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. From concerts and classic cars to cultural celebrations and curated art installations, the following five festivals have something for everyone.
Cowboys Music Festival
When: July 7 to 17, 2022
Featuring guests and performers from around the world, the Cowboys Music Festival takes place throughout the entirety of the Stampede. Held inside the legendary Cowboys tent on the Stampede grounds, the Cowboys Music Festival is returning for the first time since 2019 (it was cancelled for the last two years due to COVID-19). This year’s highly anticipated lineup is nothing short of spectacular from start to finish. Headliners include Ludacris, Big Sean and T.I., Zac Brown Band, Brothers Osborne and Zach Bryan and more. The 10-day-long festival will also feature celebrity appearances by actor Cole Hauser, who plays Rip Wheeler on the hit show Yellowstone, an afternoon performance by Blue Rodeo, a barbecue invitational cook-off and a drag brunch.
519 12 Ave. S.E. on Stampede Park, cowboysmusicfestival.com
Inspire Fest
When: July 15 to 17, 2022
Taking place at Highfield Regenerative Farm in Calgary, Inspire Fest is an immersive experience inspired by music and art. This festival showcases local DJs, creators, artists and musicians. It also includes a market full of local vendors, two music stages, a beer garden, farm tours, curated art installations and much more.
1920 Highfield Cres. S.E., inspirefest.ca
Calgary Folk Music Festival
When: July 21 to 24, 2022
Featuring more than 70 musical artists from Alberta, Canada and all over the world, Calgary Folk Fest is one of the city’s most popular and beloved July events. Held on Prince’s Island Park over four glorious days, the festival features five daytime stages, two evening stages, an arts market and a Big Rock Brewery beer garden. Among the eclectic lineup of artists performing at Folk Fest this year are the Black Pumas, Spoon, The Wood Brothers and Matt Anderson.
Prince’s Island Park, calgaryfolkfest.com
Fiestaval
When: July 22 to 24, 2022
Celebrating Latin American culture, Fiestaval is a free, three-day multicultural event that takes place at Calgary Olympic Plaza. The festival, which is put on by the Calgary Multicultural Arts Society, features hundreds of national and international performers, more than 25 authentic food vendors, an artisan market, beer gardens and a play area for kids.
228 8 Ave. S.E., fiestaval.ca
Inglewood Sunfest
When: July 30, 2022
Inglewood Sunfest’s motto is to “celebrate, engage, entertain and delight.” This free, one-day festival, located in the heart of Inglewood, does exactly that by featuring a variety of activities and attractions, including street performers, food trucks and local vendors selling their wares. Among the festival’s major highlights is the annual Show & Shine spectacle, showcasing classic and muscle cars for attendees to admire. Inglewood Sunfest is an all-ages event, with plenty of fun things to do for kids and adults, alike.
3613 Blackburn Rd. S.E., inglewoodsunfest.ca