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August
Kensington Beach in the City
When: Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2
What: Enjoy beach volleyball, a variety of food trucks, mermaids, music, sprinklers, smoothies and much more. Summertime movies will also be screened.
Where: Kensington Road and 10th St. N.W. and Keinsington Crescent. visitkensington.com.
Inglewood Sunfest
When: Saturday, Aug. 1
What: A feisty summer festival in the heart of Inglewood. At this all-ages event you can discover a great new band, be wowed by street performers, jump in the kids’ bouncer, choose a perfect summer patio or search for a trendy fashion.
Where: Mainstreet Inglewood, 9th Avenue S.E., Calgary. inglewoodsunfest.ca.
Cochrane Ranche Days Festival
When: Saturday, Aug. 1 and Sunday, Aug. 2
What: A two-day celebration of Cochrane Ranche’s birthday with a farmers’ market, music, heritage activities and more.
Where: At the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site, Cochrane. 403-851-2535, cochrane-tourism.com.
Canmore Folk Music Festival
When: Saturday, Aug. 1 to Monday, Aug. 3
What: Watch 25 bands over three days. Don’t miss the 38th celebration of live folk music and family-friendly fun in Canmore during Alberta’s longest-running folk festival.
Where: Centennial Park, 5th Avenue and 5th Street, Canmore. 403-678-2524, canmorefolkfestival.com.
Heritage Day
When: Monday, Aug. 3
What: Celebrate Heritage Day with a family barbecue, train, boat and antique midway rides, a variety of musical performances and a complimentary pancake breakfast for the first 500 guests.
Where: Heritage Park Historical Village, 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W. 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca.
Fringe on the Ranche
When: Wednesday, Aug. 5 and Thursday, Aug. 6
What: The Burnt Thicket Theatre brings a selection of the Calgary Fringe Festival to Cochrane.
Where: Cochrane RancheHouse Theatre, 101 RancheHouse Road., Cochrane. cochrane-tourism.ca.
Afrikadey!
When: Wednesday, Aug. 5 to Saturday, Aug. 8
What: A celebration of African culture that features music, literature, arts, dance and cuisine. This year features artists will perform music genre ranging from afrobeat, reggae, hip hop, funk, folk, and blues.
Where: Prince’s Island Park and other local venues. 403-234-9110, afrikadey.com.
Chasing Summer Festival
When: Friday, Aug. 7 and Saturday, Aug. 8
What: Two days of electronic music at historic Fort Calgary. Lineup includes Tiesto, Kaskade and Afrojack as well as many others.
Where: Fort Calgary, Alta. chasingsummerfestival.com.
Pioneer Acres Museum Annual Show & Reunion
When: Friday, Aug. 7 to Sunday, Aug. 9
What: The main event of the year; features almost every piece of equipment the museum owns as well as outside exhibitors. This year the reunion features Massey Harris equipment.
Where: Pioneer Acres, Hwy. 9 and Township Rd. 274, near Irricana (45 minutes Northeast of Calgary). 403-935-4357, pioneeracres.ab.ca.
Western Rodeo
When: Saturday, Aug. 8
What: Get up close to all the heart- pounding action of a live western rodeo (with bull riding and mini-chuckwagons).
Where: Heritage Park Historical Village, 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W. Calgary. 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca.
TD Chinatown Street Festival
When: Saturday, Aug. 8
What: A day of fun, shopping, feasting and festivities for the whole family showcasing the best of Calgary’s Chinatown.
Where: Downtown Calgary. 1-888-618-2262, calgarychinesemerchants.org.
Opera in the Village
When: Thursday, August 13 to Saturday, August 22
What: The centerpiece of this year’s Opera in the Village is Gilbert & Sullivan’s comedic opera, The Mikado. There will also be family-friendly matinee performances of The Scorpions’ Sting. Both will be performed in our 900-seat
open-air tent.
Where: Calgary’s East Village RiverWalk, calgaryopera.com.
Blackfoot Arts and Heritage Festival
When: Tuesday, Aug. 11 to Thursday, Aug. 13
What: Participate in traditional and contemporary aboriginal dancing and enjoy music, art and cuisine.
Where: Waterton Community Centre, Waterton, Alta. 403-859-5133, mywaterton.ca.
ReggaeFest
When: Thursday, Aug. 13 to Saturday, Aug. 15
What: Featuring world-class musical performers from Canada and the world, Calgary ReggaeFest is a family-friendly event that has thrilled Rastagarians for 12 years.
Where: Thursday Aug. 13 at Cardel Theatre, Friday Aug. 14 and Saturday August 15 at Shaw Millennium Park, Calgary. 403-355-5696, reggaefest.ca.
Taste of Calgary
When: Thursday, Aug. 13 to Sunday, Aug. 16
What: Outdoor festival of food and drink from the city’s restaurants and beverage companies. Also features daily live entertainment, artisans and interactive activities. Sampling tickets $1 each; admission is free.
Where: At Eau Claire’s Festival Plaza, 200 Barclay Parade S.W. 403-293-2888, tasteofcalgary.com.
When Words Collide
When: Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 16
What: A festival for readers, writers, artists and publishers of commercial and literary fiction. Including genres, YA, children’s books and poetry. Guests include Daniel Abraham, C.J. Carmicheal, Diana Gabaldon and more.
Where: Delta Calgary South. whenwordscollide.org.
SpringHill Charity Show & Shine
When: Saturday, Aug. 15
What: Annual classic car show with live entertainment, a large outdoor barbecue and more.
Where: At the SpringHill RV Park, 41216 Big Hill Springs Rd., Cochrane. 403-804-6240, springhillrvpark.com.
Calgary Japanese Festival Omatsuri
When: Satuday, Aug. 15
What: The “Omatsuri” or “traditional festival” is back for its fifth year to celebrate Japan, its people and, of course, Japanese-Canadians. Authentic Japanese customs, music, dance, martial arts and re-enactments of Japanese fairy tales are featured.
Where: Bowness Community Centre, 7904 43rd Ave. N.W., calgaryjapanesefestival.com.
Okotoks Show and Shine
When: Sunday, Aug. 16
What: This event will fill the streets of downtown Okotoks with over 500 unique cars, trucks and motorcycles. Be sure to check out the live music, beer gardens, delicious food and of course, the cars!
Where: Elizabeth St., Downtown Okotoks. okotoksshowandshine.ca.
Lethbridge Whoop-Up Days
When: Tuesday, Aug. 18 to Saturday, Aug. 22
What: Pro rodeo, food, games, a midway and more.
Where: Exhibition Park, 3401 Parkside Dr. S., Lethbridge, Alta. exhibitionpark.ca.
Marda Gras Street Festival
When: Sunday, Aug. 19
What: Free family-friendly event featuring the smells, sights and sounds of New Orleans. With vendors, food trucks, patios, live music, street performers, a pet pageant, activities for children and more. In support of the Marda Loop Communities Association.
Where: The Marda Loop area (19th to 22nd Streets along 33rd and 34th Avenues, S.W.). 403-685-5667, mardagras.ca.
Globalfest
When: Thursday, Aug. 20 to Saturday, Aug. 29
What: GlobalFest showcases cultural pavilions, ethnic food, performance stages, night market, international bar, children’s activities, Tipi Village and more. This year’s fireworks theme is Parade of Champions, each evening will feature a previous international champion presenting a new choreographed, musical fireworks display.
Where: Elliston Park, 17th Avenue and 60th Street S.E. 403-569-9679, globalfest.ca.
Southern Alberta Music Festival
When: Friday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 22
What: This festival is back for its third year helping to promote local artists. A portion of this year’s ticket sales will be donated to STARS
Where: 1 km west of Mossleigh, AB, on Highway 24. aspencrossing.com.
Canadian Rockies East Coast Kitchen Party
When: Friday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 23
What: Outdoor music festival featuring spectacular mountain scenery, lively Celtic music, evening jam sessions and a lobster dinner. Performers include The Novascotiables, Lizzy Hoyt, Squid Jigger and Cod Gone Wild.
Where: David Thompson Resort, Nordegg, Alta. (Three hours northwest of Calgary). 1-888-810-2103, davidthompsonresort.com.
Cochrane Fall Fair
When: Friday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 23
What: This action-packed fair includes activities on the green, a special events stage, horse events, a trade show and a garage sale. It also will feature a midway.
Where: Cochrane Agricultural Society Grounds, Cochrane. cochrane-tourism.ca.
RBC GranFondo Banff
When: Saturday, Aug. 22
What: A 142-km mass-cycling event that is open to all skill levels and takes riders into the heart of the Rockies.
Where: All around Banff, Alta. banff. granfondobanff.com.
Country Kickback
When: Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23
What: Celebrate Western Canada’s rural history. The weekend includes barn dances, demonstrations of historic farm machinery, live entertainment, hands-on activities and much more. The first 500 guests can enjoy a complimentary pancake breakfast on both days.
Where: Heritage Park Historical Village, 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W. Calgary. 403-268-8500, heritagepark.ca.
Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival
When: Saturday, Aug. 22 and Sunday, Aug. 23
What: Over 1,850 competitors work as teams to manoeuvre the massive long boats. Also includes cultural performances and entertainment, kids activities, food trucks and more.
Where: North Glenmore Park. Find more info and register at chinatowncalgary.com/dragonboat.
Cochrane & District Old Tyme Country Fair
When: Sunday, Aug. 23
What: Featuring agricultural demonstrations, a dog show, scarecrow contest, displays, human rooster crowing, petting zoo and entertainment.
Where: Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre, 800 Griffin Rd. E., Cochrane. More info at
cochrane-tourism.ca.
Taber Cornfest
When: Thursday, Aug. 27 to Saturday, Aug. 29
What: Celebrate the return of this delicious staple crop with a corn-eating competition, midway, exhibitions and more.
Where: Confederation Park, Taber, Alta. 403-223-2265, destinationtaber.com.
Expo Latino 2015
When: Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Aug. 30
What: Music festival celebrating Latino culture with a weekend of live bands, dancing, a food fair, art market and beer gardens.
Where: Prince’s Island Park. For more info 403-271-2744, expolatino.ca.
Okotoks Pro Rodeo
When: Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday Aug. 30
What: Contestants from Canada, the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia compete. Bareback, barrel racing, bull riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc and steer wrestling are a few of the exciting events taking place at the rodeo.
Where: Okotoks Recreation Centre, 99 Okotoks Dr. okotoksprorodeo.com.
Pride Calgary 2015
When: Friday, Aug. 28 to Monday, Sept. 7
What: Calgary’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-Identified, and two-spirited communities, along with their allies, celebrate their strength and diversity within the cultural mosaic that is Calgary. Events include a parade and street festival.
Where: Throughout Calgary. Parade on 9th Avenue downtown. Festival at Shaw Millennium Park. pridecalgary.ca.
Foothills Highland Games
When: Saturday, Aug. 29
What: Annual Highland games event hosts over 350 competitors from across Alberta and neighbouring provinces. Competitions this year include piping and drumming as well as dance and heavy events.
Where: At Foothills Composite High School football field, 229 Woodhaven Dr. foothillshighlandgames.com.
Okotoks ChiliFest
When: Saturday, Aug. 29
What: Spice up your weekend with Okotoks’ chili cook-off. Taste the creations while enjoying live music, children’s activities and an outdoor artisan street market.
Where: Elizabeth St., Downtown Okotoks. okotoks.ca/events.