Design Week
August 6 to 8 | Multiple venues | designweekcalgary.com
Have you ever walked through downtown Calgary and noticed just how beautiful this city can be? Well, the folks over at the Design Talks Institute, or d.talks, are familiar with this feeling, and you’ll find plenty of others who agree at Design Week. This festival celebrates design and creativity, with a focus on urban design. Attend talks, presentations, workshops, interactive exhibitions and more. Many of the events are free; just register ahead of time on their site.
High Park Movies with a View
August 6, August 20, and September 3 | High Park | beltlineyyc.ca
Sit in the bustling downtown core every other Thursday night through the end of summer for High Park Movies with a View. Watch old favourites and explore new films, all projected in 4K onto a 30-ft inflatable screen. On August 6, catch Tekkonkinkreet, a 2006 anime film about two orphans facing the threat of yakuza taking over their town. My Friend Dave 2 plays on August 20, the second documentary from the grassroots My Friend Dave project, which supports marginalized and vulnerable men. Finally, on September 3, settle on the High Park grass for Zombieland, the much-beloved 2009 post-apocalyptic comedy zombie flick.
AfricFest
August 7 to 9 | Eau Claire Plaza | africfest.com
After a successful one-day fest that saw over 5,000 attendees, AfricFest is back for another year. It’s an outdoor cultural festival celebrating the diversity and expressions of different African cultures. Over three days, enjoy African food and drinks, music, dance, fashion, and storytelling. The fest is family-friendly, with plenty of interactive activities like arts and crafts to keep everyone entertained.
Alberta On The Plate
August 7 to 16 | Multiple venues | albertaontheplate.com
Hope you’re feeling hungry this month because Alberta on the Plate is back with local food you’ve never tasted before. This annual food festival challenges restaurants to create a multi-course prix fixe menu using Albertan produce, meat, and craft beverages. Some restaurants to hit up during the week include Friends with Benedicts, Blue Star Diner, and Lulu Bar.
Carifest
August 13 to 16 | Cowboys Park | carifestcalgary.com
It’s the 45th anniversary of Calgary’s Carifest, a multi-day festival where Caribbean culture and music shine. Every day of the festival has something different to offer, from a family-friendly “Vintage Vibes” celebration with live DJs playing classic Caribbean tracks to “Carnival in the Park,” featuring live performances, food trucks, cultural showcases, a beer garden and a parade. The festival wraps up with the “Reggae Cool Down,” where chilled reggae vibes help you wind down after all the fun over the weekend.
Expo Latino
August 14 to 16 | Prince’s Island Park | expolatino.com
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Western Canada’s largest Latin festival, Expo Latino. From mouth-watering Latin food to dance workshops to live musical performances, Expo Latino is a weekend packed with good vibes. This year’s festival secured Unotopic as its headliner, a rising star in Latin music and R&B.
Cloud Juice Classic Lawn Bowling Tournament
August 15 | Rotary Park Lawn Bowls Club | eightyeightbrewing.ca
Did you know that Eighty-Eight Brewing holds an annual lawn bowling tournament? They do, and it’s an absolute blast, whether you’re a lawn bowling champ (unlikely) or just a lover of good beer and burgers (almost definitely). Register a team of four for $200, and you’ll get a minimum of four games of lawn bowling, eight drink tickets, and four meals. Additional drinks and food are available throughout the day from Eighty-Eight and their friends at Portland Pizza. There are prizes for the winning team and for the best costume.
DandyFest
August 22 | Dandy Brewing Company | thedandybrewingcompany.com
The humble patio party that started in 2018 has blossomed into a one-day music and beer festival you don’t want to miss. The DandyFest party kicks off at noon and features two stages with over 10 performers playing through the fest, plus over 10 guest breweries on-site serving samples so you can taste a variety of new drinks. Dandy promises plenty more surprises on the day of, so dodge the FOMO and get your tickets now.
GlobalFest
August 27 to 30 | Spruce Meadows | globalfest.ca
GlobalFest just got a new venue over at Spruce Meadows and a schedule filled with four days of fireworks fun. The countries and cultures featured this year are Japan, Mexico and Italy, with a global finale taking place on the final day. Come hungry, because there’s food from all over the world served up by GlobalFest’s food vendors.
ReggaeFest
August 28 and 29 | The Rise, St. Patrick’s Island | reggaefest.ca
After a tumultuous few years of venue changes and challenging weather, ReggaeFest is ready for a killer festival. Catch performances from big names in reggae like Leroy Sibbles, Jemere Morgan and Louie Culture, along with plenty more shows from small and up-and-coming artists. You’ll be outside under the sun (hopefully) so pack the sunscreen and bug spray, and be sure to hydrate so you can dance all the way into the night.
Fiesta Filipino
September 4 to 7 | Eau Claire Plaza | @fiestafilipinoyyc
Celebrate the Filipino community and culture at this year’s Fiesta Filipino. Since 2015, the festival has been finishing the summer off right with Filipino food trucks, live performances, cultural showcases and more. The family-friendly event also features a kids’ zone filled with traditional Filipino children’ s games. The best part? You can join in on the fun for free!
VegFest
September 5 | Sunalta Community Association and Hub | calgaryvegansociety.com
If you’ve got a passion for plant-based food or just want to expand your culinary horizons, check out VegFest. After successful markets over the past few years, Calgary Vegan Society is bringing all of Calgary’s best vegan food into one location. Grab bites from various vendors and food trucks while enjoying live entertainment throughout the day. Entry to the festival is by donation, so come with a few bucks.
