Festivals
A guide to summer festivals celebrating of art, music, plays, film and food.
Edmonton
JUNE
NEXTFEST
Until Jun 14 / The Roxy Theatre
nextfest.ca
A multidisciplinary event featuring hundreds of young and emerging artists, including dancers, musicians and theatre performers. The focus is on professional development and networking for youth.
NATIONAL VOCAL ARTS FESTIVAL
Until Jun 28 / various venues
nuovavocalarts.ca
NUOVA Vocal Arts presents Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Brigadoon, a romantic fantasy, and the contemporary comic opera Speed Dating Tonight! Cabarets and masterclasses are also offered.
FREEWILL SHAKESPEARE
Jun 17–Jul 12 / Heritage Amphitheatre
freewillshakespeare.com
The festival’s long-awaited return to Hawrelak Park will feature Much Ado About Nothing and Something Rotten! with matinees and evening performances.
ALBERTA CIRCUS ARTS FESTIVAL
Jun 18–21 / various venues
albertacircusarts.com
Aerialists, acrobats and circus performers. The films Wild Aerial and Embers show Sasha Galitzki performing in Banff and post-wildfire Jasper.
EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Jun 19–28 / various venues
edmontonjazz.com
This year includes the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra performing with the ESO and Caity Gyorgy.
THE WORKS ART & DESIGN FESTIVAL
Jun 19–Jul 1 / Churchill Square
theworks.ab.ca
Free art exhibitions, massive site-specific installations, workshops and performances.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
Jun 21 / various venues
edmonton.ca/indigenous-peoples-day
Dance, music and heritage, this year honouring Indigenous hockey players of Alberta.
IMPROVAGANZA
Jun 25–28 / Rapid Fire Theatre
rapidfiretheatre.com/improvaganza
Sketch comedians and improv teams from around the world.
JULY
GRINDSTONE COMEDY FESTIVAL
Jul 2–12 / Grindstone Theatre
grindstonecomedyfest.com
The seventh edition of this annual festival of stand-up, improv and sketch comedy.
INTERNATIONAL STREET PERFORMERS FESTIVAL
Jul 3–12 / Churchill Square
edmontonstreetfest.com
These 10 days of free, all- ages fun include acrobats, musicians and circus acts.
FOUND FESTIVAL
Jul 9–12 / various venues
commongroundarts.ca/found-festival
Music, dance, theatre and visual art in unconventional venues.
WHYTE AVENUE ART WALK
Jul 10–12 / Whyte Avenue
art-walk.ca
Alberta’s oldest and largest non-juried visual arts festival features over 400 creators.
TASTE OF EDMONTON
Jul 16–26 / Churchill Square
tasteofedm.ca
Sample Edmonton restaurants.
KDAYS
Jul 17–26 / EXPO Centre and Exhibition Grounds
k-days.com
Rides, fireworks, food and concerts by Mother Mother, Down With Webster and more.
AUGUST
EDMONTON HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Aug 1–3 / Hawrelak Park
heritagefest.ca
A free multiculturalism celebration with food, music and dance from over 90 countries.
EDMONTON FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL
Aug 6–9 / Gallagher Park
edmontonfolkfest.org
Corb Lund, Joel Plaskett, Cat Power and many more perform.
CARIWEST FESTIVAL
Aug 7–9 / Churchill Square
cariwest.ca
Western Canada’s largest Caribbean arts festival.
EDMONTON FRINGE FESTIVAL
Aug 13–23 / various venues
fringetheatre.ca
More than 210 productions, featuring 1,600+ performers in over 35 venues.
EDMONTON LOVE AND UNITY REGGAE FESTIVAL
Aug 15 / Hawrelak Park
edmontonreggaefestivalsociety.ca
Family-friendly fun, live music and Jamaican cuisine.
MUSLIM HERITAGE FEST
Aug 15 / Churchill Square
www.instagram.com/muslimheritagefest
Halal cuisine, henna and an Islamic cultural marketplace.
EDMONTON PRIDE FESTIVAL
Aug 21–23 / Churchill Square
edmontonpridefest.com
The 2SLGBTQ+ and QTBIPOC communities are celebrated at this annual parade and party.
SEPTEMBER
PURPLE CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sep 11–13 / various venues
www.purplecityfest.com
An independent underground multi-genre music festival.
KALEIDO FAMILY ARTS FESTIVAL
Sep 18–20 / Alberta Avenue
kaleidofest.ca
Art, music, theatre and dance in alleys and parks and on roofs.
EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Sep 24–Oct 3 / various venues
edmontonfilmfest.com
Over 150 films across all genres from around the world.
Calgary
JUNE
SLED ISLAND
Jun 17–21 / various venues
sledisland.com
This edition of the five-day multi- genre music festival is curated by clipping. from Los Angeles and includes Black Country, New Road, HOMESHAKE and Etran de l’Aïr.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
Jun 21 / various venues
heritagepark.ca/indigenous-peoples-day
Heritage Park’s day-long celebrations will include a powwow, Indigenous music and storytelling.
JAZZYYC SUMMER FESTIVAL
Jun 22–28 / various venues
jazzyyc.com/summer-festival
Headliner performances include Hiromi’s Sonicwonder, Mark Lettieri Group, Raul Midón and Elysia Biro.
JULY
CALGARY STAMPEDE
Jul 3–12 / Stampede Grounds
calgarystampede.com
This year’s musical programming includes Alanis Morissette, A$AP Rocky, The Beaches and William Prince.
OMATSURI JAPANESE FESTIVAL
Jul 17, 18 / Max Bell Centre
calgaryjca.com
Martial arts performances, Japanese cuisine, traditional dance and sake tasting.
FIESTAVAL
Jul 17–19 / Eau Claire Plaza
fiestaval.ca
A three-day fiesta with over 30 food vendors as well as national and international artists performing Latin music.
CALGARY FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL
Jul 23–26 / Prince’s Island Park
calgaryfolkfest.com
Headliners include Corb Lund, Foxwarren, Of Monsters and Men, The Psychedelic Furs, Thundercat and Valerie June.
TERMINUS: RESONANCE
Jul 23–26 / Dickens Pub
terminus-festival.com
A synth, electronica, post-punk and darkwave music festival.
INGLEWOOD SUNFEST
Jul 25 / Inglewood
inglewoodsunfest.ca
Over 200 booths, buskers and food trucks take over 9th Ave every summer.
CALGARY BLUESFEST
Jul 30–Aug 2 / The Confluence
calgarybluesfest.com
The lineup includes Garret T. Willie, Bob Stroger, Dexter Allen, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne and a tribute to the late Tim Williams by Tony D.
TASTE OF CALGARY
Jul 30–Aug 3 / Cowboys Park
tasteofcalgary.com
Sample global cuisine from local restaurants for $2–$8.
CALGARY FRINGE FESTIVAL
Jul 31–Aug 8 / various venues
calgaryfringe.ca
A “boutique” fringe festival with open-access theatre for live and online performances.
AUGUST
TOUR DE BOWNESS RACE + FESTIVAL
Aug 1–3 / Bowness
www.tourdebowness.com
A short city circuit race and Montgomery Hill climb are accompanied by street performers, live music and local vendors.
BUMP FESTIVAL
Aug 1–17 / Beltline
yycbump.ca
The 10th anniversary of this festival that commissions large-scale murals and public art pieces. To date, over 165 murals have been painted across Calgary.
CALGARY DRAGON BOAT RACE AND FESTIVAL
Aug 7–9 / North Glenmore Park
calgarydragonboatsociety.com
Over 1,800 competitors and 4,000 spectators partake in this free annual race.
MARDA GRAS
Aug 9 / Marda Loop
visitmardaloop.com/mardagras
The city’s oldest street festival is a family-friendly car-free day.
CARIFEST
Aug 14–16 / various venues
carifestcalgary.com
Caribbean culture presented with a parade, costumes, music and island cooking.
EXPO LATINO
Aug 14–16 / Prince’s Island Park
expolatino.com
Western Canada’s largest Latin festival. Unotopic closes out the 30th anniversary year.
GLOBALFEST
Aug 22–29 / Spruce Meadows
globalfest.ca
Renowned international fireworks, multicultural pavilions, food and music.
GREAT OUTDOORS COMEDY FESTIVAL
Aug 28–30 / Prince’s Island Park
greatoutdoorscomedyfestival.com/calgary
The lineup includes Bill Burr, John Mulaney and Tig Notaro.
CALGARY REGGAEFEST
Aug 28, 29 / St. Patrick’s Island
www.reggaefest.ca
Reggae artists from across the globe perform.
CALGARY PRIDE FESTIVAL
Aug 31–Sep 6 / various venues
calgarypride.ca
A new city-wide format presents a multi-faceted experience of 2SLGBTQIA+ culture.
SEPTEMBER
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Sep 24–Oct 4 / various venues
ciffcalgary.ca
More than 200 films from Canada and across the world.
North
JUNE
FALHER HONEY FESTIVAL
Jun 12–14 / various venues
honeyfest.ca
Candle-making, bee beards, live music and family fun.
LA COREY FARM FAIR AND RHUBARB FESTIVAL
Jun 19, 20 / Willow Prairie Hall
goeastofedmonton.com/farm-fair
This year adds a contest for tallest and thickest rhubarb stalk.
WHITECOURT
PARTY IN THE PARK FESTIVAL
Jun 19, 20 / Festival Park
www.whitecourt.ca/party-in-the-park
Street performers, face painting and music from Prism and Scenic Route to Alaska.
DRIFTPILE NORTH COUNTRY FAIR
Jun 19–21 / Driftpile Valley
northcountryfair.ca
This solstice music festival features My Son the Hurricane, The Uncas, Buns and more.
FORT MCMURRAY MÉTIS FEST
Jun 27, 28 / MacDonald Island
mcmurraymetis.org/metis-fest
A free weekend of music with an artisan market and talent show.
ATHABASCA THE MAGNIFICENT RIVER RATS FESTIVAL
Jun 30, Jul 1 / Riverfront Park
riverratsfestival.ca
The 30th edition of this festival of regional music.
JULY
EVANSBURG
WILD ROSES FESTIVAL
Jul 10–12 / Aspen Country Hills
www.wildrosesfestival.com
Over 50 music performances, workshops and presentations focused on women’s health, allyship and creativity.
FORT MCMURRAY FOOD FESTIVAL
Jul 17–Aug 31 / various venues
www.fortmcmurrayfoodfestival.com
Special Taste of YMM menus, a chili cook-off and pub crawls.
COLD LAKE AIR SHOW AND FULL THROTTLE FESTIVAL
Jul 18, 19 / various venues
coldlakeairshow.com
A downtown festival with live music and a beer garden accompanies the air show.
LAC LA BICHE POW WOW DAYS
Jul 30–Aug 3 / Bold Centre
laclabichepowwowfishderby.com
After long being known as Summer Days, this event returns to its roots with fireworks, music, a midway, car show and fish fry.
BEAVERLODGE PEACE COUNTRY GOSPEL JAMBOREE
Jul 31–Aug 2 / South Peace Centennial Museum
www.peacecountrygospeljamboree.com
Lisa Brokop, Steeple Creek, Chosen Road and more perform at this gospel festival.
AUGUST
GRANDE CACHE
CANADIAN DEATH RACE
Aug 1, 2 / Central Park
sinistersports.ca/deathrace
This 118-km ultramarathon includes more than 17,000 feet of elevation change.
ST. ALBERT ROCK’N AUGUST
Aug 3–8 / various venues
www.rocknaugust.com
The 30th anniversary of this festival of cars and live music. The event raises money for the Alberta Diabetes Foundation.
SLAVE LAKE
SUMMER BEACH FEST
Aug 8, 9 / Devonshire Beach
www.communityfuturessl.com/beach-fest
This year’s theme is “Prehistoric Shores” and features fossil digs, dino costume race and fireworks.
GRANDE PRAIRIE
BEAR CREEK FOLK FESTIVAL
Aug 14–16 / Muskoseepi Park
bearcreekfolkfest.org
Headliners include The Trews, Fred Penner, Tenille Townes and Tom Cochrane.
JACKFISH LAKE
BRO-TEL BACKYARD FESTIVAL
Aug 14–16 / John Dudar Park
brotelbackyardfestival.com
Started as a backyard concert for local talent, it now features international talent.
COLD LAKE EXTREME MUDFEST
Aug 20–23 / Cold Lake Rodeo Grounds
extrememudfest.com
Musicians Jason Blaine and Merkules headline this festival that includes mud races for vehicles and runners and extreme bull-riding.
SEPTEMBER
ALBERTA CULTURE DAYS
Sep 1–30 / various venues
www.alberta.ca/alberta-culture-days
The province’s month-long celebration of arts, heritage and community is featured in many northern towns.
COLD LAKE FEAST AT THE BEACH
Sep 4, 5 / Kinosoo Beach
feastatthebeach.ca
More than 10,000 people congregate over Labour Day weekend for music, food trucks and a kids zone.
JASPER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sep 11, 12 / Commemoration Park
jasperfolkmusicfestival.ca
This family-friendly event features Moontricks, Allison Russell, Wyatt C. Louis, The Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer and more.
GRIMSHAW
HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL
Sep 11, 12 / mainstreet
mightypeace.com/harvest-moon-festival
An open-air market with food trucks, corn-eating contest, pie auction, car show and music by Fox and the Hounds.
Central
JUNE
BANFF CENTRE SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL
Through Sep / various venues
banffcentre.ca/summer-arts-fest
Over 100 concerts, workshops and literary events. This year’s lineup includes IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild, with Hunter Noack playing piano outdoors.
BEAUMONT MUSIC FESTIVAL
Jun 19, 20 / Fairgrounds
beaumontmusicfestival.ca
Musical acts include Big Sugar, TOQUE and Royal Tusk.
SYLVAN LAKE 1913 DAYS
Jun 19, 20 / various venues
visitsylvanlake.ca/1913days
The heritage of this lake town is celebrated with a parade, soap box derby, pancake breakfast, music and more.
MILLET DECIMATE METALFEST
Jun 26, 27 / Agriplex Arena
www.decimatemetalfest.com
Riot City, The Convalescence and Squidhammer play this loud music festival that also hosts air guitar contests and platforms local youth bands.
RED DEER CENTREFEST
Jun 27, 28 / Ross Street and Little Gaetz
centrefest.ca
An international festival of street performers with fire-breathing, acrobatics and comedy.
JULY
VEGREVILLE PYSANKA FESTIVAL
Jul 3–5 / Vegreville Agricultural Society Grounds
pysankafestival.com
The theme of the 53rd edition of this Ukrainian festival is “Celebrating Food & Drink.”
YELLOWHEAD COUNTY VIBESTOWN FESTIVAL
Jul 9–12 / Range Rd 152
vibestownfestival.com
Electronic music and art in the birch forest near Edson.
SHERWOOD PARK RAVENWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL
Jul 10, 11 / Broadmoor Lake Park
ravenwoodexperience.com
Bands include Ahead by a Century, Captain Tractor and Pushing Ginger.
VEGREVILLE MEDIEVAL FAIRE
Jul 10–12 / Stampede Grounds
medievalfairescanada.com/vegreville
Don robes, armour and gowns to watch live jousting and explore a Viking Village.
RED DEER WESTERNER DAYS
Jul 15–19 / Westerner Park
westernerdays.ca
A parade, live music, rodeo, market, rides and fireworks.
CAMROSE BLUES FEST
Jul 17–19 / Bailey Theatre
camrosebluesfestival.ca
With Ollee Owens, Harry Manx, Samantha King Band, Donald Ray Johnson and more.
OKOTOKS TASTE OF OKOTOKS
Jul 18 / downtown Okotoks
okotoks.ca/taste-okotoks
Riverside Drive is closed for local food sampling.
NEW NORWAY WILLOWS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Jul 18–20 / The Willows Rustic Retreat
thewillowsretreat.ning.com
Charlie Jacobson, Ann Vriend and more play intimate shows.
VERMILION FAIR
Jul 23–25 / Agricultural Grounds
www.vermilionag.ca
The 120th edition of this annual rural celebration.
CAMROSE BIG VALLEY JAMBOREE
Jul 30–Aug 2 / Camrose Regional Exhibition
bigvalleyjamboree.com
This year’s lineup includes Old Dominion and Keith Urban.
MULHURST BAY PIGEON LAKE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Jul 31–Aug 2 / Hilah Ayers Wilderness RV Park
www.plmf.ca
With popular CanCon artists The Tea Party, Headstones, Chilliwack and Sass Jordan.
AUGUST
CANMORE FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL
Aug 1–3 / Centennial Park
canmorefolkfestival.com
“Where music meets the mountains.” The lineup for this year’s festival includes Barney Bentall, Begonia, Sarah Harmer, William Prince and Aladean Kheroufi.
VEGREVILLE COUNTY FAIR
Aug 5–9 / Vegreville
vegag.ca/fair
Agricultural Society Grounds A midway, chuckwagon and chariot races, antique tractor pulls, camping and more.
ROSALIND ROCKIN’ IN THE COUNTRY
Aug 7–9 / ball diamond
www.tourismcamrose.com/rosalind-music-festival
Music from Mexico and Canada provides a soundtrack for weekend camping. Trevor Panczak, Bandidos Band, The B34ST mx and more perform.
SEPTEMBER
BANFF INTERNATIONAL STRING QUARTET COMPETITION
Sep 3–6 / Banff Centre
banffcentre.ca/bisqc
Includes Calgary-born Banff Centre alumnus Jan Lisiecki performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Banff Festival Orchestra.
SYLVAN LAKE CULINART
Sep 12 / various venues
visitsylvanlake.ca/culinar
The lakefront is transformed into a walkable festival featuring food samples, art and music.
South
JUNE
MILO LIELOW MUSIC FEST
Jun 12–14 / Hope Lutheran Church
lielowmusicfest.com
The lakeside village hosts a multi-genre music festival with Kacy & Clayton, Clinton St. John, CG Tears and more.
MEDICINE HAT JAZZ FEST
Jun 16–21 / various venues
medicinehatjazzfest.com
The 30th edition will feature, among others, Jason Marsalis, Kristin Korb and Mary Ancheta.
LETHBRIDGE PRIDE FEST
Jun 20 / Galt Gardens
lethbridgepride.com
Pride in the Park features live entertainment, food trucks, beer gardens and a marketplace.
JULY
MILLARVILLE RACES
Jul 1 / Millarville Race Track
millarvilleracetrack.com
Begun in 1905 and featuring thoroughbred, stock horse and ladies’ sidesaddle races.
LETHBRIDGE CENTRIC MUSICFEST
Jul 2–5 / various venues
centricmusicfest.com
An annual classical and art music festival.
LETHBRIDGE STREET MACHINE WEEKEND
Jul 10–12 / various venues
streetwheelers.com
This gathering of classic, muscle and sports cars features a show and shine and 100-foot dash.
FORT MACLEOD SOUTH COUNTRY FAIR
Jul 17–19 / Fish and Game Park
southcountryfair.com
The 2026 edition of this popular folk, blues and rock festival features Secondhand Dreamcar, Eva Kabande, Catherine MacLellan and more.
SUNDRE SHADY GROVE BLUEGRASS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Jul 17–19 / Rodeo Grounds
foothillsbluegrass.com/shady-grove
Live music, workshops, informal and facilitated jams and an open mic night are featured over a weekend of camping.
TABER CORNSTOCK ’26
Jul 23–25 / Ken McDonald Sports Park
spiderentertainment.ca/cornstock-26
Headliners include Streetheart, Big Wreck, Sass Jordan, Colin James and Headpins.
VULCAN VULCON
Jul 24–26 / various venues
https://www.vulcantourism.com/vulcon
This annual convention for trekkies will host guests from Star Trek’s long history, including Michelle Hurd and Sean Kenney. A Trekkie Brekkie and cosplay parade are highlights.
LETHBRIDGE WIDE SKIES MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
Jul 28, 29 / Park ’n’ Ride Rooftop
wideskiesmusicfest.org
This festival presents music with a view and focuses on sustainable event practices. Hosted by the Geomatic Attic.
CROWSNEST PASS HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Jul 30–Aug 3 / various venues
cnpheritagefest.ca
Walking tours of heritage sites such as the Miners’ Path, Frank and Crowsnest cemeteries, plus live music and local food.
DRUMHELLER LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL
Jul 31–Aug 2 / Dinosaur Downs Speedway
loudashell.ca
A metal festival headlined by Fallujah and Allegaeon.
AUGUST
MOSSLEIGH SOUTHERN ALBERTA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Aug 8, 9 / Aspen Crossing
southernabfest.ca
Folk artists perform in support of STARS air ambulance.
LETHBRIDGE WHOOP-UP DAYS
Aug 18–22 / Exhibition Park
agrifoodhub.ca/whoop-up
This over-125-year-old event has a parade, rodeo, midway, pow wow and pageant.
MEDICINE HAT HEART OF THE HORSE
Aug 21–23 / Cypress Centre
theheartofthehorse.ca
This horse show has competitions for ranch horses and colt-starting.
PINCHER CREEK HUCKLEBERRY FESTIVAL
Aug 22 / Castle Mountain
skicastle.ca/huckleberry-festival
The ski resort’s summer celebration includes berries, chairlift rides and live music.
TABER CORNFEST
Aug 27–29 / Confederation Park
taberchamber.ca/Cornfest
This celebration of Taber’s famous corn also features a parade, music, rides, show and shine and fireworks.
SEPTEMBER
LETHBRIDGE WORD ON THE STREET FESTIVAL
Sep 19 / downtown Lethbridge
thewordonthestreet.ca/lethbridge
Readings, discussions and a Canadian book marketplace.