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 3 to 13, 2025
Over the course of Stampede, the Badlands Music Festival will welcome musical guests such as Zedd, Tiesto, Disclosure, RL Grime, Lane 8 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 3 to 13, 2025
Held inside the Cowboys tent, this year’s festival lineup is nothing short of spectacular from start to finish. Headliners include The Chainsmokers, Akon, Fall Out Boy, T-Pain, Thomas Rhett, Zach Top and more. The 10-day festival also includes events like a barbecue invitational cook-off hosted by Guy Fieri and a drag brunch featuring some iconic drag queens.
Cowboys Park, 1220 9 Ave. S.W., cowboysmusicfestival.com
Mexifest
When: July 4 to 6, 2025
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 9, 2025
This one-day event offers an impressive music lineup featuring Tom Cochrane, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, JD Fortune and JJ Wilde. 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
ChamberFest West
When: July 14 to 19, 2025
For fans of classical music, ChamberFest West offers a variety of orchestrated performances over six days in July. The theme of its fourth annual festival is Lost & Found, which showcases pieces from forgotten classical composers who gained popularity after their deaths. Shows like Sublime Soundscapes will feature a performance of Johannes Brahms “Two Songs for Voice, Viola and Piano Op. 91,” while Rise and Shine presents Zosha Di Castri’s “The Contours of Absence.” A full list of concerts is available online.
Multiple locations, chamberfestwest.com
Fiestaval
When: July 18 to 20, 2025
Fiestaval celebrates Latin American culture and is a free, multicultural event that takes place at the new Eau Claire Plaza. 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.
3 Street and Riverfront Avenue S.W., fiestaval.ca
YYC Ice Cream Fest
When: July 18 to August 17, 2025
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
Calgary Folk Music Festival
When: July 24 to 27, 2025
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 Blue Moon Marquee, Dengue Fever, Digging Roots and more.
Prince’s Island Park, calgaryfolkfest.com
Inglewood Sunfest
When: July 26, 2025
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 and 27, 2025
Your favourite furry friends deserve their own summer festival, and the team behind Pet-A-Palooza have them covered. During the two-day festival (which has free admission and a dog-friendly environment, of course), have fun at the 100-foot pool party and 400-foot obstacle course, take photos of your pet in a photo booth and more.
8th Avenue S.E. (between 4th and 6th), petapaloozawest.com