A global celebration with fireworks and 600 drones is coming to Calgary

GlobalFest is returning to Calgary this August with four nights of international fireworks, cultural celebrations, live entertainment, and a brand-new home at Spruce Meadows.

This year, the festival is bringing a fresh new experience to the city with bigger grounds to explore and more ways to celebrate before the night winds down with a spectacular show in the sky.

Here’s a closer look at what’s planned for this year’s festival.

Everything happening at GlobalFest this year

If you’ve been to GlobalFest before, you might remember the festival lighting up Elliston Park in southeast Calgary for more than two decades. This year, the celebration is entering a new chapter as it moves to its new home at Spruce Meadows. According to GlobalFest, the move was to create more room for programming, improve access and parking, and allow the festival to continue growing.

And while the location may be changing, many of the things that make GlobalFest a summer favourite are staying the same. Guests can still expect four days filled with cultural experiences and live entertainment, along with the signature fireworks and drone show.

Each night of GlobalFest will bring a different theme to the celebration, giving guests a chance to experience different cultures from around the world. Night one will celebrate Japan, and you will be able to enjoy a special car showcase where car enthusiasts will compete for a chance to take home a $2,000 grand prize.

Night two will shine a spotlight on Mexico, filling the festival grounds with mariachi music, Mexican food vendors, and colourful performances. Italy will take over on the third night, with cultural showcases and Italian-inspired experiences.

And the festival will wrap up with the World Finale, featuring a synchronized show with more than 600 drones lighting up the sky.

Tickets, timing and location

GlobalFest will take place from Thursday, Aug. 27 to Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, at its new Spruce Meadows home. Gates will open each evening at 5, giving you plenty of time to explore the grounds before the fireworks begin. The fireworks and drone shows will start once the sun goes down, with displays expected to start around 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $35 for adults and $15 for children, with VIP options also available for those looking to upgrade their experience. Tickets must be purchased online ahead of the event, so be sure to secure your spot before heading out.

The warm summer evenings won’t last forever, and GlobalFest is a pretty good excuse to get outside before fall arrives. Spend the night exploring new cultures, trying food from around the world and watching the sky light up with fireworks and drones.

When: Thursday, Aug. 27, to Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026
Time: Gates open at 5 p.m. daily
Where: 18011 Spruce Meadows Way, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Adults: Starting at $35, Children: Starting at $15

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Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

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