You can feel it in the air, at the grocery store or when you’re trying to correct your Uber Eats order. People are beginning to get pretty antsy – which is why we’re here to remind you guys that it won’t be much longer until we find our new normal (assuming all of us continue to follow the guidelines). As we begin a new, we’ve got another 12 months full of fun things to look forward to, and for that, we can be thankful! Here are just 10 of those major Calgary events that we’re hoping come through for us in 2021…. even if they do look different.
Note: These are tentative dates that will be subject to change depending on COVID measures as the year progresses.
GLOW FESTIVAL
Get ready, folks! Glow YYC is back and brighter than ever. Every year, this free to attend event practically takes over the downtown core with luminescent displays, food, activities, fire pits, and pop-up ice patios – which, for all of your romantics out there, does in fact make for the ultimate winter date.
When: Thursday, February 11th – 14th
Where: Downtown Calgary
CHINOOK BLAST
This year, in order to warm the hearts of YYC locals and fun-seeking visitors, even in the coldest of weather, the city of Calgary is gearing up for Chinook Blast, which would have been a 6-week festival full of food, entertainment, lights, and community spirit in collaboration with 55 local businesses. Now, the festival is expected to be shortened, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for some awesome programming.
When: Thursday, February 11th – 28th
Where: Downtown Calgary
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CALGARY COMIC EXPO
The Calgary Comic Expo began rescheduling for 2021 the moment that this past year was cancelled due to COVID. Luckily, their upcoming April date hasn’t budged since! We think it’s safe to say that they’ll be excited to get back to it – and so will we.
When: Thursday, April 22nd – 25th
Where:1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
ALBERTA INTERNATIONAL BEER FESTIVAL
We think that we all deserve a stiff one (or 10) after what we’ve been through. This April, like every year before it, Alberta International Beer Fest will once again, take Calgary to Tasty Town and we could not be more excited. Consider our bags packed, our shades on, and our hangover kits ready.
When: Friday, April 30th – May 1st
Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park, Calgary
LILAC FESTIVAL
Food, live music, drinks, local vendors, and sun! That’s what we prescribe to all of you for 2021, and we’re happy to announce that you’ll be able to get everything mentioned above from the 2021 Lilac Festival, which as we type this will be hitting the streets of Calgary’s 4th Avenue this June.
When: June 2021
Where: Between 13th Avenue South and Elbow Drive
THE CALGARY STAMPEDE
It’s safe to say that 2020 just wasn’t the same without our mid-year, city-wide honky-tonk. As predicted, we made it through and on the other side is going to be a crazy, all-out welcome back party. Stampede 2021 is a go and we think it might turn out to be the biggest ever.
When: Friday, July 9th – 18th
Where: 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
CALGARY FOLK FEST
The Calgary Folk Fest has run strong for 43 years, getting nearly 53,000 people to gather annually in Prince’s Island Park for good music, good food, and sunshine. Because of this, it’s safe to say that we all missed out on something super special last summer. Luckily, these guys will be back this July with a new lineup, and a new outlook.
When: Thursday, July 22nd – 25th
Where: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary
GLOBAL FEST
Big booms are coming, Calgary! This August (as of right now) YYC’s favourite firework festival will take to the sky and our stomachs. From music, beer, food and choreographed pyrotechnics – we’re ready and waiting for Global Fest to return.
When: Thursday, August 19th – 28th
Where: 1827 68 St SE, Calgary – Elliston Park
COUNTRY THUNDER
We hope you didn’t hang up your hats for good after last year’s cancellation! This August, Country Thunder and all of its crazy shenanigans, artists, and food trucks will be back – and probably bigger than ever.
When: Friday, August 20th – 22nd
Where: 223 Castleridge Blvd NE, Calgary – Prairie Winds Park
CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Our eyeballs are ready! This September CIFF will be back with new films, new ideas, new showtimes, and a new platform. For the first time ever, these folks offered their lineup online, so it’ll be interesting to see if this changes anything going forward.
When: Thursday, September 23rd – October 3rd
Where: 999 8 Street SW, Suite 260, Calgary
There you have it, folks. 10 major Calgary events that we can look forward to in 2021. We’ve gotten this far, friends – we will make it. Keep your chins up, your hands clean and continue to be kind to each other. A vaccine is here – and our sanity isn’t far behind.
