News and Updates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

 

The 2023 4th Street Lilac Festival Line Up is Unveiled! 

Known as one of Calgary’s largest outdoor summer street festivals, Lilac Festival is set to extend along 17th Avenue between 2nd Street and 5th Street SW, making the 32nd edition the largest festival to date. 

 

May 19, 2023 [ CALGARY, AB ] Kicking off festival season in Calgary, the 32nd 4th Street Lilac Festival will be taking place on Sunday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along 4th Street between 12th Avenue and Elbow Drive SW. The festival will also extend along 17th Avenue between 2nd Street and 5th Street SW making room for two additional stages, along with more vendors, food trucks and extended patios, making this year’s festival the largest Lilac Festival to date. 

 

In addition to this expansion, this year’s event promises to be an unforgettable experience for all attendees with a vibrant selection of culinary offerings from some of the city’s more decorated restaurants, breweries and food trucks, along with craft food and beverages from local artisan vendors, makers and small businesses. As always, this will be a free one-day festival with shopping and activities for all ages that celebrates Calgary’s cultural diversity and starts summer 2023 off with a bang! 

 

“This year’s Lilac Festival is more than just a kick-off to summer, it’s an embodiment of the vibrant spirit and cultural fabric of our city,” says Jennifer Rempel, Lilac Festival Event Producer. “As our largest Lilac Festival yet, it serves as a testament to the richness and diversity found in the Calgary community and showcases the talents, traditions and creativity that make our city truly unique. Beyond the sights and sounds of the festival, we are proud to say that it acts as a unifying force, bringing people and business together in a shared experience of celebration and connection.” 

 

“Expanding onto 17th Avenue was something we tested last year and we were blown away by the response,” says Rempel. “So it’s incredibly exciting to announce that this extension is a permanent one, allowing us to add more opportunities for local vendors, performers and small businesses to participate in Lilac Festival moving forward.” 

 

A DESTINATION FOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT 

Every year, Lilac Festival brings world-class entertainment and award-winning performances to be experienced live on the streets of Calgary. The 4th Street Lilac Festival Society is thrilled to announce that there will be a total of seven stages -  two additional stages from previous years - which means there will be five live music stages and two dance stages scattered throughout 4th Street and 17th Avenue. Event-goers can look forward to seeing over 45+ dance performances and hundreds of Albertan entertainers, ranging from  solo artists, bands, dance schools, and cultural groups who represent the vibrancy of the city and collectively make the Lilac Festival a musical and cultural experience. 

The 2023 entertainment lineup consists of new and returning artists, with familiar names such as Electric Religious, The Rondel Roberts Band, The Spanish Flies, High Lonesome, Joseph Tennant, Matt Masters, and so many more. The dance stages include all-day performances by Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Pulse Studios, Capoeira Brazil Calgary, SPARQ PRODUCTIONS, UniverseSoul Dance and more. 

 

View the full 2023 Lilac Festival Entertainment Line Up here

A DESTINATION FOR FOODIES 

Over the years, Lilac Festival has become a hotspot for Calgary foodies and this year is no exception with a superior lineup of food trucks, artisan food vendors, local  restaurants, and breweries that are guaranteed to tantalize taste buds and satisfy cravings of all kinds. From festival favourites like Calgary Mini Donuts, Family Squeezed and Sugar Creek Kettle Corn Co., to exotic flavours from Little Seoul, Mumbai Bites, The Dumpling Hero, Tikka N Tequila and more, festival-goers can expect to embark on an extraordinary culinary journey throughout this year’s Lilac Festival. 

View the top 2023 Lilac Festival Food Truck Eats here

Many of the vendors at this year’s festival are also offering craft food and drinks to taste, test and devour. This includes an array of baked goods, canned beverages, ice cream, bubble tea, coffee + tea, hot sauces, specialty spices and condiments, candy, artisan chocolates and pastries, and so many more. 

 

For those looking for even more of a gastronomic adventure be sure to not miss: 

 

“This year’s Lilac Festival offers way more of a foodie experience than any year prior. So get ready to try new flavours, indulge in local favourites or explore international cuisines — from sweet to savoury,” says Rempel. “With more businesses from 4th Street and 17th Avenue participating this year, don’t miss experiencing these local businesses, along with the countless extended patios that will be serving up food and drinks throughout the entirety of the day. Kick-off summer in style and enjoy the best of what these two business districts have to offer at Lilac Festival 2023."

A DESTINATION FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES 

Another stop to engage with local artists and small businesses in Calgary is our Kids Area which will be located on the west side of 18th Avenue and 4th Street. Here kids will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive craft with Dean Stanton and take home their creation, decorate the sidewalk with chalk from Shine FM, get their face painted and enjoy a variety of activities from inflatable soccer to a Giant Camo slide. 

Head to our website or follow us on social media for news, updates and exciting announcements. You can also now follow Lilac Festival on TikTok at @LilacFestYYC. 

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EVENT INFORMATION 

 

ABOUT THE 4TH STREET LILAC FESTIVAL 

For over 30 years, the 4th Street Lilac Festival has been the largest outdoor street festival in Calgary, hosting over 100,000 people across fifteen city blocks on the first Sunday in June each year. Acting as a business incubator, Lilac Festival provides an opportunity for emerging entrepreneurs, independent musicians and emerging talent from all backgrounds and nationalities in Western Canada to engage with a new audience and become a part of the vibrancy of our great city.    

Instagram: @Lilacfestyyc  | Twitter: @lilacfest | Facebook: @LilacFestival | Website: Lilac Festival | TikTok: @lilacfestyyc

 

MEDIA CONTACT 

Kristy Archibald 

Lilac Fest Media Relations 

E: kristy@pedestrian.agency

P: 403 837 4310 

 

Jennifer Rempel

Lilac Festival Event Producer 

E: jennifer@lilacfestival.net

P: 403 453 7424

 

 

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COVID-19 UPDATE: Lilac Festival 2020 

We will stop and smell the lilacs in 2021!

August 7, 2020 [ Calgary, Alberta ]

Dear Calgary, 

In response to the circumstances surrounding the pandemic, and with the health and safety of all Calgarians in mind, Lilac Festival 2020 is officially postponed until June 6, 2021

When the city began to open up, we were cautiously optimistic and extremely hopeful that rescheduling the 31st annual Lilac Festival to September would be a possibility. Although we remained hopeful, we knew we would have to make a judgment call based on the increasing concern for the overall well-being of our community. Due to the instructions by The City of Calgary and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s mass gathering risk assessment protocol we have made the decision to postpone this year's event. 

As one of Calgary’s largest outdoor street festivals, we know that this is tough news for the Calgary community. This event supports so many local small businesses, makers, and artists and we know this news doesn’t come without its challenges for all of these businesses. Festivals such as this one are what make up Calgary’s electric culture and we must work together to keep this vibrancy alive, amidst the new protocols and shifts in safety measures in light of the pandemic. 

"Making the decision to postpone to 2021 was difficult on so many levels. We had really hoped we could end the summer by celebrating on 4th Street like we normally would in the spring, but as time progressed it became clear that postponing the celebrations a year is what would have to happen” says Jennifer Rempel, Event Producer. “The 2021 4th Street Lilac Festival will be a true celebration of resiliency, community spirit, and coming together as no other year has been before. We look forward to planning through the winter months and seeing all of your smiling faces next spring."

The team at the 4th Street Lilac Festival, along with the board are working closely with the City of Calgary to plan a safe and fun Lilac Festival on June 6, 2021. 

In the meantime, please continue to share these posts, stay current with the latest updates, and support local whenever possible. This international pandemic has hit every city on a local level harder than anyone could have planned for. It’s our mission through our events to always find ways to strengthen and rally behind local independent businesses, makers, and artisans – and that doesn’t stop now. Our local community needs us more than ever and any support you can offer truly makes a world of difference. Let’s gather together (metaphorically) and come out of this stronger than ever before! 

Thank you for always being our greatest fans Calgary. We’ll see you next year for #LilacFestival2021

 

Please see Alberta’s latest public health advisories here

Jennifer Rempel 

Lilac Festival Event Producer 

E: jennifer@lilacfestival.net

 

Media Contact 

Kristy Archibald 

Media Relations at Urban Production Group 

E: marketing@urbanproductionsgroup.com

P: 403 837 4310

 

 

COVID-19 Response UPDATE: Lilac Festival

April 6 [ CALGARY, AB ] 

Dear Calgary, 

Through recent events surrounding the COVID-19 virus, we have been forced to consider the possibility of what the future for the 31st annual Lilac Festival will be. Due to the instructions by The City of Calgary and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s mass gathering risk assessment protocol we have made the decision to reschedule Lilac Festival to September, 2020 (exact date is TBD). 

What does this mean? 

For festival attendees: As of right now, nothing about the festival will be any different. Our team and board are closely monitoring the situation and staying cautiously optimistic that Lilac Festival will be able to proceed as usual on the rescheduled date. We will continue to post updates on our website and our social media channels. 

For Vendors + Entertainment: We will be in close contact with you to ensure the change of date is a quick and seamless process. Please keep an eye open for an email regarding the next steps on your end, along with any news and updates that we receive regarding this tragic situation in the meantime. 

We realize the hardships that are a result of this pandemic and we want you to know we are doing our very best to ensure that we are making decisions with our health, safety, and the overall well-being of our city in mind. We’re committed to being both responsive and responsible as we navigate these times and do our part to support the local businesses, artisans, and makers who rely on festivals and shows such as this one to survive. Please continue to share these posts, stay current with the latest updates, and support local whenever possible. We couldn’t do what we do without you and we can’t wait to see this fear lifted and our city thriving once again! 

Please see Alberta’s latest public health advisories here

 

Jennifer Rempel 

Lilac Festival Producer 

Ejennifer@lilacfestival.net 

 

Media Contact 

 

Kristy Archibald 

Media Relations at Urban Production Group 

E: marketing@urbanproductionsgroup.com

P: 403 837 4310 

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COVID-19 Response: Lilac Festival

MARCH 14 [ CALGARY, AB ] 

 

Dear Calgary, 

Through recent events surrounding the COVID-19 virus, we have been forced to consider the possibility of what the future for the 31st annual Lilac Festival will be. Currently, as it stands, Alberta is in a low-risk situation, but is taking extreme precautionary efforts to ensure the virus is contained and hopefully short-lived. 

Please see Alberta’s latest public health advisories here

Right now our team, along with the 4th Street staff and board are closely monitoring the situation and staying cautiously optimistic that Lilac Fest will be able to proceed as usual on June 7, 2020. We have been in close communication with the City of Calgary and will be moving forward in the best possible manner to adhere to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s mass gathering risk assessment protocol. We will continue to plan the execution of this iconic Calgary festival, but will be making future decisions regarding how we will move forward once we have more information in the upcoming days.  

Thank you Calgary for always being our biggest fans! We would not be able to continue to host the Lilac Festival if it wasn’t for your unwavering love and loyalty that you have shown us throughout the years. This international pandemic has hit every city on a local level harder than anyone could have planned for. It’s our mission through our events to always find ways to strengthen and rally behind local independent businesses, makers, and artisans – and that doesn’t stop now. Our local community needs us more than ever and any support you can offer truly makes a world of difference. Let’s gather together (metaphorically) and come out of this stronger than ever before! 

 

Jennifer Rempel 

Lilac Festival Event Organizer via Urban Productions Group 

E: jennifer@urbanproductionsgroup.com

 

Media Contact 

 

Kristy Archibald 

Media Relations at Urban Production Group 

E: marketing@urbanproductionsgroup.com

P: 403 837 4310