Calgary’s Lilac Festival returns to the Beltline Sunday
Posted Jun 2, 2023 1:08 pm.
Calgary’s Lilac Festival begins this Sunday and organizers say there will be plenty for attendees to take in.
The free, one-day event is often considered the start of the city’s festival season and “encourages citizens to shake off their winter blues and reintroduce themselves to the thriving creative community in our city,” organizers add.
Attendees are expected to flock to 4 Street to take in musical performances, artisan vendors, and other entertainment for all ages.
The festival says there will be a bounce house for kids, bands for all, patios, and more.
Event producer Jennifer Rempel says that this year’s event will be the biggest yet.
Read more: IN PHOTOS: 4th Street Lilac Festival 2022
Six stages are set to host 70 performances throughout the day, while more than 500 vendors are taking to the street to sell their wares.
It’s also physically bigger, now including parts of 17 Avenue.
“We piloted it last year in a small way and it worked out really well so we’ve added in that space,” explained Rempel. “It also gives attendees a space to kind of spread out in the afternoon for when it gets a bit crowded, there’s a nice enjoyable space on 17 Avenue because it is quite wide. And we’ve added an extra dance stage.”
The event will lead to road closures between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. the day of, with 4 Street SW blocked between 12 Avenue and 26 Avenue/Elbow Drive SW.
Additional closures are expected on 17 Avenue between 2 and 5 Streets, while all avenues crossing 4 Street will also be shut down.
