Jann Arden's life and music is showcased at Studio Bell

Things to Do in Alberta: September 2020

By AMA Staff

Though life remains quite different than it once was—physical distancing restrictions are still in place, and cities like Edmonton and Calgary now require the use of masks in indoor public spaces and public vehicles—there are a growing number of activities to take part in. Here are a few ways to enjoy yourself during the final days of summer.

BE AN ARDENT FAN
Back in 1994, Jann Arden first asked, “Could I be your girl?” More than 25 years later, the answer is still a resounding “YES!” The Alberta-born icon is an eight-time Juno winner, the star of her own TV show, a bestselling author and recent Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee. Now she’s also the subject of a retrospective exhibition at the National Music Centre in Calgary, which has reopened on weekends. Purchase a timed-entry ticket (free until Sept. 6; available for a reduced rate thereafter) to peruse Arden’s childhood photos, lyric books, video interviews and stage outfits, including the dress she wore to her first gig—her high-school graduation.

HAVE AN A-MAZE-ING TIME
Alberta’s corn mazes require a mix of mental and physical stamina as you search for the exit along puzzling paths. And there are many to explore this fall. At four hectares, the Calgary Farmyard’s corn maze is southern Alberta’s largest, and can take up to an hour to complete—though there’s also a smaller maze that’s great for families with little ones. The Edmonton Corn Maze and Lacombe’s Kraay Family Farm boast similarly labyrinthine experiences, while visitors to Eagle Creek Farm in Bowden can navigate a one-of-a-kind sunflower maze.

ENJOY THE BIG SCREEN
Getting tired of watching movies on your TV or tablet? Some movie theatres are open—complete with physical-distancing protocols, including reduced seating, protective safety shields, and in some locations, mandatory masks. Save on Cineplex and Landmark movie tickets purchased at AMA centres.

Jasper sky tram things to do in Alberta
Looking out over Jasper at night (photo: Ryan Bray)

RIDE THE NIGHT TRAM
Sure, maybe you’ve summited a Rockies peak before, but have you done it in the dark? On Saturday evenings this September, board the Jasper SkyTram and ascend more than 1,000 metres for dining and stargazing near the top of Whistlers Mountain. Guided by astronomers from the Jasper Planetarium, you’ll you’ll have the chance to view the solar system through one of the most powerful telescopes in Alberta, learn about the importance of dark-sky preserves and even get a few nighttime photography tips. Prefer to go up during the day? AMA members save 15% on regular adult and youth SkyTram tickets.

PLAY EYE SPY ON THE ROAD
We all know Alberta has a gigantic collection of, well, gigantic roadside landmarks. Why not check them out in person on a physically distanced day trip? One possible route outside Edmonton: a loop including Mundare, Vilna, St. Paul and Vegreville, to see, respectively, the world’s largest kielbasa, a giant mushroom sculpture, the world’s first UFO landing pad and largest pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg).

 GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING
The Reynolds Museum reopened to give mechanically inclined kids and adults a place to indulge their engineering interests. Tracking the evolution of modern transportation, aviation and agricultural technology, the museum features hundreds of lovingly preserved and painstakingly restored artifacts, including vintage cars and airplanes. AMA members save 10% on regular admission.

TAKE IN SOME CULTURE
For the whole month of September, engage with the arts in your community during Alberta Culture Days. Part of a cross-Canada celebration of heritage, diversity and creativity, the weekend sees municipalities and organizations throughout Alberta staging unique performances, art events and other culturally influenced activations—online and in small venues.