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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! 

2024 Honens Festival – Classical Adaptations

When: September 7

Join WindSync for a family-friendly concert in an adaptive atmosphere. This event has been specially designed to be accessible and inclusive for young audiences, neurodivergent listeners, people with disabilities, and others who face social and systemic barriers to attending typical events. All ages and expressions are welcome!

2024 Honens Festival – Open Air Calgary

When: September 7

Pianists Jon Kimura Parker, Illia Ovcharenko, and Zhenni Li-Cohen, along with the flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and horn players of WindSync will blow you away with their harmonious sounds for families, children, couples, and music enthusiasts alike. Bring your picnic blanket and soak up the final days of the summer sun in this celebration of togetherness, arts and culture, and the simple joy of spending time outdoors. Open Air Calgary @ Central Memorial Park is a reminder of the magic that live music brings.

Phil in the Park + Beat Beethoven

When: September 8

Get ready for the return of Beat Beethoven, now bigger and better than ever! Head to Phil in the Park — a spectacular outdoor concert by the Orchestra at Prince’s Island! This family-friendly event in the heart of the city is perfect for the whole community. 

In addition to the performance, you can also take part in the Beat Beethoven run. Whether you choose to run, walk, or waltz, you can challenge yourself with a 4 km or 8 km course along the beautiful Bow River before the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra completes 50 minutes of Beethoven's best music. 

Party in the Park

When: September 8

Where: Lougheed House

A family friendly one day festival featuring live music, games, beer gardens and food trucks in Lougheed House's greenspace. This event is free, all ages and dog friendly!

High Park Movie with a View - Everything Everywhere All At Once

When: September 12

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

Experience an unforgettable evening presented by the Beltline Neigbourhoods Association, under the stars at the High Park rooftop with an outdoor screening of the incredible Everything Everywhere All At Once. 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 the interdimensional head-trip from the 2022 film. 

Calgary Fallen Firefighters Memorial

When: September 13

This annual public event honours the sacrifice of Calgary's fallen firefighters and their families. All are welcome to participate in this inclusive and meaningful event.

Chinatown Lantern Festival

When: September 13

Where: Daqing Square and Second Ave. S.W.

Chinatown’s annual Mid-Autumn Festival event showcases hundreds of lanterns set alight in celebration of the festival. With merchants and food vendors, this event draws thousands of people for a fun and relaxing evening full of music and a beautiful atmosphere.

Calgary International Film Festival

When: September 19 - 29

Where: Various locations

Calling all film buffs! If you’re passionate about film, this festival is your go-to event. Experience over 200 feature and short films on the big screen every fall. The festival offers glamourous gala events, exciting movie screenings, and exclusive red-carpet premieres. Don’t miss out of the chance to interact with fellow fans and local filmmakers at this cinematic celebration!

Babar the Elephant

When: September 22

Follow the adventures of Babar, the little elephant who grows up in the big city and returns to the great forest to become King, narrated to Francis Poulenc’s charming score performed by the Calgary Phil! Complemented by Montréal composer Maxime Goulet’s energetic Danse aérobique symphonique and Igor Stravinsky’s witty Circus Polka, this concert is sure to delight kids of all ages! Feel free to head down early at 2 p.m. for the Instrument Discovery Zoo!

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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