Pack your sunscreen, a floppy hat, and plenty of water – it's time for some summer festivals! Whatever your interests, there's fun and festive events coming up this summer that we think you'll love.
Calgary Comedy FunnyFest
June 1 – 11 - ON NOW!
More than 70 performers across this 11-day event tickle your funnybone with all kinds of humour. FunnyFest is a non-profit organization hosted by a flock of volunteers for the betterment of our mental health and well-being. Shows average 90-120 minutes in length.
FunnyFest also offers seminars and workshops for you to learn comedy writing for speeches, improve your public speaking, and even learn stand-up comedy yourself!
Sled Island Music Festival
Sled Island Music Festival June 21 – 25
An eclectic music festival, Sled Island is one of Canada's best-kept festival secrets. More than 250 bands, comedians, filmmakers, and artists come together to feed the creative cravings of more than 30,000 attendees. Calgary becomes an art lover's paradise during this five-day festival.
This year's lineup includes musical guests such as Faith Healer, Crims & Flow, DJ Quik, and dozens of others. And don't forget the now legendary wrap-up karaoke at Broken City!
Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede July 7 – 16
This one goes without saying, of course. The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth returns once again to fill our cravings for rodeo, parade, midway, concerts, and all the deep fried Mars bars we can handle.
Musical guests this year include Johnny Reid, Garth Brooks, Katy Perry, Keith Urban, Usher & the Roots, and so many more. The Coca-Cola stage will showcase Nickelback, Marianas Trench, Carly Rae Jepson, and more.
Taste of Okotoks
July 22
It may feel like a quaint little town, but this event is out of this world. Enjoy a vast selection of delicious food samples, as well as pedestrian-friendly activities such as live music, face painting, and boutique shopping from local artisans.
Food and drink tickets are $1 each, with most samplers costing between $1-10 tickets. Please note that pets are not permitted at this event.
Inglewood Sunfest
July 29
This outdoor festival is a suitable kickoff to the Calgary Fringe Festival (seen below.) Free to attend, Inglewood Sunfest offers pie eating contests, street performers, highwire artists, and a highly anticipated bouncy castle. And of course, there will be fabulous vendors and food! Bring the family over to the community of Inglewood on July 29th for this spectacular affair.
Calgary Fringe Festival
August 4 – 12
If you have never been to the Fringe Festival before, you're missing out on some of Calgary's best talent. Local entertainment at its finest — uncensored and uninhibited — offers something for everyone. Enjoy improvisation, storytelling, and other theatrical productions over this nine-day event for a total of more than 160 performances. 100% of ticket revenue goes straight to the artists, so this is a fantastic way to support your own local talent directly.
Calgary is vibrant this summer, sizzling with plenty of festivals to suit your unique kind of fancy. Keep your eye out for more fantastic festivals, and let us know what we missed!
