Some of the biggest events in Canada take place during Calgary’s greatest festivals. The city hosts more than 80 events that celebrate everything from quilting, railroads, and salsa to food, science, and innovation. There are additional festivals celebrating the cultures of nations like Brazil, Scotland, Iran, and Japan. Here are the 8 most popular festivals in Calgary you should go to, including GlobalFest, Lilac festival, Chinook Blast, Calgary Folk Fest, and more.
What Is Calgary Known For?
It is renowned for being kind and welcoming, young, vibrant, and diverse, as well as for the 1988 Olympics, Chinooks, stampede, mountains, and oil. Calgary is also well known for its extreme cold, snow, rednecks, Eastern slurs, urban sprawl, and Stephen Harper’s residence. Overall, it is regarded as a fantastic city!
8 Best Festivals In Calgary
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede, which takes place in early July, is unquestionably the biggest event in the city and draws millions of visitors. Watch the rodeo in the afternoon, then stick over later in the evening to see the legendary Grandstand entertainment. There are many rides for thrill-seekers and many festival foods to tempt foodies. A complimentary pancake breakfast is also assured if you stroll through downtown Calgary on any day of the Stampede.
Beakerhead
One of our favorites is Beakerhead in mid-September since it combines the fields of engineering, physics, and art. The events, which are taking place all around the city but culminating in a huge extravaganza at Prince’s Island Park, will amuse, inform, and amaze you. You can not miss this Calgary festival!
Calgary Folk Fest
An annual “four-day family-friendly cultural and musical extravaganza,” the Calgary Folk Fest. On numerous stages in the lovely Princes Island Park, musicians and storytellers from Alberta, Canada, and other countries exchange music and tales. The Festival, one of Calgary’s most popular attractions, usually runs in July.
Chinook Blast Festival In Calgary
Chinook Blast, a six-week winter festival celebration, is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike in Calgary. The first edition of the festival, which featured the top performers from Calgary, took place in 2021. Besides, the festival includes a number of other well-known festivals that take place in Calgary during the winter, including the following:
- High Performance Rodeo
- Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater
- Glow Festival
- Ethnik Festival of Arts & Culture and
- BIG Winter Classic
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Lilac Festival In Calgary
In the spring, when hundreds of lilacs are flowering throughout Calgary, the Lilac Festival celebrates local arts, fashion, food, and music. A large parade of performers wearing vibrant costumes serves as the event’s opening act in the morning. Then, it’s time to make your way to the stalls, where a huge number of sellers are selling handmade jewelry, clothes, home décor, crafts, and ornaments.
The greatest cafés and restaurants in the city supply a choice of snacks and beverages at food stands. A total of six concert stages are used to present performances by local and regional musicians, dancing groups, young choirs, and martial arts demonstrations. Street performers perform magic tricks or create balloon animals, and a bouncy castle gives kids hours of entertainment.
GlobalFest
A cultural event called GlobalFest celebrates the diverse global influences that have shaped Calgary. Food from all around the world is served in cultural pavilions, including dishes from Indonesia, the Caribbean, and Ukraine, as well as empanadas, bubble tea, and poutine. A night market is also present, selling clothing, jewelry made by artisans, and homemade presents.
On many stages throughout GlobalFest, local artists present martial arts, modern music, and traditional dance. Additionally, you may take in 5 evenings of displays created by pyrotechnicians from all over the world. Fireworks displays in all different colors sparkle above Elliston Park’s mirrored lake.
Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo
The Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo is a massive pop culture celebration that celebrates everything nerdy. The exhibition is known for bringing back the whole Star Trek: The Next Generation ensemble. But it has also welcomed the casts of The Lord of the Rings, The Karate Kid, and the enduring television series Doctor Who.
You can participate in interactive workshops at the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo or attend Q&A sessions with actors, artists, and writers to learn about their upcoming projects. A fantastic opportunity to meet your favorite stars is provided by the autograph sessions. There are costume competitions for children and adults, a red carpet for cosplayers, and a cosplay march through Downtown Calgary with thousands of participants.
Calgary International Beerfest
An enormous tasting event called the Calgary International Beerfest is held in May. It is home to more than 200 Canadian brewers with at least 700 different kinds of beer. Try a fruity IPA from Belching Beaver, a caramel-flavored pale ale from Two Pillars Brewery, or a nutty brown ale from Olds College Brewery. There is also a sizable selection of handmade meads and ciders to sample.
While the Cooking with Beer seminars focus on all the delightful ways to use beer, the Brew Master seminars are a great opportunity to learn about the beer-making process. Juicy burgers, barbecues, deli sandwiches, and cakes are available at nearby pop-up eateries to pair with your preferred beer. Throughout the festival, live performances are another option.
