Guide: 20 FREE things to do in Calgary this spring

As the temps rise, our bank balance gets lower. But not this time! Oh no Calgs, this year we’re being thrifty– and we’re doing it by exploiting this city’s free activities. Stay tuned for 20 things to do in Calgary that won’t break the bank.

Enjoy free Thursday Nights at The Glenbow Museum

For the first Thursday of every month, The Glenbow will be offering free admission from 5:00 pm. to 9:00 pm. Plan your calendars and set your schedules accordingly around this one ’cause this event is poppin’ off. The line-ups get pretty wild, so we suggest getting there for at least 4:30 pm if possible. If you end up stuck in a line, we promise it’s worth the wait. (Especially with exhibitions like Christian Dior and Meryl McMaster: Confluence happening until June 2nd!)

Rollerblade at Prince’s Island Park

The return of the ‘90s is here, Calgs. Actually, it never really left for some of us. Rollerblading is back in full swing and Prince’s Island Park is the place to do it. With perfectly paved paths along the river, and lush green trees surrounding you, this is one of the nicest parts of the city to roll around. Literally. Plus, with ice cream trucks and a wading pools just waiting for you to take a dip in along Eau Claire, this free outdoor area is straight out of a throwback movie.

Shop at the Calgary Night Market

Head to Bridgeland to enjoy a night of fun shopping with friends and fam. It’s a culturally diverse market with tons of handmade and local goods, tasty street foods, live DJs, games and more! Don’t spend a single dime to get in, but maybe spend a little bit on delicious food. You gotta.

Embrace your Albertan side at the Grain Academy & Museum

We’re not always rootin’ tootin’ farmfolk, but sometimes we dabble in that side. Head over to the Grain Academy & Museum for a free info sesh! There’s interactive displays where you can try threshing and grinding the grain and blowing the chaff (nobody knows what it means, but it’s provocative).

Stroll the Stephen Ave Walk

Any average weekend along Stephen Ave is always A+. As the weather warms up, this strip is constantly filled with free events, street performances, parades, and best of all, food trucks! The Stephen Avenue Summer Stage often features live performances, especially close to Stampede. Now we know food trucks aren’t free, but they definitely aren’t expensive! With all the walking you’ll be doing and action you’ll be getting for free, we’re pretty sure that you won’t mind coughing up a few bucks on some tacos and mini donuts.

Party hard at Lilac Festival

This one day event quite literally shuts Mission down. With every business participating, this free event brings the entire city together. Work your way through each booth and check out the incredible patios of places like Vin Room, Earls, Anejo, and Original Joe’s. If you’re lucky enough to live near 4th Street, you know how fortunate you are to be able to walk on over. But if you are coming down from a suburb, definitely take advantage of the close proximity that this event is to Victoria Park train station because the parking is slim pickins!

Learn something new at the Calgary Central Library

The incredibly cool new public library is so much more than just a place to sign out books. Leave your fear of intimidating librarians behind, ‘cause the Calgary Central Library only has cool people inside. Not only is the architectural design jaw-droppingly cool but this new space has collaborated with Luke’s Drug Mart! Enjoy tasty cappuccinos, donuts, rosemary lemonades, and even a wall of plants.

Peek at antiques at the Inglewood Night Market

As the days get longer and the nights get warmer, the time finally comes for Inglewood Night Market! Hosted on the second Friday of every month all summer long, you’ll get to partake in this evening festival full of local vendors totalling up to 50+. This is the ultimate spot to antique hunt or find all the goods made by artisans.

Explore in Inglewood

Inglewood is one of Calgary’s coolest areas. With just the right mix of character from this historic district, mixed with the modern flare that all the residents and businesses have brought, window shopping and exploring the list of unique shops and cafes, is one of the easiest ways to spend a day.

Raft along the Bow River

So we know it isn’t free to rent or buy a raft, but you’ve got to have a friend of family member that you can borrow one from. We’re looking forward to those hot Calgary days (hey, it could happen in spring!), and rafting down the river is the ultimate free way to soak up the sun. We can not confirm or deny that bringing a pack of Twisted Teas enhances the experience.

Embrace art at The New Gallery

This artist-run centre is one of the best places in the city to check out new contemporary art. The best part? The admission is completely free. None of the artwork is for sale, which is what makes this gallery such a cool concept. Located on Centre Street, check ‘em out the next time you’re out and about downtown!

Take pics at Moraine Lake

Although gas isn’t technically free, Moraine Lake views make the roadie worth it. Check it out while it’s warm for an easier climbing opportunity. And don’t forget to ‘gram, people! Have we taught you nothing?!

Enjoy the new bike park at South Glenmore

Time to work on your skillz, Calgary! The CMBA is collaborating with the city to open a new park by July-ish, so we’ll be able to flex our trick riding to everyone this summer. And by “we”, we mean “you”, because we can’t ride a bike to save our lives.

Shop cruelty-free at The Little Vegan Market

You a foodie, but you don’t wanna eat meat or spend lots of $$? No worries, you’ll find a bunch of pals at the Vegan Market. It’s free, family-friendly, and there’s a ton of vendors to explore, too!

Go green at Calgary Unplugged

We love not spending money almost as much as we love our planet, so it’s pretty sweet that there’s an event where we can celebrate both. Enjoy a free DJ dance party, activities, fire pits, games and wood-fired pizza without emptying your pockets or using electricity! It’s all going down at Confluence Plaza, and at 8pm there will be a bike brewery touring departing to Ol’ Beautiful and Cabin microbreweries.

Zen out with outdoor yoga

Join the city every Sunday at 1pm in Stanley Park for some free yoga in the sun! This goes on from May-October, so you have a ton of time to try it out. Plus, classes are for all levels! Practice in the grass or bring your mat/blanket.

Get in touch with nature at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

Maybe you want to teach your little brother a thing or two about nature, or maybe you just like flying pals. Either way, take some time to hang with the 270 species of birds that can be spotted from this free sanctuary. Don’t forget your binoculars!

Get sporty at the public beach volleyball court

Walk the pathway along the Bow River to 12 Street & 9 Avenue SW, and voila! Three free volleyball courts, all waiting for you to drop by and make some sweet spikes. Bring a pal and flex or play solo, we don’t judge.

Make a splash at the Bowness Park Wading Pool

Since public pools are starting to cost a pretty penny to hit up, it’s a good thing Bowness Park has this length wading pool, free of charge! This newer wading pool popped up in 2017, and it’s surrounded by benches that you can picnic at.

Relax at the Devonian Gardens

This classic indoor garden located in The Core has been completely reinvented and it is the ultimate tropical getaway, at no cost. Many of us have childhood memories that date back to this Calgary staple, but with the recent renovations, it’s worth taking a trip back and replacing your outdated mems with (many) updated Instagram shots.

That’s it for now Calgary! Enjoy the sunshine!