I planned a portion of my summer around Alberta’s upcoming Open Farm Days. My family and I really enjoyed checking out some farms in Southern Alberta last August. We’ve got a list of stops to make again this year on Saturday & Sunday, August 16–17, 2025. This is a province-wide open‑house event celebrating the people and food behind Alberta agriculture. This year’s theme is Water - the lifeblood of every farm, highlighting the vital role water plays across landscapes, livestock, and crops. 

Alberta Open Farm Days invites Albertans to connect with rural neighbours, visit working farms, and enjoy interactive experiences; like tours, food tastings, workshops, and family-friendly activities. With nearly 170 farms participating this year, it’s a perfect summer weekend adventure for families, foodies, and curious visitors alike.

Since launching in 2013, the event has attracted over 235,000 visitors and generated more than $1.7 million in rural on‑farm sales. In 2024 alone, over 52,000 visitors came out to visit these farms across Alberta’s farming communities.

Farms Near Calgary to Check Out

Here are some of the outstanding host farms that caught my eye located near the Calgary region. These are great options if you're looking for something close to home. (The Italicized sentences are descriptions taken from the Open Farm website).

Souto Farms Local Market

Farm Tours offered daily at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm; pre-registration is requested.
Open Farm Days will give you an opportunity to tour our Alberta operations while Chris Souto shares with you about how we plant, how we grow, how we pull, our sustainable growing practices, how we bag and store our products, and some information about our BC farm and our farm store. We’ll also have yard games, bouncy castles, food trucks, a playground, and more!

Long Grass Studio & Estrella Farms

Stoneware Pottery and Bee Hive Tour . You’ll have a chance to suit up and visit the hives – then pick up a jar or tub of this great tasting honey to take home. Doesn’t get any fresher than this! The Long Grass Studio has a kiln and fires up pottery on a daily basis. They’ll even have a few pots to look at!

Hartell Homestead

The Hartell homestead is a mixed farm with highland cattle, ducks, chickens and goats. They also boast a large market garden and have the first farm store in the foothills on site. They sell beef, pork, bison, eggs and lots more from right here in the foothills. Tours are every hour on the hour. Swing on in to see all the animals learn about where your food comes from and take home some truly local ingredients grown here in the foothills. Eau Claire distillery will also be setting up a cocktail garden on the farm for August 16^th.

Spirit Hills

The Spirit Hills winery tours and tastings are family friendly, fun and educational. The entire tour is indoors and led by one of our star team members. You will learn about: Rocky Mountain Foothills flowers, bees and wine production. Throughout the tour you will get to sample a variety of delicious flower wines and have a chance to purchase some. 

Eau Claire Distillery (One of my personal favourites!)

Located in Turner Valley, our distillery blends tradition with innovation, crafting the world’s only pure horse-farmed whisky. Celebrated internationally, Eau Claire Distillery remains committed to quality, authenticity, and the spirit of Alberta. Come and enjoy FREE tasting of our unique horse farmed spirits.

 Plan Your Visit

1.       Pick your farm(s) based on activity type - culinary, hands-on demonstrations, animal encounters, scenic tours, etc.

2.      Register early: Some dinners and workshops (like garlic braiding) require signed-up spots ahead of time.

3.       Dress for the day: Closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable water bottle are always smart choices.

4.      Support the farms: Many host on-site markets where you can buy fresh produce, meats, cheese, wine, flowers, or locally crafted goods.

The Open Farm website has a number of features that allow you to search for local farms, print out maps, make a list of the farms you’d like to visit and plan your trip. As you make a plan be sure to note that some farms request advanced registration to get your name on their touring schedule or to sign up for special events with limited seats during the Open Farm weekend. What a beautiful opportunity to explore Alberta, get to know local producers, and grow in your understanding of how these farms operate.

Be sure to report back on where your adventures take you and the highlights of your Open Farm weekend!