WHEN
Friday, October 9, 2026
TIME
6:00 PM - midnight
AGES
18+ only
Must have valid photo ID
COST
General Admission: $36.95
Spark Members: $15.00
What if the strange stuff isn’t so strange after all?
On October 9, Spark After Dark (18+): Paranormal Activities, powered by ATB, takes over TELUS Spark for a night where science fiction meets science fact.
The lights are low. The music is up. Your friends are convinced they saw something. Your brain is doing its weird little brain thing. And somewhere between the party, the experiments and the unexplained, you might start questioning what you can actually trust.
Your eyes? Maybe.
Your ears? Maybe not.
Your five senses? Good luck.
Come wander through a world of paranormal activity, curious experiments, strange encounters and science that gets right up against the edge of what we understand. Get involved, make some questionable theories and see if you can figure out what’s real, what’s perception and what’s just plain weird.
And honestly, this is only the beginning.
We’ve got our full programming lineup to reveal, with strange things entering the building soon. So grab your crew, lock in October 9 and keep an eye on this realm. You’re going to want to see what we’ve got planned. And the tickets for this one don’t stay very long.
Also included with your ticket:
SUE: The T. rex Experience, because sometimes the most unbelievable things aren't paranormal at all. They’re just science.
Plus, the ATB Possibility Pot is back. Three chances to win $1,000 for you and $1,000 to donate to the Spark programming of your choice.
October 9. Come for the party. Stay for the unexplained.
FEATURED EXPERIENCES
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More eerie experiences are still lurking in the shadows. Check back soon for the full lineup.
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The Lovebullies - Live Band
“I wanna rock n’ roll and make some spacey noise… I wanna go in a UFO!”
The Lovebullies lineup of Paul Jahn, Joni Brent, Chantal Vitalis, Andrea Revel and Caroline Connolly have been playing together for the better part of two decades. Their vintage-pop-rock vibe, combined with a high octane visually dynamic stage show, makes them favourites of the Calgary music scene.
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The Science (Fiction) of the X-Files
Watch an episode from Season 1 of the X-Files (“Ice”, 1993), and stick around to hear about the real life science of parasites.
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Perceived Qualities of Ghosts in Canada with Dr. David Aveline
Synopsis
In 1928, sociologist W.I. Thomas said that “If men [people] define situations as real, they are real in their consequences. With this in mind, David Aveline traveled around Canada in 2018-2019 seeking out people who firmly believed that they had seen ghosts and recording their accounts. He amassed references to 212 distinct ghosts as well as 21 other paranormal entities. He reports on their perceived characteristics (sex, age, race, location, etc.) as well as their reported reasons for being where they are and their activities.
Biography
David Aveline was born in England, raised in Quebec, and currently lives in Calgary. He earned his PH.D. in sociology at Indiana University and has been a professor at Mount Royal University in Calgary for the past 23 years. He has long been interested in the sociology of the paranormal and has written a book on his research on people’s perceptions of ghosts and hauntings. Among other courses, he teaches a senior course in the Sociology of the Paranormal.
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Host: Karla Marx
Meet Karla Marx, the First Comrade of Your Heart!
Karla is the m Ol.Facto ther of the Marx Werk Ware Haus. You can catch her emcee and perform across Calgary, as well as stages across western Canada. She has toured the U.K., and France as a comedian, host, burlesque artist, and drag performer. Karla recently performed at the Hollywood Burlesque Festival, and was voted Canada’s Best Burlesque Host by Imperial Burlesque Canada.
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DJ SoniDef
DJ SONIDEF, born with one deaf ear, defies limitations to pursue her passion for music. Drawing from her street dance roots, she curates eclectic sets blending R&B, Future Soul, House, Funk, Disco, Hip-Hop, and more. With a diverse portfolio, she's spun at various events and venues. As co-founder of BACK & FORTH YYC, she champions representation and inclusion for femme and gender-expansive DJs, breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.
Atrium
All Night
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The Lovebullies - Live Band
HOW TO EXPERIENCE THE NIGHT
Doors open at 6:00 PM and the whole science centre is yours to explore. Wander the exhibits. Catch a dome show. Dance in the Atrium. Build alien livestock. Stay late. Choose your path!
ARRIVE & EXPLORE
Grab a drink, get your bearings, and wander through the exhibits at your own pace. Everything's open all night, no rush, no set route.
CATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS
Keep an eye out for live demos, hands-on activities to get your science on, music performances, and talks throughout the evening. Floor staff will point you in the right direction, just ask!
STAY FOR THE PARTY
As the night rolls on, the energy picks up. Hit the dance floor, fuel up at the Spark Eatery, and keep it going until last call.
Tickets will be available at the door, but previous Spark After Dark events have sold out. Booking ahead is strongly encouraged.
18+ only. Valid photo ID required.
HAVE QUESTIONS? WE HAVE ANSWERS.
Your ticket funds the next great mystery.
As a registered educational charity, every ticket, cocktail, and eerie encounter helps fund science experiences, education programs, and hands-on learning opportunities for future generations. Tonight you’re chasing the unexplained. Tomorrow, you’re helping the next curious mind find their own answers.
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