Calgary Culture Days has returned for its 12th year, kicking off a month-long celebration of arts, culture, and community creativity running from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30.
The month-long, locally driven initiative offers a diverse weekly lineup featuring festivals, film screenings, art exhibitions, live music, dance performances, and hands-on workshops across the city. Many of the featured events are free to attend, offering residents ongoing opportunities to connect and engage with local arts.
“One of the things that makes Calgary Culture Days so special is the element of serendipity,” said Olivia Rocskar, Arts & Cultural Development Coordinator with The City of Calgary. “You might come across an event and leave with a new perspective, a new connection or a deeper appreciation for a community, culture or art form. Those moments of curiosity and connection stay with people long after the event is over.”
Municipal leaders and civic advocates emphasized the broader impact of the arts sector on Calgary’s social and economic vitality.
“Arts and culture are no longer nice-to-have. They’re a need to have,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas. “They connect us to our history, help tell the stories of Indigenous Peoples and the many communities that have shaped Calgary, and reflect who we are today. They are also essential social, civic and economic infrastructure. Arts and culture create connection, foster belonging and help make Calgary the best place to make a life.”
A lineup of official Calgary Culture Days Cultural Ambassadors is helping lead this year’s celebration. The ambassador team includes Mayor Jeromy Farkas, Portail de l’Immigrant Association Executive Director and Franco Festival Calgary organizer Evelyne Kemajou, Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra President and CEO Marc Stevens, and Piikani First Nation artist and designer Kristy North Peigan.
“People may move to Calgary for a job, but they stay because of the curiosity, creativity, connections and community they discover through arts and culture,” said Stevens. “That can take many forms, from a busker on the street or the wonderful murals across the city, to seeing your favourite artist in concert, going to the theatre or taking a dance lesson. There are countless ways to engage with the arts, and that’s what helps turn a city into a place people want to call home.”
To further support local activations, The City of Calgary is funding community-led initiatives through the Calgary Culture Days Microgrant for the second consecutive year. Grants have been awarded to 20 recipients to bring new and expanded arts programming directly to greater downtown Calgary throughout September.