Festival season continues in August with an exciting lineup of summer events in Calgary. This month, discover Calgary's diverse food scene at Taste of Calgary, enjoy the summer weather at Calgary’s longest running street festival, Marda Gras, and catch an impressive firework display at Alberta's most explosive festival, GlobalFest!
Calgary's chillest comedy festival is back in a big way! Catch superstar comedians like Bert Kreischer, Theo Von, Whitney Cummings, Adam Ray, and Mark Normand live at Prince's Island Park, August 22 - 24, 2025.
Play big! Heritage Park is where history plays back and their toys come to life. Train whistles echo, cars roar, the paddlewheeler sets sail, and the big red barn is definitely not plastic. This August, dinos join the fun with Badlands Dinosaur Dig, the newest (oldest) epic adventure! Dig for fossils, tour a field office, and meet a real Albertosaurus. Unearth a summer of hands-on fun for the whole family!
Celebrate over 20 years of the Calgary International Blues Festival with a week of blues music from around the world, including workshops, special events, and live concerts. Local and international musicians come together for this Calgary classic.
Where: The Confluence (750 9 Ave SE)
When: July 31 - August 3
Discover Calgary's global cuisine with Taste of Calgary. Sample from a mix of unique restaurants and beverage companies along with live entertainment and marketplace vendors.
Where: 4th Avenue and 9th Street
When: July 31 & August 1, 2, 3, 4
BUMP FESTIVAL returns with a series of new murals, community events, block parties, and artist talks, transforming the centre of Calgary with art from local and international artists.
Where: Various locations
When: August 1-18
The Calgary Fringe Festival is back in 2025 with digital and in-person theatre, comedy, and art installations. Shows run all week long at various Calgary locations.
Where: Various locations
When: August 1-9
Don’t miss this two‑day outdoor EDM event featuring top electronic artists like deadmau5, Kaskade, Alan Walker, Timmy Trumpet, Loud Luxury, BTSM, and more.
Where: Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds, 1001 Barlow Trail SE, Calgary, AB
When: August 2-3
Don't miss a moment! Support Calgary’s Pro Women’s Soccer team this month as they take on AFC Toronto live at McMahon Stadium.
Where: McMahon Stadium
When: August 2 & 16
Celebrate summer with Granary Road's Family Fun Fair! Fun for the whole family, the fair features the interactive Active Learning Park, shopping at the farmers' market, meeting farm animals, and enjoying farm-to-table dining.
Where: Granary Road
When: August 2-3
Celebrate the neighbourhood and the 22nd Annual Tour de Bowness Race and Street Festival with local entertainment, artisan vendors, food booths, and a kid's area.
Where: Bowness
When: August 2-4
Cheer on Cavalry FC at four epic home game showdowns this month. Single game tickets available now!
Where: ATCO Field at Spruce Meadows
When: August 9, 17, 30
See rising stars in men’s international volleyball as the top U21 teams from across the Americas compete in Calgary.
Where: Seven Chiefs Sportsplex
When: August 5-10
Free Live Music in the Plaza at Heritage Park returns with a series of free summer concerts at the Heritage Town Square. Enjoy music from local musicians each Wednesday night starting at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park
When: August 6, 13, 20, 27
Celebrate the city’s creative spirit at this brand-new festival made by designers, for designers. With the 2025 theme In Plain Sight, discover how design shapes our daily lives, often where we least expect it.
Where: Various locations, Calgary
When: August 7–9, 2025
Dive into the science behind the beats that move you — from how tracks are made to the brain magic behind the music. It’s creativity and science vibing together IRL at this Spark After Dark event.
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre
When: August 8
The Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival is Calgary’s premiere water sport festival, with over 1850 competitors and 4000 spectators, displaying dragon boat racing for a family friendly event.
Where: North Glenmore Park
When: August 8-10
Celebrate Alberta’s local bounty during a ten‑day dine‑around festival showcasing fixed‑price, multi‑course menus crafted with locally sourced ingredients.
Where: Various locations
When: August 8-17
The Inglewood Night Market is a modern outdoor market with locally sourced and handmade vendors selling everything from crafts and vintage clothing to antiques and artisan eats. Admission is free!
Where: 10th ave and 10th Street SE
When: August 8
Enjoy an evening of indie rock at the Scotiabank Saddledome brought to life by Mt Joy, featuring hits like Silver Lining and Astrovan.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
When: August 9
Marda Gras is a FREE family-friendly event in the neighbourhood of Marda Loop and Calgary’s longest running street festival. Enjoy street performers, live music, dance, and magic shows, along with local businesses and artisans.
Where: Marda Loop
When: August 10
The Rogers Charity Classic returns as the next stop for the PGA TOUR Champions, a world-class experience for golf fans that supports local charities. This year’s players include John Daly, Mike Weir, Vijay Singh, Darren Clarke, David Toms, David Duval, Ernie Els, Colin Montgomerie, and more.
Where: Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club
When: August 11-17
Alberta’s Most Explosive Festival returns with GlobalFest at Elliston Park, displaying Calgary’s cultural diversity and artistic excellence with incredible firework displays presented by USA, Malaysia, Philippines, China, and Canada.
Where: Elliston Park
When: August 14-23
Country Thunder returns to Calgary with country music superstars Luke Combs, HARDY, Dallas Smith, The Reklaws, Elle King, Flatland Cavalry, ERNEST, Meghan Patrick, Lonestar, Jake Worthington, Hailey Benedict, and more headlining this summer music festival favourite.
Where: The Confluence (Previously Fort Calgary)
When: August 15-17
Get ready for a spectacular Caribbean celebration with music, costumes, tradition, and culture, at Carifest 2025, featuring a parade and live music in Shaw Millennium Park.
Where: Cowboys Park (Previously Shaw Millennium Park)
When: August 15-17
Expo Latino celebrates Latin food, music, and culture right here in Calgary. Join the party at Western Canada’s largest Latin festival in Prince’s Island Park this summer.
Where: Prince’s Island Park
When: August 16
The Chinatown Street Festival returns with live performances, cultural tents, vendors, food trucks, and a kids fun zone for the biggest event of the year.
Where: Chinatown
When: August 16-17
It's fun for everyone at the Priddis & Millarville Fair, a full weekend of old fashioned, country-style family fun including farm animals, wildlife displays, exhibits and more.
Where: Millarville Racetrack
When: August 16-17
A six‑Tony Award–winning musical brought to life by Julie Taymor, featuring iconic music by Elton John and Tim Rice, set against visually stunning backdrops. Disney’s The Lion King returns to Calgary with its beloved characters and immersive storyline.
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
When: Until August 17
Join The Military Museums for the Summer Skirmish, a weekend of historical re-enactments, food trucks, and more.
Where: The Military Museums
When: August 17-18
Rock out to Creed’s late‑’90s anthems like Higher, With Arms Wide Open, and My Sacrifice, reliving the band’s signature rock sound with highlights from their diamond‑certified Human Clay era.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
When: August 20
East Village hosts an outdoor double feature under the stars with Shrek and The Mummy. Guests can take in the sunset over the city before enjoying this unique movie night experience.
Where: The Rise, St. Patrick’s Island
When: August 20
Kick off your weekend with fierce fun, delicious eats, and fabulous queens at the Calgary Zoo. Your ticket includes same-day zoo admission—come early and make a wild day of it!
Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
When: August 22
Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team opens the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup, the team’s first opportunity to earn direct qualification for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, against the United States.
Where: McMahon Stadium
When: August 22
Get pumped for an explosive night of high‑energy hard dance with UK DJ Gammer, dropping his signature tracks and mashups that will keep you jumping all night.
Where: The Palace Theatre
When: August 22
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival is returning to Calgary for its third year with headliners Adam Ray as Dr. Phil, Mark Normand, Theo Von, Bert Kreischer, Whitney Cummings, Ms. Pat, and Grace O’Malley
Where: Prince's Island Park
When: August 22-24
Don’t miss this fierce divisional showdown between the Calgary Stampeders and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, continuing one of the CFL’s storied rivalries.
Where: McMahon Stadium
When: August 23
Brewery & the Beast attracts chefs and restaurants from Calgary, Banff, Edmonton and surrounding areas to showcase incredible food and beverages from Alberta.
Where: The Confluence (Formerly Fort Calgary)
When: August 24
Rock out with Deftones live on their 10th studio album tour Private Music, joined by special guests Phantogram and The Barbarians of California, delivering intense riffs and haunting melodies.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
When: August 25
Theatre Calgary presents Made In Italy, a one-person comedy written and performed by Farren Timoteo. Over 25 characters bring a story of family, tradition, and food to life at the Martha Cohen Theatre.
Where: Martha Cohen Theatre
When: August 26 - September 21
Catch rising country star Lainey Wilson live on her Whirlwind Tour, featuring special guests ERNEST and Kaitlin Butts. Expect a night filled with chart‑topping songs like Heart Like a Truck and Watermelon Moonshine.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome
When: August 28
Experience the acclaimed alternative‑rock band Wilco live, performing tracks from their Grammy‑winning catalogue including their latest album Cousin, with Jeff Tweedy’s evocative vocals and the band’s signature sound on full display.
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
When: August 29
Get ready for two days of reggae beats, Caribbean culture, and family-friendly vibes on St. Patrick’s Island. Enjoy live performances, food stalls, and arts celebrating local and international reggae talent.
Where: The Rise, St. Patrick’s Island
When: August 29 & 30
The Calgary Pride Parade & Festival is back for another year! Celebrate gender and sexual diversity with Calgary Pride at the 2-day festival at Prince’s Island Park. Both days feature incredible performances, a marketplace, beer gardens, food trucks, pet-friendly activities, a kid zone, and more!
Where: Festival takes place at Prince’s Island Park. Find Parade details through Calgary Pride.
When: August 30-31
Experience the magic of ECHO, Cirque du Soleil’s 20th Big Top show, where poetry, cutting-edge technology, and gravity-defying acrobatics explore the deep connection between people, animals, and the Earth.
Where: Stampede Park
When: August 30 - October 19
Heritage Park marks Alberta Day with free admission from morning to night. The day features live music, family-friendly activities, and a spectacular live drone show after dark.
Where: Heritage Park
When: August 31
Get ready for a totally rad musical journey! Legends of the 80s celebrates the iconic sounds of the '80s with hits from Elton John, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Queen, Cyndi Lauper, Wham!, and more. Big hair, big voices, and even bigger memories.
Where: Stage West Theatre
When: Until August 31
