You can enjoy perogies, live entertainment, and Ukrainian culture at this Calgary festival

If your idea of a good weekend involves food, music, and dancing, Calgary has something lined up that brings it all together in one place. The Calgary Ukrainian Festival is back this month with a full weekend of perogy eating competitions, live performances, cultural celebrations, and so much more. The event is packed with activities from morning to evening, with no shortage of things to see, try, or listen to.

A full weekend of food, music, and celebration

According to organizers, the event is held at the Acadia Recreation Complex and brings together food, entertainment, and cultural celebrations in one space. The food is a huge focus, with perogies and tons of other Ukrainian dishes, and drinks available throughout the weekend.

One of the most talked-about parts of the festival is the perogy-eating competition, and it’s coming back bigger than ever this year. The competition will run over both festival days and feature a brand-new format, with over 35 teams joining in. You can expect lots of cheering, a bit of chaos, and plenty of perogies.

Beyond that, the weekend is packed with live performances by Ukrainian ensembles, a vibrant market featuring authentic goods, cultural demonstrations, and workshops for both kids and adults.

Another huge standout part of the festival is the Zabava — the late-night celebration that brings music, dancing, and a more social atmosphere to the daytime event as it winds down.

Keeping Ukrainian traditions alive in Calgary

According to organizers, the Calgary Ukrainian Festival is designed to share Ukrainian culture in a way that feels vibrant, welcoming, and easy to experience. The festival recognizes the Ukrainian immigrants who settled across Canada more than 125 years ago, and the generations that have worked to keep those traditions alive ever since.

Rather than just showcasing performances, the weekend focuses on preserving and passing down cultural practices in a way that still feels relevant today.

So if you’re looking to immerse yourself in Ukrainian culture, the Ukrainian Festival is the perfect way to do that. It brings together a full weekend of celebration that feels lively and welcoming, where culture isn’t just something you learn about, but something you actually get to experience.

When: Saturday, June 6, to Sunday, June 7, 2026
Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Acadia Recreation Complex – 240 90th Ave. SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors

Recent posts:
Calgary’s ultimate Stampede pop-up market is returning this month
This tiny Alberta village is considered the ‘Perogy Capital of the World’

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