While the Calgary Stampede may be the most famous July event in our city, there are a number of other noteworthy festivals to check out this month too. Featuring everything from concerts and wrestling matches to cultural celebrations and street entertainers, the following festivals have something for everyone — including your dog.
Badlands Music Festival
When: July 2 to 12, 2026
Over the course of Stampede, the Badlands Music Festival will welcome musical guests such as Above & Beyond, Griz, Linska, Levity, Walker & Royce and more. If you want to catch some exciting concerts away from the main Stampede grounds, this may be the event for you.
725 9 Ave. S.W., badlandsmusicfest.com
Cowboys Music Festival
When: July 2 to 12, 2026
Held inside the Cowboys tent, this year’s festival lineup is nothing short of spectacular from start to finish. Headliners include Jason Derulo, Flo Rida, Steve Aoki, Sean Paul, 5 Seconds of Summer, Macklemore and more. The 10-day festival also includes events like “Drag Me to Cowboys,” a drag event featuring iconic drag talent, with a DJ set from the inimitable RuPaul.
Cowboys Park, 1220 9 Ave. S.W., cowboysmusicfestival.com
Mexifest
When: July 3 to 5, 2026
This multicultural arts and entertainment festival highlights Mexican culture over three fun-filled days. Expect dancing, bands and a wrestling ring, all paired with authentic Mexican food and drinks. There will also be artisan tents where you can shop for handmade goods with your friends or family.
200 Barclay Parade S.W., mexifest.ca
Roundup Music Fest
When: July 8 and 9, 2026
This two-day event offers an impressive music lineup featuring Billy Idol, Foster the People, Grouplove, The Royal Foundry and more. If you’re not ready to end the night after the shows are over, Wildhorse Saloon is hosting the Roundup Music Fest’s official afterparty with free entry.
Prince’s Island Park, roundupmusicfest.com
Afro Switch Music Festival
When: July 10, 2026
This event started in 2024 and has since been bringing Afrobeats talent to Calgary ever since. Catch acts including NO11, Flavour, Odeal, Jeffrey Benson and more. To make the occasion even more special, consider booking the cabana experience, which keeps you close to the action under the shade of a cabana, and includes table service and VIP access for you and your friends.
ParkPlus Lot 6, 311 8 St. S.W., afroswitch.com
ChamberFest West
When: July 14 to 19, 2026
For fans of classical music, ChamberFest West offers a variety of orchestrated performances over six days in July. The theme of the fifth annual festival is Continental Drifts, which showcases pieces from around the world and different times in history. Shows like Pangaea will feature a performance of American minimalist Steve Reich’s “Piano Phase,” while 300 Years of Groove presents Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Partita No. 3 in E Major.”
Multiple locations, chamberfestwest.com
Fiestaval
When: July 17 to 19, 2026
Fiestaval celebrates Latin American culture and is a free, multicultural event. Organized by the Calgary Multicultural Arts Society, the festival features hundreds of performers, more than 30 food vendors, an artisan market, beer gardens and a play area for kids.
Eau Claire Plaza, 101 Barclay Parade S.W., fiestaval.ca
Omatsuri – Calgary Japanese Festival
When: July 17 and 18, 2026
Calgary’s celebration of Japanese culture turns 15 this year. Check out the Friday night market where there will be live dancing and all kinds of vendors. On Saturday, the festivities continue with Japanese performances, arts and culture and the opportunity to sample Japanese cuisine. Don’t miss out on the beer gardens and sake tasting.
Max Bell Centre, 1001 Barlow Tr. S.E., calgaryjca.com
YYC Ice Cream Fest
When: July 17 to August 16, 2026
There’s no sweeter choice in the summer than deciding where to go for some delicious local ice cream. YYC Ice Cream Fest brings together some of Calgary’s best local ice cream shops and eateries as they compete for the title of Best Scoop, Best Non-Dairy Scoop and the special Golden Scoop award. Each time a featured treat is purchased, $1 to $3 goes towards supporting Calgary Meals on Wheels.
Multiple locations, yycicecreamfest.com
Terminus Festival
When: July 23 to 26, 2026
For 12 years, Terminus Festival has brought the best of dark electronic, synth and industrial music to Calgary. This year’s festival with the theme “Resonance” brings acts including Test Dept, Home Front, Lead Into Gold and more.
Dickens Pub, 1000 9 Ave. S.W., terminus-festival.com
Calgary Folk Music Festival
When: July 23 to 26, 2026
Since 1980, Calgary Folk Music Festival has been one of the city’s most popular and beloved July events. It’s held on Prince’s Island Park and features six daytime stages, two evening stages, an arts and food market with over 70 vendors and drinks from Big Rock Brewery. This year’s artist lineup includes Killer Mike, Allison De Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves, Cochemea and more.
Prince’s Island Park, calgaryfolkfest.com
Historic Calgary Week
When: July 24 to August 3, 2026
Back for its 36th year, Historic Calgary Week is an 11-day event exploring Calgary’s past through more than 75 events including walks, tours and presentations. The theme of this year’s festival is “Chinook Country: Influences and Icons” and explores the important figures from Calgary’s past that made it the city it is today.
Multiple locations, chinookhistory.ca
Inglewood Sunfest
When: July 25, 2026
Inglewood Sunfest’s motto is to “celebrate, engage, entertain and delight.” This free, one-day festival in Inglewood does exactly that by featuring a variety of activities and attractions including street performers, food trucks and over 200 vendors. Inglewood Sunfest is an all-ages event, with plenty of fun things to do for kids and adults alike. Did we mention there are patios, too?
9th Avenue S.E., inglewoodsunfest.ca
Pet-A-Palooza’s Day of The Dog
When: July 26, 2026
Your favourite furry friends deserve their own summer festival, and the team behind Pet-A-Palooza have them covered. During the festival (which has free admission and a dog-friendly environment, of course), have fun at the 120-foot pool party and breed-specific dog races, take photos of your pet in a photo booth and more.
8th Avenue S.E. (between 4th and 6th), petapaloozawest.com
Calgary International Bluesfest
When: July 30 to August 2, 2026
For fans of the blues, there’s no better place to end July than at Calgary International Bluesfest. The lineup for the 22nd annual festival includes longtime blues artists Angel Forrest, Big Dave McLean, Bob Corritore and more. In between acts, be sure to check out the arts market and food trucks.
The Confluence, 750 9 Ave. S.E., calgarybluesfest.com