Fiesta Filipino
When: September 4 to 7, 2026
Celebrate Filipino culture at this festival is packed with live music and entertainment, delicious Filipino cuisine, activities for the whole family and a beautiful sense of community. The festival also features special guests, including America’s Got Talent season 20 winner Jessica Sanchez.
Eau Claire Plaza, 101 Barclay Parade S.W., @fiestafilipinoyyc
VegFest
When: September 5, 2026
Enjoy delicious plant-based food and learn more about sustainable living at VegFest, presented by the Calgary Vegan Society. Along with food, there will be educational speakers, interactive booths, live music and family-friendly activities. Whether you always eat plant-based fare or just want to try something new, you’re welcome at VegFest.
Sunalta Community Association and Hub, 1627 10 Ave. S.W. and 1639 10 Ave. S.W., calgaryvegansociety.com
Honens Festival
When: September 10 to 13, 2026
Honens Festival features a variety of piano-driven musical performances, including open-air shows and two classical adaptations concerts. This is your chance to hear fantastic musical performances in a variety of settings in and around Calgary.
Multiple locations, honens.com
Franco Festival
When: September 11 and 12, 2026
On the first day of this Francophone festival, check out the open-air, French-language film screening, where the first 100 people to register get a free popcorn. On the second day, jam out with Radio-Canada karaoke and check out the cultural village featuring presentations, crafts and traditions from French-speaking nations around the world.
Cowboys Park, 1220 9 Ave. S.W., @francofestyyc
Zen Garden Festival
When: September 12, 2026
For this festival, Waterfront Park will be transformed into three lush garden dance floors to celebrate the best house, tech-house, disco, bass, DnB, hip-hop and funk music. This year’s line-up includes Kenny Dope, Dubtribe Sound System and Neon Steve, so make sure you’ve got your dancing shoes on. When you’re not on the dance floor, Zen Garden has you covered with a cantina, bar service, food trucks and plenty of art installations.
Waterfront Park, 5225 101 St. N.W., zengardenfestival.com
Barley & Smoke
When: September 12, 2026
Fans of beer and barbecue will want to check out Barley & Smoke, the annual festival hosted by Kids Cancer Care. Grab a drink and a bite from your favourite spots in town, like Eighty-Eight Brewing and Village Brewery. While you enjoy the food, head over to the stage to hear the headliner, award-winning Alberta country artist Drew Gregory.
Enmax Park, Elbow River Pathway and MacDonald Ave. S.E., barleysmoke.ca
The Calgary Cat Festival and Market
When: September 12 and 13, 2026
If you love cats, then this is the event for you. At this two-day festival and market, pet owners and feline enthusiasts can expect cat-focused vendors, cat adoption booths, performances, a jigsaw puzzle competition and more.
Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St. S.W., calgarycatfest.com
Taste of Italy Festival
When: September 13, 2026
Back for its fifth year, the free Taste of Italy Festival celebrates Italian culture and businesses with delicious food, dancers and music. Plus, expect activities like a pizza-making station and a grape stomping tent.
Bridgeland Riverside Community Association, 917 Ctr. Ave. N.E., italianfestival.ca
Food Truck Fall Fest
When: September 13, 2026
Enjoy food from a variety of food trucks at the Killarney Glengarry Food Truck Fall Fest. There will also be live music, face painting, a local vendor market and drinks at the Buffalo 9 beer garden.
2828 28 St. S.W., killarneyglengarry.com
Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival
When: September 18 and 19, 2026
Sample some of the best food and drinks that Alberta has to offer at the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival. This event will transform the Spruce Meadows Equi-Plex into a grand tasting hall with bites ranging from classic bar fare to upscale dining samples. The festival also features live music, workshops, demonstrations and door prizes.
Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way S.W., rockymountainwine.com
Alberta Biodiversity Festival
When: September 19, 2026
A great festival for the whole family to celebrate Alberta’s diverse ecosystem, the Alberta Biodiversity Festival offers immersive games, crafting experiences and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities. A collaboration between the Bow Habitat Station and the Calgary Zoo’s Wilder Institute, the event features a variety of local exhibitors highlighting Alberta wildlife.
Bow Habitat Station, 1440 17a St. S.E., 403-297-6561, bowhabitat.alberta.ca
Night Light
When: September 24 to 26, 2026
Prepare to be dazzled as you walk through Victoria Park over the three evenings of Night Light. For this festival, artists push the limits of creativity by creating interactive installations, projection-mapped architecture and live performances.
Victoria Park, nightlightvicpark.ca
Calgary International Film Festival
When: September 24 to October 4, 2026
Celebrating its 26th year, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is showcasing over 200 multi-genre feature and short films from across Canada and around the world. As Alberta’s largest film festival, CIFF’s mission is to entertain and engage its audience. In addition to being an Oscar-qualifying festival for short films, CIFF supports local filmmakers by including a selection of Alberta features. Purchase tickets online or opt for a ticket bundle to get a deal.
Multiple locations, ciffcalgary.ca
Harvest Haus
When: September 25 and 26, 2026
Don your lederhosen and celebrate Oktoberfest right here in Calgary at Harvest Haus. Enjoy a variety of authentic European foods from giant pretzels to German sausage, and wash it all down with one of the 25+ European beers, wine and ciders on offer. When you’ve had your fill, take to the tanzfläche (dance floor) and groove to a soundtrack filled with classic dance tracks and Oktoberfest anthems.
Big Four Roadhouse, 1801 Big Four Tr. S.E., harvesthaus.com