Imagine a night at the theatre, a museum tour, or an evening of classical music. Calgary’s arts and culture scene is thriving, thanks to a diverse collection of theatre companies, the world renowned Philharmonic Orchestra, innovative galleries and museum exhibitions, diverse dance performances, and vibrant community spaces like cSPACE King Edward. Artists, creators, and actors are ready to welcome you for new experiences everyone can enjoy. Get ready to discover the best museums and art galleries, live theatre, classical music, and dance experiences available in Calgary.

Museums and art galleries in Calgary

Contemporary Calgary

Contemporary Calgary always keeps the focus on exhibiting the best modern art the world has to offer. That’s what makes it one of the top museums in Calgary. Located in the former Centennial Planetarium, this reimagined space always has something new to explore, highlighting modern and contemporary art. Located steps from the Downtown/West Kerby C-Train station, Contemporary Calgary is easy to access for arts and culture enthusiasts of all ages. Check out What’s On for the latest exhibitions on display.

Location: 701 11 St SW

cSPACE King Edward

It’s all about creativity and community at cSPACE King Edward, a historic building turned arts incubator with an ever-changing mix of artist studios, performance spaces, and workshops. Visit the Alberta Craft Gallery for the perfect souvenir from Alberta-based artists, including everything from ceramics and jewelry to wood, textiles, and glass. Like cSPACE King Edward on Facebook to stay up-to-date on events and activities happening at this community hub in Calgary.

Location: 1721 29 Ave SW Suite #125

Esker Foundation

Looking for free museums in Calgary? Esker Foundation is the largest privately funded, non-commercial contemporary art gallery in the city, with 10,000 square feet to explore in the historic neighbourhood of Inglewood. The gallery changes exhibitions three times each year so there is always something new and fresh to discovery on your next visit. The best part? Admission to Esker Foundation is free, making it a budget friendly way to get your arts and culture fix.

Location: 1011 9 Ave SE 4th floor

Glenbow

Glenbow is temporarily closed for major building renovations. The museum has a free exhibition space at the Edison, which will operate until 2024, when Glenbow’s renovated building reopens to the public. Learn more about Glenbow’s Renovation Plan and how they are transforming the building from the inside out to include a new open air lobby, restaurant, retail shop, theatre space, and gallery spaces to accommodate large scale exhibitions.

Location: 130 9 Ave SE

Live theatre in Calgary

Alberta Theatre Projects

Celebrating the art of live theatre, Alberta Theatre Projects creates a welcoming atmosphere in the beautiful Martha Cohen Theatre for everyone to enjoy. Get a front row seat to new works of theatre, plays by Canadian playwrights, and contemporary theatre from around the world. Each season presents a mix of emotional dramas and playful family friendly theatre. Check out What’s On at ATP before planning your next trip.

Location: Martha Cohen Theatre, 215 8 Ave SE

Jubilations Dinner Theatre

Your waiter does double duty at Jubilations Dinner Theatre, serving your delicious four course meal and performing on stage in the live theatre show. Original productions parody the best in movies, music, and pop culture at this family friendly dinner theatre experience. Parking available on site or short walk from the Westbrook Calgary Transit C-Train station. Love dinner and a show? Learn more about dinner theatres in Calgary.

Location: 1002 37 St SW

Lunchbox Theatre

Eat your lunch and enjoy a live performance with Lunchbox Theatre, a noon hour theatre company staging one-act plays to hungry downtown audiences. Comedies, musicals, and dramas take the stage in short and creative productions in a casual and welcoming atmosphere. You can even request a meal ahead of time when you order your tickets, and a boxed lunch will be ready and waiting for you at showtime.

Location: 115 9 Ave SW

One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre

One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre is part of the cultural fabric of the city, staging award-winning productions and hosting the annual High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts for three wild weeks each January. Touring performances, international shows, and experimental works come together in unexpected venues around Calgary for a theatre festival experience unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Location: 225 8 Ave SE

The Shakespeare Company

Celebrating the best of the Bard, The Shakespeare Company presents a full season of history’s most celebrated playwright each year. One of the only non-festival Shakespeare focused theatre companies in Canada, this is the perfect intro to Shakespeare for new theatre goers with everything from comedies to dramas taking the stage. You can even get a behind-the-scenes look with open previews available to the public before the show officially opens.

Location: 115 - 9 Ave. S.E.

Stage West Theatre Restaurants

Make it a date night with Stage West Theatre Restaurants, a dinner theatre that presents nightly shows, tribute concerts, kids’ theatre, and main productions, inspired by film and television. The buffet dinner menu includes everything from a salad bar and sushi to carving stations and tapas, along with a dessert menu everyone will love. That’s what makes it the ultimate date night for food and theatre lovers.

Location: 727 42 Ave SE

Theatre Calgary

Entertaining audiences since the 1940s, Theatre Calgary produces a full season of headlining shows from local playwrights and seasonal classics to musicals with live orchestras. Their production of A Christmas Carol each holiday season has become a family tradition in Calgary for more than 30 years. Each summer, Theatre Calgary supports emerging local artists with the popular Shakespeare by the Bow, staging easy to understand productions from the Bard with audiences sitting on picnic blankets in Prince’s Island Park. It’s a summer classic.

Location: 220 9 Ave SE

Vertigo Theatre

It’s always a mystery with Vertigo Theatre, an award-winning theatre company known for producing thrillers from Agatha Christie to new works from the Broadway stage. The intimate 350 seat theatre pulls you right into the action until the final clues come together. It’s guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat!

Location: 115 9 Ave SE #161

Opera and Classical Music in Calgary

Calgary Opera

Calgary Opera brings the drama, grandeur, and magic of live opera to Calgary with productions of fresh new works and timeless masterpieces. Founded in 1972, Calgary Opera has made a name for itself on the national and international stage with local talent and new operas taking the stage each season. Whether you are a seasoned opera lover or new to the genre, Calgary Opera is ready to welcome you.

Location: 1315 7 St SW

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

At the heart of the arts and culture scene, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is one of North America’s most celebrated live music ensembles, bringing a diverse season of concerts to the stage since 1955. Take your seat at the Jack Singer Concert Hall for beloved classics, family friendly favourites, the best of Broadway, and epic scores from film and television.

Location: 205 8 Ave SE

Honens International Piano Festival and Competition

The Honens International Piano Competition & Festival brings the classical music world to Calgary each year for performances that will delight new and experienced music fans alike. The competition takes place every three years and invites the finest young pianists from around the world to apply, compete, and perform in Calgary. The festival brings the joy of classical music to locals and visitors with open air concerts, experimental productions, and free activities for everyone to enjoy.

Location: 1170-105 12 Ave SE

Dance performances in Calgary

Alberta Ballet

Location: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW

Alberta Dancesport

Ready to learn the salsa? Always wanted to ballroom dance? Alberta Dancesport is the place to learn with weekly dance parties, drop-in classes, and salsa parties open to the public. Best of all, you don’t need a partner or any experience to get started.

Location: 404 Meredith Rd NE

Decidedly Jazz Danceworks

Decidedly Jazz Danceworks brings original performances and workshops to locals and visitors alike with African-rooted, swing-based jazz music. Known to locals as “DJD”, you can even try a drop-in class and learn from the best at their beautiful performance space in downtown Calgary.

Location: 111 12 Ave SE