A three-week festival with a Halloween cabaret is taking over Calgary

Fluid Fest returns to Calgary this month, bringing three weeks of contemporary dance, experimental performances, and live music to venues across the city. Running from Oct. 15 to Nov. 7, the festival has everything from dance shows to a Halloween cabaret with drag, comedy, and performance art. The lineup also includes a DJ party and a Halloween after-party, so you’ve got plenty to choose from.

Here’s a closer look at everything happening during the festival, including dates, ticket prices, and venues for each event.

What to expect at Fluid Fest

What is Fluid Fest?

Fluid Fest is an annual performing arts festival presented by Calgary-based non-profit Springboard Performance. According to organizers, the festival brings artists and audiences together through contemporary performances that explore movement, creativity, and new ways of seeing the world.

During the event, you’ll get to experience performances you most likely won’t see anywhere else while supporting artists from Calgary and beyond.

What can I do during the festival?

The festival features several kinds of live entertainment, including a 360 DJ Party at Contemporary Calgary, where DJ Dooshima will play everything from Afrobeat and ampiano to house, dancehall and hip-hop. You’ll also be able to catch EBNFLǑH Dance Company, a dance production that brings hip-hop and contemporary movement together on stage.

For Halloween, the Fluid Fest Horror Show: A Goth Extravaganza Cabaret brings together drag, music, comedy, and performance art at The GRAND on Oct. 30 and 31.

And these are just a few highlights from the festival’s lineup. You can find the full event schedule on the Springboard Performance official website, along with dates, showtimes and ticket prices.

Where is the festival taking place?

Fluid Fest takes place at several arts and performance venues across Calgary, so you can catch different shows in different parts of the city. Here’s where to find the festival’s events:

• Contemporary Calgary
  • Where: 701 11th St. SW, Calgary, Alta.
• The Grand Theatre
  • Where: 608 1st St. SW, Calgary, Alta.
• Inside Out Theatre
  • Where: 625 11th Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta.
• Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
  • Where: 111 12th Ave. SE, Calgary, Alta.
• Esker Foundation
  • Where: 1011 9th SE, Calgary, Alta.

How much do Fluid Fest tickets cost?

Ticket prices vary by performance, with some shows starting at $15 and others costing $40 or more. Discounted ticket options will also be available for students and seniors. And if you’re planning to see multiple shows, you can also get 15 per cent off when you buy four eligible Fluid Fest tickets.

Tickets are available through the Springboard Performance website.

With performances spanning different styles of dance, music, and theatre, there’s plenty to explore throughout the festival. So, pick an event, round up your friends and head to Fluid Fest this month.

Fluid Fest

When: Thursday, Oct. 15 to Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026
Time: Times vary based on performance
Where: Various venues across Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $15

Recent posts:
Spruce Meadows just revealed its Calgary concert lineup for Summer 2027
A free fall festival with a dog fashion show is coming to Calgary this weekend