Here are all the events to check out at this year's GlobalFest

Aug 8 2018, 1:55 am

GlobalFest is on its way back to Calgary this summer, and while the fireworks are always a highlight, they aren’t the only thing on offer during the five-day celebration.

Between August 16 and 25, Calgary’s Elliston Park will come alive with music, dancing, food, drinks, and more to bring awareness to the city’s cultural diversity.

See also

Throughout the park, attendees will be able to visit dozens of different cultural pavilions, experience the sights, sounds, and smells of different countries, and even witness a citizenship ceremony.

This year’s fireworks display will feature shows from Ukraine, Spain, Philippines, and China before the finale on Saturday, August 25, though many more cultures will be represented throughout the festival.

Doors open at 6:30 pm and the fireworks are set to finish by 11:30 pm.

Here’s what you can expect from this year’s GlobalFest.

Food

Many of Calgary’s usual food trucks will be out and about for the event this August, though they will also be joined by a whole host of ethnic food booths, including:

  • Deli Q
  • Eat A Pita
  • India
  • Indonesian Kitchen
  • Panda Soluxe
  • Philippines
  • T&T Caribbean
  • Taste of Vietnam
  • Tryzub Ukrainian

Night Market

Peruse the marketplace before the firework show to see what kind of hidden gems you’ll be able to find at the various vendors expected to attend.

These vendors include:

  • Arcane Coda
  • Corabella Handcrafted Wirework Jewellery
  • Hidden Treasures
  • Jungle Flare
  • Pup Town Paws Pet Supplies
  • Tails Of the Misunderstood Canine Rescue Society

You’ll be sure to find something perfect both for yourself and for your pup.

Citizenship Ceremony

For the eleventh year in a row, GlobalFest will hold a citizenship ceremony during the festivities in which 100 people will officially become Canadians — just in time to celebrate with some explosive fireworks.

When: Tuesday, August 21

Time: 6:30 pm

Where: ONEWORLD Stage

Cultural Pavilions

There will be a total of 19 cultural pavilions on scene at Elliston Park for this year’s GlobalFest, with pavilions offering information, products, and food relating to their designated cultures.

  • Africa
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh
  • Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park Tipi
  • Brasil
  • Caribbean
  • China
  • Francophonie Calgary
  • India
  • Iran
  • Japan
  • Pakistan
  • Philippines
  • Romania
  • Scotland
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • Urban Arts
  • Venezuela
  • Viva Mexico

Performances

Every day of the celebration will feature performances from different countries, including traditional Blackfoot dancing and drumming, the Caribbean T&T Organettes Steelband, multicultural francophone dance groups and bands, Indian dance performances, the University of Calgary’s Filipino Students’ Association, Romanian folk music, and more.

The performances will be taking place at either the TD Main Stage or at the GlobalFest Stage.

Passport Pursuit

GlobalFest attendees will be able to take a trip around the world without even leaving the park, as the Sunbelt Rentals OneWorld Festival has created the Cultural Pavilion Passport Pursuit game.

In the game, attendees will be asked to answer region-specific questions that can be discovered by asking Pavilion Ambassadors around the park. You’ll also receive a stamp from ambassadors (meaning you can’t just look up all the trivia questions online) and once you’re done you can enter it to win a series of prizes.

The more pavilions visited, the bigger the prize you have a chance to win will be.

Fireworks

Of course, the night isn’t complete until the fireworks show, which will take place on five different nights throughout the festival. Each night will be different from the last, so attending GlobalFest on more than one occasion is definitely worth it.

When: 

  • Thursday, August 16: Ukraine
  • Saturday, August 18: Spain
  • Tuesday, August 21: Philippines
  • Thursday, August 23: China
  • Saturday, August 25: Finale

Time: 6 to 11:30 pm

Where: Elliston Park — 17th International Avenue and 60 Street SE

Tickets: Available online, starting at $20

Daily Hive is a proud online sponsor of GlobalFest

DH Calgary StaffDH Calgary Staff

+ Listed
+ Summer
ADVERTISEMENT