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32 Free Things To Do in Calgary

Free (or low budget) things to do for fun in the city of Calgary!  

1) Visit Contemporary Calgary Art Gallery

For the first Thursday of every month it's free to visit Contemporary Calgary. Can't wait for next month? It's only $10 entry.

2) Pay-What-You-Can at Studio Bell

It's free to visit the National Music Centre (Studio Bell) in 2022. It is asked that you provide a donation.

3) Fun with friends at Trivia Nights

There are a number of free admission trivia nights that occur on an ongoing basis. Check my website calendar for upcoming dates.

4) City Cemetery Tours

The city of Calgary offers free cemetery tours (with registration) during the warmer weather months. These are usually on Sunday afternoons and can be found on my website calendar. (These almost always book up because they are small tours.)

5) Instagrammable Views from High Park

Not only do you get cool views from High Park, it's also super instagrammable with individual "sets" designed for photographing. Great place for an urban picnic.

6) Visit the Wonderland Sculpture

If you haven't yet been to the "Bow Head" you should definitely stop by.  While this isn't public art (it was privately commissioned) it's still open to the public to see at anytime of day (just don't climb on it because building security will stop you).

7) Wine Samples & Tasting

Market Wines regularly offers low budget tasting events ($12-$15 to try 3 wines). See what fun theme they have coming up on eventbrite.


The Cellar offers a weekly wine tasting flight for $12.50 or get a whiskey flight $25.  See what dates they have coming up on eventbrite.

8) Shop a Local Night Market

Summer in Calgary means a number of fun outdoor night markets to choose from.  When the temperatures drop these move indoors and may require small payments.  See my website calendar for upcoming night markets.

9) Practice Yoga in the Park

What's better than a yoga class? A FREE yoga class. These are obviously only in the summer months. See my website calendar for upcoming sessions (usually held on weekends).

10) Visit the Central Public Library

This stunning piece of architecture is completely free to visit! (Just make sure you're quiet, it is a library after all.) You can also book a tour.

11) Take a moment in the Devonian Gardens

An oldie but a goodie. The Devonian Gardens are a downtown staple. They have closed and re-opened a few times for various renovations but as far as I know they are still open to the public during The Core mall hours.

12) Visit the Esker Foundation Art Museum

It's free to visit the Esker Art museum year round.  It's a small gallery downtown that regularly updates their exhibits.

13) Walk-the-YYC walking tour

The nice people of Walk-the-YYC offer free walking tours in Inglewood and Downtown. They are pay-what-you can as it's suggested you tip your guide.

14) Bird watch at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

Over 270 species of birds have been spotted at Inglewood Bird Sancturary. It's completely free to visit. (Note that bikes and dogs aren't permitted.)

15) Walk St. Patrick's Island

St. Patrick's Island is a cool park detached from downtown Calgary by river. Nice views and pathways and a great place for a picnic or grab an ice cream cone nearby and go for a walk.

16) Do a self-guided tour of Calgary's many Murals

In recent years the City of Calgary has focused on adding a number of murals to the downtown area. You can find info on the murals on yycbump.ca and I found this blog helpful as well. 

17) See the Reader Rock Garden

The Reader Rock Garden is a historical site and is filled with various flowers and unique plants. It is a free-to-visit public park (no dogs permitted though).

18) Walk Stephen Avenue

Stephen avenue is a well-photographed area of Calgary.  It's filled with bars, restaurants and shopping. 

19) Hang out at Olympic Plaza

Olympic Plaza is a neat area downtown. In the winter you can skate and in the summer it's a little water park. It was built for the '88 Olympics.

20) Visit Glenbow Museum

While Glenbow Museum is currently closed for renovations (it's gonna be big!). You can still visit temporary exhibits at the Edison. Admission is free!

21) Experience Shakespeare by the Bow

Theatre Calgary puts on live Shakespeare plays each summer by the Bow River (hence the name). These are free to attend but they are very popular so I recommend you go early and set up your spot (blanket, snacks etc.). 

22) Cross the Peace Bridge

The Peace Bridge, is just a cool bridge. It's something Calgary is known for and a hot spot for tourists.  If you've never been, you should check it out!

23) Walk the Plus 15's

Calgary's downtown skyscrapers are connected via a network of above ground "tunnels" or pathways between buildings.  They are called the "Plus 15's" because they are 15 feet above the street. They allow office workers to travel easily between buildings during the winter months. While the network is designed for the corporate world, anyone can use them.  You'll get an insider look into buildings, shopping, and lots of places to eat.  You can use a map to find your way or you can just wander and see what you find! Note that some paths will close after business hours.

24) Shop Calgary Farmer's Market

It's free to visit Calgary's Farmer Market locations. Choose from CFM South or the newest location: CFM West.

25) Walk, Shop & Eat on 17th Avenue

17th avenue is one of Calgary's biggest tourist attractions and its free to visit! There are lots of shops and restaurants along the way should you want to spend some money. Or grab an ice cream cone or slurpee and just enjoy the walk!

26) Ice Skating

Calgary has a number of outdoor skating rinks you can visit for free. There are also 2 ice trails you can skate!

27) Tour the Historic Lougheed House

The Lougheed House is a historic site and was built in 1891. Get a tour of the building for donation of $8.50. I recommend visiting in the summer so you can also check out the gardens.

28) Get Cozy at the Hygge Hut

East Village created the winter Hygge Hut with the Danish concept of Hygge in mind.  This Scandinavian word is a mood focused on being cozy, content and well. Expect a firepit, soft lighting and seating to enjoy a hot drink. 

29) Slide at an Epic Tube Park

Each winter Winsport opens up their 8 lane tube park. A regular ticket is $27, but you can grab one for only $16 on Fridays. 

30) Toboggan down a Local Hill

It's completely free to hit up one of Calgary's toboggan spots! Check out this list here to find a hill near you.

31) Play Board Games at Hexagon Cafe

It's only $4 per hour per person to play board games at Hexegon cafe. Enjoy coffee, desserts, beer, wine or cocktails while you play!

32) Watch a Movie in Theatre for Only $2.99

Throughout the year Cineplex will offer $2.99 movies on Saturday mornings. Selection is limited (it's usually a couple family friendly options). Check here to see what's upcoming.

32) Cheer on the Hitmen

Go to the Saddledome for less! Tickets to a Hitmen game start at $16 (Calgary's Junior Hockey League).

More Things to Do in Calgary

Need more ideas for things to do? Check these pages out:


Fun Activities

 Events Calendar

 Restaurant Openings

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