Calgary is a great city for enjoying a wide variety of festivals: food, international culture, music and more … there really is always something to celebrate! The festival season in Calgary is great fun, and many festivals are free! So without further ado… here are the summer festivals coming up in Calgary and the area.
Lilac Festival | June 7, 2026
Kick off Calgary’s spring and summer festival season at the annual Lilac Festival on 4th St SW! This festival features blocks of great vendors plus plenty of fantastic entertainment. Depending on the year, this could mean you find a bouncy castle for the kids, a new band to love, and food trucks, among other great attractions!
Okotoks Children’s Festival | June 20, 2026
Bring the whole family out for a full day of artistic and theatrical entertainment and activities at the Okotoks Parade and Children’s Festival. The parade starts at 10 AM, and the Children’s Festival kicks off directly after the parade at 11 AM in the fields outside the Okotoks Recreation Centre.
Rath Yatra: Festival of Chariots | June 20, 2026
Ratha Yatra, the Festival of Chariots, begins the procession at Eau Claire Ave and 6 St and ends at the Enmax Stage on Prince’s Island Park. Then you can enjoy a Hindu cultural festival. There is usually vegetarian and vegan food, music and dance, a kids’ area, and more!
Chalk the Block Street Festival | June 27, 2026
Head to Montgomery for the Chalk the Block Art Competition and Street Festival! It’s a vibrant day of art, community, and summer fun. You can watch talented artists transform the streets into colourful masterpieces and explore a lively street market with local vendors. There will be music and entertainment, plus games and activities for all ages.
Mexifest | July 3 – 5, 2026
Mexifest is a family-oriented, multicultural arts and entertainment festival highlighting Mexican culture, with great entertainment, including dancers, live bands, and a wrestling ring with real luchadores (wrestlers) from Mexico! Of course, you’ll also get to enjoy the most authentic and delicious Mexican food, vendors, and more. There is free admission from 10:30 AM – 12 PM on July 3, 2026.
Fiestaval Latin Festival | July 17 – 19, 2026
Fiestaval Latin Festival is a free, family-oriented, multicultural, arts and entertainment festival highlighting the Latin American culture. Each year, this festival attracts a full weekend of dancers, singers, and musicians who are all excited to share their culture with the rest of Calgary. There will be lots of artisan vendors to explore, a kids’ area, and of course, who can forget all the amazing food showcasing the different cultures and countries!
Omatsuri | July 17 – 18, 2026
“Omatsuri” is the Japanese term for a “traditional festival.” Visitors to this festival will be treated to authentic Japanese customs, featuring traditional music, dance, and song, as well as food, vendors, and more! Look forward to activities for the kids, galleries of local Japanese arts and crafts, and several food kiosks featuring traditional Japanese cuisine.
Calgary Folk Fest | July 23 – 26, 2026
The Calgary Folk Fest is Calgary’s most family-friendly music festival, designed for everyone, from kids to grandparents. It offers a rich sense of community with the mutual enjoyment of music and other activities, including a Family Zone with children’s entertainment. Plus, kids 12 and under get in for free!
Bow Valley Boot Stomp | July 24 – 25, 2026
Bow Valley Boot Stomp is Cochrane’s small-town country festival with big energy and hometown heart. Get ready for high-energy performances, friendly faces, and the kind of festival experience where lines are shorter, and you’ve got space to breathe.
Inglewood Sunfest | July 25, 2026
Come out to a feisty summer festival in the heart of Inglewood, and seize the Sunfest! At Sunfest, there will be something everyone in the family will love. Enjoy free entertainment — discover a great new band or be amazed by the street performers. Shop local vendors or go searching for trendy fashion. With loads of activities, there is no shortage of summer fun!
Calgary Blues Fest | July 30 – August 2, 2026
Bring the family down to The Confluence for summertime fun! The Calgary Blues Fest is presenting concerts and special events. Enjoy world-class music, a colourful arts market, and delicious cuisine from local food trucks. Kids 12 and under are free.
Taste of Calgary | July 30 – August 3, 2026
Taste of Calgary is the city’s most appetizing festival, giving visitors the chance to sample the city’s food, beverages, music, and other cool things. Discover Calgary’s many cuisines, plus get a taste of Calgary’s great musicians and a variety of artisans and vendors! Admission to the festival is free. Food tickets are $1 each, and items range from 2 – 7 tickets.
Calgary Fringe Festival | July 31 – August 8, 2026
The Fringe Festival is coming to Calgary! Fringes are “anything goes” theatre festivals, and there is usually some kid-friendly stuff. Anything goes in this theatre venue, so come prepared for the quirky, the wacky, or the simply unconventional. Tickets and show schedules are available online, and you can search for Kids Fringe to find family options.
Tour de Bowness Street Festival | August 3, 2026
Tour de Bowness is the largest amateur cycling event in Alberta and is fun for the whole community. Cheer on the racers while you visit the Bowness Street Festival for a day of racing, great food, live music, and local vendors and artisans.
Dragon Boat Festival | August 7 – 9, 2026,
Come to North Glenmore Park for the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival! From a 2000-year-old Chinese legend, Dragon Boat Racing remains a tradition to this day. The dragon boat competition illustrates camaraderie, teamwork, and inspiration. Enjoy FREE entry, a Kids’ Zone, a marketplace, and more.
Marda Gras Festival | August 9, 2026
Marda Gras is a FREE, family-friendly event on the streets of Marda Loop in Calgary — and it’s Calgary’s longest-running street festival! On August 9, 2026, enjoy this pedestrian-friendly, car-free day with your friends and family, shopping locally and reconnecting with the community. There is a full lineup of live music, dance, and entertainment for all ages.
Carifest | August 14 – 16, 2026
Calgary’s Carifest celebrates Caribbean arts and culture every August. Enjoy reggae music and Caribbean entertainment, food, art and more. Head to Cowboys Park and check out this vibrant, colourful festival!
Globalfest | August 27 – 30, 2026
GlobalFest just announced a new location. Stay tuned for more details!
On select nights from August 27 – 30, 2026, it’s time for GlobalFest! This celebration of Calgary’s multicultural communities has normally featured pavilions, performances, international food, children’s activities, and fireworks that you just won’t want to miss. But we don’t have all the information for 2026 yet, so check back.
Franco Festival | September 11 – 12, 2026
Franco Festival shares the cultural richness of Calgary’s large Francophone community, celebrating the many Francophone cultures, from Africa to Europe, through Asia and the Americas. Head to Cowboys Park for live music, food, and art, plus a free outdoor movie on September 11, 2026, at 7 PM. It’s vibrant, FREE, and family-friendly fun!
Honens Music Festival Open Air Concert | September 12 and 13, 2026
As summer’s rays fade into fall, the Honens Festival, which runs from September 10 – 13, 2026, presents a live outdoor music concert. On September 12 or 13, 2026, bring your sunglasses and a picnic blanket to soak up the warmth of the September sun in Calgary or High River and enjoy a family-friendly, open-air concert.
