Kick off August at a big street festival in the Greenview Industiral area
When: August 1 and 2
A motorcycle showcase, a drive-in movie, live music, the Rides N’ Rods Show & Shine event, markets, glow art — you’ll find it all at “Calgary’s most wonderfully weird weekend.” The Greenview Industrial Business Improvement Area’s Tango 2 Echo (T2E) Festival promises to kick off August in style with something for everyone. Admission is free.
2 Street and 36 Avenue N.E., greenviewindustrial.com
See new public murals being painted during the BUMP Festival
When: August 3 to 17
BUMP Festival is back this August with the theme “Of Simmer, and the Surge,” and promises plenty of fun with an urban art conference, a free rave and more. And of course, keep your eyes peeled for the new murals that will be painted over the course of the month by local and international artists.
Multiple locations, yycbump.ca
Learn about design during Design Week Calgary
When: August 6 to 8
Celebrate the world of design during Design Week Calgary, which is back after a successful launch last year. Organized by the Design Talks Institute, the three-day festival features more than 30 events like More of Calgary in Film, which looks at how Calgary architecture is portrayed in movies, and Dinner With a Designer, where guests will join a local hospitality design studio for a talk and restaurant tour before tucking into dinner and drinks.
Multiple locations, designweekcalgary.com
Order beers, burgers and cocktails at the newly opened Skelly Club
View this post on Instagram
Edmonton-based Sea Change Brewing Co has expanded to Calgary with the opening of its Skelly Club taproom in the Beltline. Serving up Sea Change beers (including some cool collab beers made with four Calgary breweries), smash burgers by FlatBoy Burgers and cocktails with spirits by Shiddy’s Distilling, this new eatery is already proving to be a popular destination after just a few weeks on the scene.
820 11 Ave. S.W., 403-300-4233, seachangebeer.com
Celebrate the province’s food scene during Alberta on the Plate
When: August 7 to 16
Farmers, producers, restaurants — they all play an important part in Alberta’s food industry. This month, you can celebrate and support them during Alberta on the Plate, a food festival that highlights the products and stories of local farms and producers with prix-fixe dining experiences available at local restaurants. Several Calgary restaurants are participating.
Multiple locations, albertaontheplate.com
Cheer on competitors at the Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival
When: August 8 and 9
Head to North Glenmore Park to cheer on more than 1,850 competitors as they take part in the 34th Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival. Featuring free admission, the event will have a play zone for kids, food trucks, a beer garden, cultural performances and more.
North Glenmore Park, calgarydragonboatsociety.com
Check out Carifest for a celebratory weekend of Caribbean culture
When: August 13 to 16
Don’t miss this exciting weekend that celebrates Caribbean culture. With events ranging from cultural dance workshops to a kick-off party at Cowboys Park to a parade through downtown Calgary, Carifest is full of great music, performances, food and more.
Multiple locations, carifestcalgary.com
Learn about the most iconic dinosaur of all at Telus Spark
View this post on Instagram
When: On now until November 29
Dinosaurs have taken over Telus Spark with the arrival of Sue: The T. rex Experience. Along with a 40-foot long and 13-foot high cast of a T. rex skeleton, guests can check out a full-size T. rex replica, see bronze casts of fossil bones and more at this jaw-dropping dinosaur exhibition.
Telus Spark, 220 St. George’s Dr. N.E., 403-817-6800, sparkscience.ca
Celebrate the King Eddy’s 120th anniversary by going to a concert at Eddy Fest
When: August 14 to 16
The King Eddy is celebrating its 120th anniversary, and there’s no better way to commemorate the occasion than by checking out this music festival. Eddy Fest will cover a wide range of music genres with more than 15 musical artists and bands over three days.
King Eddy, 438 9 Ave. S.E., kingeddy.ca
Enjoy some delicious food at Taste of Asia
When: August 20 to 23
Make sure you arrive at Taste of Asia with an empty stomach, because there will be more than 40 food vendors to choose from at this huge outdoor food festival that celebrates Asian culture. While you eat, enjoy cultural experiences and live shows.
Calgary Downtown Lot 6, 311 8 St. S.W., tasteofasia.ca
Check out fireworks, a drone show and more at GlobalFest
When: August 27 to 30
Calgary’s beloved GlobalFest is back with a new look, new location and new experiences for guests. Now held at Spruce Meadows, GlobalFest brings an exciting mix of activities including a drone show, fireworks, a cultural pavilion, food vendors, artisan markets and more. Each day highlights a different culture, with Japan on August 27, Mexico on August 28, Italy on August 29 and a global finale on August 30. Check out the festivities on one or two days or get a four-day festival pass to experience it all.
Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way S.W., globalfest.ca
Check out the new Asian Highlands area at the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo
View this post on Instagram
The Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo’s former Exploration Asia zone is transforming into Imagine Asia, and guests can now experience the first part of this revamped space. The Asian Highlands area is home to animals like the red panda, snow leopard and a new addition, the Sichuan takin.
210 St. George’s Dr. N.E., 403-232-9300, calgaryzoo.com
Go to ReggaeFest on St. Patrick’s Island
When: August 28 and 29
Live music, food vendors, a beautiful outdoor setting on St. Patrick’s Island — these are just some of the reasons to check out ReggaeFest at the end of August. This year’s performers include Sonic Alley, JK & the Relays, the Oral Fuentes Reggae Band and more.
The Rise, St. Patrick’s Island, reggaefest.ca
Have a laugh at The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival
When: August 28 to 30
If you need a laugh this month, snap up some tickets for The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival taking place in Prince’s Island Park. Catch headliners like Matt Rife, Jeff Arcuri, Bill Burr and more.
Prince’s Island Park, greatoutdoorscomedyfestival.com
Watch an outdoor movie with some friends
When: Multiple dates
Watching outdoor movies is a quintessential summer experience, and thankfully, there are several places you can catch an outdoor screening in Calgary this summer.
Read more: Where to Watch Outdoor Movies in Calgary
Join a friend for afternoon tea
View this post on Instagram
With dainty finger sandwiches, colourful pastries and hot cups of tea, afternoon tea experiences are a fun indulgence to enjoy with friends or family. If you’re not sure where to go, here are a few Calgary restaurants that offer it.
Read more: Where to Go for Afternoon Tea in Calgary
Celebrate all things pickled at Calgary’s first Picklefest
When: August 29
If you can never get enough pickles with your meal, this is the event for you. Held across Canada, Picklefest will be making its way to Calgary for the first time on August 29. Head to Big Rock Brewery to buy and try pickled and fermented items from more than 40 vendors on what promises to be a dillicious day.
Big Rock Brewery, 5555 76 Ave. S.E., picklefestcanada.com
Celebrate love at Calgary Pride Week 2026
When: August 31 to September 6
Celebrate and support Calgary’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community during Calgary Pride. This year’s Pride Week has a new format, with a week of activities and events taking place around the city and falling into seven threads: Nightlife and performance, Two-Spirit arts and ceremony, family and youth celebration, queer arts market, community collaboration, a Pride fundraiser gala, and of course, the Pride parade.
Multiple locations, calgarypride.ca