Free This Week

Warm up with these smokin' hot events

  • Price: Free

The weather might be feeling a bit chilly this week, so throw on a sweater and get out of the house with these awesome events. From concerts to festivals to launches to receptions, indulge without breaking the bank.

Here’s what we’re checking out this week:

ProArts Presents Calgary Renaissance Singers

December 5, 2018, 12:10 – 12:50pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free admission

Calgary Renaissance Singers and Players has been a proud part of this city’s musical landscape for the last 49 years. Specializing in performing Renaissance music and music that celebrates its spirit, swing by this free lunch hour concert.
proartssociety.ca

ACAD Film Fest

December 5, 2018, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Globe Cinema (617 8th Ave. SW)
Free admission

Featuring various short films and animations created by students, staff, and alumni from the Alberta College of Art + Design, don’t miss this fun and free film festival.
facebook.com

Mini Masters

December 6, 2018, 11:00 – 11:45am
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration essential

Calling Calgary’s newest contemporaries! Join the Esker Foundation on the first Thursday of every month for a hands-on art class. Parents and guardians are invited to bring their little ones, ages two to five, to explore art making in this fun and social program. All are welcome to participate, just dress for mess.
eventbrite.ca

Humanly 2018

December 6, 2018, 5:00 – 8:00pm
Riddell Library and Learning Centre, Mount Royal University (74 Mount Royal Circle SW)
Free admission, registration required

Hosted by information design students at Mount Royal University, participants have tackled a variety of topics ranging from sustainability, access to clean water and healthy food, decolonization and reconciliation, the effectiveness of the education system, and many more. Using human centred design strategies to understand, explore, and ideate potential futures, this exhibition showcases that work.
eventbrite.ca

A poster for Humanly 2018

Free First Thursday Night

December 6, 2018, 5:00 – 9:00pm
Glenbow (130 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission

A great way to find some peace this December, head to Glenbow for this fantastic night out. Open late with free admission, be sure to swing by on the first Thursday of each month!
facebook.com

Bring the Baby Art Tour

December 7, 2018, 12:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free, registration recommended

A relaxed, social tour, bring your baby to the Esker Foundation and have tot-friendly fun while discussing the exhibitions.
eventbrite.ca

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood

December 7, 2018, 6:00 – 10:00pm
Village Brewery (5000 12A St. SE)
Free admission

A collaboration between two abstract painters, join Keely Sorette and Kyla Alty, real life friends and neighbours, as they celebrate the opening of their first art show together. Enjoy colourful art, delicious beer, and live music.
facebook.com

With My Back to the World

December 7, 2018, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission, registration required

This moving documentary on the internationally renowned painter Agnes Martin was shot over a period of four years, from 1998 through 2002, and includes interviews intercut with shots of her working in her studio located in Taos, New Mexico. Swing by the Esker Foundation for this upcoming screening.
eventbrite.ca

Not-So-Mini Print Exchange and Exhibition

December 7, 2018, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Alberta Printmakers Gallery & Studio (4025 4th St. SE)
Free admission

Alberta Printmakers’ (A/P) annual non-juried exhibition showcases the work of local and international print artists. Raising funds towards A/P’s artistic and educational programming, it’s a perfect event for holiday gifting.
facebook.com

AE West Artist Showcase

December 7, 2018, 8:00pm
King Eddy, National Music Centre (438 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission

Join Canada’s Music Incubator and the National Music Centre for this amazing artist showcase. Featuring artists of all genres, each performing two songs, see performances by the artist entrepreneurs from the AE West Program—Alex Hughes, Celeigh Cardinal, Josh Sahunta, Karimah, King Dylan, King of Foxes, Lhasa Petik, Lyra Brown, Michela Sheedy, Niska Napoleon, Sebastian Gaskin, and Warming. Admission is on a first come, first served basis and is subject to capacity, so be sure to arrive early.
nmc.ca

Christmas Market Saturdays

December 8, 2018, 10:00am – 1:00pm
cSPACE King Edward (1721 29th Ave. SW)
Free admission

A special Christmas market version of its weekly farmers and makers market, head to cSPACE King Edward this holiday season to find tons of things for your wish list.
farmersmakersmarket.ca

Christmas Craft Parade

December 8, 2018, 10:00am – 3:00pm
St. Michael School (4511 8th Ave. SW)
Free admission

Featuring over 40 vendors, find jewellery, art, wood crafts, knitting, crochet, candles, pottery, homemade baked goods at this craft parade in support of St. Michael School.
facebook.com

Poster for St. Michael School's Christmas Craft Parade

Christmas in Kensington

December 8, 2018, 12:00 – 4:00pm
Throughout Kensington
Free admission

Held in Kensington every Saturday until December 22, enjoy horse and wagon rides, visits with Santa, a petting zoo, hot chocolate, and more! A great opportunity to roam the neighbourhood and engage in some local holiday shopping, you can even take in holiday movies by donation at The Plaza Theatre.
facebook.com

Northern Reflections Walking Tour

December 8, 2018, 2:00 – 4:00pm
Meet at Ducktoes Computer Services (902 Centre St. N)
Free admission

Go on an art-filled walk and check out some of the augmented reality murals located in and around the downtown core. Part of the Buds of Buds Collective’s Northern Reflections series, it’s a great chance to explore this grand urban art-walk. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, bring good shoes, and download the AUGLE app before you arrive.
facebook.com

Flea By Night

December 8, 2018, 7:00 – 10:00pm
Southview Community Hall (2020 33rd St. SE)
Free admission

A new initiative of emergeMARKET, International Avenue, and Southview Community Association, this market features collectibles, handmade goods, new products, used items, food items, Christmas goodies, and more.
emergehub.ca

Christmas Glass Sale

December 8 & 9, 2018, 12:00 – 5:00pm
Bee Kingdom (427 22nd Ave. NW)
Free admission

Avoid the mall frenzy and kick back with a hot chocolate and enjoy glassblowing demonstrations with the Bee Kingdom. These local pieces make the perfect gift.
facebook.com

When the mind is untroubled

December 9, 2018, 1:00 – 2:00pm
Esker Foundation (1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free admission, registration recommended

The exhibitions of Tammi Campbell, Agnes Martin, and Sarah Stevenson are united in an austere formal language of grid and line. Join Esker curator Shauna Thompson on this conversational walking tour that aims to illuminate the nuanced and affecting inspirations behind these three artists’ practices.
eventbrite.ca

Art … On the Side

December 9, 2018, 1:00 – 6:00pm
Bridgeland Riverside Community Association (917 Centre Ave. NE)
Free admission

After many years of creating vibrant art on-the-side, Marjorie Hale and Fiona Warren are looking to sell their work at an affordable price with 10% of sales going to local charities.
eventbrite.ca

Northwestival

December 9, 2018, 1:00 – 6:00pm
Field 9, University District (4410 University Dr. NW)
Free admission with a jar of peanut butter

A winter wonderland featuring seasonal fun activities, local food, music, art, and performances for all ages, warm up with University District’s annual winter outdoor festival. You can even try your hand at a DIY winter workshops and make modern wreaths, cinnamon ornaments, and inspirational note cards for Northwestival’s charity for 2018, I Can for Kids.
myuniversitydistrict.ca

Calgary Through the Eyes of Writers

December 9, 2018, 2:00pm
Performance Hall, Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free admission, registration required

Take a literary journey through Calgary as Shaun Hunter tours readers and urban explorers through a place that has captivated writers since 1792. At this book launch celebrating Calgary’s literature, hear Hunter talk about how she came to explore the city’s literary landscape and what she discovered.
events.calgarylibrary.ca

Luminous Voices Community Sing I

December 10, 2018, 3:00 – 4:30pm
Performance Hall, Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free admission, registration required

Generously supported by the Rozsa Foundation, join Luminous Voices for its first free singing workshop of the season. It’s your chance to learn few excerpts from its next concert, no experience required. RSVP to info@luminousvoices.ca.
facebook.com