GlobalFest Calgary: What to Know Before Attending [2024]

GlobalFest is a major cultural festival that takes place every August in Calgary, AB. The festival started in 2003 and was spread out across various parts of the city. Today, the entire festival takes place at Elliston Park in East Calgary. Residents can walk from their homes in Penbrooke Meadows to reach the famous festival without worrying about parking. One of the best festivals in the city, it's capped each night with a fantastic fireworks display from up to five different countries. Here's a guide to everything residents and visitors could want to know about GlobalFest before seeing it firsthand.

What is GlobalFest?

The two main parts of GlobalFest are the OneWorld Festival and the International Fireworks Festival. The OneWorld Festival is a celebration of the many diverse cultures in Calgary. Each night of the festival, the gates open at 6:00 p.m., and the fun continues until roughly 11:00 p.m. at the end of each night's fireworks show. The Calgary Fireworks Festival Society organizes the entire GlobalFest.

The OneWorld Festival encompasses everything that happens before the fireworks. Roughly two dozen pavilions are set up in Elliston Park, where festivalgoers can learn about the various cultures that make up Calgary. There are two stages of music, dance, and other cultural performances. The pavilions have children's programming, games, and other activities. Dozens of food trucks and international food booths allow visitors to try cuisine from many different countries. The park is licensed for the festival, so guests who are 18 and up can enjoy alcoholic beverages.

The five-night festival does not take place on consecutive nights, so recent buyers of Calgary luxury homes shouldn't expect fireworks every single night. It takes place over a ten-day staggered schedule, giving each international team two full days to set up their fireworks displays. GlobalFest usually takes place starting in the third week of August each summer.

How Can I Go to GlobalFest?

There is no on-site parking at GlobalFest, and the festival is extremely popular. Guests who don't live within walking distance can take a round-trip shuttle bus service from the Marlborough Mall parking lot. Shuttle bus tickets are $7 per person, round trip, cash only. Kids under five can ride the shuttle for free with a paying adult. To reach Elliston Park, people can also ride the Calgary Transit bus lines 68, 87, 307, and 440. Portions of 17 Avenue and 23 Avenue are blocked off to through traffic on festival evenings, so the shuttle buses and Calgary Transit buses are the only ways to ride to the festival.

GlobalFest tickets can be purchased online all year round, but there is a discount for buying in November and December. Regular full prices are charged between January and August until tickets are sold out. VIP ticket holders receive free shuttle rides to the VIP Gate near Lowe's on 60 Street SE. If a fireworks display is cancelled for any reason (usually weather), it will be rescheduled for a subsequent night, and all tickets will be honoured.

International Fireworks Festival

The International Fireworks Festival caps off each night of GlobalFest, starting between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m. Different countries put on fireworks each night for the first four nights. On the last night of the festival, the Grand Finale fireworks show by Canada's Archangel Fireworks takes place. The dazzling fireworks are set off over the waters of Elliston Lake, making a stunning show. There aren't many tall buildings on the east side of Calgary, so the fireworks can be viewed from several kilometres away in some directions. The best views are from the park, though, because the fireworks are reflected off Elliston Lake.

Each participating country sets their fireworks performance to music. The five fireworks shows are adjudicated based on the quality of the display, artistic originality, brilliance of colours, and synchronization of music, effects and fireworks. Since the five countries are vying for bragging rights each year, the fireworks displays tend to be huge events. The US and China have been regular participants in the fireworks displays. Numerous countries from Europe, Asia, and South America have also performed at past GlobalFests.

OneWorld Festival

TD Canada Trust Bank sponsors the OneWorld Festival at GlobalFest, and OneWorld's cultural pavilions highlight the entire event. Each pavilion represents a different nation or people who now call Calgary their home. There are pavilions for Africa, Bangladesh, the Siksika Nation, Brasil, China, Hungary, Pakistan, Romania, Scotland, and dozens of other countries. Each pavilion features each nation's dress, dance, artwork and other cultural reflections. The Night Market features booths from area businesses that help to sponsor GlobalFest, including local radio stations, TD Bank and Downhill Karting.

The two main performance stages at GlobalFest are the TD Main Stage and the Air Canada Stage. Both stages feature live cultural performances, primarily dance troops and traditional music from each country. International concessions and food booths from around the world are available from local restaurants and eateries like Taiko Taco, Empanada Queen, and Tryzub Ukrainian Kitchen.

A Human Rights Forum to combat racism and discrimination occurs each year at GlobalFest. During one night of the festival each year, Citizenship and Immigration Canada holds a citizenship ceremony at the park, where a group of newcomers officially become naturalized Canadians.

Who Can Enjoy GlobalFest?

GlobalFest is about welcoming everyone living in Calgary to an event that combines many different cultures in unity. It's a great time for anyone who enjoys fireworks, food, and cultural performances! Here are some of the specialized activities available as well:

• Calgary is great to move to with kids, and they can participate in GlobalFest, too! The playground area at Elliston Park is set aside for children. There's a small stage for performances by and for kids, and arts and crafts activities and story times hosted by various groups.
• The international foods offered by so many countries mean that foodies can sample many different cuisines in one location.
• The Night Market, foods, and community events make GlobalFest an excellent choice for groups of friends or co-workers to bond over a significant cultural event

Enjoy GlobalFest in Calgary Every Year

GlobalFest has grown to become the largest summertime festival in Calgary every year. The area near the festival is still under development, with condos for sale near Elliston Park being listed regularly. That means that even more people will soon live within walking distance of this significant cultural event. GlobalFest plans to expand its cultural offerings, so it keeps getting bigger and better each year.

If you're interested in Calgary real estate, contact Justin Havre Real Estate Team with eXp Realty with Calgary Homes at (403) 217-0003 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find your Calgary dream home today.