Fall Festivals to Check Out in Calgary

Fall has officially arrived, and there are plenty of Calgary festivals rolling in with the change in weather. With festivals that celebrate the fall harvest, film, wine and more, there’s bound to be something for all interests.

Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF)

When: September 18 to 28, 2025

Now in its 25th year, CIFF is showcasing hundreds of multi-genre feature and short films from across Canada and around the world. In addition to being an Oscar-qualifying festival for short films, CIFF supports local filmmakers by including a selection of Alberta features in its lineup. You can purchase ticket bundles or get single-show tickets.

Multiple locations, ciffcalgary.ca

Harvest Fair

When: September 20, 21, 27 and 28, October 4, 5, 11 and 12, 2025

Hosted by Granary Road, the Harvest Fair brings together its previous Apple Fest, Pumpkin Fest, Garlic Breath and Pickle Palooza festivals, all in four fun-filled weekends. Get your face painted, browse fresh local produce and get tickets for the Pumpkin Hunt and bring home a pumpkin.

226066 112 St. W., granaryroad.com

Night Light

When: September 25 to 27, 2025

Wander through Victoria Park as it transforms into a magical display of vibrant lights during this art and light festival. For three days, there will be projections, light installations, live performances and other art mediums on display in the area.

Multiple locations, nightlightvicpark.ca

YYC Pizza Fest

When: September 26 to October 13, 2025

YYC Pizza Fest is back for its 11th edition, and restaurants across Calgary are participating in this year’s festival. Participating restaurants will offer a pizza creation that will be judged in a friendly competition decided by the public. A portion of the proceeds goes to Calgary Meals on Wheels to help fight food insecurity in the city.

Multiple locations, yycpizzafest.com

Harvest Pumpkin Fest

When: Every Saturday and Sunday throughout October, 2025

Take your family to Butterfield Acres Farm for some weekend fall fun. Visit the farm animals, enjoy the pony and tractor wagon rides, treat yourself to some pumpkin pie and find your favourite pumpkin to bring home in time for Halloween.

Butterfield Acres Farm, 254077 Rocky Ridge Rd. N.W., butterfieldacres.com

ScreamFest

When: Multiple dates in October, 2025

ScreamFest is Canada’s largest Halloween festival. Throughout the month of October on Fridays, Saturdays and a few special dates, head to GMC Stadium at Stampede Park to experience seven themed haunted houses filled with ghouls, ghosts and other spooky creatures, all designed to guarantee a scream. There will also be plenty of games to play if you want to try your hand at winning some prizes. Tickets start at $30 for regular admission.

Calgary Stampede GMC Stadium, 3 St. S.E., screamfest.ca

Imaginairium Festival by Wordfest

When: October 14 to 19, 2025

Considered one of Canada’s leading literary festivals, Wordfest’s Imaginairium connects award-winning authors and writers with readers and audiences. This year’s lineup features over 30 events, with more than 50 celebrated authors, including Gabrielle Drolet, Miriam Toews, Brian Thomas Issac and more.

Multiple venues, wordfest.com

Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival

When: October 17 and 18, 2025

One of the city’s premier food events, the Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival is back to celebrate Alberta’s dining scene. Every year, this festival brings together some of Calgary’s top restaurants, food purveyors and drink-makers at the BMO Centre for a weekend that highlights many of Alberta’s best things to eat and drink. Tickets start at $33 for admission, with sample tickets available for purchase on-site.

BMO Centre, 20 Roundup Way S.E., rockymountainwine.com

Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival

When: October 17 to 19, 2025

The Calgary Tattoo and Arts Festival gathers some of the best tattoo artists in the world under one roof to celebrate the tattoo industry and everything that goes along with it. Tattoo artists, vendors, performers and more will be in attendance — there will even be opportunities to get a tattoo there, if you’re up for it.

BMO Centre, 20 Roundup Way S.E., albertatattooshows.com

GIRAF Festival of Independent Animation

When: November 13 to 16, 2025

Presented by Quickdraw Animation Society, GIRAF (Giant Incandescent Resonating Animation Festival) showcases and celebrates experimental independent animation, bringing together some of the best animators from Canada and around the world.

giraffest.ca

CUFF.Docs

When: November 19 to 23, 2025

Presented by the Calgary Underground Film Festival, CUFF.Docs is showcasing more than 15 feature-length and short non-fiction films this year. There will be documentaries covering a wide range of topics, viewpoints and styles.

Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave. S.W., calgaryundergroundfilmfestival.org

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