9 Calgary Festivals to Check Out in September

Honens Festival

When: September 5 to 7, 2025

Honens Festival features a variety of piano-driven musical performances, including open-air shows and two classical adaptations concerts. This is your chance to hear fantastic musical performances in a variety of settings in and around Calgary.

Multiple locations, honens.com

Taste of Italy Festival

When: September 7, 2025

Back for a fourth year, the free Taste of Italy Festival celebrates Italian culture and businesses with delicious food, dancers and music. There are even activities for children, such as free glitter tattoos, a pizza-making station and a grape stomping tent.

Bridgeland Riverside Community Association, 917 Ctr. Ave. N.E., italianfestival.ca

Chinatown Lantern Festival

When: September 12, 2025

In addition to its beautiful displays of lights and lanterns, the Chinatown Lantern Festival features local vendors, booths and food trucks. Hosted by Calgary’s Chinatown Business Improvement Association, this festival is free to the public and is sure to delight all of Calgary.

2 Avenue S.W. and Daqing Square, calgarychinatown.com

India Film Festival of Alberta

When: Calgary dates on September 12 to 14, 2025

Celebrate brilliant Indian filmmaking at the 11th edition of the India Film Festival of Alberta, which takes place in Edmonton, Calgary and Sherwood Park throughout September. Choose from more than 12 movies like Village Rock Stars 2, Rapture, Amaran and more. There will even be a special appearance by an Indian cinema icon, Pratik Gandhi, at an exclusive screening of Phule and panel on September 14 at Globe Cinema.

Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave. S.W., indiafilmfestival.ca

DandyFest

When: September 13, 2025

Hosted by Dandy Brewing Company, DandyFest is a one-day event celebrating beer, music, food and art. Try samples from more than a dozen North American breweries while listening to more than 10 cool bands across two stages.

2003 11 St. S.E., thedandybrewingcompany.com; eventbrite.ca

Zen Garden Festival

When: September 13, 2025

For this festival, Waterfront Park will be transformed into three lush garden dance floors to celebrate the best house, tech-house, disco, bass, DnB, hip-hop and funk music. This year’s line-up includes Justin Martin, Smalltown DJs and Marquez Wyatt, so make sure you’ve got your dancing shoes on. When you’re not on the dance floor, Zen Garden has you covered with a cantina, bar service, food trucks and plenty of art installations.

Waterfront Park, 5225 101 St. N.W., zengardenfestival.com

The Calgary Cat Festival and Market

When: September 13 and 14, 2025

If you love cats, then this is the event for you. At this two-day festival and market, pet owners and feline enthusiasts can expect cat-focused vendors, cat adoption booths, performances, a jigsaw puzzle competition and more.

Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St. S.W., calgarycatfest.com

Calgary International Film Festival

When: September 18 to 28, 2025

Celebrating its 26th year, the Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is showcasing over 200 multi-genre feature and short films from across Canada and around the world. As Alberta’s largest film festival, CIFF’s mission is to entertain and engage its audience. In addition to being an Oscar-qualifying festival for short films, CIFF supports local filmmakers by including a selection of Alberta features. Purchase ticket bundles online or opt for single-screening tickets starting on September 5.

Multiple locations, ciffcalgary.ca

YYC Pizza Fest

When: September 26 to October 13, 2025

During YYC Pizza Fest, local restaurants compete to create your favourite pizza, which you can then rate for awards like top-rated pizza, most popular pizza, most innovative pizza and fan favourite. The best part is that $1 to $4 from each pizza sold goes towards supporting Calgary Meals on Wheels.

Multiple locations, yycpizzafest.com

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