Downtown Summer Festivals
Sunny Days. Cool Nights. Downtown Summer Festivals and Events
The summer fun continues downtown with more than 200 festivals and events until the end of September! Break out your sunglasses and embrace the summer vibes with sunny days and cool nights. From street festivals and outdoor concerts to night markets, film screenings and comedy shows, downtown Calgary is the place to be as the sun sets and the city lights come on.
Please check the official event websites for the most up-to-date information regarding cancellations, rescheduling or other important updates.
Explore downtown with these summer festivals and events:
FEATURED EVENT
Calgary Pop-Up Care Village
When: August 21
Where: Central Memorial Park
Website: Calgary Pop-Up Care Village
The Calgary Pop-Up Care Village is a festival for anyone experiencing systemic vulnerabilities such as homelessness, addiction, mental health issues, poverty, language and cultural barriers, and more.
The festival provides equitable access to basic services such as case management, healthcare, clothing, haircuts, food, and more to the community. This is a one-day event that upholds guests' inherent human dignity, and it bridges the wider Calgarian community with the underserved population.
Photo credit: Albert Woo
Hot Dogs & Hot Takes on History: Colonial Calgary Was So Gay
Join historian Kevin Allen for a queer lens on Calgary’s colonial past, with stories of hidden identities and underground networks. Includes hot dogs and discussion.
Calgary Pop-Up Care Village
The Calgary Pop-Up Care Village is an annual arts and culture festival that provides free, low barrier access for people experiencing systemic vulnerabilities. The event provides healthcare, clothing, haircuts, free meals, entertainment, and art workshops and aims to bridge the connection between Calgary’s broader community and underserved populations.
Seconds Collective Vintage and Second Hand Market
Seconds Collective is a second-hand market that does pop ups all over the city. Their goal is to empower individuals to buy, sell, and trade quality pre-owned textiles. This calm, cool, collective emphasizes the power of community to create a greener, more responsible, and unique consumer culture.
Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival features some of the best comedy legends in live shows that promise great laughs, good times, and a celebration of all forms of performance comedy.
The Sidewalk Series
Introducing a brand-new component of the annual Summer on 17th lineup - local talent popping up in unexpected places all summer long!
When: August 22 and 27, September 4 and 17
Dinosaur Trivia
Test your dino knowledge across three rounds of trivia—from fossil facts to pop culture. Prizes include a private film screening!
Wild After Hours Drag Dinner (18+)
Prepare for a night of dazzling entertainment and fabulous flavours! Gather your friends, family or bring your special someone for an unforgettable evening where bold performances meet mouthwatering food.
Gammer Live Show
Experience an explosive night of high-energy hard dance with UK DJ Gammer and his signature tracks and mashups.
Muslim Heritage Day Festival
Muslim Heritage Day aims to introduce Muslim culture and heritage to fellow Canadians while building bridges between diverse cultural communities.
Getting downtown
Plan your trip
Over the summer festivals season, the downtown core will be very busy with events, road work and more people getting around. If you're driving, give yourself extra time to find parking and expect potential delays. You can plan your trip ahead by visiting Calgary.ca/PlanYourTrip.
Park safely and responsibly
Safe and legal parking helps avoid tickets, towing and unsafe situations for people walking, wheeling or driving nearby. Please remember to read and follow the signs before parking, even if it's a spot you're familiar with. You can manage your future parking sessions effortlessly by using the Parking Planner to book your parking in advance.
Save on parking with year-round deals
Parking downtown doesn't have to be expensive. Calgary Parking offers a variety of promotions throughout the year to help you save. Whether you're staying late, heading in early or planning a full day downtown, there are deals that make parking more affordable and convenient. Check out the Deals and Promotions page to see what's available.
Submit an event
If you have an event you would like added, please email: downtownevents@calgary.ca
with the subject: Downtown Summer Festivals.
*Please note, this page is updated regularly. The festivals and events listed are either organized, supported, or in good standing with The City of Calgary.