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#EXPLOREDOWNTOWNYYC Downtown Summer Festivals

Calgary’s Summer Festival Season is in full swing! Downtown is where you’ll find the electric energy as people unite to celebrate community, creativity, and culture. With over 100 festivals and events happening downtown this summer, the heart of our city will be bursting with fun and entertainment for everyone.

Festivals & events are generally approved to proceed, as long as they adhere to water restrictions currently in place. Please check the events website for any updates.

Explore downtown with these summer festivals and events:


FEATURED EVENT


Calgary International Blues Festival

When: August 1 – 4
Where: Cowboys Park, (formerly Millennium Park)
Website: Calgary International Blues Festival

The 20th Annual Calgary International Blues Festival promises an unforgettable experience with live blues performances, a diverse selection of food trucks, a vibrant artisan market, unique festival souvenirs, and bar service throughout the site. Perfect for all ages, this family-friendly event has been a cornerstone of Calgary's cultural scene for two decades! 

Calgary Arab Festival

When: August 9 - 11

The Calgary Arab Festival highlights regional and cultural distinctions in Arab countries celebrating clothing, cuisine, dance, and art, providing attendees with a deeper appreciation of the cultural diversity within the Arabic world. Come support local artists by providing them with an opportunity to showcase their work.

Franco Festival Calgary

When: August 10

Where: Olympic Plaza

Franco Festival is a celebration of many Francophone cultures, from Africa to Europe, through Asia and the Americas using music, dance, food, art and crafts and other aspects that demonstrate the breadth and diversity of Canadian heritage.

2024 BUMP Festival High Park Party

When: August 10

Where: High Park

Join us at the High Park rooftop for the 2024 BUMP High Park Party! Experience this vibrant urban space as five talented graffiti artists create live murals, local DJ, a special open decks workshop by Controller Club, a 3v3 basketball tournament, explore vendor booths, savour delicious food, and sip on cold BUMP beers from Establishment Brewing / other beverage providers.

Toranj Fistiva

When: August 10

Toranj, Calgary's largest Iranian festival since 2018, attracts over 2,000 attendees annually, with live performances, traditional Iranian food and teahouse, an art and culture hall, and a children's area. Aiming to foster community bonds and cultural exchange, Toranj invites diverse artists and performance groups internationally, showcasing the festival’s commitment to celebrating cultural diversity and unity.

Marda Gras Street Festival

When: August 11

Marda Gras is a free family-friendly event in the heart of Marda Loop and the longest running street festival in Calgary. Take part in a pedestrian friendly, car-free day with your friends and family – shopping local and reconnecting with the community. There is a full lineup of live music, dance and entertainment for all ages. 

High Park Movie With a View - Chungking Express

When: August 14

Where: High Park - 340 10 Ave. S.W. on Level 6 (top floor) of the City Centre Parkade.

Experience an unforgettable evening presented by BUMP Festival, under the stars at the High Park rooftop with an outdoor screening of the arthouse classic film Chungking Express. Join us for this cinematic event where the urban skyline meets the silver screen - bring your friends, enjoy the stunning views, and immerse yourself in Wong Kar-wai’s captivating tale of love and chance encounters. 

Window Case Concert

When: August 14

It's a lunch time party! Head down to the Window Case Concert and enjoy live music by the talented members of One Big Jam inside the corner of the window case on 7 Ave SW. Hosted by The Oratory, this free, all ages event offers the opportunity to enjoy a free tea, conversation, engage and make art! If loud music isn’t your thing, free ear plugs are also available.

Carifest

When: August 16 - 18

Join in the fun of Carifest, a spectacular celebration of Caribbean music, costumes, tradition, and culture. Carifest hosts a colourful parade that starts in Olympic Plaza and makes it way to Shaw Millenium Park for a festival of live reggae and steel pan music, dancing, and food.

Expo Latino Festivals

When: August 16 - 18

Expo Latino Festivals is Western Canada’s largest Latino festival and welcomes visitors for a vibrant weekend of food, artisans, dancing, music, and entertainment for over 35 years.

Getting downtown


Calgary Transit
You can get downtown with Calgary’s Public Transit system. For more information on Calgary city buses or the CTrain, including schedules, maps, passes and fares, visit Calgary Transit.

Extend your Stay with Calgary Parking!
Sleep-in and enjoy a cup of coffee when you use a City lot or parkade on the weekend and extend your parking session for free! This program provides the flexibility to park your vehicle conveniently and securely, without having to pick it up until 10 a.m. the next morning.

Walk, Wheel or Spin
If you’d prefer an active mode of transportation, walk, wheel or spin downtown!

Submit an event


If you have an event you would like added, please email: downtownevents@calgary.ca
with the subject: Downtown Summer Festivals.

*Please note, this page is updated regularly. The festivals and events listed below are either organized, supported, or in good standing with The City of Calgary.

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