A sneak peek into this year’s UCalgaryStrong Festival

UCalgaryStrong Festival is more than just an end-of-year celebration—over the last ten years, UCalgaryStrong Festival has grown into one of the biggest and most anticipated events on campus, bringing students together to mark the end of classes in a safe, inclusive, and alcohol-free environment.

This year, UCalgaryStrong Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever as we celebrate its 10^th anniversary. So, whether it’s your first year attending or you are a returning participant, keep on reading to learn more and be part of Festival 2025!

What to expect

Festival is free to attend, and includes activities for everyone to enjoy, like live music, dancing, games, photo booths, free food and much more. This year, the event will take place Friday, April 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by Appy hour, a special post-event offering happening at 4 p.m at the Campus Food Hub.

To mark this milestone, the event is expanding to include more locations, with activities happening at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium, Red and Gold Gyms and Life Design Hub (MSC 171).

Exciting activities and new additions

With new locations come new exciting activities! The day kicks off with “Pancake Breakfast”, happening at Life Design Hub, where you can enjoy a delicious meal as the semester comes to a close. After breakfast, feel free kick back and unwind with free relaxing massages provided by the Alberta College of Massage Therapy.

Looking for something more action-packed? The Calgary Surge team will be joining us for a Shootout Challenge, stay tuned to find out what other surprises we have in store!

Festival classics return

The tenth edition of UCalgaryStrong Festival brings back some of its most beloved traditions, including inflatables, the long-awaited silent disco and live performances by the Prophets of Music. This year’s stage features multi-faceted exceptional musicians, who will set the mood while paying homage to the origins of UCalgaryStrong Festival.

Food and Refreshments

Festival is proud to support local vendors and its community by offering free food to students! Because Festival is committed to creating an inclusive event for our whole student community, this year we’re welcoming Doughlicious Pita Pies and Samosas to the lineup of amazing vendors! Alongside returning favorites like Village Ice Cream and Hoopla Donuts, expect a variety of delicious treats and refreshments throughout the day.

Plus, to keep the festival a substance-free celebration, we’re bringing free mocktails as part of the main festival at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium, and Appy Hour, an exclusive post-Festival celebration, happening from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Campus Food Hub. Drop by to enjoy some delicious pita pies and pop!

Introducing the “Best Summer Ever” contest

Because Festival marks the start of the summer, we are proud to introduce this year’s contest “Best Summer Ever”! 

Designed to enhance the festival experience, Festival is partnering with community organizations to give back to our student community. The contest offers students a chance to win exciting summer-themed prizes by participating in various festival activities. From sports and festival tickets to outdoor adventures and exclusive summer must-haves, these prizes will help set the tone for an unforgettable summer!

To enter, students will need to visit designated festival locations, collect stamps, and submit their completed entries for a chance to win. Student prizes to be announced closer to the event date, so stay tuned! 

Make the most of this year’s UCalgaryStrong Festival and get ready for the Best Summer Ever!