Enjoy the last few weeks of summer at one of Calgary and area’s August festivals! Stampede may be over, but there is still plenty to do with family and friends in Calgary and the surrounding area. Festivals are a great way to spend a day or a weekend, with plenty of food, entertainment and shopping available for all ages. From film series to food tastings, there is something for everyone to enjoy this August:
When: First four Wednesdays in August
Where: Spruce Meadows
18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW
Admission: $20 per vehicle
This August, Spruce Meadows is hosting a “Movies in the Meadow” film series with movies that are sure to appeal to the whole family. The film series kicks off with the Lion King and movies to another classic, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The last two showings are current blockbuster hits Avengers: Infinity Wars and Jumanij.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online. The doors open at 7:30 p.m., but please note that the movies don’t actually start until sunset. It is still recommended that visitors arrive when the doors open to reserve a spot and enjoy the other entertainments Spruce Meadows has to offer. Opening at 7:30 p.m. are two eateries as well as a snack tent, and there will be entertainment for kids like a carousel, bouncy castle and more.
When: August 16 – 25
Where: Elliston Park
1827 68 St SE
Tickets: $20 for general admission
Each year, GlobalFest provides a fantastic display of fireworks from pyro musical artists from around the world, including Ukraine and Spain. While guests will be able to enjoy the light display to orchestra music, the artists themselves will be working hard to ensure their performance meets the criteria set out by a panel of judges. GlobalFest is also one of Calgary’s most multi-cultural festivals not just because of the international entertainment, but also the cultural food and beverages available at their Ethnic Food Booths. There are also beer gardens available for adults, and a Children’s Village with entertainment, games and activities for small children. Be sure to arrive at the festival grounds early in order to get a good viewing spot! The festival provides general seating, but guests are also encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to view the show in the park.
Tickets can be purchased from a variety of retailers including Co-op and Marlborough Mall, or online here.
When: August 3 – 11
Where: Various locations in Inglewood
Tickets: $10-15 depending on the show
The annual theatre festival will host over 160 performances at various locations in the Inglewood area of Calgary over nine days. A mix of 26 different local, national and international productions will be available for guests to enjoy in support of the artists behind each production. This year’s line-up includes performances from local performers like All Request Heartache, Cage Match Improv and Fake Gnus.
Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets for the show they want to see in advance online, but they can also be purchased on the day of at the main information booth or at the door. However, tickets must be paid with cash for tickets purchased on the day of. People will also need to purchase a Fringe Button to attend any of the shows at the festival. The $5 can be purchased online during the ticket purchasing process, or on the day of. The button also gives guests discounts at local shops and restaurants.
When: August 9 – 12, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Eau Claire’s Festival Plaza
Barclay Parade and 3 Street SW
Tickets: Free, sampling tickets are $1
For the past 22 years, a Taste of Calgary has been providing Calgarians the opportunity to experience food from the many restaurants and beverage companies that call Calgary home. There will also be food to sample from Calgary’s Food Trucks, a market for guests to shop at, and performances from local musicians. The 2018 menu will be posted to the website in the coming days so guests can get an idea of what vendors will be available for them to sample.
While sampling tickets can be purchased at the door, they can also be purchased in advance online for a reduced rate.
Calgary Dragon Boat Race and Festival
When: August 10 – 12
Where: North Glenmore Park
7305 Crowchild Trail SW
Tickets: Free
This popular water sport festival will kick off with exhibition races and a kick-off party on Friday night before the actual race begins Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. Be sure to arrive at the festival grounds early to reserve your parking spot and viewing location, as this festival is expected to draw crowds of up to 4,000 people. In addition to the races, there will also be entertainment and a few ceremonies throughout Saturday and Sunday, as well as plenty of festival-fare, like food trucks, beverage stands, cultural entertainment and more. There will also be a beer garden and family fun zone for guests to enjoy in between the races.
This event is free for all ages, and because of the high popularity, it is often difficult to find parking. View a map of the available parking online here, or consider traveling to the festival on your bike if possible, as there will be plenty of bike racks available!
