Free This Week
Be sure to check out these free arts finds
There’s free fun for the entire family in store over the upcoming week! Read our arts and culture roundup and check out a variety of programming, from live music to outdoor theatre to workshops.
Alicia Woynarski & Anna Casurella
August 9, 2023, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free to attend
Check out this contemporary English recital with mezzo-soprano Alicia Woynarski and soprano Anna Casurella titled She is Clothed in Strength & Beauty, featuring works by Canadian and American composers.
proartssociety.ca
Music in the Plaza
August 9, 2023, 6 – 8pm
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
BUMP Festival: Artist Talk
August 9, 2023, 7:30 – 9pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11th Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Listen to a panel of 2023 local and national BUMP artists: Diane & MSHL, La Guita, Anais Lera & Hannah Reimer discuss their craft, share their thoughts and field questions about painting, art and culture.
yycbump.ca
Farmers & Makers Markets: Beltline & Sunalta
August 9 & 12, 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 10, 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. This week features musician Ollee Owens.
artscommons.ca
For the Temporary Accommodation of Settlers
August 10, 2023, 7pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11th St. SW)
Free to attend, registration required
Join Contemporary Calgary for a talk by UCalgary’s Dr. David Monteyne. His book offers new ways of approaching historical processes of immigration, challenging readers to consider government architecture and migrant experiences.
contemporarycalgary.com
Bridgeland-Riverside Farmers Market
August 10, 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 10 & 11, 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
Franco Festival
August 12, 2023, 11am– 7pm
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free to attend
Franco Festival Calgary is a celebration of Francophone culture, language and heritage. Experience music performances, dance shows, exhibitions, authentic cultural food and more!
francofestcalgary.com
Beat Market
August 12, 2023, 12noon – 9pm
Congress Coffee (Suite #1A, 215 36th Ave. NE)
Free to attend
Join Congress Coffee for a family-friendly day-long music and market experience, in support of Girl’s Rock Camp & Controller Club, featuring a live bid spin auction with local DJs, record swap, vendor market, live music, a community party and more!
congresscoffeeyyc.com
Contemporary Kids & Contemporary Teens
August 13, 2023, 10am & 12:30pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11th St. SW)
Free to attend
Contemporary Calgary’s free onsite workshops invite kids and teens to learn about modern and contemporary art through unique and engaging art activities. With the main objective of storytelling, they will use collages and newspapers to create a memoir.
contemporarycalgary.com
Transit Tuesdays
August 15, 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.