Honens Festival
When: September 5 to 8, 2024
Honens Festival features a variety of piano-driven musical performances, including open-air shows and two adaptive concerts. 2022 Honens Prize Laureate Illia Ovcharenko will also be performing a solo recital. This is your chance to hear fantastic musical performances in a variety of settings in and around Calgary.
Multiple locations, honens.com
Western Canada Rib Fest Tour
When: September 6 to 8, 2024
Just because summer is coming to a close doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying delicious barbecue. Head to the Western Canada Rib Fest Tour at McMahon Stadium for a mouthwatering weekend of great food, artisan vendors and a family fun zone. Try some of the best ribs that this year’s ribbers — Blazin’ BBQ, Billy’s BBQ, Bone Daddy’s and Buckeye’s BBQ — have to offer.
McMahon Stadium, wcrft.ca
DandyFest
When: September 7, 2024
Hosted by Dandy Brewing Company, DandyFest is a one-day event celebrating beer, music, food and art. Try samples from more than 20 North American breweries while listening to bands and DJs.
2003 11 St. S.E., thedandybrewingcompany.com; eventbrite.ca
Taste of Italy Festival
When: September 8, 2024
Back for a third year, the free Taste of Italy Festival celebrates Italian culture and businesses with delicious food, dancers and music. There are even activities for children, such as free glitter tattoos, a pizza-making station and a pasta craft tent.
Bridgeland Riverside Community Association, italianfestival.ca
Chinatown Lantern Festival
When: September 13, 2024
In addition to its beautiful displays of lights and lanterns, the Chinatown Lantern Festival features local vendors, booths and food trucks. Hosted by Calgary’s Chinatown Business Improvement Association, this festival is free to the public and is sure to delight all of Calgary.
2 Avenue S.W. and Daqing Square, calgarychinatown.com
Zen Garden Festival
When: September 14, 2024
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, funk and soul music. This year’s line-up includes Derrick Carter, Justin Martin and DJ Heather, 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, zengardenfestival.com
The Calgary Cat Festival and Market
When: September 14 and 15, 2024
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.adoption booths, performances, a jigsaw puzzle competition and more.
The Westin Calgary, 320 4 Ave. S.W., calgarycatfest.com, @catfestivalandmarket
Calgary International Film Festival
When: September 19 to 29, 2024
Celebrating its 25th 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. You can purchase ticket bundles online, or opt for single-screening tickets starting on September 5.
Multiple locations, ciffcalgary.ca
Fahr Oktoberfest
When: September 20 and 21, 2024
Fahr Brewery brews traditional German beer right here in Alberta, and you can try it at Fahr Oktoberfest this month. The festival features live polka bands, tasty eats like pretzels, bratwursts and sauerkraut, and lots of German beer.
Grey Eagle Event Centre, greyeagleresortandcasino.ca
Beakerhead
When: September 20 to 22, 2024
A Calgary staple for more than a decade, Beakerhead is the go-to celebration of science, arts and engineering, which is showcased through engaging exhibits and insightful presentations. This year’s programming features a range of day and nighttime exhibits, including Sparkquarium, Octopoda and even live science demonstrations and performances.
Telus Spark, beakerhead.com
Mid-Autumn Festival
When: September 20 to 22, 2024
The National Music Centre (NMC) and the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre have teamed up for the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is also known as the Moon Festival, this month. Showcasing the music and traditions of Canada’s Chinese and Asian communities, the festival features a variety of free and ticketed experiences with music, dancing, a singing contest and other activities. On September 21 and 22, pop into the NMC during the day for free matinee performances, lion and dragon dances, a market and more. You can also purchase tickets to evening concerts featuring artists like Jasmine Jazz with the Jodi Proznick Trio and Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble or XIA-3.
Studio Bell, 850 4 St. S.E., studiobell.ca
YYC Pizza Fest
When: September 20 to October 6, 2024
During YYC Pizza Fest, local restaurants compete to create your favourite pizza, which you can then rate for awards like top-rated pizza, most popular pizza, most innovative pizza and The Baker Award. The best part is that $2 to $4 from each pizza sold goes towards supporting Calgary Meals on Wheels.
Multiple locations, yycpizzafest.com