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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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