Free Events in Calgary

Inglewood Sunfest brings a daytime neighbourhood street festival to 9 Avenue SE, with the official BIA listing pointing to the 2026 event page.

Inglewood Sunfest 2026 – A Summer Celebration! Join us for a vibrant day of fun at Inglewood Sunfest, a stylish summer festival in one of Calgary’s trendiest neighborhoods. Get ready to celebrate, engage, and be entertained! Explore over 200 vendors, including artisan crafts, small...

You don’t have to know how to paint to create a portrait worth putting on display. For a fun evening out join us for Paint Your Date night.

Crossroads lists Butterfield Acres Petting Zoo near Rocky’s Burgers from 10am to 1pm. The free family activation is part of the market’s summer event schedule.

Day of the Dog returns as a free dog-friendly festival where Calgarians can bring their pooches for an afternoon out.

The event will feature performances by students from several Calgary flamenco schools alongside professional artists including singer/dancer/flamencologist Silvia Temis, Francesca Canalizo, Anastassia Alexander, Daniela Crestani and Alma Viva Dance,...

Join us at Sparrow Artspace for a fun and creative event where you can make and trade your own Artists Trading Cards with other newcomers in Calgary! This is a great way to meet fellow newcomers and creatives, share your work, and connect with the local art community. All supplies will be provided.

David Lavoie on bass and Aaron Shorr on guitar bring the room to life for two intimate sets at 6pm and 8pm.

Join us for the Night Market! Enjoy a curated selection of local artisans, live music, entertainment and more! Happening the last Wednesday of every month from May – September*.

Join this illustrated lecture on how to make an exhibition from idea stage to launch. July 30 from 2:30pm - 4:00pm Founders’ Gallery inside The Military Museums 4520 Crowchild Trail SW Key topics include designing and building out the gallery, scale...

Join HOME Residency artists Kseniia Koshmai, Ezgi Türker, and Shea Iles for an artist talk exploring memory, belonging, play, and the many meanings of home. Kseniia will speak about her miniature paintings on wooden objects as containers for memory and personal stories, while Ezgi will share her...

Featuring Australian tech house producer Fisher, Subtronics, Armin Van Buuren and more.

Turn up the music and shake it out! Join us in PlayLab where we’ll be moving and grooving to a new style of dance each session. Free admission on Level 1.

Starting August 1, Dino Summer adds Prehistoric Portraits for ages 6 and up, running during daytime Spark hours for families who want a creative dinosaur activity.

Tango 2 Echo is Greenview Industrial’s Signature festival and this year we have expanded to two days! This street festival is unlike any other in Calgary with activations throughout our community. This festival is family and pet-friendly and we invite everyone to come discover why we mean it...

Please join us for a curator-led tour of five solo shows by Canadian and international artists at Contemporary Calgary, reflecting on notions of belonging, power, resistance, evolving social dynamics, and speculative futures. The tour will be followed by a A Long Dramatic Pause, a performance...

Summer Sessions brings live music, a community art project, a new mural unveiling, and neighbourhood history programming to Kensington Road.

Experience the magic of India under one roof! Get ready to experience Calgary’s talent as they take the stage to entertain you and keep you mesmerized. Dancing, singing and music – the incredible rhythm and energy of India! Witness the elegance of Indian Fashion as models grace the...

Celebrating our 23rd year of the Tour de Bowness! Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast or a frequent market goer, there is fun for the whole family! Bike races, street performers, live music and more.

Are you... Between the ages 14 - 24?

Personally, I think watercolour is one of the most expressive mediums out there. Its fluidity and transparency create images that feel soft yet dramatic all at once.

Create something beautiful and personal with our Watercolour Botanical Cards art classes—perfect for any occasion. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn simple watercolour techniques to paint elegant flowers and foliage, then turn them into...

Cornerstone Comedy is a place where levity lives – where amateurs, seasoned comics, and total first-timers all get their moment to shine. This is a room where everyone belongs and the laughter is genuine, because here, comedy is embedded in the foundation.

Making your own pasta is both simple and incredibly satisfying. In this 3 hour class, we’ll teach you the basics while making three different types of pasta, and each guest will take home a vacuum-sealed bag of each variety.

Beehive Presents Heat Waves - a summer open-air rooftop gathering - powered by Tide Cocktail Co. Select Fridays this Summer, 5pm-10pm on the Modern Love rooftop patio, rain or shine.

The biggest Korean cultural festival is back, including a day festival from 11 am – 6 pm and a Night Market from 6 – 10 pm. Come together to celebrate K-Culture!

Canada Paints Plein Air is back for its second year in Calgary and calling to artists for a one-day summertime event at Bow Valley in Fish Creek Provincial Park. Applications are open now for Canada Paints Plein Air Competition being held Saturday, August 8, 2026. Beginners welcome! The...

Lantern Peace Festival brings together local artistry and global advocacy with a captivating lineup featuring book talks by former child soldier James Mathiang and community builder Dr. Arthur Clark, alongside insights from Rights to Learn Afghanistan Senior Director Murwarid Ziayee.

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of fun, culture, and racing at the Sinopec Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival — Calgary’s premier free water sport and cultural celebration! Hosted at North Glenmore Park, this high-energy event brings together over 1,850 paddlers, more than 4,000...

Celebrate Korean culture at Calgary Korean Day with a full day of traditional music, K-pop performances, cultural displays and delicious Korean cuisine. This festival invites all ages to experience the vibrant heritage and modern energy of Korea in the heart of the city.

Marda Gras is back!What are you most excited to see, eat, buy and do this year? Everyone’s favourite Pet Pageant returns! More artisan booths and makers! Kids Area Crafts and Activities. Bike Parking is Back! Will we see you there?

The Mercantile on 9th is a sustainable local artisan market on 9 Avenue SE with eco-minded makers and independent small businesses.

Lino printing, also called linocut or linoleum block printing, is a relief printmaking method where an image is carved into a linoleum block, inked, and then pressed onto paper or fabric. It’s a favorite of mine for creating cards—I carve a beautiful block...

Experience the beauty of live music along the Bow River as 2025 Honens Gold Laureate Élisabeth Pion joins Calgary Philharmonic bassoonist Antoine St‑Onge for a captivating outdoor performance. Their unique pairing creates a rich, lyrical sound that feels perfectly at home in this scenic...

Step into the kitchen for a truly memorable evening and discover the elegance of squid ink pasta. This hands-on date night experience invites couples to roll up their sleeves and create dramatic, jet-black pasta dough from scratch—beautiful, bold, and...

Expo Latino returns to Prince’s Island Park and this year is especially meaningful as the Hispanic Arts Society celebrates its 30th anniversary. 30 years of culture, 30 years of community, 30 years of celebrating Latin America in Canada.

Held in Calgary, Alberta, every August, When Words Collide is Canada’s largest multi-genre, writer/reader/fan/ festival. Meet artists and publishers of commercial and literary fiction, including genre, YA, children’s books, poetry, and more, from across Canada and the world.

EXPO LATINO FESTIVAL WESTERN CANADA'S LARGEST LATIN FESTIVAL Friday, August 14, 2026: 3:00 pm-1:00 am* Saturday, August 15, 2026: 11:30 am -1:00 am* Sunday, August 16, 2024: 11:30 am - 9:30 pm* *Times are subject to change FESTIVAL PASSES COST ***FREE...

Beehive Presents Heat Waves - a summer open-air rooftop gathering - powered by Tide Cocktail Co. Select Fridays this Summer, 5pm-10pm on the Modern Love rooftop patio, rain or shine.

Come kick off Carifest by celebrating the instrument that connects us all – THE DRUM! Hosted by Drew Atlas and featuring performances by Chantal Chagnon, Samba Swing, Rhydrum and Pandynamix!

How True is a True Story? Event Dates: Saturday, June 13, July 18 & Aug.

Get ready to experience the flavours of the Caribbean right here in Calgary! The Taste of CARIFEST Expo will be a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture, featuring a Food Wars Competition, the highly anticipated Carifest Band Launch, and much more!

This old-fashioned, country-style fair is a full weekend of free, family-friendly fun celebrating rural life, agriculture, heritage, and community. Enjoy friendly competitions, farm animal exhibits, hands-on Make and Take activities, live demonstrations, local vendors, and live entertainment.

Navy Days 2026 returns to The Military Museums on Aug. 15-16, 2026, from 10 a.

PLAYBOI CARTI NIGHT A full night of Playboi Carti and the new wave of rap. Expect music from Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, Juice WRLD, Lil Uzi Vert, and more — from rage anthems to melodic hits, all night long.

Join us for Tactical Days, The Military Museums’ premier summer event, taking place August 15–16. This high-energy weekend brings together local Calgary-area military units and first responders for an up-close look at the people, vehicles, and equipment...

Crossroads lists a future Butterfield Acres Petting Zoo date near Rocky’s Burgers from 10am to 1pm. The free family activation is retained for the forward catalog window.

From Centre St. SW to Cowboys Park! Bring your family and line up along 8th Ave to catch the vibes!

Caribbean Food, Art, Music & Dance! A family-friendly event that celebrates all things Caribbean! Rain or shine – WE IN D’PARK! Hosted by Drew Atlas and featuring Jaxx from Toronto, Benjai from Trinidad and Tobago and Problem Child from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines!

Music spills onto the sidewalks as 17th Ave comes alive for another summer night out.

Reggae, Dancehall, AfroBeats, Soul and RnB… Name a better way to wrap up festival season in Calgary? Hosted by Master T and featuring Yolanda Sargeant from Calgary, Jah Cuttah from Toronto & Wayne Wonder from Jamaica!

The Rogers Charity Classic will host the greatest names in the game of golf in Calgary at the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club, August 19-23, 2026. The field, which will consist of 78 stars on the PGA TOUR Champions, will compete for US $2.

With Gamescom just around the corner, we thought it would be a great opportunity to bring Calgary's game development community together before many of us head to Germany. You're invited to an informal social gathering at Elephant & Castle to connect with...

Beehive Presents Heat Waves - a summer open-air rooftop gathering - powered by Tide Cocktail Co. Select Fridays this Summer, 5pm-10pm on the Modern Love rooftop patio, rain or shine.

Retrovision - Calgary is a Showpass-listed event at The Palace Theatre.

Join HOME Residency artists Jona Redwood and Yu Chen for an artist talk exploring identity, belonging, cultural memory, and the personal meanings carried through handcrafted objects and portraiture. Jona will share their practice creating dreamcatchers, jewelry, and interactive craft experiences as...

Join us for an in-depth look at Louis Riel’s Diary juxtaposed with David Garneau’s paintings. Aug 22 at 10:30am - 12pm Founders’ Gallery, The Military Museums 4520 Crowchild Trail SW The University of Calgary’s Libraries & Cultural Resources acquired one...

Join children’s music duo Rattle and Strum for live music in PlayLab. Set times: 11 am, 12 pm, and 1 pm. About Rattle and StrumRattle and Strum is a children’s music duo based in Calgary, Canada. Known for their engaging live shows and catchy tunes that appeal to children and their...

Welcome to YYCFanFair, Calgary’s ultimate celebration of fandom and pop culture! Explore a vibrant marketplace filled with comics, toys, video games, and rare collectibles from local vendors. Meet talented artists and discover unique treasures that you won’t find anywhere else. Whether...

Making butter is easier than you might think, and it’s more economical too! All you need is cream and a bit of patience—and honestly, you don’t even really need the patience.

Perspective Film Series: A Clockwork Orange (1971), dir. Stanley Kubrick August 235:30 PM | Dome Theatre Stanley Kubrick’s iconic A Clockwork Orange (1971) follows Alex, a charismatic but ultraviolent teenage delinquent in dystopian future Britain, who...

Tuner Spirit returns for its 5th Anniversary, bringing together Western Canada’s most premium automotive builds for one unforgettable day at the BMO Centre. What started as a grassroots gathering has grown into Calgary’s premier automotive show — a curated...

Get Your Dinos All-Access Pass! How to Claim Your Free Student Tickets: Your UCalgary student experience includes free access to Dinos home games all season long.

New to Canada as a student? This workshop is designed just for you.

Whether you’re a domestic or international student, join us for a step-by-step walkthrough of important tasks to help you get settled and set up for success in Calgary.

Coming back to university after a time away from studies brings its own unique mix of excitement and questions. Join Shawna Bava, Director, Centre for Career & Personal Development for a conversation about the common experiences mature students face when...

Coming back to university after a time away from studies brings its own unique mix of excitement and questions. Join Shawna Bava, Director, Centre for Career & Personal Development for a conversation about the common experiences mature students face when...

GlobalFest 2026: Calgary’s International Fireworks, Drone Show, and Cultural Festival is back with a new home, a bigger spark, and four nights of culture, flavour, and celebration at Spruce Meadows in Calgary.