Pack your stretchy pants and dancing shoes—August in Alberta is bursting with cultural events, fringe festivals, plus food and music magic across the province.
Celebrate Caribbean Culture
Experience the Caribbean tradition of Carnival at several Alberta events this August! The Caribbean Carnival is an annual celebration held on many Caribbean islands and internationally, featuring dancing, cultural music, and delicious food.
Edmonton’s Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival is the largest of its kind in Western Canada, taking place in the city’s downtown from Aug. 8 to Aug. 10, with more than 60,000 people attending the three-day event that includes one of the city’s largest parades of the year. Carifest Calgary is a similar three-day festival that also features a grand parade, as well as a Reggae Cool Down to wrap up the festival. Meanwhile, in central Alberta, the Afro-Caribbean Festival takes place in Red Deer Aug. 9 to Aug. 10, marking its third year in that city—don’t miss the fashion show!
Fringe Galore
Get ready for some incredible theatre, Alberta, because it’s Fringe Festival season in our province!
The Edmonton International Theatre Fringe Festival takes over the heart of Old Strathcona Aug. 14 to Aug. 25, and it’s the largest, longest-running fringe fest in all of North America. This year’s Edmonton Fringe features a whopping 223 theatre productions in 40 venues!
Alberta’s second-largest fringe will also kick off in August: the Calgary Fringe Theatre Festival takes place Aug. 1 to Aug. 9.
Science Summer
Fuel up your curiosity this summer at the province’s two largest science centres, where learning is anything but boring. At the Telus World of Science in Edmonton, Wow Wednesdays! are set to feature some high-energy experiments that will excite the whole family. On Aug. 6, check out Ice Cream Science, then on Aug. 20, end the summer with a bang with the Ballsplosion, Rockets and More show. AMA members save 10% on general admission or annual membership to the Telus World of Science.
At Calgary’s Spark Science Centre, the Tastes Like Science summer features a variety of exhibits and displays that aim to get guests snacking on curiosity and savouring surprising moments. Banquet, the Spark’s current exhibition, explores the science and joy of food, and once you’ve got your appetite sparked, head to the Astronaut Ice Cream café! AMA members save 10% on general admission to the Telus Spark Science Centre.
Blues, Country and Folk
Get ready to feel the music during a wide range of genre festivals taking place around the province this August. Blues legends and rising stars will take the stages at the Calgary Bluesfest from July 8 to Aug. 3, while country fans will get their opportunity to dance at Alberta Country Thunder, also in Calgary on Aug. 15 to Aug. 17. Meanwhile, Edmonton’s annual Folk Festival will take place Aug. 7 to Aug. 10, bringing thousands out to one of the city’s most beloved music events. And if you’re looking for some songs in the mountains, the Canmore Folk Festival takes place Aug. 2 to Aug. 4.
Alberta on the Plate
All over the province, local restaurants and producers will be celebrated during the Alberta on the Plate festival. Taking place Aug. 8 to Aug.17 this year, the event invites local chefs and companies to highlight their best and brightest (and Alberta-grown) menu items, often at a set-menu price. The list of participating restaurants includes spots all over the province, from Calgary to Edmonton, and from Bragg Creek to Peace River.
Canmore Highland Games
Dust off your kilt and practice your best bagpipe face to celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture at the Canmore Highland Games this Aug. 30 and Aug. 31. The city of Canmore, aptly named after the Scottish King who started one of the first Highland Games in Scotland, is a natural host for the event, which features traditional dancing, music and sports. An annual event since 1991, head to the Canmore Highland Games this August for pure plaid joy. Och aye—it’s gonna be a guid time.