Calgary is home to exceptional festivals year-round, especially during the summer months. Between May and August, over 40 festivals take place in Calgary – an average of almost two and a half festivals a week!
Summer festivals are a perfect way to try something different and enjoy time with friends and family during warm-weather months.
Afrikadey! (August 3 - 8) is a multidisciplinary festival of African arts and culture featuring performers from Canada and abroad. Vancouver-based Ndidi Onukwulu (pictured) is one of this year’s featured artists.
Expo Latino, presented (August 28 - 30) by the Hispanic Arts Society, features Canadian and international guest artists as well as many local artists performing music and dance representing Central America, South America and Spain.
Calgary International Reggae Festival (August 13 - 15) Western Canada’s pre-eminent reggae music and culture festival is a family-friendly event featuring artists from Canada and around the world. Jamaican reggae singer Beres Hammond (pictured) is this year’s festival headliner.
A new favourite Sled Island (June 24 - 27) offers 200+ live bands, art, comedy and film. Watch for shows from Women, The King Khan & BBQ Show, The Breeders and Andrew W.K..
The Calgary Blues Festival (August 6 - 9) celebrates its 5th year of presenting the best regional and international blues with 4 hot summer days of nonstop music.
Sure to please those looking for something a little bit different, the Calgary Fringe Festival (July 31 - August 9) features over 180 uncensored, non-juried theatre performances.
IGNITE! (June 11 - 13) is a whirlwind weekend featuring work by 100 talented up-and-coming artists. Where else can you enjoy the premiere of a daring new play, be dazzled by a program of imaginative dance pieces, contemplate a diverse collection of new visual art and then stick around for drinks and a promising young band – all in one evening?
Celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, the Calgary Jazz Festival (June 22 - 29) features over 60 jazz, blues and world music artists. Headliners include the Branford Marsalis Quartet (pictured), Allen Toussaint, Jimmy Cobb’s So What Band and James Cotton.
A true festival heavyweight, the Calgary Folk Music Festival (July 23 - 26) is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. Festivalgoers can enjoy a wide variety of live music on 7 outdoor stages, all at Calgary’s Prince’s Island Park.
Over 22 seasons, Calgary’s Shakespeare in the Park (July 3 – August 22) event has played to more than 750,000 people! This year’s program includes two of the Bard’s most beloved works, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as the special noon-hour only production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).
GlobalFest (August 14 - 29) lights up Calgary’s Elliston park with numerous cultural pavilions, stages and a fireworks competition.
