Free This Week
Get busy with live music, visual arts, markets and more!
As always, it’s a busy time of year as Stampede rolls through town, and whether you’re headed to the grounds or looking for a different kind of adventure, our round-up of free arts events has something for you!
Fluor Rope Square
Until July 15, 2023, 8:30am
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free to attend
At Fluor Rope Square, every day starts with a bacon pancake served hot off a chuckwagon paired with Stampede-style entertainment including marching bands, dancers, singers, fiddlers, friendly mascots plus so much more!
calgarystampede.com
Special Stampede Indigenous Art Market
Until July 16, 2023, 11am – 8pm
Telus Convention Centre (136 8th Ave. SE)
Free to explore
If you’re looking for some unique western gear, or something else to do, then stop by Authentically Indigenous’ first-ever Stampede edition of its Indigenous Art Market and browse handcrafted goods from a selection of local vendors.
instagram.com
Flamenco Music & Dance
July 12, 2023, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free to attend
Always an audience favourite, The ProArts@Noon Concert Series presents an hour of Flamenco music and dance featuring dancers Fiona Malena and Anastassiia Alexander with guitarist Michael Boyle.
proartssociety.ca
Music in the Plaza
July 12, 2023, 6 – 9pm
Heritage Park (1900 Heritage Dr. SW)
Free to attend
Discover free live music in Calgary all summer long from the city’s best emerging artists! Watch from the Selkirk’s patio as you enjoy dinner, or explore the shops before you set up your lawn chair and enjoy the show with popcorn in hand!
heritagepark.ca
Farmers & Makers Markets: Beltline & Sunalta
July 12 & 15, 2023
Central Memorial Park & Sunalta Community Association
Free to explore
Check out the Farmers & Makers Market at two locations this summer — on Wednesdays at Central Memorial Park and Saturdays in the Sunalta neighbourhood. Each week, you’ll find local farmers and producers, ready-to-eat food, live music and their free, drop-in kids arts & culture program.
farmersmakersmarket.ca
Bridgeland-Riverside Farmers Market
July 13, 2023, 3:30 – 7:30pm
Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association (917 Centre Ave. NE)
Free to attend
Check out this weekly outdoor farmers market featuring over 30 vendors, food trucks, live music and kids activities. This year they are also presenting the Locally Grown Concert Series featuring awesome local bands.
brcacalgary.org
A Conversation with asmaa al-issa
July 13, 2023, 6 – 7pm
Esker Foundation (4th floor, 1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free to attend, registration required
Join Esker for a conversation with asmaa about her Project Space exhibition, which pursues a method of mapping borrowed memories and stories she has acquired from a land known and claimed, but one she will never inherit.
eventbrite.ca
Sprayyc!
July 14, 2023, 11am – 7pm
Century Gardens (826 8th St. SW)
Free to attend
Sprayyc is a collaborative public-painting event inviting the public to create graffiti art using provided materials, while professional graffiti artists showcase their talents through live art demonstrations.
sprayyc.com
CALGARY FLOODS (2013) — Opening Reception
July 14, 2023, 4 – 6pm
Calgary Central Library (800 3rd St. SE)
Free to attend
Brady Fullerton’s exhibition delves into one of the worst floods in Southern Alberta’s history and how the response showcased a type of Albertan attitude tied to an imagined cowboy identity, toxic masculinity, poor land stewardship and racial injustices.
albertasocietyofartists.com
Wagonstage Theatre: The Little Forest
July 14 & 18, 2023
Various venues
Free to attend
UCalgary Wagonstage Theatre presents The Little Forest by Clem Martini where four siblings in a treeless neighbourhood embark on a mission to bring nature back to life. Join them on their journey at a neighbourhood near you!
arts.ucalgary.ca
Shakespeare on the Go
July 14 – August 6, 2023
Various venues
Free to attend
Theatre Calgary’s traditional Shakespeare by the Bow program is once again be going on the road as Shakespeare On The Go!, with a cast of seven emerging artists presenting an adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
theatrecalgary.com
Esker Kids & Youth Studios
July 15, 2023, 11am – 1pm & 3 – 5pm
Esker Foundation (4th floor, 1011 9th Ave. SE)
Free to participate, registration required
Esker’s Kids and Youth Studios connect these groups to contemporary art and ideas through free experiential and creative activities led by contemporary artists. Parents or guardians are not required to be present for the duration of the program.
eskerfoundation.com
Dawn Thrasher: Dimensions of Play — Artist Talk & Opening Reception
July 15, 2023, 3 – 5pm
ASA Gallery, Crossroads Art Centre (Suite #222, 1235 26th Ave. SE)
Free to attend
In Dimensions of Play, Artist Dawn Thrasher tackles how during COVID-19, individuals pursued different ways to experience joy and relieve loneliness — various forms of play provided mechanisms that eased the melancholy of isolation.
eskerfoundation.com
Night Markets at Heritage Park
July 15, 2023, 3 – 9pm
Heritage Park Historical Village (1900 Heritage Dr. SW)
Free to explore
On Saturdays this summer, Heritage Plaza and promenade in the front parking lots will be taken over by vendors. Shop their local vendors, explore the shops in the Plaza, grab a bite to eat and be entertained!
heritagepark.ca
Music Matters YYC
July 17, 2023, 11:30am – 1pm
Harmony Park (115 4th Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Music Matters YYC is an eight-week outdoor concert series this summer in the heart of the city. Check out their family-friendly weekly programming and and see for yourself just how much Music Matters!
stagehand.app
Summer On 17th
Ongoing
Tomkins Park (17th Ave. & 8th St. SW)
Free to attend
From movies in the park to live bands, theatrical performances and fitness classes, the 17th Ave Business Improvement Area is pulling out all the stops to ensure this summer is epic. Visit the website for details.
17thave.ca
Summer Songs on Stephen Ave
Ongoing
Stephen Ave (8th Ave. SE)
Free to attend
Support live local music on Stephen Ave this summer, supported by the Calgary Downtown Association. Check out the Stagehand website for the full schedule as well as other free concerts around the city!
stagehand.app
Have a free event that’s not listed? Email us at events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or fill out this form.
