Why Future Dinos Will Love Calgary's Music Festivals
Dianne Miranda, Combined Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Sexuality Studies Student
One of my favourite things about this city is its rich music, culture and arts scene. As an avid listener of many genres, I can testify to Calgary as having something for everyone. Calgary isn't just home to amazing music festival, it's also a vibrant city where UCalgary students can explore culture, connect with friends and make the most of their campus experience. Here are some of my picks of the best of the music fests for Calgary and neighbouring towns!
Patrick Watson, Calgary Folk Music Festival 2025 // Photo by Dianne Miranda
Sled Island Music & Arts Festival
Sled Island could only be described as a unique festival that’s truly like no other. For five days in June, this independent celebration brings together community across beloved venues within Calgary like The Palace Theare, #1 Royal Canadian Legion, Central United Church and more, to blend all genres and subgenres of music. The festival also brings in a special guest curator each year to help add to the star-studded lineup of musicians.
There is one weekend in July where Calgary brings together people from different ends of the music spectrum, with one end of folk, indie, roots music and the other, dark electronic, industrial, synth, industrial and post-punk.
Calgary Folk Music Festival (CFMF)
There’s truly something magical about CFMF, about its seven stages that hold these spaces for its yearly amazing line up of 70+ bands and artists, held at the beautiful Prince’s Island Park. There are only several things you need for this festival: a picnic blanket or low-rise lawn chairs, some friends and good comfortable shoes to get you around packed days of captivating music, delicious food and fun activities for all ages. The CFMF also hosts a variety of shows throughout the year, including Block Heater, the February winter celebration for those who long for the return of the July warmth.
Terminus Festival
Terminus is one of the best-kept secret festivals, held at Dickens Calgary, that have taken the term underground quite literally. This festival is for the loud, for the confrontational, and for the lovers of dark music.
The festivals that have been mentioned so far are those that really put Calgary in the map when it comes to the music scene and are internationally acclaimed, but there are also so many longstanding and emerging smaller festivals that put local music at the forefront of these conversations.
FrogFest
Despite this festival not being a household name, they have been providing a platform for Calgary (and area) musical acts for over a decade. Held every May, FrogFest commemorates the start of our groove of welcoming festivals in the upcoming summer and as the snow melts outside.
Eastern Slopes Music & Arts Festival
A one-day, yet packed festival, Eastern Slopes was created to celebrate and showcase the diverse musical landscape of Calgary and broader Alberta. This fairly new festival takes place in late August where Calgarians can enjoy the last few days of summer dancing along local music.
The Blue, Eastern Slopes 2025 // Photo by Dianne Miranda
There are also some noteworthy runners-up for my favourite fests for those willing to venture a little outside of Calgary as the rhythms do not stop at the city limits.
Cold Bones
Just a short hour and a half drive from Calgary, Drumheller’s snow-dusted wintry Badlands set the stage for four venues, 35+ bands and three full days of magic every February. Cold Bones Fest, along with Calgary Folk Music Festival’s Block Heater seems to be the antidote to my withdrawals of my summer music festivals.
One aspect that makes me love these music festivals is the fact that I get to be outside for the entire day, savouring the sun. And this is what draws me to Waynestock, Alberta every first week of September for this camping festival. Being mesmerized by the surroundings of Dinosaur Valley, while hearing sounds of roots, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, alternative and soul, I couldn’t ask for a better Labour Day long weekend each year.
This list only scratches the surface of Calgary’s vibrant festival scene, with countless arts and culture events happening year-round. Dinos, Calgary has a festival for every taste, and your UCalgary student experience will let you dive right in!
For some of Calgary’s other best events visit: From Campus to City: Upcoming Events For Future UCalgary Student.
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