Top Calgary Venues for Large Gatherings and Events

Whether you are planning your upcoming wedding or are looking to organize a charitable gala, one of the first things all event planners consider is the venue. Without knowing where you will host your gathering or event, nothing else can continue, as dates may need to change with availability. Luckily, there are plenty of gorgeous, unique, and extravagant locations to host your event right here in the city of Calgary! Take a look at these top Calgary event venues for your large or corporate gatherings:

Telus Spark

220 St Georges Dr NE

Just seconds from the Calgary Zoo and minutes from the Calgary downtown core is TELUS Spark. This local science museum is held within a large building with high ceilings, and is where you can find interactive exhibits and open areas for presentations and events. The expansive and distinctively decorated spaces are perfect for hosting signature events, cocktail receptions, gala dinners and much more. Of the many spaces available, the largest include:

• Atrium (300-900 guests dependent upon use)
• Inspiration Stage (164 guests)
• Dome Theatre (245 guests)
• Feature Galley (400-600 guests dependent upon use)

Be sure to visit the Telus Spark corporate events page to book your event!

Arts Commons

205 8 Ave SE

“Music, theatre, and dance. This is Arts Commons.” The Arts Commons is one of the most popular multi-venue locations situated in the downtown Calgary area. It is here that many of Calgary’s entertainment and music events are held. Home to concert halls, theatres, learning centres, and more, there is a wide selection of spaces to choose from for your event. Some of the larger areas available for use are the:

• Jack Singer Concert Hall (1797 guests)
• Engineered Air Theatre (185 guests)
• Jack Singer Concert Hall Lobby (1000 guests)
• Jack Singer Rehearsal Hall (160 guests)
• Max Bell Theatre (750 guests)
• Martha Cohen Theatre (up to 412 guests)

Contact Arts Commons for more Calgary venue information and rental prices. 

Hotel Arts

119 12 Ave SW

“No matter what your occasion, our stunning spaces, exceptional cuisine and refined touches make Hotel Arts the perfect venue for your special event.” Hotel Arts began in 2005 when Calgary’s old Holiday Inn was transformed into the marvel it is today. Through this transformation it has become a creative and unique space that features innovative designs and ideas. It is here that many will host their weddings, conferences, conventions, galas and more. Some of the rooms available for use are:

• Spectrum Ballroom (650-1,000 guests dependent upon use)
• NOTE: The Spectrum rooms can be divided to accompany smaller/larger groups
• Galleria (25-75 guests)

If you desire a stunning space that will create for an unforgettable event, contact Hotel Arts to book your large gathering!  

The Calgary Zoo

210 St. George’s Drive NW

The Calgary Zoo is one of the most recognized Calgary venues not only for the animals, but for hosting elegant corporate events, Christmas parties, and weddings. Guests are able to enjoy the sights of the zoo before making their way to the buildings or tents held within the various decorated meeting and banquet facilities. These facilities include the:

• ENMAX Conservatory (150 guests)
• Safari Lodge (280 guests)
• Eurasian Gateway Tent (180 guests)

For each event, catering and cuisine options are available upon inquiry – for more information reach out to request a booking for your upcoming event, online!

Winsport COP

Canada Olympic Rd SW

Of the many Calgary venues, Winsport COP has become one of the more recently popular options as a training and competition facility, as well as a place to host events and meetings. Winsport is proud to also serve catering options that are presented by world-class chefs offering casual dining or formal dinners. There are over 10 different spaces, some of these spaces are the:

• Multi-Purpose Room (600 guests)
• Meeting Room Sections (four sections can hold 360 guests)
• Molson Canadian Hockey House (130 guests)
• Festival Tent (500 guests)
• Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (225 guests)

Visit Winsport.ca to view a complete listing of the accessible venues, capacity, and other information.

University of Calgary

2500 University Dr NW

The University of Calgary is “a destination for people with ambitious dreams and the grit essential to fulfil them.” But this school also includes some of the most popular Calgary venues! Of course, there are hundreds of classrooms and computer labs available for meetings, as well as a wide selection of green spaces for use, but there are additionally many spaces that are made to hold larger groups of people. These spaces include:

• Event Centre (500 guests)
• Red and White Club (300-900 guests dependent upon use)
• Blue Room (114 guests)
• Senate Room (125 guests)

To reserve your space or inquire for further information, reach out to the University of Calgary staff and discover the many options available for you!

BMO Centre

20 Roundup Way SE

Home to Calgary’s largest convention centre and most extravagant social gatherings, events, and parties, the BMO Centre located in downtown Calgary and is also a part of the Calgary Stampede grounds. With 5 different exhibit halls and other event rooms, enormous groups can be hosted in these functional and versatile spaces. Just a few of these spaces include:

• Exhibit Hall A (1,900 guests)
• Exhibit Hall B (3,000 guests)
• Exhibit Hall C (2,500 guests)
• Arabian (200 guests)
• Palomino (1,000 guests)

For a list of features for each space as well as information to book, check out the Calgary Stampede venues page!

Hyatt Regency

700 Centre St SE

Located in the heart of downtown Calgary, the Hyatt Regency is one of Calgary’s recognized hotels. The hotel is proud to have full service meeting spaces, bars and restaurants, fitness centres, as well as event venue spaces. Along with their spaces, Hyatt Regency also offers AV solutions, seating arrangement set-up, dance floors and risers, and event specialist assistance to ensure your event goes as planned. A few of the many rooms available for weddings and corporate gatherings include:

• The Gallery (40-100 guests dependent upon use)
• Imperial Ballroom (800-1,800 guests dependent upon use)
• Stephen Room AB (108-200 guests dependent upon use)

Additional spaces are available with varying capacities and are available upon request. Visit the Hyatt Regency events page for more information! 

Studio Bell

850 4 St SE

Recently designed and added to the downtown Calgary area, the Studio Bell building is one that stands out. The architecturally attractive National Music Centre exhibits Canadian music history hall of fame, hosts concerts and events all year long, and is the city’s primary source for entertainment and all things music. For those looking to use this venue for corporate events, weddings, or other gathering there are a number of accessible spaces for use:

• Canada Music Square (75-200 guests dependent upon use)
• Performance Hall (160-276 guests dependent upon use)
• East Village Skybridge (100-150 guests dependent upon use)
• Rooftop Patio (140-200 guests dependent upon use)

Complete your event-going experience with the unparalleled design showcased by the Studio Bell venues! For further information on the event spaces, be sure to visit the website.

Carriage House Inn

9030 Macleod Trail South

Of the 16,000 square feet available at the Carriage House Inn, most of that space is useable for events, parties, and gatherings of all sorts! The space has been known to host some of the most exhilarating events within the three different ballrooms. For every event there is an abundance of parking for the guests, event planning guidance, with available catering, AV, and other services. Whatever the event, the Carriage House Inn can cater to groups from 5 to 500. Of the many spaces available, some of the most prominent include:

• Windsor Ballroom (325 guests)
• Desert Palms (150 guests)
• Ballroom (600 guests)
• Windsor B (200 guests)

For further information on their paired services, existing spaces, and available dates, visit the Carriage House’s event page.

Deane House

806 9 Ave SE

A space located right along the Elbow River, the historic Deane House is one of the Calgary venues available to host your perfect affair. This Inglewood location caters to the public with their upscale restaurant, and also offers a space for weddings, meetings, presentations, and other gatherings. All spaces include the assistance of the events manager who will help to “coordinate the thoughtful details that make your event festive and unique.” The Deane House is one of the smaller venues, but can still host events up to 100 guests indoors and 1,500 on the grounds:

• Library (24-50 guests dependent upon use)
• Verandah (44 guests)
• Full Main Floor (72-100 guests dependent upon use)
• Restaurant, Garden and Grounds (up to 1,500 guests)

To book the Deane House, reach out to the staff for available dates as well as further information regarding the menu, catering, and event options.

Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant

15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE

The Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant is a sight to see year-round. This historical house covered with lush gardens continues to display the original style and architecture of the house after its restoration. It is Calgary venues such as this that offer an “elegant country atmosphere” while serving locally-sourced Canadian cuisine. The location can be used for weddings, corporate functions, social events, and also offers tent venue options situated within Fish Creek Provincial Park. The rooms available for rental are the:

• Grand Salon (110 guests)
• William Roper Hull Room (32 guests)

Other smaller rooms are available for more intimate events for those seeking event spaces for smaller group sizes. For more information and to book, visit the Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant website.

Spruce Meadows

18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW

Known for the world-class jumping shows, the equestrian facility of Spruce Meadows is an excellent location for large gatherings that showcase the gorgeous surrounding property in addition to the luxurious facilities available for use. The venue spaces available include historic landmarks that have been restored and designed to show the original designs. Some of the spaces available are:

• British House (200 guests)
• Gallery on the Green Congress Hall (900 guests)
• Horizons Pavilion (170 guests)

To book your event at this stunning venue, be sure to contact Spruce Meadows for more information.

Fairmont Palliser

133 9 Ave SW

Known as one of Calgary’s luxury hotels, this downtown Calgary landmark is easily spotted by its historic architecture. The Fairmont Palliser is an ideal location to host your event that offers high end catering, and outstanding service. The hotel has 14 different function rooms that can cater any size of group from a small meeting of 10 people, to a venue fit for an extravagant large wedding. The rooms that cater to larger event groups include the:

• Crystal Ballroom (450 guests)
• Alberta Ballroom (250 guests)

For more information on the Fairmont Palliser Calgary location and the event venue spaces, check out the website.

Fort Calgary

750 9 Ave SE

Fort Calgary is the place where the city first began back in 1875 along the Elbow River and Bow River. Today, the Fort Calgary barracks replica space has become a venue popular that can accommodate groups from 10 to 200 people. Located just outside of the downtown core, the spaces available in this historical location include:

• Burnswest Theatre (125 guests)
• Officers’ Mess (150 guests)
• Main Floor (150 guests)
• James O. Wilson Gallery (56 guests)

For a complete list of pricings, floorplans, and space information, visit the Fort Calgary venue webpage.

The Hangar Flight Museum

4629 McCall Way NE

As one of Calgary’s only flight and aviation museums, it is no wonder why people are drawn to the gorgeous and open spaces of the Hangar Flight Museum. The museum is filled with airplanes and helicopters from different points of history dating back to the 1930’s. The areas available for event rental include the:

• Main Hangar (200 guests)

The Tent Hangar is also available upon request and is where guests can enjoy the evening while being surrounded by historical aviation models such as the “Lancaster Bomber, Twin Otter, DC-3 and other vintage aircraft.” Book your meeting, gathering, wedding, or ceremony at the Hangar Flight Museum!

Heritage Park

1900 Heritage Dr SW

The historical village of Heritage Park is one of Canada’s largest living history museums. Showcasing historical buildings, modes of transportation, and ways of life, this vintage location is highly desired for large events. Booking one of the locations available will allow your guests to immerse themselves in an authentic time in history while enjoying the food selections also available. The event venues available for use include:

• Gunn’s Dairy Bar (up to 140 guests)
• Wainwright Hotel (184 guests)
• Celebration Tent (1000 guests)

For a full list on the different venue spaces, be sure to visit the Heritage Park website.

The next time you require a space for your large gathering or event, be sure to consider these fantastic Calgary venues to ensure that your event is one to remember!