While Calgary is best known for its cowboy culture and the Calgary Stampede, its lesser-known festivals showcase the diverse ethnicities that comprise the city. Instead of bull riding, think salsa dancing; instead of Korn on a Stick, think tajine and hummus.
Here are our top five picks for Calgary events and cultural festivals.
Family Day Festival & Pow Wow
When: June
Held around Canada’s National Aboriginal Day (June 21) every year, the Family Day Festival & Powwow reflects the pride of the area’s Indigenous peoples through traditional dance competitions, live music and aboriginal food. The Calgary twist? The day kicks off with a pancake breakfast, Stampede style.
Then the powwow begins, and dancers dressed in traditional regalia compete in a variety of styles. Visitors can also take lessons in Métis jigging (dancing), watch talent showcases and take the little ones to join children’s activities throughout the day. Visit the Indigenous art and crafts market for one-of-a-kind creations. You can also enjoy First Nations and Inuit musicians, a Métis jigging performance, and a variety of food vendors.
Carifest
When: August
The energy is high for Carifest, a celebration of Caribbean arts and culture. The event kicks off with a colorful masquerade of shimmying performers and music makers. Called a “Mas” for short, this is a parade-like walk from Olympic Plaza to Shaw Millennium Park. Its mix of African and European cultures creates a festive, Caribbean-style street party.
After the parade, gather at the park for more music, an arts and crafts market, and Caribbean-inspired food: Grab a plate of jerk chicken and get your dancing shoes moving.
Africfest
When: August
This multi-day celebration of all things Africa gets funky with music, dance, food, storytelling and visual arts. The continent of Africa is huge, so Africfest encompasses a vibrant variety of cultures, styles and cuisines. The mainstage showcases live performances, while the food and beverage village brings the flavor with food from around the continent. Make time to perouse the marketplace to find crafts and cultural merchandise and stay for a workshop or cutlural demonstration. Bring the kids for the family area activities.
As the sun sets, nighttime concerts begin, showcasing up-and-coming and well-known musicians of African descent. They bring together people all of ethnicities to groove on the grass.
Calgary Japanese Festival “Omatsuri”
When: August
Martial arts presentations, sake tasting, tea ceremonies and kimono dressing demonstrations fill the day with Japanese culture at the Calgary Japanese Festival (“Omatsuri” means “traditional festival”). Kids love the reenactments of classic Japanese fairy tales, as well as trying their hand at games played for prizes.
The day reaches its climax as the local favorite Shinya Taiko Kai group takes the stage to perform a type of energetic, traditional drumming called taiko. Don’t miss the traditional street food the festival is known for.
Calgary Arab Festival
When: August
Celebrating Arab culture over two days, the Calgary Arab Festival showcases the diversity of the Arab nations through clothing, cuisine, culture and art. Try Arab food and coffee, see folk dances like dabke, and enjoy the live music.
You should also make time to explore the bazaar with tents feature about a dozen different Arab countries. The hosts exude warm Arab hospitality and will enthusiastically welcome you inside to share their traditions with you. Make sure not to miss the shisha (hookah) café!
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