What's on in Calgary
Although usually deemed 'cultureless' in comparison to cities like Toronto and Vancouver, there are still some excellent annual events in Calgary that expats should not miss out on.Recommended events in Calgary
The Calgary Stampede (July)
Undoubtedly the city's definitive event, the Calgary Stampede draws literally millions of visitors to Calgary every year. The festival is a 'hootin' and hollerin''celebration of Alberta's frontier history, and is centred around rodeo events that see professional cowboys compete in bouts of bull riding, roping, bareback riding, and steer wrestling. The Wild West theme doesn't stop there, however – pancake breakfasts, square dancing, ground-shaking Chuckwagon races, a recreated Indian village, a gambling hall and dazzling firework displays complete the effect. Scenes from the 2004 edition of the Calgary Stampede were featured in Ang Lee's Oscar-winning film Brokeback Mountain.
www.calgarystampede.com
The Lilac Festival (last Sunday in May)
Every year on the last Sunday in May, hundreds of thousands of people flock to Calgary's trendy 4th Street Mission district for the annual Lilac Festival. Voted the 'best free festival in Calgary' by FFWD magazine 14 years in a row, the Lilac Festival features a huge market, with over 600 stalls and an all-day line-up of the best in Calgary music – including rock, country, jazz, folk, and world music. The main event of the Spring-celebrating festival is a massive parade, starting at 10am at the intersection of 4th Street and 25th Avenue, and continuing along 4th Street to 13th Avenue.
www.lilacfestival.com
Calgary Folk Music Festival (July)
A well-respected music festival, the Calgary Folk Fest (as it's commonly known) attracts about 50,000 music fans to Prince's Island Park every year. Featuring over 60 local and international acts each year – spread across seven stages – the Calgary Folk Music Festival is considered to be a bit of a 'purist's festival', known for listening and appreciative audiences. The calibre of the acts – which span the genres of folk, blues, roots and even hip hop – is significant, with the 2011 edition of the 30-year-old festival featuring both legendary and up-and-coming artists such as Nancy Griffiths, kd lang, The Felice Brothers, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Yo La Tengo and Dark Dark Dark.
www.calgaryfolkfest.com
Sports (all year round)
Calgarians love their sport, and are blessed with some successful professional teams. The Calgary Flames (who play in the National Hockey League) are probably the most famous, but there are also the Calgary Stampeders have won six Canadian Football League championships in their 65-year history. Expats should make a special effort to attend an edition of the 'Battle of Alberta' – the name given to ice-hockey contests between fierce local rivals the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers.
