Historic Downtown
Events in Downtown Medicine Hat
Find year-round annual events in Medicine Hat's Historic Downtown.
Find year-round annual events in Medicine Hat's Historic Downtown.
August 2027
Indulge in a local food festival, live music and beer gardens on 3rd street, sidewalks sales and more in the heart of the city.
Find more details about Downtown Days.
September 2027
Downtown Medicine Hat has a new music festival. Down Right Fest invites artists that span the genres, from electronic, to folk, country, pop, garage rock, and punk, to play in various venues in the heart of the city. With third street closed to traffic, wander from venue to venue listening to live music, visiting with friends and family, and experiencing the nightlife in downtown Medicine Hat.
July 2027
An early morning celebration of Medicine Hat and Western culture, filling the streets with vibrant floats, shiny vehicles, and talented performances.
Find Stampede Parade details here.
Various dates throughout the summer
Step back into the past as you’re guided through the tree lined boulevard by Sally (McGee) Sehn, who grew up on First Street.
Find dates for Historic Walking Tours here.
Various dates throughout the summer
A progressive coffee crawl into Medicine Hat’s caffeine culture. Visit with independent coffee shop owners, and discover the unique flavour and vibe of each place.
Find Indy Coffee Tour tickets here.
Various dates throughout the summer
Tour bakeries in downtown Medicine Hat, sampling sweet and savoury treats from each spot and visiting with the owners.
Find Bakery Tour tickets here.
November 2027
A Medicine Hat classic Holidays event in the thick of winter. The community comes to downtown Medicine Hat for events, shopping, and more happening until midnight.
Find details about Midnight Madness here.
July 2027
Inviting local, national, and international artists to paint downtown walls each year, 2025's Mural Fest will add colour to the heart of the city throughout the summer.
Whether it's a restaurant, cafe, bakery, brewery, distillery, or outdoor eatery, food and beverage pairs well with Medicine Hat sunshine.
Restaurants owned by the locals in Medicine Hat, sharing their culinary skill and personal recipes with with every dish.
Whether dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan, from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, find a plate of food for you.
See where the magic happens in Medicine Hat's award-winning brewery rooms, and then enjoy a taste of it yourself.
The sweetest of tours in the heart of the city, all treats are made in-house along the historic streets.
Neighbour to Medicine Hat is the “Greenhouse Capital of the Prairies”, Redcliff, Alberta. This greenhouse hub features a handful of spots that have fresh vegetables and herbs grown right here in Southeast Alberta.
Start with the hot drinks and sweet treats, and then keep browsing the menu to find see if another creative items catches your eye.
A perfect summer experience, the ice cream tour features local businesses serving Alberta-made ice cream. And there might just be a butterfly house along the way.
Each with its own personality, the coffee shops in downtown Medicine Hat have cultivated a caffeine culture. And one spot roasts beans using a roaster from the 80s.
Visit one of the many city parks in Medicine Hat with a picnic basket filled with local ingredients. Enjoy lunch on the lush grass under the summer sun.
Food and beverage found only in Medicine Hat, whether indoors, outdoors, or in the country with the sunset.
Almost all patios in Medicine Hat are dog-friendly. Be sure to call beforehand to make a reservation and to include your pups in the total number of guests.
Only a 45 minute drive from Medicine Hat.
In Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Elkwater is the hub for nearby outdoor activities. Whether surrounded by lodgepole pine and aspen forest, or surrounded by calm waters of Elkwater Lake, connect with nature and soak in the sunshine in the rolling hills.
Bring a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board, and float the water of Elkwater Lake with the sunrise or into the sunset. In the late morning or afternoon, bask in the comfort of the heat.
A blanket of soft sand invites visitors to build sand castles, lay in the sun, swim in the water, and enjoy moments spent with loved ones or solo. With water that’s safe to swim in and a comfy beachside, the day can be energetic or relaxing.
Right near Elkwater Lake, find Swirls Ice Cream serving creamy treats on a warm, sunny day. This local spot is a favourite in Medicine Hat, so the owners brought the treats to Elkwater for everyone to enjoy.
Hiking, mountain biking, and leisure trails, and are found throughout Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, and most are in close distance to the Elkwater Townsite. From family-friendly to challenging trails for hiking and biking, choose an adventure that best suits the day with information on page xx, or at the Cypress Hills Visitor Centre.
Snug in the rolling hills, 12-34 Cafe serves a full menu of coffee, food, and baked desserts. Stop at this cabin-inspired coffee shop to start your day, or find a meal to refuel the energy spent enjoying the outdoors.
From tent to RV camping, or comfort cabin glamping, to booking a stay at Elkwater Lake Lodge & Resort, there are accommodations that suit all needs in Elkwater.
Pack the gear, because Elkwater Lake has fish to catch. Choose a spot and fish from the dock, on a boat, or in a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle board. A fishing license is required.
The Cypress Hills Visitor Centre has informative counsellors for any inquiries about specific activities and things to do. Displays and exhibits can be wandered as well, to learn more about the wildlife and nature in the area, and a gift shop is available for souvenirs.
Race through the beautiful 190+ kilometre trail system and many city parks.
With over 190-kilometres of paved trails and beautiful city parks, Medicine Hat summers are filled with events that challenge avid and beginner runners!
April 2027
Run or walk this trail, which starts and finishes on Medicine Hat College's main campus. People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to get in on the fun. 3, 5, or 10 KMs
@mhcrattlerrun
May 2027
The race is seven kilometres with 28 obstacles, like rope climbs and monkey bars, to challenge and encourage growth for the next race.
unionraces.ca
May 2027
Union Trail is hosted the day after Conquer the Coulee in Kin Coulee Park, which is a mix of paved and cross-country trails, with no obstacles. 5 or 10 KMs
unionraces.ca
May 2027
This fundraiser event follows trails that weave through the coulees on the south side of the city. Friends and families run through bursts of food-grade coloured powder and meet a DJ at the end.
realhumanitarian.org
June 2027
For 30 years, the YMCA River Run brings people through Lions Park, Strathcona Island Park, Saratoga Park, and Police Point Park, with a view of the South Saskatchewan River. 3, 5, 10, or 21.1 KMs
@ymcamh
May 2027
Starting before sunrise at 4:00 a.m., hike, bike, kayak, and bushwhack your way to each checkpoint with only a map and compass to guide you throughout Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.
mhmassacre.ca
June 2027
Runners reach the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador (1,466 metres) during this 50(ish)-kilometre and ultra race, held in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. Given 13 hours to finish, people are surrounded by beautiful Canadian landscapes, with lodgepole pine and aspen trees.
@hiddenoasis100
July 2027
Starting at Hidden Valley Ski Resort in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, embark on three races: an obstacle course, back-country trail, and mountain bike race.
unionraces.ca
Hot drinks, sweet treats, and local markets.
As you walk towards the baked goods, admire the local art gallery on the walls. Time is taken to steep tea, blend lattes, brew coffee, layer sandwiches, simmer soups, and bake treats at this modern café.
1775 Dunmore Rd. SE
Located on the Southwest Hill, this neighbourhood brunch and bakery spot celebrates the magic of being human, whether seated in the colourful indoors surrounded by local art, or on the beautiful sunny patio with a crafted beverage in hand.
#104 266 Ave. SW
For two decades, this market and café has prepared bright-coloured meals that feature Southern-sourced ingredients, and is located in one of Medicine Hat’s most historic neighbourhoods.
50 3 St. NE
An all-season market, featuring over 60 Alberta-based vendors, from many creative and culinary worlds. Within the market is a cafe with a drive-thru. This local spot is ready to serve, whether there’s time to stop or only time for to-go while driving Highway 3.
1750 Gershaw Dr. SW
This local spot has quality perfume, along with a curated collection that's made in-house by the owners. Along with the scents, they host an artisan market and cafe corner featuring Italian sodas, coffee, and tea. Find something to sip, shop, and smell. And if you're looking for a specific scent, create your very own custom perfume to bottle, name, and take home.
Hop on the Sunshine Trolley to visit all four cafés and markets in Medicine Hat. Sip curated beverages, sample sweet and savoury treats, meet the owners, and shop along the way.
Jacqueline Walker started playing the cello at six years old.
"There is something really special about being the background music that creates an atmosphere." - Jacqueline Walker
As she sets up her bow stringed instrument inside Medalta in the Historic Clay District, cellist Jacqueline Walker prepares to perform inside the National Historic Site.
Guests will delight in a locally-prepared dinner, with live music complimenting the historic beehive kiln. A spot where clay was once fired. One of the many venues Walker has performed in Medicine Hat.
Drawn to the cello when she was six years old, Walker appreciates the instrument for its beautiful, calming sound. And as she performs live, enhancing the experience for guests is something she’s grown to enjoy.
“There is something really special about being the background music that creates an atmosphere. I love bringing an ambience that pairs well to the event,” says the cellist of 33 years.
Rustic Kitchen + Bar, a spot that’s served the city for over 20 years, hosted an Italian feast where Walker performed. She says there’s something to be said about how sound waves naturally have an effect on people, and it’s felt when music is played live.
“It’s always such a huge compliment to me when people say I added to an event or they felt something through my music.”
Medicine Hat has been home to her and her family for over a decade. Picnics at Kin Coulee Park, mornings at the Farmers’ Market, lunches at a local eateries, and the endless sunshine have encouraged them to stay in the small city.
“I love the community feel here. It’s truly a family-friendly city, and it’s sunny,” says Walker. “There’s a tight knit musician community here, and people really want to have fun and play music together.”
If you’d like for Jacqueline Walker to perform at your next event, she can be contacted at walker.jacquelined@gmail.com.
A colourful race coming to Medicine Hat's trail system.
“People feel good whenever they’re doing something together. They feel unified, and this race brings people together and is a really great way to build good memories.” - Deborah Northcott
Deborah Northcott is the co-founder and director of Real Humanitarian, and hosted the first Colour Run in 2014.
After over a decade, the fundraising event continues to see families and friend groups running through a rainbow of colour on the trail. Food grade certified and gluten-free coloured powder is thrown into the air throughout the race, painting a vibrant canvas onto racers.
On Saturday, May 24, 2025, the Colour Run will begin at the Visitor Information Centre and will weave throughout the coulees with slight inclines. Beautiful views of Paradise Valley Golf Course and Medicine Hat coulees are found along the paved pathway, while a DJ plays music and keeps the energy high.
The Colour Run is hosted in partnership with the Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival in 2025. Both bring colour to the city in new ways. While people wait for flights in the morning and evening, they can participate in this event that’s also happening in the city.
Find more details or sign up for The Colour Run here.
Prizes are awarded at the end of the event and sponsors can get in on the fun with a trophy awarded for best colour station as voted on by the participants. Hues for Humanity is a fun way to support Real Humanitarian’s educational support programs for at-risk children in developing nations, while enjoying time with family and friends. By participating as a sponsor of the Hues for Humanity event you will become an integral part of helping these children build their lives. 100% of the profits earned from Hues for Humanity events are used to support Real Humanitarian’s education, health and empowerment initiatives around the world. Each year Real Humanitarian provides educational, medical, and social-emotional support to over 1000 youth through their programs and partners in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Guatemala.
In the historic hub with local eateries, an ultimate live music crawl is found in downtown Medicine Hat.
With a patio that seats more than the indoor area, LOCAL Public Eatery throws summer events with live music as the main entertainment. And many people still talk about their events as more summer seasons pass. The LOCAL team says the patio is where the core memories are made in the summer, and live music plays such a big part in that. It elevates the experience of going out. We want people to have a very vivid experience that they remember for many summers to come.
Snug inside a historic site, note: comfort food + drink hosts their Summer Concert Series. Live monthly performances invite guests throughout the year. The traveling, Canadian artists make a stop in Medicine Hat's Historic Downtown to play inside the beautiful brick building. The menu at note: is inspired by local ingredients and homemade comfort food that can be shared. From the Farmers Plate to All Cheese for a Basement, indulge in a few dishes while live music graces the space.
With an elevated food menu and a hot spot for live music, The Yard Patio & Eatery stays as local as possible with everything they do. Beers and spirits are sourced from Medicine Hat breweries and its distillery. Dishes featured on the menu include ingredients produced near the city. And the outdoor eatery is hosting the Patio Dinner Club once a month until September, where local chefs will prepare a five-course meal under the sunshine.
“Our patrons love the walkability of downtown and spend an entire evening experiencing different spots. It’s awesome to see people sharing the love — because we have such a cool downtown core,” says Joshua Hopkins, managing partner at The Yard Patio & Eatery. “Live music truly fits our venue. It’s the weather, the people, and the special moments that keep bringing people downtown to have a full night out.”
From live entertainment to open mic nights, this downtown brewery always has something happening in the Taproom. Located inside a historic building in the heart of the city, Travois Ale Works is a micro-brewery serving rotating beer and the classics made by Brewer Brady and a chef-curated menu by Chef Jordan. While joining in on the live entertainment, pair it will a flight, a pint, and a plate full of thoughtfuly prepared food.
September 2027
Downtown Medicine Hat has a new music festival. Down Right Fest invites artists that span the genres, from electronic, to folk, country, pop, garage rock, and punk, to play in various venues in the heart of the city. With third street closed to traffic, wander from venue to venue listening to live music, visiting with friends and family, and experiencing the nightlife in downtown Medicine Hat.
| Downtown Medicine Hat is becoming an entertainment district to hop around. And with the new Tipsy Trolley, people can pedal to the next spot.
| If you’re a band interested in performing at one of these venues, owners are available through email or social media.
If you're a venue for live music, add your downtown eatery here.
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