2024 already? You better believe it! A new year is here there are 12 months of fun ahead, but what do you have to look forward to? From markets and music festivals to conventions, holiday must-dos and fireworks shows, here are 30 of the biggest events to look forward to in Calgary in 2024
Ice Magic Festival
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Held at Lake Louise, the Ice Magic Festival is an incredible exhibition highly anticipated and a favourite amongst travellers and locals alike. During the festival, visitors will be encouraged to skate, take in a sporting event or two, grab a hot cocoa and of course, watch regular chunks of ice become castles dragons and animals right before their eyes.
When: Friday, January 26th-28th and February 2nd-4th, 2024
Where: 111 Lake Louise Dr, Lake Louise, AB
YYC Hot Chocolate Fest
The sweetest festival of the year! The annual YYC Hot Chocolate Festival kicks off this February with a ton of restaurants and cafes around the city participating. You can hit one, hit a couple, or hit them all, the city is your oyster.
When: Thursday, February 1st-29th, 2024
Chinook Blast
Cold hands and warm hearts! Get ready, Calgary – because the city is gearing up for Chinook Blast, a multi-week festival full of food, entertainment, lights, and community spirit in collaboration with local businesses. It’s going to be huge!
When: Friday, February 2nd–19th, 2024
Where: Downtown Calgary
Snow Rodeo
Back again, The Calgary Snow Rodeo is a weeklong festival that will feature world-class snowboarders, trick riders and so much more. Don’t miss it, it’s going to be wild!
When: Thursday, February 8th-11th, 2024
Where: 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW, Calgary
Block Heater Music Festival
Featuring a ton of local and Canadian artists, The Block Heater Folk Festival will take over Calgary’s inner city this February. Interested in checking it out? Hit the link above for tickets!
When: Thursday, February 15th – 17th, 2023
Where: See locations here
The Calgary Underground Film Festival
Can’t get enough horror, drama, mystery or romance? Calgary’s Underground Film Festival returns for another year of incredible film, impressive writing, and local love this April. Don’t miss it!
When: Thursday, April 18th – 28th, 2024
Where: 617 8 Ave SW, Calgary
Jurassic Quest
Featuring animatronic creatures, fossils and fun – North America’s best and “most realistic” dinosaur expo is back! Jurassic Quest, an imaginative event of epic proportions will return to Canada this spring and Calgary is on this year’s hit list!
When: Friday, April 19th – 21st, 2024
Where: 20 Roundup Way SE, Calgary
Calgary Expo
Featuring celebrity guests, movie reunions, local vendors, and more – the Calgary Expo will return this April, bigger and better than ever. If you’re interested, tickets are actually on sale now. It’s going to be incredible!
When: Thursday, April 25th – 28th, 2024
Where: 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
Alberta International Beer Festival
By May, you’ll definitely have earned a stiff one… or 10! This year, like so many before it, take a sip or a gulp at Alberta International Beer Fest – an event that will take Calgarians on a boozy adventure around the world. Consider our bags packed, our shades on, and our hangover kits ready.
When: Friday, May 3rd – 4th, 2024
Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park, Calgary
YYCaesarfest
Not a fan of beer? Don’t fret! Created by Walter Chell In 1969, the Caesar is deeply rooted in Calgary’s history so it only makes sense that this particular drink is celebrated as well! This year, fans of the drink can hit the Stampede grounds where local bars and restaurants will be showcasing different variations of the boozy bevy all under one roof.
When: Saturday, May 18th – 19th, 2024
Where: 1801 Big Four Trail SE, Calgary
Lilac Festival
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Food, live music, drinks, local vendors, and sun! The annual Lilac Festival will return to 4th Avenue this June and it’s going to be huge! Don’t miss it!
When: Sunday, June 2nd, 2024
Where: Between 13th Avenue South and Elbow Drive
Horror Con
Love horror movies?! Don’t wait until October to enjoy a night of spooks, frights, freaks and fun. This June check out Horror Con, one of the largest gathering of Horror Fans in Canada.
When: Saturday, June 15th – 16th, 2024
Where: 2120 16 Ave NE, Calgary, AB
Sled Island
Sure to return with a kick-butt lineup of artists from a number of genres and backgrounds, Calgary’s Sled Island will take Calgary’s 4th street once again this June. Get ready – this year is expected to be quite a delight! Hit the link above for 2023 updates!
When: Wednesday, June 19th – 23rd, 2024
Where: Venues around Calgary
Canada Day Fireworks
This July celebrate Canada Day with a colourful show. Bring lawn chairs, snacks and your loved ones, then get ready to celebrate!
When: Monday, July 1st, 2024
Where: TBA
The Calgary Stampede Parade
Don’t miss out! In order to celebrate the first day of the Greatest Show On Earth, check out the annual Calgary Stampede Parade – a must-see event featuring floats, performers and crowds of people.
When: Thursday, July 4th, 2024
Where: See the parade route above
The Badlands Music Festival
This July, among all of the Stampede craziness, music lovers are encouraged to kick off their boots in exchange for some dancing sneaks. The Calgary Badlands Music Festival will return in 2024 with featured artists including Loud Luxury and many more.
When: Thursday, July 4th – 14th, 2024
Where: 840 9 Avenue SW, Calgary
Cowboys Music Festival
From Snoop Dogg and Lil Nas X to Marshmello and more, the Cowboys Music Festival has featured a ton of well-known artists, and 2024 will be no different! Get your tickets now!
When: Thursday, July 4th to 14th, 2024
Where: Calgary, Alberta
The Calgary Stampede
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Calgary’s city-wide honky-tonk returns! As always, boot-wearing cow-folk will be encouraged to get down and dirty at the most anticipated event of the year – the Calgary Stampede. More details are to come – so stay tuned!
When: Friday, July 5th – 14th, 2024
Where: 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
Fiestaval Latin Festival
From salsa lessons and authentic food vendors to artisan and community makers, shakers and creators – as well as a beer garden, Calgary’s annual Fiestaval will be one you won’t want to miss when it returns this July – especially because it’s actually FREE to attend!
When: Friday, July 19th-21st, 2024
Where: Olympic Plaza – 228 8 Ave SE, Calgary
Calgary Folk Fest
The Calgary Folk Fest has run strong for over 40 years and has seen thousands of people gather annually in Prince’s Island Park for good music, good food, and sunshine. This year, of course, will be no exception. Check it out!
When: Thursday, July 25th – 28th, 2024
Where: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary
Pet-a-palooza
Described as “THE social event for dogs and their people,” Pet-a-palooza has become a west-coast sensation with it taking over city streets all over Canada and in Calgary. This summer, of course, is no exception, with organizers announcing the return of the furry shindig this sunny season. It’s going to be amazing!
When: Saturday, July 27th – 28th, 2024
Where: Eau Claire Market – 200 Barclay Parade SW #202, Calgary
Inglewood Sunfest
Bouncy castles, local bands and street performances? This year’s Inglewood Sunfest will bring drinks, live entertainment and fun (along with a ton of vendors and artists) to the streets of Calgary. Talk about the perfect summer day in one of Calgary’s hottest neighbourhoods!
Date: Saturday, July 27th, 2024
Location: 9th Avenue SE from 11th to 14th Street
Taste of Calgary
Hungry? This August, Calgarians will get to explore global cuisines from all over the world through an eclectic mix of restaurants and beverage companies! We have a feeling this year will be a good one, so don’t miss it.
When: Thursday, August 1st – 5th, 2024
Where: 311, 8 Street SW
Global Fest
2024 is going to be explosive! This year, Calgary’s Global Fest will take to the sky and our stomachs once again at Elliston Park. From music, beer, food and choreographed pyrotechnics – we’re ready and waiting!
When: Thursday, August 15th – 24th, 2024
Where: 1827 68 St SE, Calgary – Elliston Park
Country Thunder
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Don’t hang up your hats after Stampede, Calgary, because 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 16th – 18th, 2024
Where: 223 Castleridge Blvd NE, Calgary – Prairie Winds Park
Calgary Pride
While dates have yet to be confirmed, Calgary’s Pride Festival is easily one of the most vibrant occasions during any given year. From a parade to inspirational speakers, parties, and more, there will likely be a ton of incredible events happening in and around Calgary this summer so stay tuned!
When: TBA
Where: Various locations
Alberta Day Celebrations
Get ready to party! The third annual Alberta Day will arrive this September! While they have not released any information about the 2024 event we’re sure that there will be a ton of family-friendly programming live performances and more.
When: Sunday, September 1st, 2024
Calgary International Film Festival
Pop the corn, Calgary! This September, CIFF will be back with new films, new ideas, new showtimes, and new artists – so don’t miss your chance to check it out. More details to come!
When: Thursday, September 19th – 29th, 2024
Where: 999 8 Street SW, Suite 260, Calgary
Heritage Inn Balloon Festival
Hot Air balloons are incredibly cool and probably on almost everyone’s bucket lists, regardless of the season. This year “oooh and ahh” while giant inflatables float peacefully overhead and get up close and personal with the pilots at The Heritage Inn Balloon Festival.
When: Wednesday, September 25th – 29th, 2024
Where: MacLeod Tr SW, High River
City of Calgary New Years
Though the ‘when and where’ has yet to be confirmed, this December Calgarians will likely be encouraged to enjoy another year where the city’s annual New Year’s spectacular lights the night. Stay tuned!
When: Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
Where: TBA
And there you have it! 30 major Calgary events that we can look forward to in 2024! Get ready, it’s going to be a good year!
