Free This Week
August opens with an array of free arts and culture offerings
From night markets to festivals to performing arts, there’s tons of free arts experiences to check out over the coming week. Read our roundup and don’t miss your chance to get out there!
Shakespeare on the Go
Until August 6, 2023
Various venues
Free to attend
Theatre Calgary is once again taking the show on the road as Shakespeare on the Go! A cast of seven emerging artists are presenting an adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
theatrecalgary.com
Historic Calgary Week
Until August 7, 2023
Various venues
Free to attend, registration may be required
Chinook Country Historic Society invites you to explore the history of Calgary and area during this 11-day history festival. This year’s theme is transportation through time, honouring the arrival of the CPR 140 years ago.
chinookhistory.ca
Darren Johnson
August 2, 2023, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free to attend
Blues guitarist Darren Johnson has been a fixture on the Canadian blues and roots scene — working with the likes of Amos Garrett, Tim Williams, Jim Byrnes, John Lee Sanders, and The Blind Boys of Alabama, to name a few. Catch him at this noon-hour concert!
proartssociety.ca
Music in the Plaza
August 2, 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 set up your lawn chair in the plaza and enjoy the show with popcorn in hand!
heritagepark.ca
Free First Thursday
July 26, 2023, 5 – 9pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11th St. SW)
Free to attend
Join Contemporary Calgary for a late-night gallery experience! Explore the art exhibitions and connect with Antyx Community Arts Film Lab while you enjoy beverages, international cuisine, and music by DJ Press Play.
contemporarycalgary.com
Farmers & Makers Markets: Beltline & Sunalta
August 2 & 5, 2023
Central Memorial Park & Sunalta Community Association
Free to explore
Check out the Farmers & Makers Market at two locations this summer — 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
ArtsXpeditions
August 3, 2023, 12noon
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free to attend
Join Arts Commons as its presents ArtsXpeditions, featuring live music to energize your day. Expect a wide range of genres and styles at these free performances showcasing fabulous local performers.
artscommons.ca
Art & Beat
August 3, 2023, 3 – 8pm
Century Gardens (826 8th St. SW)
Free to attend, registration required
This multicultural outdoor art-therapy event is a fun and interactive one-of-a-kind experience where participants can connect with nature and find inspiration for their art. Agenda includes a mask-making workshop, African dance and live music and drumming.
eventbrite.ca
Bridgeland-Riverside Farmers Market
August 3, 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, along with the Locally Grown Concert Series featuring awesome local bands.
brcacalgary.org
Wagonstage Theatre: The Little Forest
August 3 & 8, 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
BUMP Festival: Graffiti Jam
August 5, 2023, 3 – 9pm
High Park (340 10th Ave. SW)
Free to explore
BUMP’s annual Graffiti Jam honours the roots of muralism and celebrates street art and culture. Join them to help kick off the festival as graffiti writers paint together to a backdrop of DJs, basketball games, vendor booths, BUMP Beer, delicious food and more.
yycbump.ca
Lantern Peace Festival
August 5, 2023, 5:30 – 9pm
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free to explore
This festival features Indian music group Madhuban Performing Arts celebrating the spirit of non-violence, harmony and peace, along with inspirational speakers, a kid’s zone, and the release of colourful lanterns floating on the pool. You can also receive a link to watch to the online film festival.
eventbrite.ca
Music Matters YYC
August 7, 2023, 11:30am – 1pm
Harmony Park (115 4th Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Music Matters YYC is an outdoor summer concert series in the heart of the city. Check out the family-friendly weekly programming and see for yourself just how much Music Matters!
stagehand.app
Incredible India Fest
August 7, 2023, 12 – 6pm
The Westin Calgary Airport (671 Aero Dr. NE)
Free to attend
This one-day festival has vendors, dance, food, culture, arts, interactive sessions and fashion shows! It celebrates both traditional and contemporary spheres of South Asian music, dance, film, theatre, literature, poetry, cuisine and more.
sparqproductions.com
Transit Tuesdays
August 8, 2023, 4:30pm
Century Gardens (826 8th St. SW)
Free to attend
Make your commute a little more exciting! Drop by Century Gardens every Tuesday to take in some special local music. Enjoy the sun, frolic in the splash pool and have a dance if you’re feeling it!
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
Enjoy 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.
