How to find Ukrainian events or cultural events?

Calgary has one of the largest Ukrainian communities in Canada, creating rich opportunities to participate in cultural events throughout the year. With a Ukrainian population of over 77,000, the city offers a variety of ways to stay connected to Ukrainian culture and find new friends in the community. Understanding where and how to find information about these events is key to successful integration and maintaining cultural ties.

Main sources of information about Ukrainian events

Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Calgary Branch (UCC Calgary)

The UCC Calgary is the central hub for information about Ukrainian events in the city. Their official website www.calgaryucc.ca features a Community Calendar, which lists all Ukrainian events in Calgary. The organization also maintains active social media accounts:

  • Instagram: @calgaryucc with regular updates on upcoming events
  • Weekly program “Your Calgary News” with Angelina Taran, covering local events and initiatives

To submit your own event to the UCC Calgary calendar, you can use the special form on their website. All submissions are moderated, and the organization does not necessarily endorse all events, but provides a consolidated repository of Ukrainian community events.

Calgary Ukrainian Festival

The Calgary Ukrainian Festival is the largest Ukrainian event in the city. The 16th annual festival is scheduled for June 7-8, 2025, at the Acadia Recreation Complex. The festival offers:

  • Traditional Ukrainian songs and dances
  • Delicious Ukrainian cuisine from pierogi to borscht
  • Ukrainian beer and vodka
  • Arts and crafts
  • Children's activities and entertainment

Tickets are only $5 and available at the door. The festival runs Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Dance groups and schools

Barvinok Ukrainian Dance Society

Barvinok has been one of Calgary's leading dance groups since 1990. They offer classes for all ages from 3 years old to adults under the direction of artistic director Trevor Shular. Major events include:

  • Annual zabava (dance and dinner) — first Saturday in February
  • Spring workshop for senior dancers in November
  • Vision of Dance concert in May at the University Theatre
  • Participation in the Calgary Ukrainian Festival in early June

Registration for the 2025–2026 season is available on their website barvinok.ca.

Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society

Tryzub celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024 and is the gold standard of Ukrainian dance in Southern Alberta. The event calendar is available at tryzub.ca/events-calendar and includes:

  • Ukrainian caroling in early January
  • Family Fun Day in February
  • Spring Ukrainian Cooking Fundraiser with delivery in April
  • Annual School Presentation in April
  • Ukrainian Pysanka Festival in July

Hopak Dance Ensemble

Calgary Hopak offers a non-competitive environment for children ages 4 and up with a focus on fun. Classes are held on Thursday evenings at the Ukrainian Cultural Center:

  • 6:00–6:45 for boys and girls ages 4–6
  • 6:30–7:45 for girls ages 7–15

Costumes are available for a small annual rental fee, and the AUUC membership fee is $48.

Vykrutas Ukrainian Dance Society

Vykrutas is under the artistic direction of Vasyl Kanevets and focuses on preserving Ukrainian heritage through dance for students ages 3 to adult. Their unique style emphasizes the Ukrainian spirit and traditional folk dances.

Religious and Cultural Events

Ukrainian Day in the Park

Ukrainian Day in the Park is one of the largest annual events of the Ukrainian community. In 2024, the event attracted over 3,500 visitors to Ukrainian Pioneers Park. The 2025 event is scheduled for August 23 and will include:

  • Concert with local Ukrainian performers starting at 4:00 p.m.
  • Ukrainian food fair
  • Children's entertainment and activities
  • Market stalls with Ukrainian goods
  • Booths of local Ukrainian organizations

Admission is free, and the event is held rain or shine.

Church services and calendars

Churches are important centers for cultural activities. Major churches with active programs include:

St. Stephen Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Church

Located at 4903 45 St SW, the church offers:

  • Sunday Divine Liturgies: 8:30 a.m. in Ukrainian/English and 10:30 a.m. in English
  • Ukrainian language classes for adults in the fall, with five levels from beginner to advanced
  • Cultural programs and concerts

St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor

Located at 404 Meredith Road NE, it is home to numerous organizations:

  • Ukrainian Museum of Canada — Calgary Collection
  • Sadok Preschool
  • Mykola Vorona Library and Archives
  • Social support network with free English courses

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The church in Ukrainian Pioneers Park regularly hosts large community events, including an annual Shevchenko concert and other cultural programs.

Language Programs and Educational Activities

Ridna Shkola (Native School)

The Ukrainian School at Assumption holds classes every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 704 – 6th Street N.E. The program includes:

  • Ukrainian language and literature
  • History, geography, and culture

Classes are held every Saturday except holidays.

Language classes for adults

The Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada – Olga Basarab Branch Calgary sponsors conversational classes for adults with an emphasis on community building, networking, and a sense of belonging.

Film and Art Events

Ukrainian Film Festival in Alberta (UFFA)

The first Ukrainian Film Festival in Calgary took place April 4–6, 2025, at the Globe Cinema. The festival is organized by the Alberta Society for the Advancement of Ukrainian Studies and includes:

  • Contemporary Ukrainian films with international recognition
  • Panel discussions and Q&A sessions with filmmakers
  • Free admission with registration required
  • English subtitles

Popular films include Under the Volcano and the premiere of Horizons of Belonging, about Ukrainian newcomers to Alberta.

Individual film screenings

Film Hive & Ukraine Harmony regularly organizes screenings of Ukrainian films at Globe Cinema, including:

  • “Malevych” — September 13, 2025
  • Films in Ukrainian with English subtitles

Concerts and musical events

Annual Shevchenko Concert

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Calgary organizes an annual concert in memory of Taras Shevchenko in March at the Assumption Church. The 2024 concert attracted over 300 attendees and featured performances by:

  • Calgary Bandurysty (CYM Calgary)
  • Korinnya Ukrainian Folk Ensemble
  • Pereveslo Choir
  • Special theatrical performances by CYM Calgary

International artists

  • Kalush Orchestra, winners of Eurovision 2022, performed in Calgary as part of their North American tour in support of Ukraine.
  • BEZ OBMEZHEN is planning a performance in 2025 as part of the “Strong Hearts” tour to unite Ukrainians across the US and Canada.

Digital platforms and social media

Eventbrite

Eventbrite is a key platform for finding Ukrainian events. A search for the keyword “Ukraine” shows:

  • TOLOKA EXPO — exhibition of Ukrainian goods and services
  • Cooking master classes at DON'YA Ukraine's Kitchen
  • Concerts and cultural events

Instagram

Leading Instagram accounts to follow for events:

Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts (ACUA)

ACUA organizes various arts events and workshops, including:

  • Ukrainian Vintage Fair from June to August
  • Workshops and master classes
  • Signature Artist Series

Commemorative and historical events

Holodomor Commemoration

The annual commemoration of the victims of the Holodomor takes place at the end of November at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor with the participation of:

  • Members of Parliament and city officials
  • Clergy from all Ukrainian parishes in Calgary
  • Special awards for educators

Stand with Ukraine Events

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Calgary organizes regular events in support of Ukraine, including:

  • An annual event on February 24, the anniversary of the full-scale invasion
  • Weekly rallies on Sundays at the Holodomor Monument
  • Special rallies in response to events in Ukraine

Castle Mountain Commemoration

On August 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., a commemoration will be held at the Castle Mountain Internment Monument on Bow Valley Parkway.

Sports and Recreational Activities

CYM Calgary (Ukrainian Youth Association) organizes youth activities, and various dance groups hold sports events and participate in festivals.

Practical Tips for Finding Events

  • Subscribe to newsletters: Subscribe to the UCC Calgary newsletter to receive regular updates about events and opportunities to participate in community activities.
  • Attend churches: Regular churchgoers automatically receive information about cultural events through bulletins and announcements during services.
  • Participate in dance classes: Dance schools are hubs of social activity and provide information about all major Ukrainian events in the city.
  • Volunteer: Volunteering at Ukrainian events is a great way to stay informed about upcoming events and build a network of contacts in the community.

The Ukrainian community in Calgary offers an extremely diverse calendar of cultural events throughout the year. From large festivals to intimate concerts, educational programs to sporting activities, there is something for everyone. The key to successful participation in community life is to use multiple sources of information and actively participate in the events that interest you most.