Calgary’s Chasing Summer Music Festival

By alantvuong on August 13, 2018

Chasing Summer Music Festival is an annual electronic dance music festival in Calgary. In 2018, it will be the 6th year in a row that this festival have been taking place. It is a 2 day event that usually takes place during the August long weekend. The last 3 years this event has been taken place at Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds, while the first 3 years it was held at Fort Calgary. This year will be my 5th consecutive year attending this festival and I finally have the chance to write about it. This year’s top artists include: Martin Garrix, DJ Snake, Kaskade, Dillon Francis, RL Grime and many more.

1st time going of 5 consecutive years (Fort Calgary 2014)

Like most music festivals, tickets to the event go on sale months before and start at a lower price and gradually go up in price as the event date gets closer. Early bird prices start at $140 and go to $180 at the time of event for general admission ticket. Since I been at Max Bell Festival Grounds the previous 2 years, I knew what to expect in terms of accessibility. When it was held at Fort Calgary, I thought the venue was more accessible since it was on flat grass. At Max Bell, there are steep hills coming in from the entrance going down to the parking lot of Max Bell Centre.

coming from ctrain to entrance of Max Bell down the hill (2018)

When the event was held at Fort Calgary, it was also easier for me to get to because it is very close to central downtown. I would just wheel down to/from the event in my powerchair in 20 minutes. Max Bell Festival Grounds is further away but luckily the ctrain stops just a 5 minute roll to it. In fact there is actually no parking at this venue. People just park at nearby neighborhoods or take taxi or transit. Just be mindful that during certain times, the ctrain is super packed with party-goers. This event goes rain or shine.

hiding against side of Max Bell Centre from the rain (2016)

Using my powerchair for this event, I had to slowly go down a bumpy grassy hill to get in. It is a bit steep if you don’t have enough strength and in a manual wheelchair, but lucky I go with friends who make sure I don’t tip my powerchair over. The accessibility is not bad once you’re in. Since most of event area is on a parking lot, there are alot of concrete dividers for the parking and I just have to make sure to go around them. The 2 main stages are not too far apart from each other while a 3rd smaller stage is down another hill, which I didn’t bother with, the last 2 years. The hill is very steep to roll down but there is a long winding bumpy pathway to get down to the 3rd stage.

to get to the 2nd stage, I had to wheel all the way around a concrete divider (2017)

There are no special wheelchair accessible raised viewing platforms at this festival as there are at other bigger festivals like Sunset Music Festival or EDC but I never have a problem because I am with friends. They make sure I have a good spot to see and people usually let me into any spot I want to go anyways. There are a few oversized accessible porta potties scattered around and a few free water stations to keep you hydrated. This event runs from 1pm to 11pm both nights so just make sure you follow the list on their website of things you are and aren’t allowed to bring to the festival as their is no re-entry.

checking out the main stage near the front with friends (2018)

There are also official pre-parties and after-parties of Chasing Summer if you can’t get enough of some your favorite artists. Each night their will be different artist at different nightclubs around the city so you can party more with your friends. Tickets can be purchased on the official website too, but you have to hurry cause some of these tickets will sell out fast.

Cash Cash after-party at The Palace (2018)

Overall, I am happy with the accessibility of Max Bell Festival Grounds. I do miss the old location of Fort Calgary but still enjoy the current location. With great music, and great friends and such a fun atmosphere I highly recommend coming to this event. Since I do live in this city, I will definitely be back next year for Chasing Summer.