Calgary’s Great Outdoors Comedy Festival returns to Prince’s Island Park from August 28 to 30, bringing a weekend of stand up comedy to the Bow River including some big names like Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Tig Notaro, Matteo Lane, Mike Birbiglia, Jeff Arcuri and Bob the Drag Queen.
The festival is one of Calgary’s major summer comedy events, turning Prince’s Island Park into an outdoor comedy venue for three days of afternoon and evening performances.
The 2026 festival is also part of the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival’s expanding tour, which has brought the event to cities across Canada and the United States.
Calgary Festival Schedule: August 28 to 30
The Calgary festival opens Friday, August 28, with an afternoon and evening show.
Saturday, August 29 features Jeff Arcuri and Caitlin Peluffo at 2 p.m., followed by Bill Burr’s evening performance at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 30 has two shows. Matteo Lane, Tig Notaro and Bob the Drag Queen perform at 2 p.m., followed by John Mulaney, Mike Birbiglia, Jordan Jensen and Langston Kerman at 7:30 p.m.
The festival is an 18+ event in Alberta, including infants and babies, and performances go ahead rain or shine.
Bill Burr Headlines Saturday Night
Bill Burr is the Saturday night headliner, performing at 7:30 p.m. on August 29.
Burr has been performing stand up for more than three decades and has also built a career in film, television and podcasting. His comedy specials include Paper Tiger, Live at Red Rocks and Drop Dead Years.
The Calgary appearance is part of Burr’s 2026 touring schedule and is one of the major additions to this year’s Great Outdoors Comedy Festival lineup.
John Mulaney, Tig Notaro and Other Major Names
The Calgary lineup includes several of the most recognizable names in contemporary stand up.
John Mulaney will headline Sunday night’s closing show alongside Mike Birbiglia, Jordan Jensen and Langston Kerman.
Sunday afternoon features Matteo Lane, Tig Notaro and Bob the Drag Queen, while Jeff Arcuri and Caitlin Peluffo appear Saturday afternoon.
The festival’s Calgary lineup gives audiences several different shows to choose from rather than requiring a full three-day commitment, with individual afternoon and evening performances scheduled throughout the weekend.
Prince’s Island Park Location and Getting There
The festival will be held at Prince’s Island Park at 698 Eau Claire Avenue SW, immediately north of downtown Calgary.
Prince’s Island Park sits in the Bow River and is one of Calgary’s best-known downtown outdoor spaces. Its central location makes the festival accessible by walking and cycling from downtown, while visitors can also use public transportation or rideshare services.
There is no festival parking on Prince’s Island Park, so attendees driving to the event should plan to park elsewhere and walk to the venue.
Tickets, Seating and Festival Options
Tickets are sold by individual show, with the option to attend specific afternoon or evening performances rather than the entire weekend.
Festival seating options include General Admission, GA+ and VIP. VIP Reserved Tables are available for groups of four, with food, drinks and merchandise available directly from the table through the festival’s ordering system.
The festival also permits approved single-person collapsible chairs in General Admission areas, allowing attendees to bring their own seating.
Ticket prices can vary by show and seating level, so Calgary readers should check the current ticket listings for the specific performance they want to attend.
Part of a Larger North American Tour
Calgary is one stop on the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival’s 2026 tour.
The festival has already visited Halifax, and the 2026 schedule also includes Vancouver, Spokane and Mississauga. The Calgary and Vancouver festivals both run August 28 to 30, followed by the Spokane and Mississauga events later in the season.
The festival has become a major outdoor comedy event, bringing established touring comedians together in large outdoor venues rather than traditional comedy clubs.
For Calgary, that means three days of stand up in one of the city’s most recognizable park settings, with the Bow River and downtown skyline providing the backdrop.
Great Outdoors Comedy Festival Calgary 2026
When: August 28 to 30, 2026
Where: Prince’s Island Park, 698 Eau Claire Avenue SW, Calgary
Age: 18+
Format: Afternoon and evening comedy shows
Saturday headliner: Bill Burr
Sunday evening: John Mulaney, Mike Birbiglia, Jordan Jensen and Langston Kerman
Sunday afternoon: Matteo Lane, Tig Notaro and Bob the Drag Queen
For tickets, show times and the latest Calgary festival information, visit the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival Calgary page.
