Historic Calgary Week
Historic Calgary Week offers a blast of the past as it explores our city’s history through 88 events that include walking tours, talks and more. Now in its 34th year, this year’s festival looks at the theme of Community Builders. Visit chinookhistory.ca for more information about this year’s events, which run from July 26 to August 5.
Taste of Calgary
One of Calgary’s biggest food festivals returns this month and if you’re going, you’ll want to arrive with an empty stomach. At Taste of Calgary, expect dozens of restaurants, food trucks, breweries and distilleries offering a wide range of tasty bites ranging from pork belly sisig from Amihan Grill + Bakeshop to lobster rolls from Blowers & Grafton. Admission is free during the festival’s run from August 1 to 5, and you can purchase food using $1 taste tickets (dishes are typically two to seven tickets each). Visit tasteofcalgary.com for more information.
BUMP Festival
Running from August 3 to 18, BUMP Festival is back and promises plenty of fun with mural tours, an outdoor movie screening, an urban art conference, The Trinity KiKi Ball & Rave and more. And, of course, keep your eyes peeled for the new murals artists will paint over the month. Visit yycbump.ca for more information.
Calgary Fringe Theatre Festival
With the tag line “anything goes theatre” you never know what you’ll find at this annual festival that includes online and in-person theatre, comedy and art. In-person events take place in various venues in Inglewood from August 2 to 10. Visit calgaryfringe.ca for more information and tickets.
Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival
Head to North Glenmore Park from August 9 to 11 to cheer on the competitors as they take part in the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival. Now in its 32nd year, the free event includes a market with vendors and food trucks, a kid’s zone, beer gardens and more. Visit calgarydragonboatsociety.com for more information.
Alberta on the Plate
Farmers, producers, restaurants — they all play an important part in Alberta’s food industry. This month, celebrate and support them during Alberta on the Plate, a food festival running from August 9 to 18 that highlights the products and stories of local farms and producers with prix-fixe dinners available at local restaurants. More than 20 Calgary restaurants are taking part this year, including Deane House, Oxbow, The Coup, Primary Colours and more. Visit albertaontheplate.com for a full list of participants and more information.
Marda Gras
On August 11, bring the whole family to Marda Loop for Marda Gras, a huge street festival that offers something for everyone. There will be live music, dancing, a pet photo booth and pageant, local vendors and more. The festival runs along 33rd Avenue S.W. from 19th to 22nd Street, and will be on from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free! Visit visitmardaloop.com/mardagras for more information.
Carifest
One of Calgary’s favourite cultural festivals, Carifest celebrates Caribbean culture, food and costumes with this three-day event from August 16 to 18 at Cowboys Park (formerly Shaw Millennium Park). Don’t miss the fabulous costumes in the parade along Stephen Avenue from Olympic Plaza to Cowboys Park from noon to 2 p.m. on August 17. For more information, visit carifestcalgary.com.
GlobalFest
This popular multicultural festival returns to Elliston Park for five nights this month, showcasing international food, cultural pavilions, performances and more. But the biggest highlight is the fireworks presentations put on by teams from different countries each night. Catch Spain’s fireworks display on August 15, Brazil’s on August 17, Mexico’s on August 20, USA’s on August 22 and the Canadian-produced finale on August 24. Visit globalfest.ca for more information.
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
If you need a laugh this month, snap up some tickets for The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival take place in Prince’s Island Park from August 23 to 25. Catch headliners like Russell Peters, Tom Segura, Iliza Shlesinger, Bobby Lee, Hannah Berner, Zarna Garg and more. Visit greatoutdoorscomedyfestival.com for more information.
Plaza for All
The only thing better than a great concert is a great concert that’s free to attend. So, on August 28, don’t miss this free concert presented by Arts Commons with Emerson Drive and Kyle McKearney in Olympic Plaza. There will also be food trucks and bar service at the event. Visit artscommons.ca for more information.
Calgary Pride 2024
Celebrate and support Calgary’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community during Calgary Pride. There will be multiple events to check out from August 26 to September 1, including the Calgary Pride Festival in Prince’s Island Park on August 31 and September 1. And of course, don’t miss the Pride Parade on September 1. Visit calgarypride.ca for more information.
