The 16th annual festival took place on June 6-7, 2026, at the Acadia Recreational Complex in southeast Calgary, bringing community members and newcomers together to connect and engage with Ukrainian culture.
Since its inaugural year, the festival has helped preserve Ukrainian culture while creating a sense of belonging for Ukrainians living far away from home.
Anastasiia Pravda, who immigrated from Ukraine, works as a social media marketer for the Calgary Ukrainian Festival. Pravda said the festival provides a connection to her hometown country.
“Having this festival, it gives me the feeling that I have something about my home, but here in Canada, in Calgary, people support you, people want you here,” Pravda said.
Pravda said that the support she received from her community has made her feel more welcomed in Calgary and she hopes that it continues for Ukrainians moving forward.
“It’s such a nice feeling when you know that people support you, people want you here, and they’re open to everything,” Pravda said.
Jordan Biss, chair and president of the board of directors, has been an active member of the event since it started 16 years ago. Biss said that organizing the event can present logistical challenges, but is grateful for the support that sponsors have given.
Biss said that one of the key messages is taking care of people, as he hopes visitors continue to leave with an appreciation for the culture, food and music overall.
“If they take away nothing else, it’s just the hospitality of how we as a community like to treat our guests,” Biss said.
Biss said that they plan to continue hosting the festival in the future with no plans of relocating.
Cathy Reiz is in her fourth year as the special events coordinator and has attended the event for 15 years. Reiz, who has Ukrainian heritage from her mother’s side of the family, said she reconnected with her roots 20 years ago as a dancer and performer for the festival.
Reiz hopes the festival continues to be a place to keep Ukrainian culture alive to help people appreciate the heritage and importance of culture and community, no matter where it’s established.
“That they see that life here in Calgary, in Canada, can be just as rich as it was back home.”