Downtown Summer Festivals
Sunny Days. Cool Nights. Downtown Summer Festivals and Events
The summer fun continues downtown with more than 200 festivals and events until the end of September! Break out your sunglasses and embrace the summer vibes with sunny days and cool nights. From street festivals and outdoor concerts to night markets, film screenings and comedy shows, downtown Calgary is the place to be as the sun sets and the city lights come on.
Please check the official event websites for the most up-to-date information regarding cancellations, rescheduling or other important updates.
Explore downtown with these summer festivals and events:
FEATURED EVENT
Design Week Calgary
When: August 7-9
Where: Various downtown locations
Website: Design Week Calgary
Get ready for three days of city-wide creativity at Design Week Calgary! With 28 events across downtown, this celebration explores how design shapes the way we move, connect, and experience the world — from the layout of our streets to the apps we use every day.
This year’s theme, In Plain Sight, highlights the often-overlooked details that influence our daily lives. Join in for studio tours, workshops, speaker panels, public talks, and pop-ups that showcase the people and projects designing Calgary’s future.
Historic Calgary Week
Calgarians are invited to step into the city’s past as Historic Calgary Week returns for its 35th year. The event includes more than 81 free experiences offering a deep dive into the people, places and ideas that shaped Calgary and the surrounding region.
Seconds Collective Vintage and Second Hand Market
Seconds Collective is a second-hand market that does pop ups all over the city. Their goal is to empower individuals to buy, sell, and trade quality pre-owned textiles. This calm, cool, collective emphasizes the power of community to create a greener, more responsible, and unique consumer culture.
Calgary International Blues Festival
The 21st 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!
When: July 31 - August 3
Taste of Calgary
Discover Calgary’s rich culinary scene at Taste of Calgary, a unique mix of restaurants and beverage companies with a side of live music. Admission to the festival is free, and you can purchase sample tickets for $1.00 to try select dishes from some of the city’s best restaurants and brewers.
Calgary Fringe Festival
Calgary Fringe Festival is a nine-day theatre festival showcasing a wide range of performances. The term “fringe” refers to a festival where any and all submissions are accepted and includes emerging and established artists alike to share stories on stage. Watch street performances, browse vendors, and experience the eclectic entertainment presented each day.
BUMP Festival
The BUMP Festival is Calgary’s community-led, city-wide street art movement - transforming the city into an open-air visual art gallery. Its annual August run features vibrant new murals, graffiti jams, guided tours, live music, outdoor cinema, artist talks and installations.
403Market Summer Edition
From June through August, this lively artisan market lights up The Confluence with a curated selection of local vendors showcasing pottery, woodwork, textiles, gourmet treats, and more.
Chasing Summer Music Festival
Don’t miss this two-day outdoor EDM event featuring top electronic artists like deadmau5, Kaskade, Alan Walker, Timmy Trumpet, Loud Luxury, BTSM, and more.
Penguin Breakfast
Start your morning with a splash at the Calgary Zoo’s Penguin Plunge! This ticketed experience includes early zoo access, a delicious buffet breakfast, and a chance to see the penguins waddle, swim, and dive before the zoo opens to the public.
Getting downtown
Plan your trip
Over the summer festivals season, the downtown core will be very busy with events, road work and more people getting around. If you're driving, give yourself extra time to find parking and expect potential delays. You can plan your trip ahead by visiting Calgary.ca/PlanYourTrip.
Park safely and responsibly
Safe and legal parking helps avoid tickets, towing and unsafe situations for people walking, wheeling or driving nearby. Please remember to read and follow the signs before parking, even if it's a spot you're familiar with. You can manage your future parking sessions effortlessly by using the Parking Planner to book your parking in advance.
Save on parking with year-round deals
Parking downtown doesn't have to be expensive. Calgary Parking offers a variety of promotions throughout the year to help you save. Whether you're staying late, heading in early or planning a full day downtown, there are deals that make parking more affordable and convenient. Check out the Deals and Promotions page to see what's available.
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 are either organized, supported, or in good standing with The City of Calgary.