Best of Calgary is a celebration of the people, places and voices that make Calgary an amazing place to live and call home.

Written by: Kelsey Woods

Festival season is here, Calgary! We have been patiently waiting all year for the sun to shine and the birds to sing so that we can spend more time outdoors enjoying the fresh air and beautiful trees. With fun, interactive festivals happening all summer long, you’ll be entertained with music, performances, shows, shopping and so much more. Here are five diverse festivals happening right here in Calgary this summer 2019.

Water Lantern Festival

May 25 @ Olympic Plaza

The Water Lantern Festival is a celebration of hope, love, happiness and life as you spend the night outdoors with your neighbours being creative and sharing in the experience. Enjoy this downtown event as you start off the evening with delicious local food trucks, musical performances and fun activities happening around the grounds. Start planning the design of your lantern now because you only have one hour with it until launch time. Once released, watch thousands of beautiful lanterns float together on the water, creating a warm glow and loving atmosphere amongst neighbours.

Lilac Festival

June 2 @ 4th Street and Elbow Drive

Stroll down bustling 4th Street packed with Calgarians browsing booths set-up by local makers, creators, businesses and organizations. From spin demonstrations and discount coupons to beer gardens and free samples, this festival is a great way to get out and interact with your neighbours and local providers. The sun usually decides to make an appearance at this festival so remember your sunscreen, Calgary!

Calgary Folk Music Festival

July 25-28 @ Prince’s Island Park

The 40th annual Calgary Folk Fest is here! For decades, this music festival has brought Calgarians from all walks of life together to celebrate music in a gorgeous outdoor setting. From folk and acoustic to indie rock and bluegrass, this festival combines small-time and world-class musicians so that you can enjoy a well-rounded festival complete with food trucks, a market and hundreds of Calgarians just as excited as you. Buy your tickets ahead of time to secure your spot at this monumental 40th annual celebration of folk music in Calgary.

Inglewood Sunfest

August 3 @ Inglewood

From music and entertainment to delicious eats and local artisans, Inglewood Sunfest is your chance to engage with your local community in a fun, natural setting. Aimed at celebrating the community while also educating you on what it has to offer, Sunfest will run from 11am-6pm so that you have all day to head down and peruse the 200 vendors set up on the streets. Shop, wander, eat, socialize - whatever you want to do, Sunfest will provide for you. Happy exploring and sun tanning, Calgary!

GlobalFest

August 15-24 @ Elliston Park

Enjoy night after night of Alberta’s most explosive festival! Head down to the park early to wander the local market or sample mini doughnuts and other tasty treats. Bring a blanket or a chair and find your spot early so that you can watch the brilliant display of fireworks dance and explode over the water. With performances from the USA, Spain, China and Canada over five spectacular nights, you will be in awe of the choreographed booms and blasts to popular music of the ages.

These are just a few of Calgary’s hottest festivals you’ll find in the city this summer. Let this be your motivation to get out and explore this beautifully talented city that we call home.

Kelsey Woods is the Content & Editorial Manager for Best of Calgary.