Crowds walk through a lineup of food trucks on 4th Street during Calgary’s 33rd Lilac Festival on Sunday, June 7, 2026. PHOTO: GREG DERER
Groups of people make their way through the 14 blocks of entertainment in Calgary for Lilac Fest on Sunday, June 7, 2026. PHOTO: GREG DERER

Thousands of Calgarians made their way to 4th Street in Calgary’s Mission and Cliff Bungalow communities, despite the rain this last Sunday, for the 35th Lilac Fest.

Pickled goods were on display on 4th Street, among many other unique vendors, for the Lilac Festival in Calgary on Sunday, June 7, 2026. PHOTO: GREG DERER
Handcrafted gifts and trinkets were for sale among the 500 unique vendors at Calgary’s 33rd Lilac Festival on Sunday, June 7, 2026. PHOTO: GREG DERER

This year, the event hosted over 500 local vendors selling artisan crafts, baked goods, or vintage clothing. Seven stages were set up for a variety of musical and dance performances with over 70 unique musicians and over 45 dance groups.

Musicians perform at the corner of 4th Street and 17th Avenue during Calgary’s Lilac Festival on Sunday, June 7, 2026. PHOTO: GREG DERER
Hundreds of visitors arrive at the main entrance to Calgary’s 33rd Lilac Festival on Sunday, June 7, 2026. PHOTO: GREG DERER
One of the several dance performances on 4th Street during Calgary’s Lilac Festival on Sunday, June 7, 2026. PHOTO: GREG DERER

Over 100k were said to have attended the Sunday festival that stretched from Elbow Drive to 12th Avenue, packed with food trucks, bouncy castles, and various dog-friendly patios to welcome and introduce visitors to the many businesses that the Mission community has to offer.

A group of visitors take a photo opportunity with Rooty, the Great Root Bear, on 17th Avenue during Calgary’s 33rd Lilac Festival on Sunday, June 7, 2026. PHOTO: GREG DERER

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Greg Derer can often be found behind a camera in his free time, and really enjoys the technical aspects of journalism and digital media. Working with the Reflector, the Calgary Journal, and Big Kitty Magazine,...