Calgary is one of Canada’s fastest-growing and most diverse cities. Every summer, cultural festivals give communities a chance to celebrate their heritage while inviting others to join in.
Some of these traditions have deep roots in the city, dating back more than a century, while others continue to emerge as the city grows.
Calgary’s summer festivals celebrate communities from around the world. Among them are FiestaVal and the Calgary Japanese Festival Omatsuri, two long-running events that bring thousands of people together each year.
FiestaVal Latin Festival
When: July 17 to 19, 2026
Where: Eau Claire Plaza, 200 Barclay Parade S.W.
fiestaval.ca
FiestaVal began nearly two decades ago as a small celebration of Latin American culture. “Back in the day, there was only one small Latin festival in the city,” says Christian Greiffenstein, FiestaVal event director. The event was well-received from the start and continued to grow each year.
Today, FiestaVal features dozens of food vendors, artisan booths, community organizations and live performances representing cultures from across Latin America. It’s returning to Eau Claire Plaza, its new location last year. This time, the lineup includes Colombian salsa group Orquesta 33, Dominican band Fulanito, Chilean rock legends Los Prisioneros, bachata artist Michael Romance, and more.
“We bring people from anywhere that is close by as long as they’re good and [it’s within our budget],” says Greiffenstein. The organizers try to make the festival diverse, as Latin America has a lot of countries with microcultures inside each of them.”We try to be as diverse as possible and make everybody happy with our choices.”
Greiffenstein estimates that roughly half of attendees come from Latin American backgrounds, while the other half are Calgarians interested in learning about different cultures.
“They come and dance, and they drink their cervezas, and they’re super happy to be there and to share with us.”
One of the festival’s goals is to challenge stereotypes. “The ultimate goal of our festival is to show a different face, a different story and a different way of looking at our countries,” says Greiffenstein. “When I tell people I’m from Colombia, they’re like, ‘Oh, drugs, Pablo Escobar.’ But there’s so much more to the country.”
His advice for first-time visitors is simple: come with an open mind. “Order something that you can barely pronounce and let the music be contagious.”
Calgary Japanese Festival Omatsuri
When: July 17 to 18, 2026
Where: Max Bell Centre, 1001 Barlow Trail S.E.
calgaryjca.com/events/omatsuri
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Omatsuri, the Calgary Japanese Festival. What began as a small community event in Bridgeland-Riverside with around 1,000 attendees has grown into a festival that now attracts up to 8,000 visitors from across Alberta.
“I really like to look at the festival through two lenses,” says Danny Seo, Co-Chair of the CJCA’s annual Omatsuri Festival Committee. “There is the lens of Japanese culture, with so much depth, history, and tradition that we can tap into. The other lens is the unique experiences of Japanese Canadians who live and have lived in Alberta for a long time.” The festival has become a collaborative effort involving Japanese Canadian communities from across the province, including Edmonton and Lethbridge.
One of the signature events is Bon Odori, a traditional dance accompanied by taiko drumming. This year’s program also includes martial arts demonstrations, traditional and contemporary music, cultural exhibits, and a Friday night market inspired by Japanese Obon festivals with lanterns, games, and food stalls.
For Seo, the festival is not just about celebrating culture in the present but also about preserving it for the future — a way to bridge the gap between generations, passing on traditions, stories and cultural knowledge.
“I think young people have a tremendous role in carrying that legacy for the older generation,” he says.
The Omatsuri organizing committee includes members and volunteers from all walks of life, ranging in age from their 20s to their 50s. Some grew up in the community, while others joined through a specific interest in Japanese culture, whether it’s tea, music or something else. Seo himself first became involved through a personal interest that eventually grew into a commitment to a larger community.
“Of course, there are days and nights where it’s a lot to juggle, but this is the village that I chose to enter and remain,” he says. “I want to ensure we have a meaningful festival, continue to build our reach, and hopefully find the next Danny to share my passion.”
Festivals All Season
MexiFest Mexican Arts & Cultural Festival
Where: Eau Claire Plaza
When: July 3 to 5
Nepali Mela & Multicultural Showcasing
Where: Prairie Winds Park
When: July 18
Peru Fest YYC
Where: Calgary Hellenic Banquet Hall
When: July 25
Incredible India Fest
When: August 3
Where: The Westin Calgary Airport
Philippine Calgary Summer Festival
When: August 8 to 9
Where: Prairie Winds Park
Carifest
Where: Cowboys Park
When: August 14 to 16
Muslim Heritage Day Festival
Where: Eau Claire Plaza
When: August 22
Fiesta Filipino
When: September 4 to 7
Where: Eau Claire Plaza
