Festivals in Calgary
Think of any genre that you can, and Calgary has all those festivals for
you! Music, folk, film, or the festivals of the literary world, the city
offers endless varieties of festivals that interest everyone in the city!
These festivals have been in tradition for decades and now have become the
blood and soul of the city, which brings all cultures together under one
roof! Here are some of the epic festivals in Calgary that will spark
interest in you in every field.
1) Calgary Folk Fest
The comfort festival of the city,
The Calgary Folk Music Festival
, which started out as a small two-day event on three stages in 1980, has
expanded into its current four-day extravaganza, which features concerts and
signature collaborative sessions on eight stages, featuring both iconic and
brilliant up-and-coming artists from all over the world, in addition to
Block Heater and other year-round programming.
2) Calgary International Film Festival
A six-day event started in 2000 is now an 11-day-long event with more than
30,000 people attending the festival; yes, it is the
Calgary International Film Festival
. 200 multi-genre feature and short films from Canada and abroad are
provided with a platform for filmmakers from Alberta and beyond to interact,
network, and gain knowledge. It is the largest film festival in Alberta and
was qualified for an Academy Awards Oscar and a Canadian Screen Award!
3) Calgary International Beerfest
Canada hosts the
Calgary International Beerfest
, where usually more than 500 domestic and foreign beers are available at
the event, along with food vendors and live music. Mingle with other beer
lovers, savor a range of craft beers from around the globe, and take in live
entertainment. Put a fun-filled day of beer tastings and celebrations on
your calendars!
4) WordFest
With writing workshops, panel talks, and book launches,
WordFest
features a wide variety of writers, poets, and publishing experts. It began
its journey in 1996 and has since expanded to become one of Western Canada's
most prestigious literary events, drawing a wide range of fanatic readers
and book enthusiasts. It simply connects the world’s best audiences with the
world’s best authors.
5) Calgary Dragon Boat Festival
One of the premiere sporting events and family-friendly festivals in the
city is the
Calgary Dragon Boat Festival
. Dragon boat racing and cultural events mix up perfectly here with a main
stage for music and entertainment, a beer garden, retail merchants, many
local food trucks, and so many more fun things to do. It draws over 1250
competitors and 3000 spectators every year.