UCalgaryStrong Festival: Celebrate a decade of community

Since 2015, the UCalgaryStrong Festival has brought students together to celebrate the last day of classes and the end of the academic year. Now in its 10th year, the UCalgaryStrong Festival has become more than just an end-of-year celebration — it embodies the university’s core values of connection, belonging, and student well-being. 

On April 11, 2025, the festival will transform the Jack Simpson Gymnasium, Red and Gold Gyms, and the Life Design Hub into lively spaces featuring free food, live music, interactive activities and plenty more. It’s a time where students can foster new connections, have fun, and relax while in a safe, inclusive and substance-free environment. 

“It’s great to see students celebrating their accomplishments as winter term classes come to a close. We want our diverse student community to be able to have fun, while remaining safe, healthy and respectful to each other and members of our community,” says Verity Turpin, vice-provost (student experience). “UCalgaryStrong Festival is an opportunity for all students to connect with friends and peers on campus.”

Festival over the years

It’s not every day an event brings together such a diverse range of activities and people — but UCalgaryStrong Festival has done just that. Even through challenges like COVID-19, the festival has remained a strong tradition — and there are no signs of stopping.

• 2014: $5-million gift from John Simpson, Hon. LLD'05, and his family paves the way for UCalgaryStrong programming and the creation of UCalgaryStrong Festival
• 2015: The first-ever UCalgaryStrong Festival is held
• 2017: Record-setting numbers: More than 3,000 UCalgary members and local community attend 
• 2020–22: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival adapts, exploring innovative ways to maintain student engagement and connection
• 2023: Festival returns to campus, bringing fun, food and music back to year-end celebrations
• 2025: UCalgaryStrong celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of fostering strength, resilience and community.

UCalgaryStrong Festival takes place on April 11, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities will be held across multiple locations, including the Jack Simpson Gymnasium, Red and Gold Gyms and the Life Design Hub. 

Last day of classes: Harm reduction activities and support

To ensure the safety and well-being of students on the last day of classes, volunteers will be distributing water, snacks, fentanyl test strips, condoms and other harm reduction supplies across the main UCalgary campus. They'll also provide information and resources to promote safe celebrations and identify students who may need support. 

• An outdoor tent will be set up near Residence and 24th Avenue NW, shared by the Harm Reduction, SMR and Campus Security teams.
• Student Medical Response (SMR): At all times, two teams will be on duty, focusing on monitoring high-traffic areas and staying on the main campus, excluding the University District and D-block.
• Post-Alcohol Support Space (PASS) is a medically supervised, judgment-free space on campus where members of the university community can sleep off the effects of alcohol and/or cannabis. PASS can help lower the risk of alcohol- and cannabis-related injury by monitoring intoxicated individuals — keeping them safe and regularly assessing the need for medical treatment. It is operating in Yamnuska Hall from 12 p.m. on April 11 to 6 a.m. on April 12.

More information can be found on Student Experience and Support's Harm Reduction webpage.