FREE events In Calgary This September: 33 Things To Do Without Spending a Dime
September in Calgary brings a whole new season of free things to see and do. As summer winds down, the city comes alive with local markets, cultural festivals, live music, community celebrations, outdoor activities, and plenty of events that won’t cost you a thing. The best part? There’s always something happening around the city — you just have to get out and enjoy it.
We’ve rounded up 33 free events happening across Calgary in September 2026, from Alberta Culture Days and the International Balloon Festival to Oktoberfest parties, local markets, live music, cultural celebrations, community events, and more. Whether you’re planning family outings, budget-friendly date nights, or simply looking for more ways to enjoy the start of fall without spending a fortune, September is packed with free ways to get out and experience the city.
Here’s everything worth showing up for, no budget required.
Full List of events
Alberta Culture Days
Alberta Culture Days is the province’s month-long celebration of arts, heritage, diversity and community spirit, hosted by community organizations. It is an opportunity for all Albertans to discover, experience and celebrate arts and culture by attending or hosting local events and activities across the province.
Music in the Plaza
📍 Heritage Park (1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 02, 2026
⏰ 6pm – 8pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
This is one of Calgary’s most popular free concert series, featuring local Alberta artists. Come enjoy an evening enjoying live music in the Heritage Plaza – enjoy dinner at the Selkirk, shop the Mercantile Block, or grab a coffee at the Railway Cafe.
High Park Movies With A View (Zombieland)
📍 High Park (340 10 Ave SW on Level 6, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 03, 2026
⏰ 8pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
The Beltline Neighbourhoods Association hosts movie screenings at High Park. Movies are projected onto our 30-ft inflatable screen with a state of the art 4k projector and dance club worthy sound system. All
movies are free to the public and we curate a range of films every year. With our large astro-turf we have a bring your own seat vibe and sell popcorn and pop at our events.
Calgary Night Market
📍 Bridgeland Riverside Community Association (917 Centre Ave NE, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 04, 2026
⏰ 5pm – 10pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Nighttime of fun shopping with friends and family. We are a culturally diverse market that sell handmade and local goods. Come down and enjoy our live market.
BBQ on the Bow
📍 Calgary Shrine Stables (5151 101 St NW, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 04 – 06, 2026
⏰ 11am – 7pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
BBQ on the Bow is an annual Kansas City BBQ Society BBQ Competition. It will take place from September 4 – 6, 2026. Their vision is to be a “free, fun, family-oriented annual culinary festival featuring one of Canada’s oldest sanctioned BBQ competitions.”
Fiesta Filipino Calgary
📍 Eau Claire Park, Calgary, AB
📆 September 04, 2026
⏰ Fri: 3pm – 10pm / Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Fiesta Filipino celebrates 12 years of showcasing the vibrant Filipino culture through cuisine, entertainment, and community spirit.
Inglewood Night Market
📍 10 Ave & 10 Street SE, Calgary, AB
📆 September 04, 2026
⏰ 5pm – 11pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
The Inglewood Night Market is a modern market with locally sourced and handmade vendors selling diverse goods; from handmade crafts to vintage clothing, antiques & collectibles, artisan eats & more! THE MARKET IS OUTDOORS.
Afro Caribbean Festival YYC
📍 Lot 6, 311 8 St SW, Calgary, AB
📆 September 05 & 06, 2026
⏰ 9am – 9pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
At Afro Caribbean YYC, we strive to foster unity, cultural appreciation, and community engagement. Our festival creates an inclusive space where people from all backgrounds can come together, embrace, and experience the beauty of African and Caribbean traditions. By promoting diversity and multiculturalism, we aim to educate, inspire, and strengthen cultural pride in Calgary.
Calgary Pride
📍 Various Venues, Calgary, AB
📆 September 05 & 06, 2026
⏰ Sat: 5pm – 10pm / Sun: 12pm – 10pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Join us for 2 days of free events and performances to celebrate our annual Calgary Pride Parade and Festival. The centerpiece of Calgary’s Pride festivities, the Calgary Pride Parade is an energetic celebration of love, acceptance, and inclusion! Snag a spot to see floral floats, music, dancers, and plenty of colour in this bursting display of unity.
By The Bridge Pop-Up Market
📍 Worn Studio (915 9 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 06, 2026
⏰ 11:30am – 5pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Come shop By the Bridge in Inglewood! We will have 10+ vendors including vintage clothing, jewelry, pottery, home decor, handmade goods, and more! We are pet friendly, free to attend, and an all ages event!
Alpine Park Presents Twilight Symphony in Central Park
📍 Central Park (670 Alpine Ave SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 09, 2026
⏰ 6pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Alpine Park’s lush Central Park lawn, located at 670 Alpine Avenue SW, becomes the stage for Twilight Symphony in the Park, as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra returns for another unforgettable performance under the open sky. Whether you’re bringing the family, catching up with friends, or planning a unique date night, this is one of those evenings you’ll want to slow down and enjoy.
Inglewood Night Market
📍 10 Ave & 10 Street SE, Calgary, AB
📆 September 11, 2026
⏰ 5pm – 11pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
The Inglewood Night Market is a modern market with locally sourced and handmade vendors selling diverse goods; from handmade crafts to vintage clothing, antiques & collectibles, artisan eats & more! THE MARKET IS OUTDOORS.
Cinema on 17th
📍 Tomkins Park (17th Ave SW and 8th Street, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 11 – 13, 2026
⏰ Times vary by movie
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Cinema on 17th is back to transform Tomkins Park into Calgary’s outdoor movie theatre for a weekend of free movies under the stars.
The Barn After Dark… September Edition! (18+)
📍 Shawnessy Barn (224 Shawmeadows Rd SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 11, 2026
⏰ 5pm – 9:30pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Come “Sip & Shop” with us on Friday, September 11th for the last of our two night markets at the historic Shawnessy Barn! We’ll have 34 local vendors over two floors featuring hand-crafted, created, and made in Alberta products, as well as live music by Sean Britton, food trucks, and a bar hosted by the Shawnessy Community Association.
Chinatown Lantern Festival
📍 2nd Ave SW & Daqing Square, Calgary, AB
📆 September 11, 2026
⏰ 4pm – 11pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Hosted by the Calgary Chinatown Business Improvement Area, this one-day event will feature exquisite light and lantern displays, along with amazing local vendors and food trucks!
Franco Festival Calgary
📍 Prince’s Island Park, Calgary, AB
📆 September 11 & 12, 2026
⏰ Fri: 7pm / Sat: 11am – 7pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
The Festival will offer performances of music and dance with artists representing the diversity of the Francophonie, a cultural village where you could discover multiple products from different cultures, a children’s village and a bistro and a tasting corner, all offered in a family atmosphere and safe.
Open Air Calgary
📍 RiverWalk Plaza (618 Confluence Way SE, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 12, 2026
⏰ 2pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
A sunny afternoon along the Bow River awaits … perfect for the whole family! Music spills into the open air in a celebration of piano and community. Bring your festival chairs and soak up the final days of summer.
AirdrieFest
📍 Downtown Airdrie (400 Main St S, Airdrie, AB)
📆 September 12, 2026
⏰ 11am – 4pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Come explore who and what is ‘local’ in Airdrie. Attendees will discover new businesses, hidden gems, and amazing talent locally grown in their own backyard. Take part in a pedestrian friendly event with your friends and family – shopping local, experiencing local and reconnecting with the community.
Phil in the Park
📍 Prince’s Island Park (698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 13, 2026
⏰ 2pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Grab your blankets and picnic baskets as we once again welcome all of Calgary to join us at Prince’s Island Park for a free community concert! Performing an eclectic mix of classical favourites, show tunes, and pops, the Orchestra and conductor Juliane Gallant provide the perfect soundtrack to a fun-filled afternoon in the beautiful heart of the city.
Taste of Italy Calgary
📍 Bridgeland Riverside Community Association (917 Centre Ave NE, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 13, 2026
⏰ 11am – 7pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Celebrate the 5th Annual Taste of Italy Festival at the Bridgeland Riverside Community Association in Calgary. The festival brings together local Italian businesses, food vendors, artisans, and performers for a day dedicated to Italian culture, traditions, and cuisine. Guests can enjoy authentic Italian food, live entertainment, shopping, family-friendly activities, and cultural exhibits throughout the day. Join us for a vibrant community celebration that captures the flavours, music, and spirit of Italy right here in Calgary.
University District Block Party
📍 University District Retail Main Street & Central Commons Park, Calgary, AB
📆 September 13, 2026
⏰ 1pm – 4pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
The annual U/D Block Party is back! This free, family- and pet-friendly celebration of Retail Main Street is the perfect way to connect with new neighbours, get reacquainted with others and explore all that U/D has to offer. Enjoy live entertainment, delicious eats, interactive experiences and plenty of community spirit.
Easy Days Pop-Up Market
Easy Days Pop-Up Markets are back in East Village! Hosted by All Things GQ, these markets showcase local designers, artists, creators, clothing curators and more.
Annual East Side Studio Crawl
📍 Ramsay & Inglewood, 828 24th Ave SE Calgary, AB
📆 September 19, 2026
⏰ 11am – 5pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Follow the red balloons to: 500 Collective, ArtPoint Gallery and Studios Society, Mud Urban Potters, Workshop Studios, New Blank, Nvrlnd.YYC and Burns Visual Arts Society.
4th Street Night Market
📍 Central Memorial Park (1221 2 St SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 19, 2026
⏰ 5pm – 10pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Visit the lively main street neighbourhood of 4th Street for food, fun, local finds, & friends.
Terry Fox Run Calgary
📍 The Confluence Historic Site (750 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 20, 2026
⏰ 10am
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Lace up and join Calgary for the Terry Fox Run! Come together for an inspiring day of community, movement, and fundraising in support of cancer research.
2026 Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival
📍 Macleod Trail SW & Deibert Close SW High river, AB
📆 September 23 – 27, 2026
⏰ Times vary
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
The Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival returns to High River for the 8th year in a row. Featuring balloons from around the world, there will be lots to see in the skies over High River!
University District Night Market
📍 Central Commons Park, University District (4019 University Ave NW, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 23, 2026
⏰ 5pm – 9pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
If you’re looking for an easy summer evening plan, the University District Night Market brings together local vendors, great food, live entertainment, and a relaxed community vibe that’s perfect for wandering, snacking, and discovering something new.
Night Light – Light Art Festival
Night Light is a three-night celebration of curated light, art, and performance that transforms Victoria Park into a dazzling spectacle. With interactive installations, projection-mapped architecture, and live performances , we create an immersive experience that entertains while inspiring the next generation of artists.
Calgary Career Fair and Training Expo Canada
📍 BMO Centre (20 Roundup Way SE, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 24, 2026
⏰ 10am – 2pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Get in front of hiring managers! Network and apply with Employer Exhibitors. Build meaningful rapports you need to advance your career in the direction that you want.
Alberta Disney Fans Fall Festival
📍 New Horizon Mall (260300 Writing Creek Cres, Balzac, AB)
📆 September 26, 2026
⏰ 10am – 4pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Whether you love classic fairy tales, Pixar adventures, or daring adventures, this is your chance to connect with fellow Disney fans from across Alberta and celebrate the magic together.
Lantern Fest
At the festival, attendees will decorate a paper lantern onsite to carry in the lantern walk. The lantern walk proceeds through the community with lighted lanterns guiding our way past community art installations, ending at Unity Park
Oktoberfest Party 2026
📍 Calgary Rugby Union (9025 Shepard Road Southeast, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 26, 2026
⏰ 12pm – late
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
This event will be open to any and all clubs that would like to register and all community members that would like to come to have fun! There will be a Beer Tent, Glass Steins, a German Band, Bratwurst, and more! So get your lederhosen and dirndls on and come have some fun!
The Barn Artisan Market presents…The Autumn Market
📍 The Shawnessy Barn (224 Shawmeadows Rd SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 September 27, 2026
⏰ 11am – 4pm
🔗 Learn more here: Click Here
Come experience two full floors featuring 35 local vendors, all with unique, hand-crafted, created and made in Alberta products. We’ve also got some great food trucks and vendors on hand to serve up some great snacks.
Grab some lunch, do some shopping, all while supporting local amidst the backdrop of beautiful Shawnessy Park!
If you needed a reminder that some of the best fall plans don’t need a ticket, this is it — 33 free ways to make the most of September in Calgary. From BBQ on the Bow and Calgary Pride to the Terry Fox Run, Night Light Art Festival, local markets, cultural celebrations, and free community events happening across the city, Calgary is filled with plenty of ways to get out, connect, and enjoy the start of fall without spending a dime.
Know of a free event we missed? Drop it in the comments or send us a note at info@madeforwanderers.ca, we update this list as new events are confirmed so bookmark this page and check back.
And if you make it out to any of these, tag us in your stories. We love seeing where our Wanderers end up.
Because we believe we are all made to wander, and the best wandering is always free. ✨
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