FREE FIRST THURSDAY
Enjoy free admission to Contemporary Calgary on the first Thursday of each month from 5 pm to 9 pm!*
We stay open late and offer a rotating slate of entertainers, vendors, and activities — along with free popcorn and a paid concession. You can visit our exhibitions, watch a performance, or make something at our drop-in art-making session. We often partner with other organizations to help animate the space, so each event is a special experience. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to find out all the details.
Want to plan in advance? Free First Thursday will be happening on the following dates:
February 6, 2025
March 6, 2025
April 3, 2025
May 1, 2025
June 5, 2025
July 3, 2025
August 7, 2025
September 4, 2025
October 2, 2025
November 6, 2025
December 4, 2025
*Free First Thursday happen on the first Thursday of each month, with the exception of January.
Supported by


Installation view, Paola Pivi: Come check it out. October 3, 2024 - March 2, 2025, Contemporary Calgary. Photo by Victoria Cimolini.

One Big Jam performs in the Atrium



Installation view, Exposure Photography Festival 2024, February 1 - March 3, 2024, Contemporary Calgary. Photo Victoria Cimolini.

Installation view, Chitra Ganesh: Astral Dance, October 13, 2022 - April 9, 2023, Contemporary Calgary. Artworks © Chitra Ganesh. Photo Ella Michel.


Installation view, Marie Lannoo: In Extremis. July 4 - October 13, 2024. Photo by Victoria Cimolini.

Fluid Fest VINES performance
Upcoming Programs
Program Archive
