Festival season is just around the corner and with sun and fun on our minds we’re gearing up for the best of the best. This year, with what we hope is the worst of the pandemic behind us, events have started promising us that they’ll be back and better than ever – and we can’t wait! From celebrations of food and drink to music and art, here are 12 must-hit festivals coming to Calgary for the spring and summer of 2022.
CALGARY COMIC EXPO
Featuring local and nationally loved vendors, costume contests, workshops and celebrity reunions, the Calgary Comic Expo has announced that it will return this April with some of your favourite, voice actors, cosplay artists and celebrities like Elijah Wood and Michael Rooker.
When: Saturday, April 23rd – 24th
Where: 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
Cost: $22+
CALGARY FOLK FEST
With thousands of fans, Calgary’s Folk Festival is also expected to return with great music, good food and sunshine. Though a lineup has yet to be released, it’ll only be a matter of time until we’re swaying in the grass once again.
When: Thursday, July 21 – 24
Where: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary
LILAC FESTIVAL
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Food, live music, drinks, shopping, and sun! This spring Calgary’s beloved Lilac Festival – and its vendors and artists will be back. It’s been a long time coming, folks – but we’re ready to rock.
When: Sunday, June 5th
Where: 4th street between 13th Ave and Elbow Drive
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Cost: Free
THE CALGARY STAMPEDE
Calgary’s city-wide honky-tonk is back! Confirmed by the organization themselves, the 2022 Calgary Stampede is a go and we think it’ll probably be the best one ever. From music to the parade, the rodeo and food, the greatest outdoor show on earth will be doing things bigger and better than ever before.
When: Friday, July 8th – 17h
Where: 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
GLOBAL FEST
Here comes the boom! YYC’s favourite firework festival will return this year to delight our eyes, and our stomachs. From music, beer, food and choreographed pyrotechnics – we’ll be ready and waiting for Global Fest 2022.
When: Thursday, August 18th – 27th
Where: 1827 68 St SE, Calgary – Elliston Park
SLED ISLAND
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Back with a kick-ass lineup of artists from a number of genres and backgrounds, Calgary’s Sled Island will take Calgary’s 4th street this June. Get ready, YYC – this year is expected to be quite the delight!
When: June 22nd – 26th, 2022
Where: Multiple venues across Calgary
Cost: $202+
CHASING SUMMER
After last year’s devastating cancellation, Chasing Summer is also expected back for 2022. While there’s no word yet on a lineup, Calgarians can expect an all-start cast of characters similar to those in the past, bright lights and a ton of colour.
When: July 30th – 31st
Where: 1001 Barlow Trail SE, Calgary, AB
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
COUNTRY THUNDER
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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 with Florida Georgia Line, Lee Brice and Morgan Wallen.
When: Friday, August 19th – 20th
Where: 223 Castleridge Blvd NE, Calgary – Prairie Winds Park
FIESTAVAL LATIN FESTIVAL
From salsa lessons, a kid’s area, and 25 authentic Latin food vendors, to their 70 artisan and community vendors and beer garden, Calgary’s annual Fiestaval will be one you won’t want to miss, especially because it’s actually FREE to attend!
When: Friday, July 22rd – 24th
Where: Olympic Plaza – 228 8 Ave SE, Calgary
Cost: Free
INGLEWOOD SUNFEST
Bouncy castles, local bands and street performances? This year’s Inglewood Sunfest will bring drinks, live entertainment and fun along with over 200 vendors and artists!= to the streets of Calgary. Talk about the perfect summer day in one of YYC’s hottest neighbourhoods.
Date: Saturday, July 30th
Location: 9th Avenue SE from 11th to 14th Street
Cost: Free
MARDA LOOP MARDI GRAS
Let’s party! Marda Loop’s Mardi Gras returns this year with vendors and Calgary’s annual pet pageant and you won’t want to miss it. This is Calgary’s longest-running street festival so you can bet it’s going to be a ton of fun. They know what they’re doing!
When: Sunday, August 14th
Where: 33rd Avenue SW between 19th and 22nd Street
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Cost: Free
There you have it, friends, 12 must-hit festivals coming to Calgary for the spring and summer of 2022. Get ready and stay ready! It’s going to be a fantastic sunny season.
