Cemetery tours
Mounties and ministers, cowboys and cooks, prohibitionists and politicians.
Join volunteer tour guides on a walk through time to learn about the people, personalities and events that shaped the vibrant city Calgary is today. From May through October, The City tells their fascinating stories through free guided walking tours of Calgary's historic Burnsland Cemetery, St Mary's Cemetery, and Union Cemetery.
Note: Cemeteries are not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Pets are not permitted. For more information on our historical cemetery walking tours call the Cemetery office at 403-221-3660 or email CalgaryCemeteries@calgary.ca.
The Calgary Heritage Authority has deemed Union Cemetery, Burnsland Cemetery, Chinese Cemetery and St. Mary's Cemetery to be historically significant cultural landscapes that played an important part in the settlement and establishment of Calgary as a city. If you would like more information about these historic cemeteries; or to discover some of the important people buried there, visit our location pages.
2025 cemetery tour dates, locations, times and registration
Tours may be cancelled due to extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances. If you do not see your tour guide, please contact 3-1-1 for an update on the tour status as 311 operators will be notified if a tour is cancelled.
May
May
| Date | Time | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, May 18 | 2:00-3:30 p.m. | First Nations, Metis, and Early Settlers |
| Sunday, May 25 | 2:00-3:30 p.m. | First Nations, Metis, and Early Settlers |
June
June
| Date | Time | Theme |
|---|---|---|
|
Sunday, June 1 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Arrival of the Northwest Mounted Police |
|
Sunday, June 8 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Arrival of the Northwest Mounted Police |
|
Sunday, June 15 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Arrival of the Northwest Mounted Police |
|
Sunday, June 22 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Arrival of the Northwest Mounted Police |
|
Sunday, June 29 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Arrival of the Northwest Mounted Police |
July
July
| Date | Time | Theme |
|---|---|---|
|
Sunday, July 6 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Early Ranching in Southern Alberta and the Calgary Stampede |
|
Sunday, July 13 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Early Ranching in Southern Alberta and the Calgary Stampede |
|
Sunday, July 20 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Early Ranching in Southern Alberta and the Calgary Stampede |
|
Sunday, July 27 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Early Ranching in Southern Alberta and the Calgary Stampede |
August
August
| Date | Time | Theme |
|---|---|---|
|
Sunday, August 3 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Historic Calgary Week – The Arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway |
|
Sunday, August 10 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Historic Calgary Week – The Arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway |
|
Sunday, August 17 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Historic Calgary Week – The Arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway |
|
Sunday, August 24 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Historic Calgary Week – The Arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway |
|
Sunday, August 31 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Historic Calgary Week – The Arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway |
September
September
| Date | Time | Theme |
|---|---|---|
|
Sunday, September 7 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
TBA |
|
Sunday, September 14 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
TBA |
|
Sunday, September 21 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
TBA |
|
Sunday, September 28 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
TBA |
October
October
| Date | Time | Theme |
|---|---|---|
|
Sunday, October 5 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
TBA |
|
Sunday, October 12 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
TBA |
|
Sunday, October 19 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
TBA |
|
Sunday, October 26 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Ghost Tour |
November
November
| Date | Time | Theme |
|---|---|---|
|
Sunday, November 11 |
2:00-3:30 p.m. |
Remembrance Day |
Virtual tours
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Union Cemetery Virtual Tour
Join Shelly, volunteer cemetery tour guide on a virtual tour of the historic Union Cemetery. Featured in this video are the Galloway family, The Yorkshire Giant, John Ware, Reverend Angus Robertson, Davina McElroy and John Sibley.
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Union Cemetery Virtual Tour
Join Sheila, volunteer cemetery tour guide on a virtual tour of the historic union Cemetery. Hear stories of officers with the North West Mounted Police, Captain Cecil Denny and Sargeant Major T.J Kempster, the Bentley family, Robert Steen, Dudley Ward, D.R McWilliams, May Swindel and Charles Taves.
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St. Mary’s Pioneer Cemetery Virtual Tour – Part 1
Join Amanda, volunteer cemetery tour guide on a virtual tour of the St. Mary’s Pioneer cemetery. Learn about the rich history of some of Calgary’s earliest settlers, John Glenn, Mary Deane – wife of Richard Burton Deane and the McNeil family.
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St. Mary’s Pioneer Cemetery Virtual Tour – Part 2
Join Amanda, volunteer cemetery tour guide on a virtual tour of the St. Mary’s Pioneer cemetery. Learn about the rich history of some of Calgary’s earliest settlers, Mother Mary Greene, the Rouleau’s and Peter Prince.
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Burnsland Cemetery Virtual Tour
Join Amanda, volunteer cemetery tour guide on a virtual tour of the Burnsland Cemetery. The tour highlights some of Calgary’s earliest citizens who dedicated their lives to the betterment of the community. Euphemia Hill Bagnall, Inspector Carruthers, Ivan Crooks, Henry Jenkins, Rosella Henry and Ernie Starr are all featured in this tour.
Volunteer tour guides
Interested in leading a cemetery tour? Contact us for more information.
We are currently at capacity for volunteers.
Contact
For more information on cemetery tours please email parksvolunteer@calgary.ca. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.