While the Calgary Stampede may be the most famous July event in our city, there are a number of other noteworthy festivals to check out this month too. From concerts and wrestling matches to cultural celebrations and street entertainers, the following festivals have something for everyone – including your dog.
Xiang Loong Festival
When: June 29 to July 14, 2024
This new festival is a celebration of Chinese culture and heritage and has a lot of exciting events in store. At the main festival on June 29, expect live music, dragon and lion dancing, martial arts demonstrations, a vendor market, face painting and more. There will also be additional events the following two weekends, like a Chinese-style Stampede breakfast on July 6 and a dragon boat workshop on July 14.
197 1 St. S.W., culturalcentre.ca
Mexifest
When: July 4 to 7, 2024
This multicultural arts and entertainment festival highlights Mexican culture over four fun-filled days. Expect dancing, bands and a wrestling ring, all paired with authentic Mexican food and drinks. There will also be artisan tents where you can shop for handmade goods with your friends or family.
311 8 St. S.W., mexifest.ca
Badlands Music Festival
When: July 4 to 14, 2024
Over the course of Stampede, the Badlands Music Festival will welcome musical guests such as Swedish House Mafia, Loud Luxury, Tyga, Quavo, Diplo and more. The Badlands tent also hosts a Rewind night on the last day of Stampede, which features iconic songs and hits from throughout the years.
725 9 Ave. S.W., badlandsmusicfest.com
Burwood Music Festival
When: July 4 to 14, 2024
This is the newest music festival to join the many tents that pop up during the Calgary Stampede. The 3,000-person tent will feature headliners like Gary LeVox from Rascal Flatts, DJ Hurricane, Buck Cherry, Brandi Cyrus, Tim Hicks and more. And because the festival takes place away from the Stampede grounds, you can rock out without having to deal with as many of the crowds.
2520 Caen Ave. S.W., burwoodmusicfestival.ca
Cowboys Music Festival
When: July 4 to 14, 2024
Held inside the Cowboys tent right next to the Stampede grounds, this year’s festival lineup is nothing short of spectacular from start to finish. Headliners include Tate McRae, Brett Kissel, Metro Boomin, Bailey Zimmerman, Steve Aoki and more. The 10-day festival also includes events like a barbecue invitational cook-off and a drag brunch featuring some iconic drag queens.
519 12 Ave. S.E. on Stampede Park, cowboysmusicfestival.com
Roundup Music Fest
When: July 10, 2024
This one-day event offers an impressive music lineup featuring the Goo Goo Dolls, Gin Blossoms, Crash Test Dummies and Uncle Strut. If you’re not ready to end the night after the shows are over, Wildhorse Saloon is hosting the Roundup Music Fest’s official afterparty with free entry.
Prince’s Island Park, roundupmusicfest.com
ChamberFest West
When: July 16 to 21, 2024
For fans of classical music, ChamberFest West offers a variety of orchestrated performances over five days in July. Shows like Garden of Eden will feature a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3,” while Alleged Dances presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Flute Quartet D Major.” A full list of concerts is available online.
Multiple locations, chamberfestwest.com
Fiestaval
When: July 19 to 21, 2024
Fiestaval celebrates Latin American culture and is a free, multicultural event that takes place at Olympic Plaza. Organized by the Calgary Multicultural Arts Society, the festival features hundreds of performers, more than 30 food vendors, an artisan market, beer gardens and a play area for kids.
228 8 Ave. S.E., fiestaval.ca
YYC Ice Cream Fest
When: July 19 to August 5, 2024
There’s no sweeter choice in the summer than deciding where to go for some delicious local ice cream. YYC Ice Cream Fest brings together some of Calgary’s best local ice cream shops and eateries as they compete for the title of Best Scoop, Best Non-Dairy Scoop and the special Golden Scoop award. Each time a featured treat is purchased, $1 to $3 goes towards supporting Calgary Meals on Wheels.
Multiple locations, yycicecreamfest.com
Calgary Folk Music Festival
When: July 25 to 28, 2024
For 45 years, Calgary Folk Music Festival has been one of the city’s most popular and beloved July events. It’s held on Prince’s Island Park and features six daytime stages, two evening stages, an arts and food market with over 70 vendors and drinks from Big Rock Brewery. This year’s artist lineup includes KT Tunstall, The Roots, Cowboy Junkies and Luna Li.
Prince’s Island Park, calgaryfolkfest.com
Inglewood Sunfest
When: July 27, 2024
Inglewood Sunfest’s motto is to “celebrate, engage, entertain and delight.” This free, one-day festival in Inglewood does exactly that by featuring a variety of activities and attractions including street performers, food trucks and over 200 vendors. Inglewood Sunfest is an all-ages event, with plenty of fun things to do for kids and adults alike. Did we mention there are patios, too?
9th Avenue S.E., inglewoodsunfest.ca
Pet-A-Palooza’s Day of The Dog
When: July 27 and 28, 2024
Your favourite furry friends deserve their own summer festival, and the people behind Pet-A-Palooza have them covered. During the two-day festival (which has free admission and a dog-friendly environment, of course), have fun at the festival’s 100-foot pool party and 400-foot obstacle course. You can also take photos of your pet in a photo booth, participate in yoga classes with some adorable puppies and more.
750 9 Ave. S.E., petapaloozawest.com