Every June, a five-day festival takes over Calgary, turning the city into one giant stage. Sled Island brings together hundreds of events across the city, giving people the chance to explore Calgary in a completely different way. You will find live music in small venues, comedy sets tucked into unexpected spots, along with art and film programming happening across the city from morning to night.
Nonstop performances across the city
Since launching in 2007, Sled has grown into one of Calgary’s most recognizable festivals, drawing more than 25,000 attendees each year. According to Sled Island, what makes it stand out is that it goes beyond just a regular music festival. Instead, it combines live music, comedy, film, and visual art into a celebration that encourages people to discover new artists, explore new venues, and experience something different every night of the festival.
The festival continues to grow each year, with over 150 new artists recently added to the 2026 lineup. On the music side, this year’s lineup includes names like Lil Mariko, HOMESHAKE, Palehound, alongside experimental acts such as Laraaji and Cris Derksen Quartet. This mix highlights just how wide-ranging Sled Island is, with everything from indie and punk rock to electronic and more unconventional genres represented throughout the week.
Comedy is also a major part of Sled Island, with stand-up shows and performances running alongside the music and arts programming throughout the week. This year’s comedy lineup includes performers such as Ben Sosa-Wright, Sophie Haze, and Amar Singh, among others, bringing a mix of different comedic styles to venues across the city.
What to know before you go
One of the things that makes Sled Island unique is that it’s spread across multiple venues rather than taking place in a single location. Shows are hosted all around Calgary, with most happening in and around the downtown core and 17th Avenue. Each venue has its own feel, from smaller, more intimate spaces to bigger, high-energy rooms, which adds to the variety of the experience.
If you’re looking to purchase tickets, there are a number of pass options available, including full festival passes, day passes, and single-event tickets. There are also plenty of free events throughout the festival, making it easy to take part without purchasing a pass.
So if you’re looking to discover your next favourite artist, catch a show, or spend a few days exploring the city differently, Sled Island is one of the easiest ways to do that.
When: Wednesday, June 17 to Sunday, June 21, 2026
Time: Performance times vary
Where: Various venues across the city
Cost: Starting at $15
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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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