The Calgary Journal’s list of the hottest festivals happening in the city
Afrikadey
Dates: Aug. 6-9
Venue: Prince’s Island Park
Price: $20-$30
Gain a better appreciation for African culture in Calgary this summer by attending Afrikadey. This festival — returning for its 23rd anniversary — invites you to Prince’s Island Park to experience the musical styles, dance, art and literature that are deeply rooted in Africa. Afrikadey will showcase a wide variety of live music, dance, food, visual arts, film, theatre and a host of many other features that are fun for the whole family. For more information on Afrikadey and on how to purchase tickets, visit afrikadey.com
Chasing Summer
Dates: Aug. 8-9
Venue: Fort Calgary
Price: $149-189 plus service charges
Calgary, are you ready to dance, rage and party the night away? Well there’s no question about that as festival goers will live for the night when the hottest DJs descend on Fort Calgary in early August. Chasing Summer is dubbed as Western Canada’s largest electronic music festival that returns with a big bang for its second year. It features two days of DJ sets, memorable songs and 19 performers that will surely get you moving. The event showcases prominent talents like Tiesto and DJ Magazine’s choice as the No. 1 DJ in the world, Hardwell. Newcomers performing at this festival include 3LAU and Cash Cash. For more information on Chasing Summer Music Festival and how to get tickets, visit chasingsummerfestival.com
Globalfest
Dates: Aug. 14-23
Venue: Elliston Park
Price: $20-$75
Experience one of the most massive multicultural showcases of culture in Calgary throughout 10
Festival onlookers in Elliston Park watch an amazing fireworks display by France at last year’s Globalfest fireworks competition.
Photo by Steven Coutts days of August as the city’s popular summertime festival Globalfest returns to Elliston Park. Globalfest celebrates diversity and promotes artistic excellence in a world class and inclusive environment. Under the Globalfest umbrella is the One World Festival which features the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of 19 cultural pavilions from around the globe. Calgary’s cultural communities display their dress, heritage, live performances, cultural music and more. This summer festival also features an extensive international fireworks competition that excites and draws many Calgarians together. For more information on Globalfest and where to get tickets, visit globalfest.ca
Expo Latino
Dates: Aug. 22-24
Venue: Prince’s Island Park
Price: $20-$35
Get ready to feel the temperatures rise and sizzle once again as Latin culture is presented front and centre at Expo Latino, which is known as Western Canada’s largest Latin festival. The festival returns to Calgary for its 18th anniversary and will be held at Prince’s Island Park. Expo Latino aims to create an environment where Calgarians can discover the Hispanic culture through a celebration of people, music and dance. Over three days, the city is treated to an expansive variety of fun family entertainment that features world-class performers, dance showcases, delicious food and exotic art. Visit expolatino.com for more information.
Pride Calgary
Dates: Aug. 22- Sept.1
Venue: Shaw Millenium Park
Price: Free Admission
Celebrate Calgary’s LGBTQA (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered Questioning and Allied) community by taking part in fun filled festivities throughout the city’s downtown core. Pride Calgary kicks off with a massive parade that begins on Stephen Avenue and then heads to Shaw Millennium Park, where the real party starts. This festival is tied in with Pride Week, which aims to promote equality and acceptance in the city. The party is hosted by Les Girls and YYC Bad Boys with live performances from Calgary artists and from across Canada. Pride Calgary also features a wide variety of entertainment like vendors, beer gardens, food trucks and fun for the whole family. For more information on Pride Calgary, visit pridecalgary.ca
X-Fest
Dates: Aug. 30-31
Venue: Fort Calgary
Price: $99 – $249.50 plus service charge
Alternative rock band Blink 182 rocking Fort Calgary with their greatest hits at the 2013 edition of X-Fest.
Photo courtesy of X-FestPrepare to end summer 2014 with an explosive bang as socks will be rocked and throats will be severely sore as X-Fest returns. The alternative music festival was started in 2011 by Calgary radio station X-92.9, and it’s back for its fourth year at Fort Calgary. This edition includes a kick ass line up that will have you screaming for more as you head bang your heart out to Tegan and Sara (formerly of Calgary), Jack White, Foster the People, Death Cab for Cutie, Serena Ryder and many more. For more information on X-Fest and where to get tickets, visit xfestcalgary.com