
When the sun comes out, so do we. This summer is bursting with events all across the city, from food extravaganzas to mural tours and everything in between. So whether you're a seasoned festival-goer or a curious explorer seeking unique experiences, Calgary has something for everyone.
1. Festival Frenzy:
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Marda Gras Street Festival (August 11): Head to trendy Marda Loop for a lively street festival chock-full with local vendors, live music, and family-friendly entertainment.
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Great Outdoors Comedy Festival (August 23-25): Escape the indoors and experience side-splitting comedy under the summer sky at Prince's Island Park. This festival features renowned stand-up comedians in a picturesque outdoor setting.
2. Artistic Adventures:
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Calgary Fringe Festival (August 2-10): Embrace the audacity and innovation of this renowned theatre festival. With hundreds of performances across multiple venues, the Calgary Fringe offers a platform for emerging artists and a chance to discover the unexpected.
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BUMP Festival (August 3-18): Calgary's street art scene explodes during BUMP, a festival transforming blank walls into vibrant murals. Tour the city's renowned murals, participate in workshops, and witness Calgary's transformation into an open-air art gallery.
3. Musical Delights:
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Chasing Summer Electronic Music Festival (August 3-4): Dance the night away to the beats of top DJs and electronic music producers.
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Calgary Bluesfest (August 1-4): Immerse yourself in the soulful sounds of blues music at this long-running festival. Renowned local and international artists take center stage, captivating audiences with electrifying guitar riffs and powerful vocals.
5. Wrap Up the Summer with Arts Commons Presents:
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Plaza for All (August 28): Join us for a FREE show celebrating the arts in the heart of Calgary. This family-friendly event features live music from some of country's best, plus joins us in a final send-off to summer, a farewell to Emerson Drive, and the beginning of a reimagined Olympic Plaza and downtown space for all.
Arts Commons wishes to express our sincere appreciation to EllisDon Construction, KPMB Architects, Hindle Architects, gh3*, CCxA, and Belleville Placemaking for their support of Plaza for All featuring Emerson Drive.

Kiani Evans
Kiani Evans is the Manager of Digital Communications for Arts Commons. She grew up in the rural Cariboo region of British Columbia and acquired a diploma in Art History on Vancouver Island (and refuses to give it back). She is delighted by all things art and takes joy in small moments, like finding lost change or missing socks. Kiani had trouble writing this bio, so she Googled “how to write a bio.” It didn’t help.