Free This Week

Fall into these free arts offerings

  • Location: Various Venues

As we head into Autumn, check out a number of arts offerings over the coming week from live music to exhibition openings to hands-on workshops. Read the roundup to learn more!

Summer On 17th

Until September 23, 2023
Tomkins Park (17th Ave. & 8th St. SW)
Free to attend

From movies in the park to live bands, theatrical performances and more, 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

Gotta Minute Film Festival

Until September 24, 2023
Various venues
Free to watch

The Gotta Minute Film Festival is a film festival like no other, screening one-minute silent short films in public spaces. Watch for cinematic gems on digital platform screens along the Calgary C-Train system and at participating Calgary Public Libraries.
fava.ca

Calgary Concert Opera

September 20, 2023, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1st St. SE)
Free to attend

For their ProArts@Noon concert Calgary Concert Opera and Opera by Request come together again to perform excerpts from their upcoming performances of Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvruer.
proartssociety.ca

Farmers & Makers Markets: Beltline & Sunalta

September 20 & 23, 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

September 21, 2023, 12noon
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free to attend

Join Arts Commons as it presents ArtsXpeditions, featuring a range of live music to energize your day. This week features Dwight Good Eagle Farahat, MC Good Medicine & Guests in partnership with Tribe Artist Society.
artscommons.ca

Bridgeland-Riverside Farmers Market

September 21, 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

The Art of Faye HeavyShield — Opening Reception & Exhibition Tour

September 21 & 22, 2023
Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary (435 Campus Lane NW)
Free to attend

Join artist Faye HeavyShield and curator,Felicia Gay for the opening and tour of Heavyshield’s major travelling exhibition, The Art of Faye Heavyshield presents work that spans forty years of her practice.
nickle.ucalgary.ca

Artist’s Choice 2023 — Opening Reception

September 22, 2023, 4 – 7pm
ASA Gallery, Crossroads Art Centre (Suite #222, 1235 26th Ave. SE)
Free to attend

The Alberta Society of Artists presents the group exhibition Artist’s Choice featuring current work by their juried & life members. This exhibition features a variety of media and formats and provides a window into contemporary art practice in Alberta. Exhibition runs until October 28, 2023.
albertasocietyofartists.com

Community Star Blanket Workshop with Dale Swampy

September 22 & 23, 2023, 3:30 – 5pm
Sparrow Artspace (36 4th St. NE)
Free to participate, registration required 

CIF Reconciliation Society is proud to create a special community star blanket with Dale Swampy. The blanket will tell the story of participants who help be part of healing, reconciliAction, and empowerment by reflecting on residential schools.
eventbrite.ca

Simon Andrew: Traversing Terrain — Opening Reception

September 23, 2023, 2 – 5pm
Chevron Plaza (Main Floor, 500 5th Ave. SW)
Free to attend

This exhibition of new works by Simon Andrew explores the vast expanse of colour. His brushstrokes allows viewers to be immersed into new land and discover not only the physical landscape but also the terrain of the artist’s mind and the paint itself. Exhibition continues to October 18, 2023.
wallacegalleries.com

Lasting Impressions

September 23, 2023, 11am – 4pm
Alberta Printmakers (4025 4th St. SE)
Free to attend

Alberta Printmakers is hosting a reception and Print Extravaganza for Lasting Impressions: 2023 Members Exhibition — a celebration of printmaking; showcasing the work from over 40 artists from across Alberta.
albertaprintmakers.com

Tour: Indigenous Art in the TFDL with Kaia MacLeod

September 25, 2023, 11am
Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary (435 Campus Lane NW)
Free to attend, registration required

Join librarian Kaia MacLeod for an intimate tour of the recently acquired collection of art by Treaty 7 artists installed on each floor of UCalgary’s Taylor Family Digital Library.
nickle.ucalgary.ca

Summer Songs on Stephen Ave

Until September 30, 2023
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.