Are you ready to make the most of the month ahead in Alberta? August is overflowing with fun to be had. You won’t believe how many incredible festivals are happening around the province in just a few short weeks. If you’re ready to fill your month with fun and unique events and activities, you’ve landed in the right place. Take a look at this list, fill that calendar up, and have a blast!
Bear Creek Folk Festival
If you love folk music, you will love this awesome event. Running from August 18th to 20th on Borstad Hill in Muskoseepi Park, in the heart of Grande Prairie. There are four stages, 30 provincial, national, and international artists, tons of food and craft vendors, and so much fun. The genres span a wide variety, including country, Celtic, blues, gospel, Americana, bluegrass, world music, contemporary and traditional folk, rock, and the list goes on. This year’s lineup includes hard hitters like Sarah McLachlan, Blue Rodeo, and The Strumbellas, so you know it will be good.
Blueberry Music Festival
Ready for three days of incredible live music in Stony Plain? From August 4th to 6th, you’ll find tons of jamming, music workshops, food trucks, market vendors, and more. You can get camping passes if you want the full experience, or you can do a day pass to check it out for the day. If you love bluegrass music and vibes, you’re going to adore this. Jamming is a huge part of the experience, and you’ll love seeing these passionate performers hitting the stage and jamming together. If you like to play, you can (and should) get involved!
Edmonton Folk Music Festival
One of Alberta’s favourite folk music festivals is back, and it is going to be unforgettable. From August 10th to 13th in Gallagher Park, there will be food, vendors, and so much music. They’ve got some big names this year, including Feist, Fleet Foxes, Old Crow Medicine Show, Ben Harper, and the list goes on. Whether you’re more into folk, indy, bluegrass, or something totally different, you’ll find what you love here.
Big Valley Jamboree
Okay, country fans, this one is for you! Bow Valley Jamboree is a massive country music festival that takes place in Camrose each year. In fact, this year is the 30th anniversary of the festival. Of course, the lineup is incredible. You’ll get to stomp your boots to live performances by Dallas Smith, Morgan Wallen, Dierks Bently, Chase Rice, Joe Nichols, Bailey Zimmer, and so much more. Aside from the music, you can enjoy shopping, rodeo events, the lumberjack show, a karaoke contest, dance parties, and more. How fun does that sound?
Vibes Music Festival
Now, another music festival but a different vibe. Vibes Music Festival is a not-for-profit electronic music event that features many local artists, workshops, and activities centered around connection, self-expression, and growth. Taking place on August 4th in Yellowhead County, this is the perfect event for anyone who loves to dance, build community, and celebrate self-expression.
Loud As Hell Festival
There really is something for everyone this month! Now we’re turning our heads to Drumheller, where the Loud as Hell Heavy Metal Festival takes place from August 4th to 6th at the Dinosaur Downs Stampede Grounds. The lineup is filled with legendary bands. You might need a few days post-festival to recover your eardrums. Beyond the concerts, there is so much to keep you busy and having a blast, so you better get your beauty sleep ahead of time.
Bro-Tell Backyard Festival
From August 18th to 20th in John Dudar Park, Myrnam, you’ll find a glorious little music festival featuring professional and emerging artists. While it started with a few friends in a backyard, it’s grown substantially since somehow still maintaining the backyard vibe. You’re sure to make some incredible friends, have a wonderful time, and spend an unforgettable weekend among friendly faces. You’ll see musical acts like Laur Elle, Rebecca Lappa, Spenny and the Jets, and more.
Country Thunder
If you can believe it, there’s another amazing country music festival in Alberta this month. From August 18th to 20th, Country Thunder is taking place at Fort Calgary. As you can imagine, the lineup is outstanding. Get excited for Jon Pardi, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Carly Pearce, and more. This festival is filled with energy, great music, and even better company. You can’t help but have a blast.
Canmore Folk Festival
Here we’ve got another amazing Alberta folk fest! We’re pretty lucky, aren’t we? From August 5th to 7th, this unforgettable festival occurs in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. You can expect great musical performances, a ton of great food, awesome vendors, a pub stage, and the list goes on. This event is what community is all about, bringing folks of all ages from across the province and the country. Trust us. You’re going to love it.
Acro-Caribbean Festival
Are you ready for an incredible cultural experience in Red Dear? From August 12th to 13th, you can join in to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of African, Caribbean, and other nationalities across central Alberta. You will enjoy music, performances, fashion shows, food vendors, kids’ activities, and tons of opportunities to learn and celebrate together. This festival is going to be huge, vibrant, and so much fun. This is the first annual African-Carribbean Festival in Red Dear, and we know it’s going to continue for years to come.
Alberta Open Farm Days
Alberta Open Farm Days is a province-wide open house that welcomes Albertans to the incredible farm-to-table culinary events held around the province using locally-forged products. You can tour farms, taste some of the best and freshest food in the province, and learn from hands-on experiences that connect us with our regional farms. Check out the participating locations and book yourself a seat at the table from August 19th to 20th.
Taber Cornfest
Who doesn’t want to celebrate Taber’s legendary corn? From August 24th to 26th, you’ll get to check out the largest free family festival in Western Canada. There’s stage entertainment, games, competitions, a parade, a child cook-off, a cornbread contest, a fun run, and more. Of course, you can eat your body weight in some of the best corn in Canada.
It’s that time of year again! Castle’s summer tradition returns on August 26th: the 27th annual Huckleberry Festival. You can enjoy free live music, BBQ food, a beer garden, scenic chairlift rides, berry picking, the mountain market, and a delicious chicken & rib dinner to top it all off. This is an amazing summer event with fun for the whole family.
Britanny Burr is a freelance writer and a contributor to Great West Media. This story was written for the 2023 Hot Summer Guide advertising feature. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.
