Here are the best Calgary festivals to check out before summer wraps up

Although summer might be wrapping up sooner than we’d like, Calgary’s festival season still has plenty left in the tank. We’re talking big-name comedians performing outdoors, over 600 drones lighting up the sky and festivals that let you experience cultures from all around the world without leaving the city.

So if your August calendar has a few blank spots, consider this your sign to start filling it up before the weather starts getting chilly again.

And to help you out, we’ve rounded up some of the best festivals to check out during the remainder of the month, so all you have to do is pick a date and decide who you’re bringing along!

Carifest is turning 45 this year, and there’s a full weekend of events planned to celebrate. The three-day festival will kick off with an after-work party on Friday, August 14, before the Carifest Parade makes its way down Stephen Avenue on Saturday, Aug. 15. After the parade, the festivities will continue at Cowboys Park with a Carnival in the Park featuring live performances and family-friendly activities, followed by a reggae concert on Sunday.

When: Friday, Aug. 14, to Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
Time: Time varies based on the event
Where: Cowboys Park – 1220 9th Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free

Western Canada’s largest Latin festival is returning to the city with three days of music, art, dance and culture. The festival takes place at Prince’s Island Park and will feature performances from international stars and local artists, plus cultural pavilions led by Latin American Cultural Ambassadors. You’ll also be able to jump into dance workshops, check out visual arts displays, and learn more about the communities represented throughout the festival.

When: Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
Time: Friday and Saturday: noon to 1 a.m.; Sunday: noon to 9 p.m.
Where: Prince’s Island Park – 698 Eau Claire Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: $35 per day 

The King Eddy has been part of Calgary’s music scene for 120 years, and Eddy Fest is giving you a chance to celebrate that history with a soundtrack. The festival will move through the venue’s different musical eras, with blues, rock, country and singer-songwriter performances. So if you’re the type of person who gets bored listening to the same genre all night, there’s plenty of variety here.

When: Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
Time: Friday: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: King Eddy – 438 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $19

Over 100 food vendors will be making their way to downtown Calgary for Taste of Asia. The four-day festival will fill a parking lot with the flavours, music and culture from communities across Asia. So come hungry, and be prepared to leave with a very full stomach.

When: Thursday, Aug. 20 to Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: 4th Avenue and 9th Street SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free

A new riverside location is giving Calgary’s Muslim Heritage Day Festival a pretty great backdrop this year. The festival will take over Eau Claire Plaza for a full day of international cuisine, shopping and fun activities for the whole family.

When: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Eau Claire Plaza – 101 Barclay Parade SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free

DandyFest is turning Dandy Brewing Company into a one-day music and arts festival, with more than 10 bands performing across two stages. The year’s lineup includes Ada Lea, Charlotte Cornfield, Escape-ism and Sunglaciers. There will also be more than 10 breweries joining Dandy for the day, so you can spend some time tasting beers in between sets.

When: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Time: Noon to 11 p.m.
Where: 2003 11th St. SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free

GlobalFest is back in a new location this year, bringing its celebration of cultures from around the world to Spruce Meadows. Each night will spotlight a different country, with everything from a Japanese car show to mariachi performances. Then, once it gets dark, the sky will fill with over 600 drones, followed by an international fireworks display, to close off the night.

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

Are you in the mood to laugh until your stomach hurts? The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival is bringing some of comedy’s biggest names to Prince’s Island Park. This year’s lineup includes John Mulaney, Bill Burr, Nikki Glaser, and Matt Ride, so expect plenty of laughs and jokes you’ll most likely be repeating to your friends later.

When: Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026
Time: Times vary based on performance
Where: Prince’s Island Park – 693 Eau Claire Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $49

Reggae by the Riverside? Yeah, we’re listening. Reggaefest is heading to St. Patrick’s Island with Jamaican and Canadian artists including Louie Culture, Jemere Morgan and Leroy Sibbles. You can post up by the Bow River with the music going, grab something from the food vendors and, when the beat gets too good to sit still, hit the dance floor.

When: Friday, Aug. 28 to Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
Time: Doors open at 4 p.m.
Where: St. Patrick’s Island – 1300 Zoo Rd. NE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: $45 online, $50 at the gate

How much pickle is too much pickle? Calgary is about to find out. Picklefest is heading over to Big Rock Brewery for one day of briny bites, with more than 40 local vendors serving up all kinds of pickle-inspired creations. It’s all about celebrating the pickle in its many forms, so come prepared to try something new and find out just how far the humble dill can go.

When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Big Rock Brewery – 5555 76th Ave. SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: $24.95

And that’s your August festival lineup. Hopefully this gave you a few plans to help keep you busy while the weather is still on our side.’

Which festival are you checking out?

Recent posts:
A free outdoor rave with DJs from around the globe is coming to Calgary
A Shakespearean garden party with live theatre is coming to Calgary this month

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.

Read articles