Music
Whether you’re in the mood for hip-hop, alternative, a country jamboree, chamber music on a mountain top, the ultimate folk festival experience or just want to cross one more superstar off your concert list, the Alberta music scene has it all—in performance spaces that range from alpine meadows and river valleys to our newest, acoustically brilliant big city concert halls.Music Festivals
Calgary
Calgary's headliner festival is the Calgary Folk Festival. The C-Jazz Festival is a must for jazz fans. The Beltline Blues Festival features the locals and brings in the greats from all over North America. Don’t miss the Afrikadey, Carifest , Reggae Fest and Expo Latino festivals. The Calgary Stampede features musicians throughout the ten day event.
Edmonton
Edmonton has aptly earned its moniker as Canada’s Festival City. At the top of the list is one of the most well known, successful folk music events in North America: the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Not to be denied is the Labatt Blues Festival, billed as western Canada’s premier blues event. Hugely popular is the Yardbird Jazz Festival. Then there’s the music to be found at the Fringe Festival and Capital Ex, guaranteed to please.
The Symphony Under the Sky is Edmonton’s final festival of the season. It takes place at the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park and spans five days around the Labour Day weekend. A number of concerts featuring a variety of musical genres from classical to film scores are capped by the traditional final concert in the series: an always-rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, complete with the cannons of the 20th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery, you won’t want to miss this one.
Around Alberta
Music festivals of all genres abound in Alberta. Here’s a sampling.
- Blueberry Bluegrass Country Music Festival (Stony Plain)
- Magnificent River Rats Festival (Athabasca)
- Peace Country Gospel Jamboree (Beaverlodge)
- Canmore Folk Festival (Canmore)
- Big Valley Jamboree (Camrose)
- South Country Fair (Fort McLeod)
- TELUS Country Fever Music Festival (Grande Prairie)
- North Country Fair (High Prairie/Lesser Slave Lake)
- Bluegrass Country Music Festival (Hillspring)
- Jazz Fest (Medicine Hat)
- Peace Fest (Peace River)
- The Gathering (Pincher Creek)
For an exhaustive list of Alberta’s music festivals throughout the year, visit Federation of Canadian Music Festivals.
Music Venues
Calgary
In Calgary, we have the 20,000-seat Pengrowth Saddledome, followed by the recently renovated 2,500-seat southern Jubilee Auditorium. The acoustically brilliant Jack Singer Concert Hall is home to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
Edmonton
In Edmonton, headliner acts typically play at the 16,839-seat Rexall Place and the northern sister to Calgary's Jubilee, also newly refurbished. The Jubilee Auditorium site takes you to information about both venues. The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra performs at what some say is the most acoustically perfect hall in all of Canada—the Francis Winspear Centre.
Around Alberta
In Banff be sure to check out The Banff Centre's music programs. Edmonton and Calgary may own the lion’s share of excellent concert venues, but there are other hotspots in the province that attract first-class acts or grow their own. The Memorial Centre in Red Deer and the ENMAX Centre in Lethbridge are popular venues for local, national and international artists. In Turner Valley visit Beneath the Arch for information on their concert series.
Special Musical Attractions
Most people don’t think much about scenery when listening to an orchestra. Think again. One of the most stunning concerts held every September just outside of Canmore is Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra’s production of Mozart on the Mountain. You simply won’t believe the view and how beautifully the classical music accompanies it. Plan to go early and be prepared for a long wait in traffic to get home.
Every June the Calgary Philharmonic travels to Drumheller to delight visitors and locals alike with Beethoven in the Badlands, presented on the site of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play. Bring your own picnic to this afternoon outdoor gala or buy food onsite. Come early to browse the artisans’ wares and listen to the opening acts. Get your tickets early—this event sells out very quickly.
The Banff Centre is a magnet for musicians and artists around the world, many of whom take up the coveted artist-in-residence positions. The Centre’s summer music program is one of the most extensive in North America. Almost every day from May through August, there are concerts and workshop performances specializing in jazz, opera and chamber music. And while you’re in Banff, take in the Buffalo and Bow Concert Series at the Central Park Gazebo (Tuesdays and Sundays from early July through September).
More Info...
To access comprehensive information on music events accross the province, click on Advanced under the Search window in the top right corner of this page. Select the Category tab, click on Events and choose Music/Concert.
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