Here’s a roundup of some of Calgary’s biggest and best festivals happening around the city—as well as what you need to know to be prepared for them. Low lawn chairs, when to bring water, and how you can get discounts, it’s all here.
Calgary Folk Music Festival. Photo by Ryan Krochko
One of Calgary’s most annually anticipated festivals, known for bringing in both established artists like K.D Lang and Blue Rodeo and up-and-comers from genres like hip-hop, alternative, blues, and world acts. Hear artists play on the mainstage or take the time to hear a groups of artits play in intimate workshops similar to jam sessions involving up to five festival acts joined together on one of the six other stages.
Throughout the day also enjoy the extensive arts market, beer garden, family area, and an array of local food and beverage vendors.
When: July 21 – 24
Where: Prince’s Island Park
How Much: $57 at the gate
*If you buy a flexible day pass in advance, you can save by sharing it with others.
What to Bring:
- Cooler with food and/or snacks
- Blanket or tarp
- Low lawn chair
- Sunscreen (lots of!)
- Hat
- Food
- Cash
Tips & Tricks
- Be sure to grab a program—it’ll help you to decide which workshops you want to attend.
- Get there early—line-ups for good seats start as early as nine hours before the gates open! Once let through the gate, the crowds run to find a spot. However, you don’t have to be nearly that extreme, as long as you’re there before the gates open, you should be able to find a spot relatively close to the mainstage.
- Bring weights or duct tape to hold down blanket.
- If you purchase a flexible day pass in advance, you can save by sharing it with others.
- Also, this year the festival is not selling bottled water, so be sure to bring your own, where you can fill them up for free at several TD sponsored H20 stations around the island.
Purchase a bag of tortilla chips in support of local charities and walk around streets lined with artisans and vendors and sample over 40 different salsas created by local Kensington businesses. Throughout the festival find seven main stages featuring high-energy Latin music and dancing as well as a fashion show, Miss Sun and Salsa Pageant and the Strongman competition. Children will also enjoy spending time in the Carnival Zone filled with kid friendly entertainment. Throughout the festival, listen to live entertainment on seven stages featuring Latin music and dancing.
When: July 24, 11 am – 5 pm.
Where: Kensington Rd and 10 St.
How Much: Bag of chips, $ 3 or two for $5. Water $2. (Proceeds go to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society, Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer and Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade).
What to Bring:
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Comfortable shoes (you’ll be doing a lot of walking).
- Avoid bringing too much to carry, or bring a backpack—you’ll want your hands to be free to taste the salsa creations.
- And of course, bring your appetite.
Tips & Tricks:
- Bring your own water.
- Take the train, it stops only a block away from the festival and is a convenient alternative to finding parking.
- Get there early to avoid long lines or vendors running out of salsa.
The official kickoff party to the Calgary Fringe Festival, as well as a celebration of one of Calgary’s oldest and most venerable communities, Inglewood. Neighbourhood vendors, including Ironwood and Wilderness Café, bring delicious eats and local retailers and artists showcase their wares in the hot July sunshine. World-class entertainers are shipped in from all corners of the world, such as mind-bending contortionists and downright-dangerous juggling acts. There’s tons to do here, catch an impromptu fashion show featuring designs by local Calgarians, and gearheads will revel in the vintage muscle car display.
When: July 30
Where: Inglewood, 9 Ave SE between 11th and 14 St.
How Much: Free
What to Bring:
- Your antiques! Inglewood is antique central in the city and the festival is host antique appraiser, Brian Lehman, a la The Antiques Roadshow.
- Your appetite. Besides delicious local food vendors, bottomless-pits may want to try their hand at the festival’s annual Pie Eating Contest.
- Kids and adults of all ages are welcome to learn new moves at their circus and belly dance workshops.
Tips & Tricks:
- Combine your visit and catch a show at the Fringe Festival before visiting Sunfest.
- See something you like at the fashion show? You’re in luck, the clothes the models are wearing have come straight from the racks of the Inglewood shops.
Fringes are uncensored, non-juried theatre festivals. The first Fringe was in Edinburgh Scotland in 1947 and is now one of the biggest art festivals in the world. Calgary’s Fringe Festival may not be the largest, but it is still extensive with over 180 shows displaying local, national and international talent and creativity spanning nine days throughout Inglewood.
When: July 29 – August 6
Where: Inglewood. In select venues: Lantern Church, Artpoint Gallery, Alexandra Centre, Club Paradiso, Jacqueline Suzanne’s, DaDE Art and Design Lab, Loose Moose Theatre, Cloud Nine Café.
How much:
Individual tickets range from $10 – $15, depending on the performance. If you plan on attending multiple performances, purchase one of three Superpasses, a savings of up to 30 per cent: Frequent Fringer (5 tickets), $ 55; Buddy Pass (10 tickets), $105; Fringe Binger (20 tickets), $200
Tips & Tricks:
- For a free pass, volunteer at the festival. If you work a minimum of 4 hours you’ll receive one free show pass.
- Purchase tickets in advance to avoid line-ups at www.calgaryfringe.ca
- Pick up a program to ensure you know about every event during the festival. You can find programs at Second Cup and local Inglewood merchants starting July 15 or download the free iPhone app (under Fest Finder)
- Don’t wait to see shows, tickets get harder to find as the week goes on.
- It’s not all in the review—keep your ears tuned to word of mouth and see the shows that everyone’s talking about.
- Wander. The festival is bustling with activity. Inglewood is also hosting Sunfest on July 30 featuring street performers, pie eating contest, antique road show and vintage car show. Throughout the week take the time to check out local shops, indoor theatre and visual artwork.
Calgary International Blues Festival
Four days of non-stop outdoor maintstage performances by over 20 local, regional and international blues artists including Roy Rogers, David Gwyn, Janiva Magness, John Mayall and Papa Groove. While there, browse through the art market, on-site shop carrying locally handcrafted items and food vendors or quench your thirst in the beer gardens.
When: August 4 – 7
Where: Shaw Millennium Park
How Much: Advanced: Aug 4, $25 + GST, Aug 5 – 7, $50 + GST, per day; 4 Day Transferable Pass: $139 + GST. The transferable pass is one wristband per day that you can give to a friend if you can’t make it. At the gate: Thur $35; Fri to Sun $60.
Purchase tickets at www.calgarybluesfest.com or by calling the Campus Ticket Centre at 403-220-7202 or at the gate.
What to bring:
- Cash. Although some vendors may accept credit cards, this is a cash only venue. There will be ATMs on site, however lines can get long quickly.
- Chairs and blankets to sit on. Chair legs must be 12” or less.
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, bug repellent
- Water
Tips & Tricks:
- You can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages into the park
- Purchase tickets in advance if you can to avoid line-ups at the gate
- Flexible pass is great for sharing and can help you save on cost
- Look at the festival line-up in advance at www.calgarybluesfest.com to make sure you see all your favourite artists
A celebration of international cuisine and an opportunity to indulge in sample-size menu items from 30 restaurants around Calgary like barbecue beef ribs from Ric’s Grill, Caribbean Choice’s J
amaican patties and China Rose’s ginger beef. Wash it down with beverages like homemade sangria from Highlander Liquor Store, Alley-Cat Beer, a selection from Mill Street Brewery or any of the other 20-b
everage company’s samples. While you meander through the vendors, listen to live music at the Taste Stage.
When: August 11 – 14
Where: Outside Eau Claire Market, 200 Barclay Parade Square SW
How Much: Each ticket costs $1. The number of tickets per item range from 1 – 5 tickets. Each vendor will have at least one “Toonie Taster”—an item that is $2 or less.
What to Bring:
- Water bottle—although there are drinks for sale, this is a great way to save on cost and make sure you stay hydrated on a sunny day.
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
- Bathing suits and towels for small children, the venue is right beside the Eau Claire kids wading pool
- Friends
- A big appetite!
- Lots of toonies
Tips & Tricks:
- Even though the menu items are sample size, you can still share most of them and split the cost with a friend so that you can taste even more dishes.
- Try every Toonie Taster, it’s a less expensive way of getting a taste of everything
- Get out of your comfort zone and try things you haven’t before, who knows, you may discover a new favourite dish or restaurant
- ATM & washrooms can be found inside Eau Claire Market
Calgary International Reggae Fest
Not just for reggae fans, Reggae Fest is a full day family event that transcends racial, cultural and musical boundaries—here, everything’s irie. The main draw is live performances from Canadian and international Reggae artistes, including this year’s headliners Chino, Freddie McGregor, Lenn Hammond and New Kingston. Get a taste of Caribbean culture from the many food vendors or partake in some authentic arts and crafts. The festival draws thousands of “Rastagarians” each year, and is a culturally rich celebration, not to mention, out-and-out fun.
When: August 18 – 20
Where: Shaw Millennium Park, At the corner of 9 Ave and 11St SW
How Much: Advance tickets: $30 adult, $15 sen/youth (13 – 17) Gate tickets: $40 adult, $20 sen/youth.
What to Bring
- The family. The festival is kid-friendly has a special Youth Area with face painting, bouncy castles, basketball court and a craft tent.
- Your “riddim.” Reggae music was made for dancing, find your rhythm when the beat gets going.
- Running shoes. Shaw Millennium Park is also host to basketball courts, catch a quick game between acts.
- Cyclists are encouraged to bring their bikes as there will be bike racks available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Tips & Tricks
- Before the event, head to the Cantos Music Foundation on Aug 4 for a special Music@Noon presentation about the history of reggae.
- There are other events going on around the city, including an Artiste Showcase at the Ship ‘n’ Anchor Pub, a free downtown performance at Olympic Plaza Thur, Aug 18 at noon.
- Parking is extremely limited, so public transportation in recommended. The festival site is two blocks west of the 10th Street SW C-Train station.
An annual evening outdoor multi-cultural celebration with 24 pavilions showcasing up to 60 cultures from around the world. See everything from heritage and cultural dress and interactive performances to ethnic food kiosks, and a Night Market featuring handcrafted arts and crafts. When darkness falls, The Fireworks Festival lights up the night with vibrant fireworks from international teams. This year, see displays from China, Philippines, Canada and Italy.
When: August 19 – 27
Where: Elliston Park
How Much: $15 a day, under 5 free; Globalpass, $62.50
What to Bring:
- A sweater – after sunset Calgary temperatures cool down.
- A blanket and/or lawn chairs to sit on during the fireworks.
- Mosquito repellent (lots of it!).
Tips & Tricks
- Take your bike—bicycle racks are free of charge on a first come first serve basis.
- Set up your blanket early in the evening to secure a comfortable sitting area.
Bringing the sizzle to Prince’s Island Park for the past 15 years, this festival is a celebration of all things Latino, from Cuba to Caracas. Live music fills the park throughout the day with headlining acts in the evening, including the return of the Compadres with Oscar Lopez and James Keelaghan, as well as returning favourite Wil Campa Orchestra from Cuba. Expo Latino 2011 promises to bigger than ever, with a larger dance floor, expanded children’s area and more delicious food vendors.
When: August 26 – 28
Where: Prince’s Island Park
How Much: Friday, Aug 26 – $10; Saturday, Aug 27 – $15; Sunday, Aug 28 – $15. Weekend passes – $25, can only be purchased in advance.
What to Bring
- Your dancing shoes. This isn’t your typical lawn chair festival, guests are encouraged to get up and dance.
- Your appetite. There are 15 food vendors bringing flavours from all over Latin America, including the crowd favourite Empanada Queen.
- Sunscreen and water. If you’re dancing away in the late August sun, make sure to keep hydrated.
- A sweater. Once the sun goes down, the temperature can drop considerably.
Tips & Tricks
- For a sneak peak of the festival, make sure to catch the opening ceremonies in Olympic Plaza, with live music and free admission.
Stay, Dine, Do
