Free This Week
Enjoy an exciting mix of exhibitions, markets and performances across the city. Experience a Simran Creative Lab workshop at Contemporary Calgary, check out the grand opening of the Latin Cultural Centre, dive into poetry at Naked Tongue Poetry Night and more in this week’s roundup.
Curatorial Tour with Naomi Potter
June 11, 2026, 7 pm
Esker Foundation (4th floor, 1011 9 Ave. SE)
Free to attend
Join Director/Curator Naomi Potter for a tour of Esker Foundation’s spring/summer 2026 exhibitions: ᐃᔨ – Eyes and Moonlit Confessions Across Deep Sea Echoes: Your Ancestors Are Whales, and Earth Remembers Everything.
eventbrite.ca
Single Onion #221
June 11, 2026, 7 pm
Shelf Life Books (100, 1302 4 St. SW)
Free to attend
Join Single Onion, Calgary’s longest-running poetry reading series, as it wraps up its spring season with four great poets: ryan fitzpatrick, Skylar Kay, Lisa Martin and Adriana Oniță.
thesingleonion.wordpress.com
Artists Reception: Seep, Sew, Sprawl
June 12, 2026, 5 – 9 pm
Sparrow Artspace (36 4 St. NE)
Free to attend
Join artists-in-residency Ellie Ryan & Page Cowell for the reception of Seep, Sew, Sprawl: an exhibition investigating the resilience of nature in urban environments through immersive, kinetic installations.
sparrowartspace.com
Inglewood Night Market
June 12, 2026, 5 – 10 pm
Inglewood (10 Ave. & 10. St SE)
Free to explore
Enjoy live music at Inglewood Night Market as you browse local vendors selling diverse goods, from handmade crafts to vintage clothing, artisan eats and more.
inglewoodnightmarket.ca
The Barn After Dark
June 12, 2026, 5 – 9:30 pm
Shawnessy Community Association (224 Shawmeadows Rd. SW)
Free to explore
Shawnessy Community Association invites you to sip and shop at the historic Shawnessy Barn. Find 34 local vendors over two floors, featuring hand-crafted, created and made-in-Alberta products, as well as live music, food trucks and more.
facebook.com
Local on 17th Night Market
June 12, 2026, 5 – 9pm
Tomkins Park (17 Ave & 8 St. SW)
Free to attend
Check out a summer night market featuring a DJ lineup curated by Versions, an artisan market curated by Marketspot, a free dance party and more.
17thave.ca
Naked Tongue Poetry Night
June 13, 2026, 7:30 – 10 pm
Alcove Centre for the Arts (244 7 Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Naked Tongue Poetry Night is a space for truth-tellers, soul-speakers and verse-slingers to bare it all. No filters, no fluff, just pure wordplay, emotion and energy. Vibe with a crowd that knows poetry is power.
alcoveartscentre.ca
Discover the Mind
June 13, 2026, 1 – 5 pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)
Free to attend, registration required
Join Contemporary Calgary for family fun inspired by the exhibition Journey of the Mind. Artists, thinkers and makers of all ages are invited to discover the values of love, selfless service and equality. Come ready to have fun, create and spark your imagination.
contemporarycalgary.com
Farmers & Makers Market | Alberta Craft Council Workshops
June 13, 2026, 10 am – 2 pm
cSPACE Marda Loop (1721 29 Ave. SW)
Free to explore
Enjoy live music as you browse 50 local goods and makers on cSPACE’s south lawn. While you’re there, head up to the second floor to join the Alberta Craft Council for free hands-on workshops, including backstrap weaving with Carmen Vazquez-Mackay and mini sketchbook making.
cspacemardaloop.com
Noir Market Co. Novelle Edition
June 13, 2026, 11 am – 4 pm
Willow Ridge Community Association (680 Acadia Dr. SE)
Free to attend
Noir Market Co. is a curated, design-focused market celebrating Black artisans, diverse makers and small businesses creating with intention and craft. Expect thoughtfully made goods, good music and a welcoming atmosphere centred on culture, creativity and community.
eventbrite.ca
Grand Opening – Latin Cultural Centre
June 13, 2026, 11 am – 9 pm
Latin Cultural Centre (3639 27 St. NE)
Free to attend
Celebrate the grand opening of Calgary’s new Latin Cultural Centre with a day of live music, cultural performances, food, games, and family-friendly activities.
latincentre.ca
Simran Creative Lab
June 14, 2026, 2 – 3 pm
Contemporary Calgary (7011 11 St. SW)
Free to attend, registration required
In this table-based workshop, you’ll create your own artwork while experiencing Simran — a practice of stillness and deep listening — as a universal tool for reducing distraction, meeting everyday challenges with ease, and supporting greater focus and clarity.
contemporarycalgary.com
Dekada ’70: Film Night
June 14, 2026, 5 – 7 pm
Alcove Centre for the Arts (244 7 Ave. SW)
Free to attend
Join Ugat ng Paglalakbay (Roots of the Journey) for a screening of Dekada ’70, a powerful Filipino film exploring family, resistance, and life under martial law in the Philippines. Presented with English subtitles.
eventbrite.com
Artist Talk and Q&A with Toni Cormier
June 14, 2026, 2 – 4 pm
Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre (244034 Horizon View Rd.)
Free to attend
Join Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre (KOAC) for a special Artist Talk and Q&A with Artist-in-Residence Toni Cormier, who will share the ideas, observations and research guiding her time at KOAC.
eventbrite.ca
Book Launch: sometimes, forest
June 16, 2026, 7pm
Shelf Life Books (100, 1302 4 St. SW)
Free to attend,
Celebrate the launch of sometimes, forest, a new poetry collection by Elee Kraljii Gardiner, exploring the interconnectedness of bodies and ecosystems. Joined by writers Tolu Oloruntoba, Nikki Reimer, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Samantha Jones, the evening is a celebration of poetry and literary arts.
shelflifebooks.ca
ProArts@Noon: Harmony Guzheng Ensemble
June 17, 2026, 12:10 – 1 pm
Cathedral Church of the Redeemer (604 1 St. SE)
Free to attend
With a history spanning over two millennia, the guzheng, a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument, has evolved from its ancient seven-string form to the modern 21-string version. Join the Harmony Guzheng Ensemble for a noon-hour concert!
proartssociety.ca
17th on 17th
June 17, 2026, 6 – 7 pm
Various locations on 17 Ave. SW
Free to attend
Spend the night exploring 17th Ave as five live performances take over the avenue, each one at a different location. Follow the music, discover something new and experience the energy at every stop.
17thave.ca
Calgary on Purpose
June 17, 2026, 7 – 8:30 pm
Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)
Free to attend
Experience an evening of storytelling, conversation and community connection exploring the theme of “men in our lives.” Featuring author Will Ferguson, swing band the Polyjesters, spoken word by Priscille Buckahsa and hosted by Dave Kelly, the event invites Calgarians to connect through humour, reflection and dialogue.
contemporarycalgary.com
Have a free event that’s not listed? Email us at events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or fill out this form.
