Free This Week
This week’s roundup is bursting with exhibitions and performances, plus celebrations of love and family. Step into a high-energy hip-hop cypher, check out a Valentine’s showcase at cSPACE Marda Loop, take a family tour at Lougheed House, and more!
Nickle@Noon: Canadian Cyanotype, Then and Now
February 12, 2026, 12 – 1pm
Nickle Galleries, University of Calgary (435 Campus Lane NW)
Free to attend
Join Mireille Perron, Leia Guo and Cy Yang-Smith for a conversation on the history and contemporary impact of cyanotype, from its 19th-century origins to its role in Canadian artistic, scientific and community practices today.
events.ucalgary.ca
Alberta Comics: Love
February 12, 2026, 7 – 8:30pm
Owl’s Nest Books (815A 49 Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Join us for a multi-author presentation celebrating Alberta Comics Love, a joyful collection of 50 original short comics by Alberta creators. Spanning romance, memoir, comedy and sci-fi, these stories explore love in all its quirky, tender and unexpected forms.
owlsnestbooks.com
Love Letters: February Showcase Series
February 12, 2026, 5:30 – 8:30pm
cSPACE Marda Loop (1721 29 Ave. SW)
Free to attend
cSPACE Marda Loop hosts a Valentine-inspired showcase spanning four floors of art, activities and live performances celebrating love in all its forms. Enjoy hands-on workshops, local artists, music, talks and a silent auction.
cspacemardaloop.com
Living Designs — Reception
February 13, 2026, 5 – 8pm
Studio C Gallery, cSPACE Marda Loop (2nd Floor, 1721 29 Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Celebrate the living legacy of the Ayoungman-Hunt family, whose beadwork and regalia carry generations of Blackfoot knowledge, identity and artistry. Join Prospect Art to honour their stories and cultural practices through an exhibition, reception and powwow demonstration.
instagram.com
City Lights Cypher
February 13, 2026, 7pm
Exchange Church Calgary (131, 10550 42 St. SE)
Free to explore
City Lights Cypher is a free, high-energy breakdance competition and hip-hop showcase featuring a DJ showcase, MC Olympics and performances by MC Joshua Kriese. This all-ages event celebrates local dance, music and freestyle culture.
instagram.com
Chinook Blast
February 13 – 16, 2026
Eau Claire Plaza (101 Barclay Parade SW)
Free to attend
Chinook Blast brings the final of three weekends of free winter programming to downtown Calgary. Expect inspiring installations, live performances, outdoor skating, a market and more!
chinookblast.ca
Family Day at Studio Bell
February 16, 2026, 10am – 5pm
Studio Bell (850 4 St. SE)
Free to explore
Bring your family together through the power of music! Explore five floors of exhibitions, enjoy all-ages activities, and experience live performances, including headlining sets from new-wave group BETABOYS.
studiobell.ca
Chinese New Year Festival
February 14 & 15, 2026, 11am – 5pm
Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre (197 1 St. SW)
Free to attend
Celebrate the Year of the Horse featuring lion and dragon dances, music, dance, opera, martial arts and family-friendly activities. Enjoy local vendors, festive food, calligraphy, lucky draws and more across two weekends.
culturalcentre.ca
Soundwalk
February 15, 2026, 2pm
Visitor Centre, Fish Creek Provincial Park (15975 Bow Bottom Tr. SE)
Free to participate, registration required
As part of New Works Calgary’s two-year soundwalk residency with the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society, join artist-educator Chad Eastman for a soundwalk exploring acoustic ecology, climate and place-based listening in Fish Creek Park.
newworkscalgary.com
Family Day Open House
February 16, 2026, 10am – 2pm
Lougheed House (707 13 Ave. SW)
Free to attend, registration recommended
For Family Day, Lougheed House opens its doors to people of all ages for a fun day of activities! Join in for crafts and explore the House.
crm.lougheedhouse.com
Puppet Pop Up
February 16, 2026, 9am – 3pm
Bowness Rd (83 St. NW)
Free to attend
Celebrate the heart of community with a hands-on puppet-making experience led by WP Puppet Theatre. Create your own heart puppet inspired by Valentine’s season and the people, places and connections that make Bowness special.
facebook.com
Tour: Indigenous Art in the TFDL
February 17, 2026, 11am – 12noon
Taylor Family Digital Library, University of Calgary (410 University Ct. NW)
Free to explore
Kaia MacLeod (member of the James Smith Cree Nation and Indigenous Cataloguing Librarian at the University of Calgary) offers a tour of the library’s recently acquired collection of art by Treaty 7 artists, many of whom have a significant relationship with the University of Calgary.
events.ucalgary.ca
ProArts@Noon: Oliver Munar, Tenor
February 18, 2026, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1 St. SE)
Free to attend
Oliver Munar is a composer/arranger, collaborative pianist, vocal coach and conductor. A veteran ensemble singer, he works with some of Canada’s leading ensembles. Check out his noon-hour show!
proartssociety.ca
Woolf’s Voices 41
February 18, 2026, 7 – 9pm
Shelf Life Books (1312 4 St. SW)
Free to attend
Woolf’s Voices returns with a lively evening of poetry, featuring a curated lineup of local writers and hosted by a special guest emcee. Expect sharp voices, thoughtful readings and a celebration of community and literary exchange
shelflifebooks.ca
Have a free event that’s not listed? Email us at events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or fill out this form.
