Categories > Guides and Tips
6 Alberta Music Festivals That Will Get Your Groove On
For me, Alberta’s annual music festivals are a big part of what makes it one of the liveliest provinces in Canada. These lively festivals always feel like the biggest parties on the planet—fitting whether you’re a fan of EDM, folk music, rock and roll, or everything in between.
I still remember when my parents took me to the famous Big Valley Jamboree, where my love for country music developed. This experience alone made me anticipate these types of music festivals all year long, and I thought I could share some of my faves with you!
More than the music, these festivals offer a sense of community like no other. Furthermore, you can also expect some amazing food, fun games, and an overall fun time when you check them out, so keep on reading!
Calgary Folk Music Festival
Media credit: calgaryfolkfest
Address: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW
Contact details: (403) 233-0904
Date: Fourth weekend of July
Calgary Folk Music Festival is a genuine love letter to the genre, featuring local and international acts from up-and-comers to established names. Consisting of four days filled with folk, indie and roots music, it’s impossible not to fall in love with the culture while you’re here.
Aside from the 70+ acts from all over the world, this place also features an artisan market, where you can truly feel the sense of community within the genre. You can even participate in collaborative sessions, jamming with some musical acts!
Moreover, the festival takes place in Calgary’s iconic Prince’s Park, which features beautiful views of the skyline from afar, but mostly the peaceful Bow River. You can also explore the park to find serene picnic spots if you’re looking to relax a bit from all the dancing and the crowd.
Pro tip:
If you’re 100% sure about attending this concert, we recommend booking your ticket months in advance to get the early bird discount rates! You can also check out the lineup while you’re on their website to see which days your favourite acts will be on stage.
Edmonton Folk Music Festival
Media credit: edmfolkfest
Address: 9505 96 Ave NW
Contact details: 780-429-1899.
Date: Second weekend of August
Edmonton Folk Music Festival is the festival you need to check out if you want to be immersed in live folk music. Much like the Calgary Folk Music Festival, this extravagant event features a diverse lineup of artists, and the best part is you won’t have to burn a hole in your pocket!
It’s advertised as an affordable festival, but retains the feeling of an all-out gathering and celebration for the genre. For starters, the festival features six different stages, which have featured well-known acts like Elvis Costello and Joni Mitchell.
We also love that the festival is mostly arranged by volunteers, which is a testament to their love for folk music. These volunteers work tirelessly to bring together vendors, musicians and plain folk music lovers in a four-day celebration.
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for a world-class place to stay during the 4-day festival, we recommend booking a room at Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. It features lavish rooms, facilities and amenities, and it’s only a 5-minute drive away from Gallagher Park.
Big Valley Jamboree
Media credit: thebvj
Address: 4250 Exhibition Dr, Camrose
Contact details: +1 888-404-1234
Date: Late July/early August
Big Valley Jamboree is THE festival to check out if you’re a fan of country music or planning to get into the genre. It’s the biggest celebration of country music in Canada, offering a world-class concert featuring international artists, contests, dance parties and more!
Starting with the concert, you can expect to see just about every big name in the local and international country scene. For instance, there have been shows where Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean and Bailey Zimmerman belonged in the same lineup!
The festival closes with a beautiful fireworks show that’s easily on par with the ones you’ll find in Disneyland. Meanwhile, something more adrenaline-inducing is the Bulls For Breakfast event—get ready to see the roughest and toughest cowboys tossed around by bulls and ponies!
Pro tip:
Be sure to take some time off the event and check out the Marketplace Tradeshow to score some cool merch and knick-knacks to commemorate your experience at the festival! You can check out the official page to see their updated hours.
Sled Island Music and Arts Festival
Media credit: sledisland and ok_social
Address: Multiple venues across Calgary
Contact details:
Date: June
Sled Island Music and Arts Festival is for creatives and those who are simply looking for new sounds. Aside from celebrating different forms of arts, it puts the spotlight on indie music and artists who aren’t signed with big labels, giving them a platform to share their music with the world!
What’s special about this festival is that it doesn’t take place in a single place but across multiple venues in Calgary. For instance, this year’s Sled Island Festival features artists performing in places like Blox Arts Centre, Central United Church, and Commonwealth.
If you’re just looking for a relaxing night of laughs, you can also check out some local comedians across various bars in Calgary. Meanwhile, cinephiles can bask in the beauty of filmmaking through indie directors showing their amateur films.
Pro tip:
Follow their official IG page to stay updated with the upcoming acts for the year’s Sled Island Music and Arts Festival! Furthermore, you can check out their website to find which venues your anticipated artists will play.
Canmore Folk Music Festival
Media credit: canmorefolkfest
Address: Centennial Park, 5 Ave, Canmore
Contact details: 403-678-2524
Date: First week of August
Canmore Folk Music Festival is the longest-running folk music festival in Alberta, so it’s a no-brainer to check it out to witness history and amazing music at the same time. Each day of this festival sees around 5,000 attendees, and it’s mostly because of the talented acts featured.
Throughout the years, they’ve featured folk artists like New Dangerfield, Mariel Buckley, and The Doggone Brothers Band have taken centre stage. The genre itself is magnificent, as it’s deeply rooted in the culture of Alberta, or even Canada, for that matter.
One thing that makes this festival stand out is its majestic backdrop. After all, it’s not always that you can jam out to your favourite folk songs while overlooking a beautiful mountain range, which becomes especially beautiful during sunset.
Pro tip:
If you’re planning on attending multiple dates for this festival, we recommend booking a stay at The Malcolm Hotel in Canmore. It’s minutes from the venue and features a roof deck swimming pool that overlooks the mountains!
Calgary Stampede
Media credit: calgarystampede
Address: Stampede Park, 1410 Stampede Trl SE
Contact details: +1 403-261-0101
Date: July
The Calgary Stampede may just be the craziest country music gathering in the entire country. Spanning 11 days, this festival features lively concerts from local and international artists, crazy rodeo shows, races, and a carnival—cementing itself as the greatest outdoor event.
Starting with the concert, you can expect to watch at least a hundred artists during the entire festival across its different venues. These artists range from local talents to international stars like Benson Boone, who is making his way as a bonafide artist today.
The festival is also great for the whole family because as we said earlier, it features a carnival, which consists of various rides and fun games. Of course, it wouldn’t be a complete festival experience without featuring some fine Midway-style snacks as well!
Pro tip:
During this 11-day festival, make sure to explore the surrounding area of Stampede Park, as several local businesses will be serving free pancakes! While you’re at it, be sure to use your finest denim and boots to make sure that people know you’re celebrating!
