There are lots of festivals and celebrations in Calgary, almost one in every month, but the summer is definitely Festival Time! Here is a rundown of the best festivals around the year. Take part and have fun!
Festival
| Date
| Comments |
PlayRites | January through March | This is a series of performances celebrate the best of Calgary theatre. Call 294-7402 for more information. |
Calgary Winter Festival | early February | This celebration commemorates the 1988 Winter Olympics, and all the fun that can be had in Winter. A multitude of activities, from arts and crafts to skating will be taking place at various venues throughout the city. |
Picture this...film festival | earl February | Picture this...film festival is Canada's first international disability festival held in Inglewood. 403-717-5610More info |
Chinese New Year Carnival | mid February | Celebrate Chinese New Year with activities that include martial arts demonstrations and traditional dances, fortune telling, photo booth where people can take a picture dressed up in Cantonese Opera costumes, and so much more. Admission is free. Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre (197 - 1 Street SW) 403-262-5071 |
Canada's Cowboy Festival | mid February | Calgary celebrates its cowboy heritage with activities centered around the Glenbow museum, the Convention Centre and the Palliser Hotel. 1-800-822-8697. |
WineFest | mid February | This annual festival of wine presented by Dragonfly Productions, at the SAIT Senate Room. The Festival is a presentation of samples of 350 wines, plus breads, gourmet cheeses and pates. Industry Day is on the Thursday afternoon, Corporate Night Thursday 15, 7:00 - 10:00 PM, and consumer tastings on Friday and Saturday evenings. 403-293-2888 |
Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival | End Feburaary - mid March | One of the largest in North America, the Calgary Kiwanis Music Festival is an amateur classical music festival. Many young and talented performers take to the stage featuring piano, vocal, musical theatre, choirs, speech performances and more. Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 - 14 Avenue NW. 403-283-6009 |
One-Act Play Festival | mid-March | The One-Act Play Festival takes place in the Victor Mitchell Theatre at 7:30pm in the Pumphouse Theatre, 2140 Pumphouse Avenue SW. 403 263-0079 |
FunnyFest, Calgary Comedy Festival | end of April through mid-May | This festival features 16 nights of comedy with 100 performers at 6 venues with over 10000 punchlines and 20 comedy themes! Event Cost: free to $15.00 Tix at Door/Ticketmaster. 403-228-7888, Fax: 403-264-7888 More info |
ImaginASIAN Asian Heritage Month | May | Art exhibitions, films, and a Bollywood banquet celbrate culrual diversity. Locations around Calgary, 403 264 2778 |
OtaFest | late May | Japense animation festival with shows, celbrating anime. All ages dance party on Friday night. At the University of Calgary |
Festival of the Lady Bug | late May | May long weekend, 100,000 ldy bugs are rleased into the Priddis Flower Gardens. Additionally, live music, good & drin, massage, yoga and activity tent for kids. Overnight companing welcome. Highway 22x @ Priddis Valley Rd. Admission $20 for dults, children free. 403. 931-1817 |
Hear and Now New Music Festival | end May | Calgary Philarmonic Orchestra presents 20th and 21st century works. Since 2009. Eckhart-Gramatte Hall @ U of C. 403-571-0849 |
Fort Macloed International Festival (fromerly Windy Mountain) | end May | Chyamber music concernts in Fort Macleod, Lethbridge and Calgary, along with film, vusiine and conversation events. Emprss Teheatre, Ft Macleod, Galt Museum, Thebridge, Head Smashed IN Bufffalo Jump and Eckhart-Gramatte Hall @ U of C |
Beerfest | end May | Taste thousands of different ales and lagers, live music, big screen hockey playoffs. Big Four Building, Stampede Park |
Calgary Ukrainian Festival | end May | Annual Festivalfeatuires Ukrainiain mainstage entertainment, home-cooked food, imported beverages, locl vendors and a childrens craft area. Triwood Community Centre, 2244 Chicoutimi Dr NW) |
Fourth Street Lilac Festival | late May | 4th Street between 12 Ave SW and Elbow Drive (30th) is blocked off for this street fair, featuring live music, street merchants, food vendors, and all the 4th Street merchants. Call 229-0902 for more information. |
Heritage Park Festival of Quilts | end May | Western Canada's largest outdoor quilt show, with worsksops, displays, how-to demonstartions. Hertiage Park Historical Village, 703-268-8500 |
Scotiabank Calgary Marathon | end May | Marathon, 10k run and 5 k walk start at Murdoch Park in Bridgeland. Lots to do for athletes and spectators. Some morning road closures along Memorial Drive. |
Calgary International Childrens' Festival | late May | Just before school's out, the Olympic Plaza area is alive with hundreds of children's events, plays, exhibits, and clowns. Many schools plan field trips to join in the fun, but evening and weekend events are perfect for the whole family. 294-7414.More info |
Fairy Tales: International Gay & Lesbian Film Festivall | end May | Celebration of films about gay, lesbian lifestyles. Attend the opening gala or see one or all of the films. At various downtown cinemas. 403-205-4747 |
Mosaic Community Cultural Festival | start June | The Mosaic Festival is a free, public event featuring cultural music and dance performances on two stages, ethnic food vendors, an interactive cultural craft centre, exhibits and vendors, and tons of fun for kids! Celebrate the cultural diversity that makes Calgary's urban community so vibrant! Central Memorial Park, 1221 - 2 Street SW. 403-265-2880 |
Carifest | mid June | Get ready for the best in reggae music and food from the Caribbean. There's a parade on the first Saturday, and a party and food fair on Prince's Island on the second Saturday. |
Fathers Day Street Festival | mid June | See several blocks of downtown closed down for a showcase of exciting cars, street performers, live music. 8th Ave between 4th & 7th from 11 am to 5 pm. Contact Ceili's. |
Inglewood Sunfest | end June | Established in 2003, the Inglewood Sunfest gives community residents and other Calgarians the opportunity to mix and mingle. Vendors set up along 9th Avenue SE and visitors can purchase their wares and enjoy live entertainment, food, the Family Fun Zone and the Sunfest Saloon beer garden. 9th Ave SE(between 11 St & 14 St) in historic Inglewood. From 10 am to 5 pm. 266-6962 |
Spruce Meadows National | mid June | Equestrian tournament featureing the world's best athletes and horses, competing for $800,000 in prize money. Spruce Meadows. |
VulCON Spock Days / Galaxyfest | mid June | Lots of extraterrestial family fun, including b eer gardesn celbrity meet & greet, parade and fair. Vulcan Alberta. (403) 485-2994 |
C-Jazz Festival | late June | The Calgary Jazz Association presents The Re-birth of Cool Jazz Festival with performances taking place at various venues across Calgary. Visitors can hear artists from Calgary and Vancouver, and from as far away as Cuba and Australia play everything including traditional, southern and classical jazz. Special events at the festival include the Kick-off Party and a Latin Dance Party. 403-802-4822 |
Calgary Greek Festival | late June | This 3 day family festival entertains almost 10,000 attendees with live music, dancing and food. 403-240-4905 |
Spruce Meadows Continental | late June | Equestrian tournament in Spruce Meadows' International Ring, with the world's best show jumpers in an intimate setting. |
Okotoks Youth Festival | late June | Variety of youth entertainment, juggling, and baloon makers, withan inflatable obstacle course. Ethel Tucker Centennial Park, Okotoks. |
Paddlefest | late June | Variety of off and one-water activities including whitewater and sea kayaking, canoing and more. Oveer 150 boats. Carburn Park 403-269-2420. |
Calgary Jazz Festival | end June | Six day long eventfeatureing 200 musicians from around the workd, playing at over 20 venues along 8th Ave SE. (403) 802-4008 |
Spruce Meadows Skyliner | end June | Equestrian tournament for junior/amateur equestian athletes at Spruce Meadows. |
Silk Road Festival: A Tapestry of Poems | end June to end Septembeer | Series of poetry nights featurig famous claissical poets along Asia's historical Silk Road. Local immigrant poets will also present their poems. Epcor Centre for the Perofrming Arts and Central Library.: (403) 237-5850 |
Water Valley Celtic Festival | end June | Celtic-folk event with dancing, music and performance by over 200 individual sna dgroups at 10 venues at Water Valley(40 minutes NW of Calgary) |
Millarville Races | Start July | This annual horseracing event has been run for over a century, starting with a human 1 mile foot race (in costume) at 11 am, and horseraces at 1 pm. At the Millarville race track, 12 km south of 22X. 403-931-3411 |
Sled Island Festival | end June-Start July | Annual independent music and arts festival held at multipe venues in the downtown & belltline area. |
Calgary Exhibition and Stampede | start of July | Put on jeans and a cowboy hat and enjoy this week-long party! Go down to the grounds and enjoy the midway, the exhibits, the rodeo, and the chuckwagon races. Fireworks are held nightly at 10:45 pm (it's dark enough by then). There's lots of pancake breakfasts every day at malls around town, and along the Steven Avenue Mall. 403-261-0101 [More editorial details] More info |
Mount Royal's Shakespeare in the Park | July | Celebratethe works of Shakespeare as he was meant to be seen and heard – in the great outdoors. Calgary's favourite pay what you can theatre festival returns July 3 to Prince's Island Park. 403-440-6374More info |
Calgary Turkish Festival | mid July | Variety of activities performed was Ebru Show (our performer came from Toronto), Turkish Folklore Dance from Ottawa, Turkish coffee in a traditional designed with rugs and pillows, Turkish clothing and accessories booth. At the Eau Claire Festival Market, 403-401-3636 More info |
Calgary Folk Music Festival | late July | Prince's Island is alive with the best Folk Music with a weekend long party. Over 40 acts on four stages, spread over both days and evenings. Single-day tickets and four-day passes may be purchased at the gate, the Folk Festival Office. Call 403-233-0904 or TicketMaster 403-299-8888. More Info |
FIESTAVAL "Latin Festival" | Late July | Fiestaval is a 2-day free multicultural arts and entertainment festival highlighting the Latin American Culture and Calgary's Latin community. Fiestaval is a free, family-oriented alternative for celebrating multicultural arts and entertainment in Calgary. Calgary Olympic Plaza, 228 8th Avenue S.E., 403-242-2802 More info |
Kensington Sun & Salsa Festival | end July | Calgarians and visitors can taste a variety of salsas created by restaurants in Kensington. The streets of the inner-city neighbourhood fill with bands, vendors, dancers and more. Pub patios also get packed with revellers. Along 10th Street NW and Kensington Road in Kensington 403-283-4810 |
Chinatown Street Festival | Late July | Experience an array of colours, smells, sounds and people at the Chinatown Street Festival. There are many street vendors selling everything from jewelry to food. Various demonstrations occur, such as Tai Chi, and don't miss the parade of Chinese Dragons. 403-850-6868 |
International Native Arts Festival | Late July | Celebrate Calgary's native Indian heritage. This festival is held following Stampede, and is centered around the Stephen Avenue Mall. 233-0020. |
Word on the Street Book and Magazine Fair | End of September | This fair offers readings, poetry, storytelling, and opportunities to meet the authors. At the Calgary Farmers Market. 403-770-1383 |
Dragonboat Festival | August long weekend | Held on Saturday and Sunday, the Calgary Dragon Boat race festival draws teams from across Western Canada and the United States. Races are held on the Glenmore Reservoir at the dock in North Glenmore Park, across from scenic Heritage Park. The event draws over 50,000 spectators and over 3,000 paddlers and volunteers.403-216-0145 |
Heritage Day Festival | August long weekend | Head down to Prince's Island and enjoy multicultural exhibits and cuisine. 262-8499. |
KAOS Blues Festival | early August | The KAOS Blues Festival is a four-day event that sees locals and visitors gather in the summer sun to enjoy some great blues music. Held at Victoria Park Ball Diamond. 403-228-9997. More info |
Marda Gras Street Festival | Mid August | The Marda Loop neighbourhood festival in SW Calgary is quickly becoming a must-do event. Featuring live entertainment, jazz music, market tables and plenty of activities for children. Along 33 Avenue SW between 18th Street and 22nd Street. 403-685-5667 |
Calgary Fringe Festival | Mid August | The Calgary Fringe Festival runs at several venues along 17th Avenue SW. This non-juried, uncensored artistic event will feature raw and innovative local, national, and international theatrical productions alongside street performers, musicians, film and outdoor stage events. The Calgary Fringe Festival will host indoor theatre productions, film entries, touring street performers, and musicians and musical acts. 403-265-3378 |
Chinatown Street Festival | Mid August | This festival has Chinese musicians, dancers and vendors on 3rd Avenue between Centre St & Macleod Trail. Free Admission. 403-850-6868. |
Chestermere Waterfest | Mid August | Catch all sorts of water sports, including sailing jet-skiing, wakeboarding, a fishing derby, beer garden, boat show capped off with evening fireworks. North end of Chestermere Lake 403-207-3366. |
Taste of Calgary | Mid August | For over a decade, Calgarians come down to Eau Clair Festival Plaza and sample food from dozens of Calgary restaurants. Admission is free, and tickets for food at 75 cents each from 11 am to 9 pm. 403-293-2888. |
Afrikadey! Festival | mid-August | Enjoy this festival of African arts and culture, with music and food fair throughout the downtown core. Events will take place at various venues throughout the week, finishing with a weekend of music at Prince's Island Park. Featuring African music, crafts, food and more! (403) 234-9110. |
Calgary International ReggaeFest | mid-August | Over the course of a week, Calgary will come alive during ReggaeFest. Celebrate the final day outside at Shaw Millenium Park, with non-stop music all day long. 403-355-5696 More info |
Red Deer Central MusicFest | mid-August | Catch a wide range of International street performers in downtown Red Deer. On Ross Street & Gaetz between 49th and 51st Avenues. Admission os free but tips to performers are graciously accepted. 1-403-340-8696 or 1-403-782-7586. |
Lethbridge Whoop-Up Days | late August | Like the Stampede but more cozy. Lethbridge's Exhibition Park, 3401 Parkside Dr South. $Admission, |
GlobalFest | End August | Global Fest is a multicultural celebration of Calgary's rich cultural heritage each year at Elliston Park (with nightly fireworks) and in community halls throughout Calgary. (403-569-9679). |
Taber Cornfest | end August | Corneating and other activities centered around Taber's famous corn, as well as a midway, beer gardens, antique cars, a chili cook-off. At Taber's Confederation Park, north of Hwy #3. 1-403-223-2265. |
Expo Latino - Calgary Hispanic Festival | End August | In the last weekend in August, catch opening ceremonies at Olympic Plaza, and outdoor open workshops in Salsa, Flamenco, Capoeira and other hot latin dances. The main event is Expo Latino, Calgary's hottest outdoor festival, which takes place at Prince's Island Park and features food, cerveza garden, vendors, live entertainment and more. 403-271-2744 |
Barbecue on the Bow Festival | Early September | Enjoy this Family Festival on Labor Day weekend at Eau Claire Festival Market. Canada's Oldest BBQ Competition and the official "Alberta BBQ Championships", Main Stage Entertainment, Children's Craft Tent, BBQ Cooking Demonstrations, Public Food Concession and General Store. 403-228-5039 [More Info] |
Artcity Festival & Art Walk | Mid September | The Artcity Festival has over 50 participating galleries in and around Calgary's downtown showcasing works by local and national artists through various displays and exhibits. 403-870-2787 or 403-263-6500. |
Calgary International Film Festival | End of September | Every year the Calgary Film Festival gets bigger and better, offering over 300 films from over 30 countries. Held at various theatres throughout downtown. 403-209-4958 |
Calgary International Improv Festival | end Spetmeber | The Calgary International Improv Festival takes place each oct in the Epcor Centre downtown. Come laugh at visiting and local troupes as they showcase their newest works. 403-968-9123More info |
Calgary International Spoken Word Festival | | Annual Calgary International Spoken Word Festival “PenUltimate Cabaret” will be the most eclectic and exotic collection of Spoken Word artists that Calgary has ever seen. Performances, panels, workshops, special events–something for everyone! 403-686-4292. More info |
Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship (formerly "Rodeo Royal") | early October | This Fall indoor rodeo, includes a presenetation of the Western Legacy Awards, the naming of the new Calgarys Stampede queen and princesses, in addition to all the rodeo events. In addition to the Calgary Stampede staples of saddle bronc, bull riding, steer wrestling, bareback, tie-down roping, and ladies barrel racing – the team roping event will make its first appearance at the Park. It's also a final chance for athletes to qualify for November's Canadian Finals Rodeo and a prime opportunity to earn a spot at The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Get your tickets at TicketMaster 403-777-0000. |
Calgary International Piano Competition | | Esther Honens Calgary International Piano Competition & Festival Late November. This world-class competition for pianists is held every four years. Accompanying the competition is a festival which celebrates piano music of a variety of genres. Call 299-0130 for ticket information.More info |
International Festival of Animated Objects | Early December | A uniquely Calgarian bi-annual celebration of masks, puppets, and all things animated. Mainstage shows, workshops, exhibitions, lectures, screenings, and site-specific shows for adults and children. The IFAO is produced by CAOS, Calgary Animated Objects Society, and is curated by Christine P. Cook (a founder and former co-artistic director of Green Fools Theatre). CAOS produces numerous art events and happenings throughout the year. Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts, 205 8th Avenue S.E.. 403-266-1503 More info |
Twelve Days of Christmas | early December | Head down to Heritage Park and celebrate Christmas the old-fashioned way. Costumed "residents" of Heritage Park, actors, and local merchants recreate a pre-confederation Christmas. 259-1900. |
CP Spirit Train | mid December | The CP Spirit train is going across Canada in order to promote the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic games. The train will be making many stops across the country. 403-543-4500More Info |
