Your APRIL Guide to FREE Events in Calgary [18 Events!]
- Allison Fitkowski
- Apr 5
- 8 min read
Hey Wanderers!
April has arrived, and Calgary is bursting with spring energy and exciting events for everyone—completely FREE! From thrilling car shows and hands-on farm experiences to magical Disney expos, bustling markets, and more, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the season without spending a dime.
Step into spring with vibrant markets, unique local finds, and outdoor adventures as the city comes to life. Explore Aggie Days for a fun, farm-filled experience, marvel at stunning cars at auto shows, and immerse yourself in the magic of Disney at fan expos. Whether you're discovering art, music, or family-friendly festivities, April is packed with unforgettable moments.
Shake off the winter chill, gather your loved ones, and let April lead the way to fresh experiences and endless fun in Calgary!
Active Toddlers at the Genesis Centre
📍 Genesis Centre (7555 Falconridge Blvd. NE, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 01 - 30, 2025
Get active with your little ones! Bring your children, age 5 and younger, to the Genesis Centre every Mondays through Thursdays and enjoy FREE drop-in play. There will be access to lots of toys and a bouncy house; kids can learn balance and fine motor skills, all while having fun.
Story Time at Heritage Park
📍 Railway Orientation Centre at Heritage Park (1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 02, 09, 16, 23 &30, 2025
Bring the kids to Heritage Park and visit the Railway Orientation Centre for story time! Volunteers will read familiar classics and modern favourites. After the story time, kids will enjoy sing-along activities and a creative craft session.
NEW for 2025: Story Time at Heritage Park is now FREE! But make sure you register to ensure your spot.
NMC Jam Club
📍 Studio Bell at National Music Centre (850 4 St SE, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 03, 10, 17 & 24, 2025
The National Music Centre (NMC) is calling all teens to Studio Bell! In partnership with CJAY 92, NMC is supporting the next generation of rock stars with a free after-school drop-in program for teens, as Jesse & JD present the NMC Jam Club.
Youth ages 13 – 19 are invited to jam, practice their skills, and explore their creative potential, all while making new friends, every Thursday at Studio Bell. All skill levels are welcome – whether you’re a prodigy or just started toying with the idea of picking up a new musical hobby, Jam Club is the place to be. Don’t own any instruments of your own? No problem! At Jam Club, students are welcome to make use of NMC’s extensive fleet of instruments. Space may be limited and is first-come, first-served.
RONA Kiddos Workshops
📍RONA stores
📆 April 05, 2025
This spring let's discover gardening and the wonders of nature! We are pleased to invite you to a special workshop where children will learn how to start their summer seedlings with our RONA garden center experts!
All materials will be provided, and our associates will be there to guide your children in their creations.
It’s free! Snacks will be provided. Space is limited. First come, first served.
Alberta Disney Fan Expo
📍 New Horizon Mall (260300 Writing Creek Cres, Balzac, AB)
📆 April 05, 2025
Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Disney at New Horizon Mall! Admission is absolutely free, so mark your calendars and bring your whole family for a day filled with excitement and joy.
Experience the magic with character meet and greets, explore unique offerings from local small businesses and merchandise resellers, consult with travel agents specializing in Disney vacations, pin trade just like in the parks and make a wish at our craft table.
The Calgary Creative Arts Guild Annual Spring Show & Sale
📍 Montgomery Community Association (5003 16th Ave NW, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 05, 2025
The Calgary Creative Arts Guild (CCAG) is pleased to be hosting our Annual Spring Show and Sale on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 10am to 4pm at the Montgomery Community Association (5003 16th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 0N2).
This show features original works from over 30 local artists. This is a great opportunity to see some amazing art and maybe even find some pieces to add to your collection. There will be door prizes and a raffle for an original piece of art worth $300! Tickets will be for sale at the event or through one of the participating artists.
Admission and parking for this event is free.
The Group Art Society of Calgary Spring Show and Sale
📍 Parkdale United Church (2919-8 Ave NW, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 05, 2025
Come out for a day of art and meet the artists. Original Paintings in a variety of Styles, Mediums, Sizes and Prices. Enter to win the Door prize an original acrylic painting by Sandy Orsten. Free Admission and Free Parking. Donations to the Calgary Food Bank will be gratefully accepted.
Easter at Bass Pro Shops
📍 Bass Pro Shops (#112 261-055 Crossiron Blvd, Rockyview, AB)
📆 April 05 - 20
Take Photos with the Easter Bunny, join us for free Easter Photos.
Your family can get a free 4×6 photo with the big bunny, plus have the option to purchase additional prints or digital images to share with family and friends.
Calgary Corporate Challenge – Human Bonspiel
📍 Olympic Plaza (222 8th Ave SE, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 07 - 11, 2025
Compete as a team to launch yourself along the ice and slide closest to the button! No sweeping required in Calgary Corporate Challenge’s most recognizable Off-Season Event!
Human Bonspiel involves teams of 4, with each team member sliding two times. Team Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. each day of the event, with the first slides scheduled for noon.
Participating teams will slide on the ice and try to hit the button while raising money for local charities.
(Free to watch)
Aggie Days 40th Anniversary Celebration
📍 Nutrien Western Event Centre (2050 Stampede Trail SE, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 12 - 13, 2025
Aggie Days has been bringing the farm to the city since 1985! You’re invited to celebrate our 40th anniversary!Join us on Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nutrien Western Events Centre (2050 Stampede Trail SE) for an immersive look at the agriculture industry and how our food is made. The displays and interactive activities, hosted by industry organizations and volunteers, are designed to help children learn more about Alberta’s agricultural and historical legacy.
You’re also invited to our special 40th anniversary celebrations in the Rotunda of the Nutrien Western Event Centre on Saturday and Sunday, between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Enjoy free cake, meet the Calgary Stampede Royalty and Harry the Horse, and take in the music and more.
Aggie Days is not just an event, it’s an adventure that seamlessly combines entertainment and education. Join us for a weekend filled with fun, learning, and unforgettable memories. Don’t miss this chance to have a blast while learning about the fascinating world of farming! We hope to see you there!
Dalhousie Spring Farmers Market
📍 Dalhousie Community Association (5432 Dalhart Rd NW, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 12, 2025
The Spring Market will have over 25 vendors with products that are Alberta-made, baked, grown, raised and crafted. Support Local! We will also have a Food Truck and hot coffee available for purchase.
Record Store Day
📍 Various stores
📆 April 12, 2025
Record Store Day is a day that celebrates independent record stores all over the world with parties, in-store performances and special releases. It’s a day that spans genres and unites music lovers of all ages. There’s a palpable sense of camaraderie in those early morning lines, and an air of anxious excitement as fans gather to celebrate the place where they might be walking out with the record they came in for, and maybe with something totally new, too.
Vaisakhi Mela
📍 Genesis Centre (7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 19, 2025
You’re Invited to Celebrate Vaisakhi Mela 2025!
Join us for an unforgettable day of cultural celebration, vibrant performances, and community togetherness at Vaisakhi Mela 2025!
Highlights:
Spectacular live music and dance performances by talented artists. A delightful selection of Punjabi cuisine to savor. Exciting family-friendly activities for all ages. Cultural exhibits and local artisan stalls to explore.
Celebrate the vibrant spirit of Vaisakhi with us as we honor Punjabi heritage and build connections within the community. This event promises to be a day full of joy, culture, and togetherness for everyone!
3rd Annual Easter Extravaganza
📍 Marda Loop Community Association (3130 16th St. SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 19, 2025
Bring your family and friends to kick off Easter weekend! Enjoy the festivities, and shop for Easter basket goodies all while #supportinglocal ! We’ll have:
Free pictures with the Easter Bunny!
Food Trucks!
Face-painting!
Kids Craft Corner!
Horse Rides for the kids!
Door Prizes!
50 amazing local vendors! – all different!
You don’t want to miss it!
Free admission and free parking!
Wheelchair and stroller accessible
Spring Thaw Car Show
📍 Heritage Park’s parking lot (1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 20, 2025
Race over to Heritage Park and join us for the Nifty Fifty Spring Thaw Car Show! Come explore the over 400 vehicles expected to be in show, including hot rods, classics, custom builds, antiques and more! After your done, head into Gasoline Alley Museum and discover one of the world’s largest collections of vintage vehicles – for the first time ever, almost all the cars in the museum will have their Hood’s Up! Rev up your engines and join us for Spring Thaw!
11th Annual POW! Parade of Wonders
📍 Haultain Park to BMO Centre (Calgary, AB)
📆 April 25, 2025
Calgary Expo & Downtown Calgary Association presents the 10th Annual POW! Parade of Wonders, Cosplay Parade and Calgary Expo Opening Ceremonies.
Calling all fans to the POW! Parade of Wonders, Canada’s biggest cosplay parade celebrating all things pop culture and creativity in beautiful downtown Calgary. On April 25, join us for the official kick off to Calgary Expo in style!
Want to walk in the parade? Grab your favourite costume and take your spot! Not interested in dressing up? No problem! Watch thousands of incredible cosplayers (and a few celebrity guests of the Expo!) along the parade route and from the Fan Zone.
The Victoria Park Fan Zone is the centre of the action during parade day. Located along 13th Avenue at First Street SW, the Fan Zone hosts live interactions with special guests in the parade as they pass through, and shares amazing prizes and merch with fans. The Fan Zone also has a small collection of bleachers available for the public to sit on beginning at 9:00 AM MT on parade day.
Past the Fan Zone the parade will travel south on Centre Street and east along 17th Avenue SW. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with neighbours and friends, people watch with your dog, enjoy a coffee and be inspired by Calgary’s cosplay community’s creativity.
The parade concludes with the CALGARY EXPO’s Opening Ceremonies in The Culture + Entertainment District at the BMO Centre’s Grand Staircase on Stampede Park. Don’t miss this free family-friendly opportunity to see enthusiasts and fans, and our favourite cosplaying marching band unite with celebrity guests to celebrate the beginning of the CALGARY EXPO.
Triwood Spring Market
📍 Triwood Community Association (2244 Chicoutimi Drive NW, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 27, 2025
Join us for our Annual Spring Market & Plant Pop-Up! Come celebrate the change of seasons, find the perfect gift for mother’s day, and to get your gardens ready for planting season. We will be hosting a artisan craft and food market in combined with a plant pop-up. See you in the Spring!
The Barn Artisan Market – April Market
📍 Shawnessy Barn (224 Shawmeadows Rd SW, Calgary, AB)
📆 April 27, 2025
Come experience two full floors featuring 35 local artisans, creators, crafters, makers and more, all in the historic Shawnessy Barn! We are a local Monthly Market supporting local vendors! Admission is free, and so is the parking!
April is packed with amazing free events across Calgary, making it the perfect time to welcome spring without spending a dime!
Whether you're celebrating Easter with festive fun, marveling at creative costumes in lively cosplay parades, or exploring vibrant markets, there's something exciting and magical happening every week this month
Know of any AMAZING free events we might’ve missed? Share them in the comments or send us a note at info@wanderinginyyc.ca—we’d love to include your favourites!
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