in July, Calgary welcomes nearly one million visitors to the Calgary Stampede. This event hosts one of the world’s largest rodeos! A parade, midway, concerts and stage acts also fill the bill during this nine-day event. July closes out with back-to-back music festivals beginning on July 21 and continuing through July 31. The festivities begin with Calgary’s annual Folk Music Festival at Prince’s Island Park. Eight concert stages host folk musicians from all over the world at this much-loved city event. Following on the heels of the Calgary Folk Music Festival is the Calgary International Blues Festival. Shaw Millennium Park is center stage for this event. The blues festival is a family-friendly event that includes non-stop music and nightly Twilight Blues dance parties.
Neighbourhoods to Explore
If you prefer, you can explore your neighbourhood at your own pace. Within our beautiful city are many communities—each with their own distinct character and vibe. Residents of the Victoria Park and Connaught Beltline communities enjoy the juxtaposition of this unique historic district nestled in an urban setting. Within walking distance to downtown and a growing mix of restaurants and boutique shops, you’ll find plenty of ways to connect to Calgary from your home in the Beltline. North of downtown Calgary is the Eau Claire neighbourhood. As a resident here you are just footsteps away from Prince’s Island Park located on the banks of the Bow River. This park is home to not only the Calgary Folk Music Festival but also Barbecue on the Bow and Shakespeare in the Park. Eau Claire connects to the Bow River pathway, a network of pedestrian pathways and trails. You can follow this large network of pathways and enjoy the beautiful views of the river and downtown as you discover this neighbourhood.
These are just a few of the many wonderful things Calgary has to offer to residents old and new. Whether moving to Calgary as a permanent resident or for a temporary stay, you’ll find plenty of activities to enjoy as you become a part of the community. So welcome home, friend, we’re glad you’ve come to Calgary.
