Calgary 
The fourth annual Alberta Day celebrations will be held with a full day of festivities in both Edmonton and Calgary on August 31, marking the establishment of the province on September 1, 1905.
Alberta Day was designed to showcase Alberta’s unique cultural and historical identity, echoing the Fair Deal Panel’s recommendations to affirm the province’s distinctiveness within Canada.
Alberta Day in Edmonton
Edmonton will host a full day of free programming at the Alberta Legislature grounds on August 31 as part of Alberta Day celebrations. The provincial event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and includes music, cultural performances, family activities, and a drone show to close the night.
The festival features performances on two stages, a marketplace, kids’ activities, food trucks, and guided tours of the Legislature. The headliner is Edmonton-based country group The Prairie States, scheduled for 8 p.m. on the main stage. Formed in 2017, the band includes Mat Cardinal, Jeff Dick, Mike Nash, and Jay Der. They have earned 12 Country Music Alberta Awards, including Group/Duo of the Year in 2024, and received a Canadian Country Music Association nomination the same year.
Other acts include Ukrainian Dnipro Ensemble of Edmonton, Celtic Ceilidh Dancers, Riwo, Derina Harvey Band, and BrassTactics. Emerging artists will also perform throughout the afternoon at the North Amphitheatre.
Alongside music, visitors can tour the Legislature, visit the Alberta House and Queen Elizabeth II Building, or take part in cultural programs such as tipi storytelling. A petting zoo and craft activities will also be available.
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Event Highlights (August 31, Alberta Legislature Grounds, 10800 97 Avenue NW, Edmonton):
- Opening ceremony: 11 a.m.
- Legislature tours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Kids Zone and Alberta House: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Marketplace, food trucks, and beer garden: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Performances on main stage: 11:15 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Headliner The Prairie States: 8 p.m.
- Drone show finale: 9 p.m.
Alberta Day in Calgary
Credit: Heritage Park Calgary
Calgary’s Heritage Park will be the site of Alberta Day festivities on August 31, offering a free, full-day program of cultural performances, family activities, and live music. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Celebration Field, with registration required for tickets.
The headline performer is Canadian country artist Jake Mathews, who takes the main stage at 8 p.m. Mathews, known for multiple Top 20 hits and Canadian Country Music Award nominations, has performed internationally in locations including Korea, New York, London, and Australia.
The main stage lineup features a wide range of performances, including the Gai Lan Ensemble with Chinese instrumental music, Sabor a Cuba with Latin sounds, Mocking Shadows blending R&B and funk, and Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. Emerging artists, such as Justine Giles and Steve Jevne, will perform on the Gazebo Stage throughout the afternoon.
Beyond music, the event will include storytelling tipis, cultural showcases, a marketplace, food vendors, and a beer garden presented by Trolley Five and Romero Distillery. Families can also explore a Kids Zone, while Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) will appear at the Rodeo Grounds between noon and 5 p.m. The day will conclude with a drone show at 9 p.m.
Event Highlights (August 31, Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Drive SW, Calgary):
- Opening ceremony: 11 a.m.
- Kids Zone and Alberta House: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Marketplace and food vendors: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Beer garden: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Lord Strathcona’s Horse demonstration: 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
- Main stage performances: 11:15 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Headliner Jake Mathews: 8 p.m.
- Drone show finale: 9 p.m.
In addition to festivities in Calgary and Edmonton, smaller celebrations will also be held across the province in various cities and towns, from the county of Grande Prairie in the north to Duchess in the south.
