Parade, Fireworks & Drone Shows: What to See and Do at Taber Cornfest This Weekend

What better way to say goodbye to the summer holidays than celebrating all things corn?

Taber Chamber

Taber is famous for its corn, and if you’re looking for something fun to do before the fall weather hits, head to this Southern Alberta town.

Taber Cornfest is the largest free festival of its kind in Western Canada. This annual event, held the weekend before Labour Day, offers visitors a chance to enjoy a variety of fun activities.

What is New

Parade Route: The festival officially kicks off on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. with a parade. The parade will follow a new route this year, travelling along 50 Avenue from approximately 47 Street to 57 Street. Organizers say the new route improves safety, traffic flow and viewing while reducing challenges for large equipment navigating tight intersections.

It is one of the weekend’s signature traditions and leads into the opening ceremonies at 6 p.m., followed by Pure Power Wrestling, the midway, beer gardens and evening DJ music.

What to See & Do at 2026 Taber Cornfest

Midway: West Coast Amusements brings one of Cornfest’s biggest midways yet, with approximately 35 rides and attractions. It runs Thursday through Saturday in the Community Centre parking lot. Wristbands cost $45 in advance or $55 at the midway and can be used for any one day.
Pancake Breakfasts: You can begin both Friday and Saturday with a pancake breakfast. Friday’s Western Tractor Pancake Breakfast runs from 8 to 10 a.m. off-site at 165043 Highway 3, with coffee from The Loft. Saturday’s Taber IGA & Kiwanis breakfast runs from 8 to 10 a.m. at Confederation Park.
Beer Gardens: The Cornfest Beer Gardens stay open late throughout the festival. They run Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Saturday from noon to midnight at Confederation Park, offering an adults-focused gathering spot close to the festival’s stage entertainment and evening shows.
Tasty Eats: Come hungry to Cornfest, where the 2026 food lineup brings together local favourites, regional vendors and community organizations. You can choose from mini donuts, hotdogs, barbecue, pizza, poutine, Mexican dishes, shaved ice, fresh farm food and more. Cornfest 2026 brings plenty of food choices from C & D Mini Donuts, Cisco’s Gourmet Hotdogs, Crepe Affair, Dancing Lemons, Dickies Barbecue Pit, Johnson Fresh Farms, Kaba Kula, La Paloma, Los Eloteros, Ma & Pa’s BBQ, Panago Pizza, Piggyback Poutinerie, Pizza 73, Prairie Shaved Ice, Ukrainian Fine Foods, Trail 77, The Grind / Loft and more local favourites.
Bull-A-Rama: Bull-A-Rama takes over the Taber Agri-Plex on Friday, August 28. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free. There is also a kids event for ages five to 10, with the first 20 children who register getting a chance to participate.
Drone Show: Look to the skies Friday night for Cornfest’s drone show at Confederation Park. The approximately 15-minute display is scheduled for 9:40 p.m., following Kate Reid’s performance and just before headliner Doc Walker takes the stage. The show is weather permitting, so timing may change.
Cornfest Arts & Crafts Market: Browse locally made goods and creative finds at the Cornfest Arts & Crafts Market inside the Community Centre Auditorium. The market runs Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving you plenty of time to shop between other festival activities.
Kids Zone: Young festivalgoers have plenty to keep them busy, including the Kids Corn-er Bounce Castle Obstacle Course, laser tag, Bylsma Go-Karts, petting zoo and hay rides. Saturday also features the MD Fire Junior Fire Fit Challenge, while Dr. Von Houligan’s Family Extravaganza offers family entertainment throughout Cornfest.

Taber Fun Run: Start Saturday morning on the move at the 34th Annual Town of Taber Fun Run. The community run begins at 8:30 a.m. from the Aquafun Centre, adding an active start to a packed Saturday that also includes the car show, corn competitions, midway and live entertainment.
Car Show: Classic and eye-catching vehicles take over 49 Avenue on Saturday for the Gear Lords Car Club Show N Shine. The downtown car show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Man Van will also be nearby from noon to 4 p.m. during the event.
Corn Competitions: Corn takes centre stage Saturday with three competitions. The Corn Stuffing Contest runs from 11 a.m. to noon, corn tasting follows from 12:30 to 1 p.m., and the Corn Eating Competition runs from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Participant sign-up begins at 9 a.m. for applicable contests.
Fireworks: Saturday night wraps up with a fireworks display at Confederation Park. The show is scheduled for approximately 9:50 p.m., weather permitting, following Trainwreck’s performance on the Cornfest Stage. After the fireworks, Canadian rock band Toronto takes over as the Saturday night headliner from 10:10 to 11:40 p.m.

Things to Do on Your Visit to Taber, Alberta, During Late Summer & Fall

Trip Planning — 2026 Taber Cornfest

What: Celebrate with a parade, live music, entertainment, rides, Corn-y contests (Corn eating, corn stuffing, Corn tasting), show and shine, huge fireworks, and much more! Come for the corn, and stay for the fun!

When:

Thursday, August 27

Saunders Insurance BBQ: 11:30 AM – 2 PM
Taber Cornfest Parade: 4 PM
Opening Ceremonies: 6 PM
Pure Power Wrestling: 7 PM
West Coast Amusements Midway: 5 – 11 PM
Beer Gardens: 5 PM – 12 AM
DJ Music: 9 PM – 12 AM
Cornfest Stage Entertainment
- - 5 – 6:30 PM – Opening Ceremonies
  - 7 – 9 PM – Pure Power Wrestling
  - 9 – 12 PM – DJ With Music

Friday, August 28

Western Tractor Pancake Breakfast with Coffee from The Loft: 8 AM – 10 AM
West Coast Amusements Midway: 11 AM – 11 PM (Approx)
Cornfest Arts & Crafts Market: 12 – 7 PM
Bylsma Go-Karts: 12 – 8 PM
Kids Corn-er Bounce Castle Obstacle Course: 12 – 7 PM
Petting Zoo: 12 – 8 PM
Hay Ride: 1 – 5 PM
Laser Tag: 3 – 7 PM
Beer Gardens: 4 PM – 12 AM
Bull-A-Rama Doors Open: 5:30 PM
Bull-A-Rama: 7 PM
Drone Show: 9:40 PM (Approx), weather permitting
Cornfest Stage Entertainment
- - 12:30 – 2 PM – Karaoke Contest
  - 2:30 – 3 PM – Performance by Dance Images
  - 3 – 4 PM – Blue Tuesday
  - 4:15 – 5:30 PM – Irvine Miller
  - 5:45 – 7:15 PM – Texas Flood
  - 8 – 9:30 PM – Kate Reid
  - 9:40 – 9:55 PM – Drone Show
  - 10 – 11:30 PM – Headliner: Doc Walker

Saturday, August 29

Taber IGA & Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast: 8 – 10 AM
34th Annual Town of Taber Fun Run: 8:30 AM
Cornfest Arts & Crafts Market: 9 AM – 5 PM
Gear Lords Car Club Show N Shine: 10 AM – 4 PM
Cornhole Tournament: 10 AM – 4 PM
Corn Stuffing Contest: 11 AM – 12 PM
West Coast Amusements Midway: 11 AM – 11 PM (Approx)
Bylsma Go-Karts: 11 AM – 7 PM
The Man Van: 12 – 4 PM
Petting Zoo: 12 – 8 PM
Kids Corn-er Bounce Castle Obstacle Course: 12 – 7 PM
Laser Tag: 12 – 4 PM
Beer Gardens: 12 PM – 12 AM
Corn Tasting Competition: 12:30 – 1 PM
Hay Ride: 1 – 5 PM
Corn Eating Competition: 1:30 – 2:30 PM
MD Fire Junior Fire Fit Challenge: 3 – 7 PM
Fireworks: 9:50 PM (Approx), weather permitting
Cornfest Stage Entertainment
- - 11 – 1 PM – Taber’s Got Talent
  - 1:30 – 2:30 PM – Corn Eating
  - 2:30 – 3 PM – Filipino Society in Taber, Performing Arts
  - 3 – 4 PM – Lindsay & Duncan
  - 4 – 5 PM – Dr. Blood
  - 5 – 6:15 PM – 99 Frontiers: Toto & Journey Tribute
  - 6:15 – 7:45 PM – Another Simple Solution
  - 8 – 9:30 PM – Trainwreck
  - 9:50 – 10:05 PM – Fireworks Show
  - 10:10 – 11:40 PM – Headliner: Toronto