It's Time to Get Out and Enjoy Calgary's Best Festivals!
I have to say that I am looking forward to Calgary's full line-up of festivals this coming spring and summer (2015). If you are as enthused as I am about getting out to some of YYC's best events, then you'll definitely want to check out our list of must-visits that run through to the fall season.
Calgaryism's top festival choices for spring and summer 2015:
Calgary Festival Season 3
Lilac Festival
- When - Sunday, May 31st, 2015, 10:00am to 6:00pm
- Where - 4th Street SW btw 13th Ave S - Elbow Drive
- Cost - free
With over 100,000 visitors every year, the 4th Street Lilac Festival is one of the most popular spring events around. Brimming with countless food vendors, street buskers, live bands, artisan shops and friendly faces, this festival is one not to miss. Get to the restaurant street side patios early to watch from the sidelines if walking lots isn't your thing.
FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival
- When - May 28th to June 7th, 2015
- Where - multiple venues
- Cost -20.00 a show per person
If you like laughing and having a good time, then the FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival should be on your list of things to do this May / June. You are guaranteed to be walking away after whichever show you attend with sore ribs from laughing so much.
Sled Island Music Festival
- When - June 24th to June 28th, 2015
- Where - multiple venues
- Cost -50.00 to349.00
The Sled Island Music Festival is one of the biggest and most eclectic music festivals on all year in Calgary. See any of the 250 plus bands performing you like, and then some more with a great selection of ticket options. Events are held at several top-notch venues around YYC, mostly in the inner city and downtown areas.
Calgary International Blues Festival
- When - July 27th to August 2nd, 2015
- Where - Shaw Millennium Park
- Cost -30.00 to129.00
Do you love the blues, maybe some jazz or perhaps that genre in between? If so, then you'll be pleased when you visit the Calgary Bluesfest this summer, a world class event featuring talents from a handful of international countries. Seven days of non-stop music will be played over its four days of duration - now that's some bang for your buck!
Fiestaval Latino Festival
- When - July 17th to July 19th, 2015
- Where - Olympic Plaza (downtown)
- Cost - Free
Fiestaval Latino Festival is one of the biggest multicultural arts / entertainment celebrations there is in YYC with a focus on the rich and diverse cultures of Latin America. There are lots of things to do and see at Fiestaval including shopping at vendors, enjoying live music and entertainment plus much more.
Calgary Stampede
- When - July 3rd to July 12th, 2015
- Where - Stampede Grounds
- Cost -10.00 to20.00
The Calgary Stampede, dubbed "the greatest outdoor show on Earth", is one of the best and most celebrated summer festivals in YYC. If you choose to visit just one of these spring or summer festivals listed, this should be the one! Keep a heads up for the new food vendors in 2015, you may just find a new stampeding favourite!
Folk Music Festival
- When - July 23rd to July 26th, 2015
- Where - Festival Hall
- Cost -25.00 to169.00
The Folk Music Festival showcases some of the most unique music genres out there - performed by over 70 artists from 14 different countries - making this summer event one not to miss regardless if you are into the folk genres or not.
Chinatown Street Festival
- When - to be announced
- Where - Chinatown
- Cost - free
Sample tasty Chinese cuisines, play a game of traditional Mah-Jong, watch performers work miracles as dragon dancers, shop a variety of wares and more at the Chinatown Street Festival in Chinatown. This event is typically held in late July or early August so keep an eye open for the actual date to be announced!
Inglewood Sunfest
- When - Saturday, August 1st, 2015, 10:00am to 5:00pm
- Where - Inglewood
- Cost - free
What the Sun & Salsa Festival is to Kensington, Lilac Festival to the beltline, Marda Gras to Marda Loop is what the Inglewood Sunfest is to Inglewood; a community event celebrating its diversity through music, food, entertainment and more. Inglewood's connectivity to East Village and RiverWalk makes it an event easily accessible via the river pathways.
Marda Gras
- When - Sunday, August 9th, 2015
- Where - Marda Loop
- Cost - free
Marda Gras is similar to Inglewood Sunfest when it comes to having a variety of food vendors, live entertainment, shopping and all the rest that goes with. But then and again, Inglewood and Marda Loop are two Business Revitalization Zones with many different things to see and do, and plus, it's the weekend after Sunfest, so why not go to both!?
GlobalFest
- When - August 20th to August 29th, 2015
- Where - Elliston Park
- Cost -7.50 to75.00
GlobalFest is a world-class, international and multicultural fireworks festival held later in summer. During the nine day event, visitors can buy tickets to a number of shows with a theme that represents a particular country of the world. One thing I love about GlobalFest is the tents where you can learn about different cultures and their traditions from all over the world. Let's not forget about the heaps of artisan shops, unique food vendors and everything else offered by this awesome festival event.
Expo Latino
- When - August 28th to August 30th, 2015
- Where - Princes Island Park
- Cost -10.00 to35.00
Expo Latino is another summer celebration of Latin culture similar to Fiestaval Latino Festival when it comes to having live music and entertainment, food vendors and artisan shops to fancy. Lots of differences between the two also exist, like the location for example, with Expo Latino being held in one of Calgary's finest spots for outdoor summer activities - Princes Island Park. Check it out!
Chasing Summer Music Festival
- When - August 7th & August 8th, 2015
- Where - Fort Calgary
- Cost -150 to250+
Chasing Summer, Western Canada's largest outdoor music festival, is only a few months away. With electronic dance music headliners like DJ Tiesto, Afrojack, Dash Berlin, Kaskade, Tritonal and many more headliners from around the world, this is one event that EDM lovers don't want to miss.
Sun & Salsa Festival - Cancelled
Where is the Sun & Salsa Festival on our list? Well, unfortunately the highly popular event has been cancelled this year due to the construction of Kensington by Bucci and Lido, two new condominium developments that will help to revitalize the BRZ's streetscapes.
Don't see one of your favourite up and coming Calgary festivals on our list? Leave us a comment below and we will add them to the list next time!
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