Free This Week
Calgary’s summer is sizzling as July opens with exhibitions, live music, film and more! Get into the Stampede spirit at First Flip, dive into immersive art with the opening of new exhibitions at cSPACE and Crossroads Market, or enjoy live music outdoors at Ripplefest. Plus, more below!
First Flip Pancake Breakfast
July 3, 2025, 7:30 – 10:30am
Stephen Avenue Walk (Between 1 St SE & Centre Street)
Free to attend
Mark your calendars for this community gathering, celebrating Stampede. Bring your family and friends for a morning of fun, food, live music by The Frontiers and fantastic entertainment from Mackenzie Brown, Green Fools Theatre Society and Chinook Country Line Dancers.
calgaryartsdevelopment.com/firstflip
Midsummer Escapade — Opening Reception
July 3, 2025, 5 – 8pm
Level 3 Gallery, cSPACE Marda Loop (1721 29 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
Experience warm days and a journey of art through a vibrant group exhibition by Artpoint Gallery and Studios Society, showcasing diverse works from over a dozen talented artists.
artpoint.ca
Free First Thursday
July 3, 2025, 5 – 9pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)
Free to attend
Join Contemporary Calgary for Free First Thursday featuring live music by Rifle County Players and a hands-on airbrush bandana workshop led by artist Karin McGinn. Enjoy drinks, cotton candy, art activations and exhibitions — all ages welcome.
contemporarycalgary.com
Keystone Is…
July 3, 2025, 6pm
Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, Central Library (800 3 St. SE)
Free to attend, registration required
Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre and The Prairie Place-Ancestors Collective present Keystone Is…, a film that follows five Black artists as they explore the legacy of Keystone, a historic Black settlement in Alberta. Join them for a screening and a post-film talk-back with the artists.
eventbrite.ca
Nōd Magazine Issue 30 Launch
July 3, 2025, 7pm
Shelf Life Books (1302 4 St. SW)
Free to attend
Join the University of Calgary’s student-run print literary magazine, Nōd Magazine, for the launch of the 30th issue. Head down for a night of literary readings from our contributors, light snacks and to pick up the latest copy.
shelflifebooks.ca
Plantasia — Opening Reception
July 5, 2025, 2 – 5pm
ASA Gallery, Crossroads Market (2nd floor, 1235 26 Ave SE)
Free to attend
Plantasia is a vivid watercolour exhibition offering intimate, immersive views of plants and gardens that capture nature’s transcendent beauty. These lush compositions invite viewers to experience the sublime and rekindle a deep, innate connection with the natural world.
albertasocietyofartists.com
Ripple Fest
July 5, 2025, 2:30 – 7pm
ContainR (1020 2 Ave. NW)
Free to attend
Ripple exists for founders Johnny Rollett and Sean Abercrombie to maintain ties with the Calgary music community as they move across the mountains to Vancouver. The artists have been performing and producing shows for over a decade — check out what they have in store!
springboardperformance.com
Timothonius and Jane Madeleine
July 9, 2025, 12:10 – 1pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1 St. SE)
Free to attend
Timothonius and Jane Madeleine weave an ethereal sound that spans jazz, R&B, neo-soul, contemporary and classical music. Their performances move between planned repertoire and spontaneous improvisation. Check out their ProArts@Noon concert!
proartssociety.ca
Have a free event that’s not listed? Email us at events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or fill out this form.
