Alberta’s Festival Scene in Summer!
June 13, 2024 | Alberta, Events, What's HappeningSummer is here, and Alberta is buzzing with an exciting mix of unique and diverse festivals! Dive into the fun by attending one of our province’s many arts and culture celebrations – it’s a fantastic way to boost the local creative scene. With dozens of festivals lighting up the calendar over the next few months, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Did you know that in 2022-23, 70.3% of Albertans attended arts and culture activities, and 54% participated in arts activities themselves? Additionally, 76.3% of Albertans believe that arts and culture activities make their community a better place to live (Alberta Foundation for the Arts).
It’s clear we love our local arts scene so let’s dive into some festivals to check out across the province.
Calgary
The Coca-Cola Stage, Calgary StampedeCalgary Stampede
Starting with Calgary, we would be remiss if we didn’t highlight the iconic Calgary Stampede, but did you know that the Stampede is filled with live music acts?
A fan favourite of the Calgary Stampede, the Coca-Cola Stage (or Coke Stage) brings you live music from rock, hip-hop, pop, and EDM genres. Even better is that attendance for the Coke Stage is free with park admission!
Dates & Location: July 4–14
Artists Include: Logic, Billy Talent, Orville Peck, Alison Wonderland, and more!
Iconic artists and chart-toppers come to the Calgary Saddledome!
Dates & Location: July 10–14 | Calgary Stampede Grounds
Artists Include: Motley Crue, Miranda Lambert, Jonas Brothers, and more!
Stampede’s iconic party tent! Nashville North is free with park admission.
Dates & Location: July 4–14 | Calgary Stampede Grounds (Saddledome)
Artists Include: The Washboard Union, Tyler Joe Miller, Ashley McBryde, and more!
Check out the Calgary Stampede to plan your visit!
Nashville North StageCowboys Music Festival
Canada’s legendary 11-day music festival! Featuring a star-studded lineup you don’t want to miss!
Dates & Location: July 4–14 | 519 12th Ave SE - Parking Lot 14
Artists Include: Tate McRae, Riley Green, Steve Aoki, Tyler Hubbard, and more!
Check out the Cowboys Music Festival to plan your visit!
Cowboys Music FestivalCalgary Folk Music Festival
A four-day extravaganza that highlights brilliant upstart and iconic artists from around the corner and the globe and from here at home!
Dates & Location: July 25-26 | Prince’s Island Park
Artists Include: Elliott BROOD, K-Riz, Miko Marks, The Roots, and more!
Check out Calgary Folk Music Festival to see their full lineup!
Calgary Folk Music Festival – Jarrett EdmundSled Island
This five-day festival brings together a community of music, comedy, film, and art! This year’s Sled Island will have over 150 live acts!
Dates & Location: June 19–23 | Various Locations
Artists Include: Mick Jenkins, Cherry Glazerr, Show Me The Body, Ekkstacy, and more!
Check out Sled Island for more info!
Sled Island – Shannon JohnstonEdmonton
KDays Music Fest
A staple of the iconic Edmonton festival, KDays! Each year, KDays Music Fest curates an eclectic collection of rock, pop, country, and hip-hop artists! From fan favourites to rising stars, there’s something to check out for everyone! Concerts are free with general park admission.
Dates & Location: July 19-28 | Edmonton EXPO Centre & Exhibition Grounds
Artists Include: K’naan, Metric, Simple Plan, Ludacris, and more!
Check out KDays Music Fest to plan your visit!
KDays Spotlight StageEdmonton International Jazz Festival
This longstanding festival brings jazz from around the world to Edmonton! Both ticketed and free programming are available!
Dates & Location: June 25–30 | Various Locations
Artists Include: Ulysses Owens Jr’s Generation Y, Brenan Brothers, Veronica Swift, and more!
Check out Edmonton International Jazz Festival for their full lineup!
Edmonton International Jazz FestThousand Faces Festival
This free, annual, family-friendly festival in central Edmonton promotes local and emerging artists by curating music and arts events!
Dates & Location: July 12–14 | Alberta Avenue Community Centre
Artists Include: Full lineup TBA
Check out Thousand Faces Festival to stay tuned for the latest updates!
Thousand Faces Festival – @matsimpsonphotoEdmonton Folk Music Festival
A summer staple where thousands of music lovers lay down their tarps on the hill in the heart of the river valley, this year’s festival promises another incredible outdoor experience featuring a jam-packed line-up.
Dates & Location: August 8–11 | Gallagher Park
Artists Include: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Ben Howard, KT Tunstall, Black Pumas, and more!
Check out Edmonton Folk Music Festival to grab your tickets!
Edmonton Folk Music festivalEdmonton Pride
Not just a colourful parade, Edmonton will be bringing a full lineup of live, local, queer music!
Dates & Location: August 17–24 | Churchill Square
Artists Include: Ralph, Jamie Fine, Stereos, Pep Per, and more!
Check out Edmonton Pride for their full list of artists!
Edmonton Pride FestivalNorthern Alberta
Whitecourt Party in the Park
A free fun-filled festival that includes live music, children’s activities, food vendors, roving performers, and more!
Dates & Location: June 14–15 | Festival Park, Whitecourt
Artists Include: Scott Helman, Madeline Merlo, Arcana Kings, Jason Kirkness and more!
Check out Whitecourt Party in the Park for more details!
Whitecourt Party in the ParkNorth Country Fair
A summer solstice celebration and music festival in one, you don’t want to miss this nature-centric music experience.
Dates & Location: June 21–23 | North Country Fair
Artists Include: Balaklava Blues, Melafrique, The Honey Cowboy, Sean Beaver, and more!
Check out North Country Fair to plan your visit!
North Country Fair – Jodi SwareBear Creek Folk Festival
The Bear Creek Folk Music Festival features 4 stages with over 30 provincial, national, and international touring artists performing from a wide range of genres, including country, Celtic, blues, gospel, Americana, bluegrass, world music, and more.
Dates & Location: August 16–18 | Muskoseepi Park, Grande Prarie
Artists Include: Jann Arden, Elliott Brood, AV and the Inner City, Jigjam, and more!
Check out Bear Creek Folk Festival to learn more!
Bear Creek Folk Music FestivalSouthern Alberta
Alternative Waves Music Festival
Southern Alberta’s premier multi-genre festival returns for another edition in the sunniest city in Canada, Medicine Hat, AB! 2 days, 2 stages, 40+ bands, and a beer garden!
Dates & Location: June 14–16 | Mainliner Pub, Medicine Hat
Artists Include: Authority Zero, Julius Sumner Miller, Shadow of Death, The Corps, and more!
Check out Alternative Waves Music Festival to secure your tickets!
Alternative Waves Music FestivalShady Grove Bluegrass Festival
The Shady Grove Festival is one of Canada’s best bluegrass music festivals. It has been running annually for about 30 years and has continued to deliver top-notch entertainment and an unrivalled community for jamming.
Dates & Location: July 12–14 | Sundre Pro Rodeo Grounds
Artists Include: TBA
Keep up to date with Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival!
Alternative Waves Music FestivalBig Valley Jamboree
One of Canada's premiere camping music festivals, Big Valley Jamboree brings some of the biggest country superstars to Camrose, Alberta every August Long Weekend!
Dates & Location: August 1–4 | Camrose
Artists Include: Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Keith Urban, Riley Green, and more!
Check out Big Valley Jamboree for their full lineup!
Big Valley JamboreeThere’s so much more to see!
This is just a snapshot of festivals occurring across Alberta this summer. For more festivals, visit West Anthem’s event page!