Whether you’re a night owl who loves nicknacks or a flower-loving free spirit, Calgary has something for everybody when it comes to community street festivals.
From the first blooms of the Lilac Festival in early June to the dazzling fireworks of GlobalFest in August, the city transforms into a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity, and community from spring to fall. Whether you’re into food, flowers, animals, Mardi Gras, music, sun, art or all the above, there’s a street festival for it and it’s coming soon to a community near you.
Calgary is bursting with all sorts of street markets and festivals across the city, big and small, new and established, and these events are what really bring the city’s communities to life, says Vibrant City founder Jennifer Rempel.
“The entire purpose behind street festivals is to highlight and enhance the unique identity of neighbourhoods,” Rempel explains.
For example, she says, the Inglewood Sunfest encourages visitors to spend a day in the city’s most historic neighbourhood, while the Lilac Festival acts as Calgary’s unofficial kick-off to the festival season, with more than 500 vendors spanning several blocks.
“It not only showcases the vibrant energy of 4th Street but also rekindles and celebrates all the distinctive elements we love about this community,’ Rempel says of the city’s most notable festival in Mission.
A few weeks after that, the East Village Street Fair lights up Canada Day while Taste of Calgary and Taste of Asia provide Calgarians with delicious food and drink adventures. Music lovers will feel at home at East Town Get Down in the city’s International Avenue area.
Rempel says many street festivals in Calgary occur within Business Improvement Areas (BIA’s), which are business associations that unite to promote their neighbourhoods through various community-focused initiatives.
“That’s why you’ll typically find Calgary’s street festivals centred around these BIA’s, highlighting their unique local character and uniting communities through shared experiences,” she adds.
More than that, though, Rempel says these events unite Calgarians while also bringing out the best of what makes Calgary a wonderful place to live, work and play. “Street festivals are deeply woven into the fabric of Calgary’s communities. They provide a platform for neighbourhoods to highlight their unique character, foster local pride, and bring residents together,” Rempel says.
“Over the years, these festivals have evolved from modest gatherings to major events that attract tens of thousands of attendees.”
From its humble beginnings in 1989, the Lilac Festival now draws over 100,000 people in just one day annually.
“This growth reflects not only the increasing popularity of these events but also their significance in uniting communities and celebrating local culture,” Rempel adds.
Whether you’re dancing in the streets, discovering your new favourite local band, or just soaking up the sun with a cold drink, street festivals and markets also offer Calgarians a chance to support local businesses, which is more important than ever in light of a trade war and American tariffs.
“In the current economic climate, supporting local businesses has become even more crucial. Rising costs and economic uncertainties have put added pressure on small enterprises,” Rempel says, adding that a sizable portion of money spent locally stays within the community.
“By participating in local festivals and choosing to buy from local vendors, consumers help sustain these businesses, preserving the unique character and diversity of Calgary’s neighbourhoods.”
Rempel believes street markets and festivals are vital engines for Calgary’s local economy and cultural identity.
“They provide a platform for local businesses, artisans, and entrepreneurs to showcase their offerings, directly contributing to the city’s economic health,” she says.
“By attracting both residents and tourists, these festivals increase foot traffic and sales for local vendors, many of whom rely on such events for a significant portion of their annual income.”
Pam Mullen Schneider of MS. Crafty, a local engraved gifts business, echoes that sentiment. She started participating in community markets at the end of 2024 and says these events have been a terrific way to raise awareness of her business.
“Local markets help you get your face in front of people in the community, pass out business cards with links to your social media and take custom orders,” she says.
“It’s also great to make connections with other vendors and network. Vendors are great about supporting each other, and it’s basically a way to shop, but with a sense of pride and community.”
So get out there and hit a market, Calgary!
