28 FREE things to do in Calgary this March

Stick to your budget this March! Here is our checklist of 28 FREE events happening in Calgary this month, including Workshops, Foodie events, and more.

For more things happening around town check out our events section.

See also

• The Office's Rainn Wilson will be at Calgary Expo 2019
• An epic 40-course dining event is returning to Canada this April
• See some incredible sights at Banff Gondola's Alpenglow Festival

Explore the city

Crescent Heights Community Show & Tell

What: A showcase of talents, skills, hobbies and interests in the Crescent Heights neighbourhood.

When: Saturday, March 2, 2019
Time: 2 to 4 pm
Where: Crescent Heights Community Association – 1101 2 ST NW, Calgary
Admission: Free

International Women’s Day

What: Each year, the Women’s Centre celebrates International Women’s Day with a potluck where community members gather for as special celebration. All genders and ages are welcome to this event. 

When: Friday, March 8, 2019
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: Women’s Centre of Calgary – 39 4 Street NE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Monthly Open House at AVRO Museum

What: Learn more about Avro Canada and its contributions to Canada’s aviation and aerospace legacy, plus see the latest progress on the Arrow II project.

When: The Second Sunday of every month – March 10
Time: 12 to 3 pm
Where: AVRO Museum – 229 Avro Lane, Calgary
Admission: Free

Print(ed) Word: The Salon Series

What: This free event is the first of 12 in a series of talks to take place each month. Every month, a different artist-writer pair and their collaborative artist books included in Print(ed) Word, on permanent display at Calgary’s new Central Library will be highlighted.

When: Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Time: 7 to 8 pm
Where: Central Library – Level 4 – Simons-Harvie Community Reading Room – 800 3 St SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Social-Lite Social Media Meetup

What: Join Social-lite YYC after work to learn from one another at a meet-up discussing social trends, best practices, case studies, and more in the field of social media. Bring your questions and expertise and gain insights from industry peers.

When: Thursday, March 14, 2019
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Where: MarketBar, Sunterra Market, Keynote – 200 12 Avenue Southeast Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

Drawn to Nature Workshop

What: Participants of all ages and levels of experience are invited to sketch and draw at Banff Centre’s free ongoing beginner-level drawing workshops. Join esteemed Teaching Artist in Residence Janice Tanton to explore different materials and techniques for mark making in this facilitated class.

When: Friday, March 15, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Whyte Museum – 111 Bear Street, Banff
Register: Online, free

Crescent Moon Party

What: Crescent Heights Community Association presents the second annual Crescent Moon Party, an outdoor party under the moon, with music, fire, dancing, art and more.

When: Friday, March 15, 2019
Time: 7 to 9:30 pm
Where: Centre Street and 9th Avenue NE
Admission: Free

City of Calgary Youth Hiring Fair 2019

What: The city will be hosting a hiring fair for job-seekers aged 15 to 24 in the Big Four building in Stampede Park. Dress to impress, bring a pen in case you have to complete any forms, and be ready to provide plenty of copies of your resume. Some of the employers present will be hiring from different people of minimum ages.

When: Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Time: TBA
Where: Big Four Building, Stampede Park – 1801 Big Four Trail SE
Admission: Free

Music Video Dance Party!

What: Dance to some of the best music videos of the 80s, 90s, and 2000s – aka all the best genres of music – at the Rec Room!

When: Friday, March 22, 2019
Time: Doors 9 pm
Where: The Rec Room Calgary – 1180, 901 64th Avenue NE, Calgary
Admission: Free

YYC Free Market and SOS Open Mic Jam

What: Crescent Heights Community Association hosts the YYC Free Market and SOS Open Mic Jam at the hall on March 25. Give what you can to the YYC Free Market, take what you need, and leave no trace. SOS Open Mic Jam is a platform for hobbies and professional musicians to try out new material and jam together. Bring your instruments and talent.

When: Monday, March 25, 2019
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: Crescent Heights Community Association – 1101 2 ST NW, Calgary
Admission: Free

The Rock-A-Palooza Gem & Mineral Show 2019

What: Silver Cove is partnering with Spruce Meadows Congress Hall to present Rock-A-Palooza Gem & Mineral Show. Family friendly and free admission

When: Thursday, March 28 to Sunday, March 31, 2019
Time: 10 am to 8 pm (Saturday), 10 am to 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Spruce Meadows Congress Hall – 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, De Winton
Admission: Free

Community Yoga at Sunalta

What: Community Yoga at Sunalta Community Hall aims to help people be conscious in their moments and capable in their bodies. Bring your own mat and any required props for assistance.

When: Every Monday
Time: Doors 5:30 pm, yoga from 5:45 to 6:45 pm.
Where: Sunalta Community Centre – 1627 10 Ave SW, Calgary
Admission: Free

Roasterie Tour – Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters

What: This 20-minute tour gives attendees a look at Phil & Sebastian’s vintage retro-fitted roaster and operations, plus learn about their green coffee sourcing strategies.

When: Every Wednesday
Time: 12:15 to 12:35 pm
Where: Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters – 618 Confluence Way Southeast, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

Youth Jam at The Blues Can

What: Hosted by the Marcus Trummer Band, Youth Jam invites all youth musicians and bands are invited to come play at The Blues Can the first Monday of every month. Bring an instrument, a few songs and a few friends.

When: The first Monday of every month
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: The Blues Can – 1429 9 Ave SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Social-Lite Social Media Meetup

What: Join Social-lite YYC after work the second Thursday of each month to learn from one another at a meet-up discussing social trends, best practices, case studies, and more in the field of social media. Bring your questions and expertise and gain insights from industry peers.

When: The second Thursday of every month
Time: 6 to 7:30 pm
Where: MarketBar, Sunterra Market, Keynote – 200 12 Avenue Southeast Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

The Hangover – HUMPDay HOUSE Party

What: A night of House music at Habitat Living Sound with OH FUNK and featuring Prairie Chola Ayatollah and Dj Dramatik. Hosted by J9Productions.

When: Every Wednesday night
Time: 9 pm to 2:15 am
Where: Habitat Living Sound – 1217 1st Street SW, Calgary
Admission: Free

Classical Revolution Calgary with Pianist Joseph Fernando

What: Pianist Joseph Fernando hosts Classical Revolution Calgary’s last-Tuesday-of-the-month. There is also an open mic for aspiring classical performers.

When: Last Tuesday of every month
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Gravity Espresso and Wine Bar – 909 – 10 Street SE, Calgary
Admission: Free, tips welcome

Movies That Matter

What: Movies That Matter is a monthly series of documentary film premieres at the University of Calgary, co-presented by the University of Calgary Film Society and the Department of Communication and Culture. The series strives to be timely and provocative, allowing viewers to delve into some important issues relevant in our society today. Each screening will include a post-screening discussion, featuring the director of the film itself and/or someone from the community at large known for their expertise or insightful views on the film subject.

When: The last Wednesday of every month
Time: 7 pm
Where: Gallery Hall of the Taylor Family Digital Library – University of Calgary
Admission: Free for students with ID and community by donation

Free First Thursday

What: Explore the Glenbow Museum at your leisure for FREE on the first Thursday of every month.

When: The first Thursday of every month
Time: 5 pm to close
Where: Glenbow Museum – 130 9th Avenue SE
Admission: Free

Esker Foundation

What: Esker Foundation connects the public to contemporary art through relevant, accessible, and educational exhibitions, programs, and publications. The gallery reflects on current developments in local, regional, and international culture; creates opportunities for public dialogue; and supports the production of groundbreaking new work, ideas, and research. Admission is free. The gallery is barrier-free.

When: Open Tuesdays to Sundays. Closed Mondays
Time: Various times
Where: Esker Foundation – 4th Floor – 1011 9th Ave SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Free Brewery Tours at Red Bison Brewery

What: The tour starts off with an explanation of Red Bison’s name and why founder Steve started the brewery. Attendees will then see the homebrew system Steve used to brew beer on the balcony of his downtown Calgary condo, and talk about malt and how each of the flavours impact our recipes. After this, it’s a walk through our process for brew day and the fermentation process. Once the tour is complete, guests will be able to buy flights to try out beer and the kitchen is also open.

When: Every Sunday
Time: 1 pm
Where: Red Bison Brewery – 111, 3016 10 Ave NE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, Free

Winter ice skating at Olympic Plaza

What: Built in 1988 for the Olympic Winter Games, Olympic Plaza has the only refrigerated outdoor ice surface in the city. You can rent skates down at the plaza if you don’t have a pair of your own. Helmets are strongly encouraged.

When: Now to mid-March
Time: 10 am to 9 pm, Weather dependent
Where: Olympic Plaza – 228 8th Avenue SE
Admission: Free. Skates are also available for rent – $12 for adults