6 of Alberta’s best summer festivals

No plans for the summer? If you’ve never visited Alberta, now’s a great time to book your flights to Canada, with some of the country’s best festivals taking place between June and August. From the hottest ticket in country music to Calgary’s most anticipated event of the year, we’ve rounded up the best of the best this province has to offer, just in time for festival season.

Sled Island (June 19-23)

Featuring more than 250 bands in over 30 venues across Calgary, this five-day music and arts festival is one of the city’s most popular. It attracts around 30,000 visitors every year, who come to see great music, as well as an assortment of comedy, film and art. Musicians this year include Japanese Breakfast, JPEGMAFIA, Bully and Oblivians. Book tickets to Sled Island on their website.

Beaumont Blues and Roots Festival (June 21-22)

Located in the city of Beaumont, just 10 minutes south of Alberta’s capital, Edmonton, the Beaumont Blues and Roots Festival showcases the best in live Canadian blues, roots, folk, rock and country music. Its all-Canadian line up alongside a variety of local artisan and food vendors attracts visitors of all ages. This year is the festival’s 12^th anniversary and welcomes a host of acts to the main and Jef Gibbs stages.

Calgary Stampede (July 5–14)

It’s worth booking flights to Canada to visit this festival alone. Arguably Alberta’s best-known event, the Calgary Stampede was first hosted in 1912 and continues to grow in popularity each year. Ranked as one of the top parties in the world by CNN, this 10-day long celebration is kicked off by the famous Calgary Stampede Parade. Watch a live rodeo, ride a horse, or don your best cowboy hat for the occasion. You can even purchase your own at the infamous Smithbilt Hats.

Big Valley Jamboree (August 1-4)

This country music festival runs each year during the August long weekend and is located in Camrose, one-hour south of Edmonton. Originally held in Saskatchewan, it welcomes around 90,000 attendees, who come not only for the music but for the trade show and bull riding too. Headliners this summer include Toby Keith, Old Dominion, Brooks and Dunn, Kane Brown, High Valley and Brett Kissel.

Edmonton Folk Music Festival (August 8-11)

What better reason to book your flight to Canada than to attend the 40^th anniversary of one of the world’s leading folk festivals? This year at the annual four-day outdoor music event, you’ll have the opportunity to see the likes of HOZIER, Blue Rodeo and Ani DiFranco grace the stage, as well as food and crafts vendors to keep the whole family busy.

Country Thunder Alberta (August 16-18)

For a weekend of incredible live music, head to Prairie Winds Park this August. The country music festival tours cities across North America, including Florida, Arizona and Saskatchewan, and launched in Calgary in 2016. This year’s schedule includes country stars Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen and Jason Aldean.

Thanks to our Summer Flight Sale, you can book flights to Canada at great prices. Your visit to Alberta could be closer than you think.