Canmore Festival of Art & Creativity

Celebrate Alberta Culture Days with FREE arts programming, live music, and multicultural events!

See The Schedule Below!

September 18-20, 2026

FREE & DROP-IN!

artsPlace

See The Schedule Below!

We are proud to be the official celebration site for Alberta Culture Days

Saturday, September 25

Outdoors - artsPlace Parking Lot

10 a.m. onwards

Learn More

Clay Play

Family Friendly

11 - 11:45 a.m.

Register

Creative Fun in the artsPlace HUB Gallery

Fun for Everyone

Drop-in times 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Drop In

Clay Play

Family Friendly

1 - 1:45 p.m.

Register

Indoor Concert

Doors 7 p.m. // Concert 7:30 p.m.

RSVP
Sunday, September 26

Clay Play

Family Friendly

11 - 11:45 a.m.

Register

Creative Fun in the artsPlace HUB Gallery

Fun for Everyone

Drop-in hours 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Drop-In

Clay Play

Family Friendly

1 - 1:45 p.m.

Register

Participate in three days filled to the brim with music and live performances, art workshops and demonstrations, hands-on activities, films, community campfires, and outdoor markets as we celebrate over a decade of Bringing Community and Creativity Together.

At the heart of our festival is the belief that creativity brings people together. Whether we are creating, performing, learning, or simply sharing a moment together, the arts foster belonging and strengthen the fabric of our community. This year's theme is a celebration of the countless connections that begin with a single creative act. It is a reminder that when we come together, we don't just experience art—we build a stronger, more connected, and more vibrant Bow Valley.

FESTIVAL LINE-UP

Featured image for Kick-off Concert & Campfire
Friday, Sept. 18 • 7 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Kick-off Concert & Campfire

Enjoy live music, roast marshmallows around the campfire, and dance the night away at this block party! We start with concerts, entertainment and campfires outside; then move inside to continue the fun.

THE LINE-UP:

• Motown 6

• Peter & The Wolves

• Beau Valley Circus

• Suzie Q Band

Featured image for Art Workshops
Sat. Sept. 19 & Sun. Sept. 20 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Art Workshops

Explore and play with a multitude of interactive and fun workshops in a variety of disciplines. You’ll meet artsPlace artists, learn their craft, and get messy in our art rooms while using upcycled and repurposed materials. Your contribution is key! Just drop by and join in.

See the full workshop schedule below.

Featured image for Live Music & Outdoor Market
Saturday, Sept. 19 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Live Music & Outdoor Market

Shop one-of-a-kind handmade treasures in this outdoor market filled to the brim with local vendors, artists and artisans. Enjoy tunes from local musicians while you're there!

MUSICIAN LINE-UP:

Nurdjana feat. Six by Four Blues • Tyler Woods Band • Side Hustle • The Ducks • Stoney River • Twonees

Featured image for Indoor Performances
Saturday, Sept. 19 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Indoor Performances

Join us for a fun filled day of cultural performances and interactive workshops perfect for all ages! Each performance includes fun audience participation.

THE LINE-UP:

Family Show with Heather Jean Jordan & Irene Poole • Maathangi Indian Dance Team • Canmore Filipino Dance Troupe • Banff Belly Dance • Tall Hat Tony

Featured image for Latin Dance Party
Saturday, Sept. 19 • 7 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Latin Dance Party

Something for all Latin music fans! Come out to the Bow Valley's favourite dance party and join in the fun. Everyone is welcome, from beginners to experts!

No experience or partner required.

Featured image for Community Market
Sunday, Sept. 20 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Community Market

Connect with Bow Valley artists and community organizations. Fill out your Passport to Participation by visiting as many tents in the market as possible and be entered into a draw to win an artsPlace prize package!

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

Interactive Workshops • Live Performances • Artist Demonstrations

Featured image for Community Outdoor Stage
Sunday, Sept. 20 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Community Outdoor Stage

Come out to cheer on the local talent and delight in the diversity of the Bow Valley with these local performances!

THE LINE-UP:

Canmore Theatre School • Smalleyes Family of Stoney Nakoda • Canmore Dance Corps • Opal Diemer • Cirque Sierra • Hombres Cumbia • Multicultural Celebration: Local Performers

Featured image for Bike Shorts Film Festival
Sunday, Sept. 20 • 7 p.m. RSVP REQUIRED

Bike Shorts Film Festival

Short films about biking by bikers, this lighthearted evening is hosted by Community Cruisers. There is something for everyone, from rad rides to peaceful cruises, and everything in between!

This event is free but space is limited; RSVP is required. Tickets available soon.

Featured image for Interactive Gallery Exhibition
Sat. Sept. 19 & Sun. Sept. 20 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Interactive Gallery Exhibition

Participate in this interactive exhibition that celebrates bringing community and creativity together. Come play!

ART WORKSHOPS: SCHEDULE

Experience arts and crafts in a friendly, welcoming and interactive atmosphere! Get your hands dirty, discover your creative side and have fun with different workshops and demonstrations.

All ages are welcome to participate. Children ages 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

No registration required; just drop by!

Splatter Station

Friday, Sept. 18 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Drop in to the Splatter Station: a welcoming space where everyone is invited to contribute to a giant communal painting with the support of our artist facilitator Ann Fu. Simply pick your favorite colours and play with splatters, squiggles, and spontaneous brushstrokes. It’s all about letting go, trying something new, and creating something wonderful together.

artsPlace Parking Lot

Clay Play

Saturday, Sept. 19 10 AM - 4 PM

Grab some clay and play! With the help of our skilled instructor Jenn Poirier, you will be able to try out wheel throwing or contribute to a collaborative hand-built clay sculpture.

Ceramics Studio

Mixed Media Heart-Art

Saturday, Sept. 19 10 AM - 12 PM

Join artist Lucie Bause for some mixed media fun! We will dive into the world of playful patterns inspired by Brazilian artist Romero Britto, combining vibrant colours and bold lines to create your very own unique work of art.

Visual Arts Studio

Artist Demonstration: Speed Portrait Illustration

Saturday, Sept. 19 10 AM - 12 PM

Pull up a chair and join artist Ann Fu for a quick and loose portrait session! It's a fun, interactive experience that transforms a brief moment of sitting and chatting into a personalized piece of art that you can cherish forever.

artsPlace Parking Lot

Cold Wax Painting

Saturday, Sept. 19 11 AM - 1 PM

Try your hand at cold wax painting with Artist Kim McNeil! Practice color mixing and combining oil paints with cold wax to create a textured painting.

This workshop is suitable for ages 12+.

Fabrication Studio

Creating Connections: Outdoor Chalk Installation

Saturday, Sept. 19 1 PM - 3 PM

Join artist Lucie Bause and contribute your mark to a collaborative chalk drawing! Lucie will be creating a large-scale chalk installation throughout the outdoor festival grounds, and we hope you will join us with your own creative contributions so we can make this drawing as big as possible.

artsPlace Parking Lot

Make Your Own Slime

Saturday, Sept. 19 1 PM - 3 PM

Create your very own vibrant batch of gooey slime with the help of our slime expert, Sage Shepherd! Experiment with bright colours, sparkling glitter, and unique textures to design a messy masterpiece you can play with.

Visual Arts Studio

Felted Wall Hanging

Saturday, Sept. 19 2 PM - 4 PM

Make your own wall hanging from felt! With guidance and support from our artist educator Katya Fuentes, you will use merino wool to create a felted work of art suspended from a piece of wood.

Fabrication Studio

Clay Play

Sunday, Sept. 20 10 AM - 4 PM

Grab some clay and play! With the help of our skilled instructor Jenn Poirier, you will be able to try out wheel throwing or contribute to a collaborative hand-built clay sculpture.

Ceramics Studio

Soap Carving

Sunday, Sept. 20 10 AM - 12 PM

Unleash your inner sculptor and transform a simple bar of soap into a unique work of art! With the support from artist educator Alice Conniff, you will use basic carving tools and techniques to shape, detail, and polish your own fragrant masterpiece to take home.

This activity is recommended for ages 6+.

Visual Arts Studio

Collaborative Acrylic Painting

Sunday, Sept. 20 10 AM - 12 PM

Grab a brush and help bring a vibrant community masterpiece to life in this collaborative acrylic painting session! Led by artist Julia Knowlden, you'll contribute your own unique brushstrokes, colours, and designs to a sweeping collective canvas.

artsPlace Parking Lot

Linocut Printmaking

Sunday, Sept. 20 11 AM - 1 PM

Roll up your sleeves and try your hand at printmaking in this fun, hands-on workshop with artist Kyra Heneghan-Smith! Through a step-by-step process, you will design, carve, and print a mini linocut art piece to keep.

This workshop is suitable for ages 12+.

Fabrication Studio

Cyanotyping

Sunday, Sept. 20 1 PM - 3 PM

Create a unique cyanotype print using this historical photographic process led by artist Cy Yang-Smith. We will arrange pre-cut stencils and experiment with UV light to create different levels of light and dark on your unique composition.

Visual Arts Studio

Collaborative Quilling

Sunday, Sept. 20 1 PM - 3 PM

Join artist Alice Conniff for a hands-on paper quilling session and contribute to a larger-than-life community artwork! Learn how to roll, coil, and add your personal touch to a stunning collective piece that grows throughout the day.

artsPlace Parking Lot

Doodlebirdies

Sunday, Sept. 20 2 PM - 4 PM

Join artist Patti Dyment in this playful, guided workshop to draw and paint illustrated birdies with pencil, sharpie and watercolour.

Fabrication Studio

Background image for: Festival Volunteers Needed!

Festival Volunteers Needed!

Meet great people, celebrate creativity, and give back to your community as you join our festival volunteer team.

Sign up!
Background image for: Festival Volunteers Needed!

Festival Volunteers Needed!

Meet great people, celebrate creativity, and give back to your community as you join our festival volunteer team.

Sign up!
Background image for: Festival Volunteers Needed!

Festival Volunteers Needed!

Meet great people, celebrate creativity, and give back to your community as you join our festival volunteer team.

Sign up!

Thank you to the following supporters