Kirby Cox's Calgary Real Estate Blog

Summertime in Calgary means something different to everyone. For some, it means floating down the Bow River with their friends; for others, it means hiking through the mountains or taking walks on our world-class pathways. Of course, there’s also the world-famous Calgary Stampede that takes over the city for two weeks in July. It is deemed to be the ‘greatest show on Earth,’ but we also boast a wide variety of other festivals. There is always something for everyone here in Calgary. Here’s a list of the best festivals around this summer:

• Sled Island Music Festival takes place each year in mid-June, bringing together over 200 performers that range from comedians and artists to films and, of course, live music. Spread over five days and 35 different venues, Sled Island is quite the variety show.
• We mentioned it above, but the Calgary Stampede can’t be left off this list. It takes place early July, hosting the world’s biggest rodeo with a wide variety of games, rides and mouthwatering food.
• Right after the Stampede, the Calgary Folk Festival takes over. The last weekend in July brings in over 70 artists on nine different stages to the gorgeous Prince’s Island Park. 
• If you haven’t had your fill of live music yet, head down to the Calgary International Blues Festival. Here, you can attend workshops, special events and live music for the entire first week of August.
• August long weekend brings us the most colourful event in Calgary: Chasing Summer. This two-day festival attracts some of the best DJs in the world and demonstrates how diverse the music scene in Calgary really is.
• Give your ears a break and head over to Taste of Calgary during the second week of August. Enter the festival for free and you can taste test some of the best food and drink Calgary has to offer.
• The brand-new cowboy boots you bought for Stampede are just sitting in your closet collecting dust now, right? Well, bust them out and head down to Country Thunder mid-August to see up-and-coming country artists as well as some of the biggest names in the genre.
• If you’re looking for a firework show that you’ll never forget, check out GlobalFest mid-late August. This five-day event brings in the best firework displays from all over the world in a competition to see who can knock your socks off.

As you can see, summer in Calgary is way more than simply Stampede and hiking. There’s a little something for everyone and, who knows, maybe you’ll find a new artist or restaurant that will be your new favourite until next summer when you attend these festivals again to get a new taste of what’s happening in Calgary.