Canada Day
Celebrate Canada 150 with free activities all day long
- Price: Free
Canada Day this year is going to be one big shindig and here in Calgary we’re celebrating big for Canada 150. With tons of great free events taking place, it’s the perfect time to party.
The City of Calgary has partnered with Canadian Heritage and 14 organizations to bring you the most vibrant, entertaining, educational, and interactive Canada Day our city has ever seen. With more than 250,000 people expected to join in, it’s the place to be. Festivities include presentations from the Canadian Armed Forces, the always popular ENMAX Living Flag activity, an Indigenous showcase with a traditional Powwow, and live music on both the Riverfront Avenue stage and along Stephen Avenue.
And what Canada Day would be complete without fireworks? Look for them once again off of the Centre Street Bridge starting at 11:10pm.
Unsure where to start? Here are our can’t miss highlights of the day:
Fort Calgary
9:00am – 4:00pm
Fort Calgary (750 9th Ave. SE)
Free
With family-friendly fun throughout the day, head to Fort Calgary for a free pancake breakfast, live music and entertainment, children’s crafts and petting zoo, food trucks, a chance to dress-up like a Mountie, and an opportunity to see the Treaty 7 document. There’s even a chance to get in on the ENMAX Living Flag—just show up by 10:00am while wearing red or white and the first 1,500 participants get a free t-shirt.
calgary.ca
Studio Bell
10:00am – 5:00pm
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre (850 4th St. SE)
Free admission on July 1
Head to Studio Bell for live music that takes you across Canada, interactive exhibitions, and some surprises! And to commemorate Studio Bell’s first year of opening and Canada 150, admission to the National Music Centre is free this Canada Day. There will even be a massive, building-wide jam session.
studiobell.ca
Olympic Plaza
10:00am – 6:00pm
Olympic Plaza (228 8th Ave. SE)
Free
If you’re heading downtown, make sure to plan a stop at Olympic Plaza to enjoy an amazing array of music, dance, and storytelling. The day kicks off with a jazz ensemble and features opera performances, DJs, roving performers, hands-on workshops, and much more. There’s even a 1,500 strong Strum N Sing of Four Strong Winds with Ian Tyson himself.
calgary.ca
Indigenous Showcase and Powwow
10:00am – 8:30pm
Prince’s Island Park (698 Eau Claire Ave. SW)
Free
Celebrate Indigenous culture with a traditional Powwow and cultural programs at Prince’s Island Park. It all begins on the main stage at 10:00am with a morning blessing. Open for all to participate, join in for a Round Dance from 4:30 to 4:45pm.
calgary.ca
Riverfront Avenue
10:00am – 11:45pm
Riverfront Avenue (Between 1st St. & Macleod Tr.)
Free
Riverfront Avenue will once again rock this Canada Day with live music from Michael Bernard Fitzgerald, Tegan and Sara, and so much more. The evening caps off with an amazing fireworks display and Riverfront Avenue gives you a great vantage point for the pyrotechnics.
calgary.ca
King Eddy Canada Day Party
12:00 – 6:00pm
King Edward Hotel, National Music Centre (438 9th Ave. SE)
No cover, space is limited
The King Eddy comes alive this Canada Day with performances from Stephen David Fletcher, Beaver Squadron, Amy Bishop Music, The Flat Whites, The Torchettes, and Dragon Fli Empire. Enjoy suds, pub grub, and live music all day. There’s even a complimentary karaoke pedicab service offered by Studio Bell’s premier founding partner, Bell Canada, from pop-up stations to Studio Bell. Calgarians will be able to sing for their fare by selecting their favourite Canadian songs to sing along to.
studiobell.ca
Genesis Centre
12:00 – 8:00pm
Genesis Centre (7555 Falconridge Blvd. NE)
Free
If downtown isn’t your thing, the Genesis Centre is offering a great afternoon of programming including the Taste of Canada Food Festival, a kids fun zone, and a pavilion marketplace. And to help get you there, the centre will be running a free shuttle from the Westwinds CTrain station.
genesis-centre.ca
Check out The City of Calgary’s interactive map of events or hit up the full schedule at calgary.ca.
