The Calgary Lilac Festival, known in the city as the 4th Street Lilac Festival, was founded in 1989. The first festival was organized by the 4th Street Business Revitalization Zone and the Cliff Bungalow Mission Community Association.
What started as a small neighborhood celebration has since grown to become a large street fair and parade which attracts over 120,000 people each year. The festival takes place on the last Sunday in May or the first Sunday in June along 13 blocks of 4th Street in the Mission and Beltline neighborhoods.
One of the best free festivals in Calgary, the 4th Street Lilac Festival takes place when the lilac flowers are blooming throughout the city and kicks off the festival season in Calgary. It is a family-friendly event for people of all ages that features live music, quality entertainment, vendors offering an impressive selection of items, special activities for children, and more.
The Calgary Lilac Festival starts at 10 am with a morning parade featuring dance groups, marching bands, and other performers. One of the signature parade units is Kids on Bikes, a group of children on bicycles decorated with springtime flowers.
One of the main goals of the festival is to promote independent and emerging talent from Western Canada. It showcases all kinds of musical and performance art acts, from world music to children’s entertainment to dance troupes. There are six stages hosting over 30 performances throughout the day, giving new and emerging local musicians a chance to showcase their talents in front of a big audience.
Photo: James Best
