How to find free cultural events?
Calgary offers an incredible variety of free cultural events throughout the year, creating a vibrant arts scene that is accessible to all residents and visitors to the city. From large-scale festivals to intimate art exhibitions, from outdoor concerts to educational workshops in libraries, the city offers countless opportunities for cultural enrichment at no cost.
Cultural Days Calendar: The Foundation of Free Culture
The city's flagship initiative is Calgary Culture Days, which takes place every year from September 1 to 30. Celebrated since 2014, this tradition brings together representatives of all cultural backgrounds and community organizations to celebrate Calgary's arts and culture. Every year, more and more people join this event, discovering new aspects of the city, its history, and its community.
In 2025, the program includes Fiesta Filipino from August 29 to September 1 at Eau Claire Plaza, Taste of Italy on September 7, Chinatown Lantern Festival on September 12 at the Chinese Cultural Centre, Franco Festival Calgary on September 19-20 at Prince's Island Park, Culture Connect Festival on September 21 at Sien Lok Park, and Orange Shirt Day on September 30 with a ceremony, speeches, dancing, and indigenous drumming.
The city government has also introduced the Calgary Culture Days Microgrant with a total fund of $100,000 to support community initiatives that revitalize downtown Calgary through free or low-cost arts and cultural programming throughout September.
Summer festivals and outdoor events
The summer season in Calgary explodes with over 200 festivals and events that continue through the end of September. The Calgary Folk Music Festival at Prince's Island Park from July 24 to 27 offers free admission for children 12 and under, making it accessible for families. The festival celebrates its 45th year with 70 artists from around the world performing on seven stages over four days.
Inglewood Sunfest on July 26 celebrates the best of summer in the heart of Inglewood with 200 craft vendors, live performances, a world circus, and comedy street shows. Taste of Calgary from July 31 to August 4 offers free admission to the festival, where visitors can purchase tasting tickets for $1 each.
The Calgary Fringe Festival, August 1-9, is a nine-day theater festival that accepts all submissions, including those from emerging and experienced artists. Visitors can enjoy street performances, browse shops, and experience eclectic entertainment every day.
BUMP Festival: Street Art as a Cultural Revolution
Held throughout August in the Beltline neighborhood, the BUMP Festival is a community initiative to transform the city into an open-air visual art gallery. The annual August event features vibrant new murals, graffiti jams, organized tours, live music, outdoor films, artist talks, and installations.
Since 2017, BUMP has added over 180 public art installations to Calgary. Self-guided mural tours are the perfect way to explore the artwork and experience new pieces being created right before your eyes. Visitors can participate in artist talks and enjoy graffiti jams for free throughout the month.
Ethnic and Cultural Festivals
Calgary celebrates its multicultural nature through numerous free ethnic festivals throughout the year. The Calgary Arab Festival takes place on August 9-10 at Cowboys Park, with the goal of sharing Arab culture with Calgarians and building community relations between the Arab community and others.
The Korean Day Festival also takes place on August 9-10 at Lot 6, where the Calgary Korean Association invites the public to its annual celebration. The Calgary Ukrainian Festival and various church and community celebrations offer authentic cultural experiences throughout the year.
The Chinatown Street Festival on August 16 runs from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the heart of Chinatown at 3 Ave and 1 Street SE. The event includes cultural exchanges, local vendors, food, live performances, and family activities. Highlights include the lion and dragon dance at 11:45 a.m., the official opening ceremony at 12:00 p.m., and stage performances beginning around 1:00 p.m.
The Chinatown Lantern Festival on September 12 creates an unforgettable evening of Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations with impressive lantern displays, vibrant local vendors, and delicious food from the best food trucks.
Calgary Public Library: A Center for Free Cultural Programming
The Calgary Public Library is a treasure trove of free cultural events for all ages. The library offers a wide range of exciting activities for all ages, including learning about space or ancient history, live theater and music performances, introductions to various dances performed at powwows, and storytimes.
The Ultimate Summer Challenge is a simple program – read every day during the summer, attend programs, and have fun at the library. Registration is open and free with a library card. The library also offers “Gathering of Words,” an interactive literary happy hour with live readings, pop-up performances, literary games, and open mic magic.
Regular programs include Baby Rhyme Time, A-B-C You and Me, 1-2-3-Count with Me for early literacy skills, Words and Wiggles for exploring the five senses, and Bedtime Storytime for creating a new evening routine. For older children, Story Pals with certified therapy dogs and Reading Buddies with mentors are available to help develop literacy skills.
Music in parks and outdoors
Heritage Park offers Music in the Plaza throughout the summer – free live music every week featuring Calgary's best up-and-coming live bands. Visitors can watch from the Selkirk patio while enjoying dinner or explore the shops at Haskayne Mercantile Block before setting up a folding chair and enjoying the show with popcorn in hand.
The Calgary Wind Symphony hosts free family concerts in Riley Park from July through August. Visitors can bring folding chairs and blankets for a wonderful day of music in the open air.
The ProArts Society organizes a series of free concerts at Cathedral Church at the corner of 7 Avenue and 1 Street SE. The program includes the Gene & Elizabeth Maurice Choral Music Concert Series, the Nickle Family Foundation Piano Concert Series, and the Scarboro Foundation Distinctive Artists Concert Series throughout 2025.
Free activities from the City of Calgary
The City of Calgary offers a wide range of free activities through Calgary Recreation. The Mobile Adventure Playground travels between city parks throughout the summer with free play, natural materials, crafts, and more. The program is designed for children ages 4 and up with an adult.
Wetland Wonders is a free outdoor program for children ages 5-12 on Wednesdays at Ralph Klein Park from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Children can learn about the wonders of wetlands and see up close the amazing creatures that live beneath the surface.
Mobile Skate & Scoot offers free activities for children who love skateboarding, scooters, and rollerblading with instructors on site. Birding Breaks provides bird enthusiasts of all ages with the opportunity to visit the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary for a guided walk and learn about birds and other wildlife in Calgary.