October is flying by, so we’ll be heading into November before we know it. If you’re already planning for next month, Calgary has festivals celebrating everything from international cinema and Canadian jazz to arts, science, and one of the year’s biggest football events.
To help you plan ahead, we’ve rounded up 10 festivals happening around Calgary, including what they’re all about and when you can catch them.
If you haven’t checked out Fluid Fest yet, you still have plenty of time to catch performances as the festival continues into November. The event celebrates contemporary dance and experimental arts, with shows happening at venues around Calgary.
When: Running now until Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026
Time: Times vary based on performance
Where: Various venues across Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $15
Jazz YYC’s Canadian Jazz Festival returns for six days of performances by Canadian jazz musicians across Calgary.
This year’s program includes JUNO Award nominee Dawn Pemberton, who will perform a tribute to women in jazz. A free, all-ages jam session will also take place at Kawa Espresso Bar, alongside a full schedule of concerts, so you can catch some live music without a ticket.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 3 to Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026
Time: Performance times vary
Where: Various locations across Calgary
Cost: Ticket prices vary based on performance
November is the perfect time to slurp up a warm bowl of noodles, and YYC Noodle Festival gives you 11 days to try dishes from restaurants across Calgary.
During the event, you can visit participating restaurants, sample their noodle creations, and vote online for the dish you think deserves to take the crown.
When: Thursday, Nov. 5 to Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026
Time: Times vary
Where: Various restaurants across Calgary
Cost: Cost varies based on dish
The Calgary Justice Film Festival takes place at the Confluence and screens documentaries exploring social, environmental, and economic justice issues.
All screenings are free, and after each film, you can stick around for discussions that dive deeper into the topics covered on screen.
When: Thursday, Nov. 5 to Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026
Time: 6 to 11 p.m.
Where: The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland — 750 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Free
From French comedies to Croatian dramas, the Calgary European Film Festival lets you catch movies from across Europe right here in the city.
This year’s program includes films from 22 countries and will cover everything from family-friendly adventures to historical stories and documentaries. And don’t worry about language barriers, because every film will have English subtitles.
When: Friday, Nov. 6 to Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026
Time: Screening times vary
Where: 4800 Richard Rd. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Price varies depending on film
After a one-year hiatus, Beakerhead is officially back, but this time in a different format. The festival returns as Petri Dish, a three-day event at the TELUS Spark Science Centre featuring experiments, live demonstrations, and performances.
The festival kicks off with Beakernight, an adults-only evening where you can watch combat robots and knights battle, experience a rave and catch a robot concert. Daytime programming on Saturday and Sunday also includes hands-on activities for younger visitors.
When: Friday, Nov. 6 to Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026
Time: Friday, 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Telus Spark Science Centre – 212 St. George’s Dr. NE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Friday: $39 for non-members, $20 for members; Saturday: Free; Sunday: Adults: $10, Kids: $5
The Grey Cup Festival is returning to Calgary ahead of the 113th Grey Cup, with events and entertainment spread throughout Stampede Park. From Nov. 11 to 15, you can explore the free Suncor Street Festival where you’ll find interactive stage activities, public art installations, a beer garden, and live performances,
From Nov. 12 to 14, there will be pancake breakfasts along with kid-friendly activities including bouncy castles, football experiences, and a nightly drone show.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 11 to Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026
Time: Times vary based on event
Where: Stampede Park — 1410 Stampede Trl. SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Ticket prices vary based on event
The Common Ground Festival will showcase 10 performances by emerging artists and local theatre groups at the Pumphouse Theatre. The four-day festival covers a range of styles, from comedy and drama to improv, music, and contemporary dance, with a new selection of shows each evening.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 11 to Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Pumphouse Theatre — 2140 Pumphouse Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: General Admission: $25
More than 15 feature-length documentaries and a selection of short films will hit the big screen at Globe Cinema this November. Presented by the Calgary Underground Film Festival, CUFF.Docs showcases non-fiction films that span a wide range of subjects and genres.
When: Wednesday, Nov. 18 to Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026
Time: Screening times vary
Where: Globe Cinema — 617 8th Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Single Tickets: $12, Multi-Pack: $50, Festival Pass: $75
Whether you want to hit the dance floor yourself or watch some talented dancers do their thing, the Calgary Hop Hop and Streetdance Festival has something for everyone. You can catch live dance battles, watch performances across different street dance styles, or sign up for workshops to learn a few new moves.
When: Thursday, Nov. 19 to Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026
Time: Times vary
Where: Various locations across Calgary
Cost: Starting at $15
So, which festivals will you be checking out this November?
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Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
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