Free This Week
Celebrate the Canada Day long weekend with free live music and cultural performances that highlight our country’s diversity, or choose from a week full of other free arts and culture events. From an outdoor movie screening of Paris is Burning, to an evening of creativity at Dave’s Big Art Show, to a special tipi raising curated by Garret C. Smith, there’s tons to check out!
Judith Davenport
June 26, 2024, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1 St. SE)
Free to attend
Avid chamber musician Judith Davenport has performed at a number of music series and festivals and is currently a member of the INNERchamber String Quartet. She’s accompanied by British-Canadian pianist Claire Stevens for this ProArts@Noon concert!
proartssociety.ca
University District’s Night Market
June 26, 2024, 5 – 9pm
Central Commons Park, University District (University Ave. NW)
Free to explore
Join University District for a summer night market with offerings you don’t want to miss, including entertainment, a chance to shop and support over 35 local vendors and explore the retail main street.
myuniversitydistrict.ca
Artist In Residency — Exhibition
June 26, 2024, 6 – 9:30pm
Fuse33 Makerspace (1720 Radisson Dr SE)
Free to attend
After three months of intense work, Fuse33 artists in residence are ready to present their masterpieces to the public. At the exhibition, the artists will be giving live testimonies on their journey through the program and showing what they accomplished
facebook.com
Exhibition Opening — Ghosts of Canoe Lake: New Work by Marcel Dzama
June 27, 2024, 6 – 9:30pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)
Free to attend
This exhibition marks Marcel Dzama’s return to the Canadian institutional scene after more than a decade. In a new body of work, the artist revisits themes of landscape drawn from Canadian art history and his own memories of a childhood spent in the wilds of Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan— all while confronting a natural world threatened by climate change.
contemporarycalgary.com
Movie With a View: Paris is Burning
June 27, 2024, 10:30pm
High Park (340 10 Ave. SW)
Free to attend
As a celebration of Pride Month, Calgary Cinematheque, Calgary Public Library and Calgary Pride are teaming up to host a free outdoor screening of Paris is Burning (1990). One night and one night only! Bring your chairs, blankets, snacks, etc!
yycbump.ca
Open Studio for 55+
June 28, 2024, 1 – 4pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)
Free to attend, registration required
Contemporary Calgary’s Open Studio for 55+ on Fridays in June invites participants to bring projects they are currently engaged in, or ideas and materials, for an opportunity to work with the support of peers and a facilitator with a background in visual art.
contemporarycalgary.com
The Market at cSPACE Marda Loop
June 29, 2024, 10am – 2pm
cSPACE Marda Loop (1721 29 Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Start your Canada Day long weekend at cSPACE Marda Loop’s Market! Enjoy live music by Tim Gareau and Nico Brennan, plus Jube School Kids’ Drop-in with drumming, songs and storytelling by Chantal Chagnon. Discover local vendors, delicious food and festive activities in a lively community atmosphere.
cspacemardaloop.com
Closing of EnVision: Claudia Lorenz & Verna Vogel
June 29, 2024, 1 – 6pm
Sparrow Artspace (36 4 St. SE)
Free to attend
In the end, some possibilities are realized. Stop in and say farewell as artists Claudia Lorenz and Verna Vogel close out their month-long residency at Sparrow Artspace with an exhibition of work created by them and by their workshop participants.
sparrowartspace.com
Frybread Face and Me
June 30, 2024, 2 – 4pm
Calgary Central Library (800 3 St. SE)
Free to attend
Join the Calgary Public LIbrary for a screening of Taika Waititi’s 2023 film Frybread Face and Me in celebration of National Indigenous History Month. This story follows a young boy from San Diego as he unexpectedly reconnects with his Najavo roots, spending a summer with his extended family on a reservation in Arizona.
calgarylibrary.ca
Market Nights
June 29, 2024, 3 – 9pm
Heritage Plaza (1900 Heritage Dr. SW)
Free to explore
Get ready for Market Nights! Shop for a wide variety of artisan products made by local vendors every week at Heritage Park’s front plaza. From one-of-a-kind jewelry to mouthwatering treats, and a whole lot more, there’s an array of discoveries waiting for you.
heritagepark.ca
The Chinese Dragon in the West — Xiang Long Festival
June 29, 2024, 5 – 8pm
Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre (197 1 St. SW)
Free to attend
Join the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre for an informative presentation and conversation with notable community historian and philanthropist David Lei. Along with UCalgary Professor, he’ll discuss the Chinese Dragon’s cultural significance and rich history both in China and the West.
eventbrite.ca
Dave’s Big Art Show 4th Edition
June 29, 2024, 5 – 10pm
BLOX Arts Centre (834 11 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
Claw and Dagger Productions is excited to invite you to join them for an evening filled with creativity, music and inspiration. This event showcases the amazing talent of local artists and bands, featuring a wide range of art styles, mediums and music.
clawanddagger.com
The Jam Social
June 29, 2024, 7:15pm – 9:15pm
Kaks Bar and Podcast (1006 1 St SE)
Free to attend, registration required
Are you looking to make friends? Meet the one? Get out of your comfort zone? Listen to local artists live?The Jam Social is where folks ages 25 to 30 unite for music, comedy and jam bingo. Hosted by Jam The Social App.
eventbrite.ca
TD JazzYYC Summer Fest Jazz Walk
June 30, 2024, 11:30 am – 6:30pm
Jack Long Park (920 9 Ave SE) & The Livery (1107 10 Ave SE)
Free to attend
Jazz YYC’s world-famous JazzWalk returns to not one but two outdoor stages for an afternoon of free live music with local, national and international musicians including Gabriel Palatchi, Baritone Madness, Moneka Arabic Jazz, Samantha Wilson Trio, Perpie and so many more!
jazzyyc.com
Canada Day Celebrations
July 1, 2024
Various venues
Free to attend
Celebrate Canada Day downtown with friends and family. Enjoy a day of free performances and activities that highlight our country’s diversity, like an Indigenous showcase and powwow, live music, cultural performances, food trucks and more. End the day with a spectacular fireworks show above Stampede Park.
calgary.ca
Canada Day at Studio Bell & King Eddy
July 1, 2024, 10am – 5pm
Studio Bell, National Music Centre (850 4 St. SE)
Free to attend
You’re invited to a building-wide bash to celebrate Studio Bell’s 8th anniversary! Explore Canada’s musical mosaic through new exhibitions, catch live performances, and enjoy hands-on activities for the whole family. Visitors are also encouraged to hop across the street to the King Eddy for family-friendly live music from 3pm ’til close.
studiobell.ca
Canada Day at the Central Library
July 1, 2024, 12 – 5pm
Calgary Central Library (800 3 St. SE)
Free to attend
Join Calgary Public Library for free activities and programs to celebrate and recognize Canada’s many stories. Activities will include a special storytime, traditional Indigenous dancing demonstrations, outdoor musical performances and a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians.
calgarylibrary.ca
Tipi Raising with Special Performances
July 1, 2024, 1 – 8pm
containR (1020 2 Ave. NW)
Free to attend
Learn how to raise a tipi with Garret C. Smith and his family as Springboard’s containR Fest presents this special event event featuring artistry and histories of cultural leaders and creative movers and shakers from the Nations of Treaty 7.
springboardperformance.com
Antyx Youth Programming
Ongoing
Various venues
Free to participate
Antyx Community Arts invites youth ages 12 – 18 to participate in a number of their programs focused on providing safe spaces for creative expression including their mural projects, Youth Arts Action, The Film Lab and more!
antyx.ca
Have a free event that’s not listed? Email us at events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or fill out this form.