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 A Decade of Bringing Community and Creativity Together.
Canmore Festival of Art & Creativity: 10th Anniversary
Celebrate 10 years of artsPlace with FREE programming, live music, and multicultural events!
See The Schedule Below
September 12-14, 2025
FREE & DROP-IN!
artsPlace
Saturday, September 25
Sunday, September 26
FESTIVAL LINE-UP
Friday, Sept. 12 • 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Outdoor Concert & Campfire
Enjoy live music, warm up with hot chocolate, roast marshmallows around the campfire, and dance the night away at this outdoor concert that's sure to cheer you up!
THE LINE-UP:
• Join the Bow Valley's biggest outdoor Latin dance party led by salsa band Distrito Salsa!
• Opening Act – local funk-rock band Zebra
• Opening remarks by Mayor Sean Krausert & blessing by Stoney Nakoda Elder Terry Rider
Sat. Sept. 13 & Sun. Sept. 14 • 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.
Clay Play • Watercolour Painting • Wood Burning • Cold Wax Painting • Basket Weaving • Cyanotyping • Felted Seascapes • Embroidery • & More!
See the full workshop schedule below.
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 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:
Amelie Patterson • 40 Watts • Eya Hey Drummers • Cave Arcade • Stoney River • The Ducks • The Three Sisters
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 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:
Four Little Birds • Canmore Dance Corps • Azerbaijani Dance • Banff Belly Dance • Drumming with Eya Hey Nakoda • Theatre Performance from Pine Tree Players
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Outdoor Stage & Night Market
NEW THIS YEAR! Join in on an evening of circus-inspired celebrations outside of artsPlace where the campfire will roar, the night market will offer treasures and delicious food, and the party will continue with thrilling performances from local artists.
THE LINE-UP:
DJ • Juggling • Sierra Lollipop Circus • Cirque de la Nuit • Beau Valley Circus • Drag Show
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 9 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Unconditional Wub: Dance Party
Come out for a Masquerade-inspired night of dancing! Unconditional Wub are a group of passionate local performers intent on spreading love and building community through electronic music events. All are welcome to dance along to beats and live visuals from local DJs.
Sunday, Sept. 14 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Community Market
Enjoy the local colour of 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 Exhibition & Workshops • Photobooth • Artist Demonstrations
Sunday, Sept. 14 • 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 Fiddlers • Smalleyes Family of Stoney Nakoda • Multicultural Celebration: Local Performers
Sunday, Sept. 14 • 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.
Sat. Sept. 13 & Sun. Sept. 14 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The Faces of Canmore: Interactive Gallery Exhibition
Participate in this interactive exhibition that celebrates a decade of bringing community & creativity together at artsPlace. Come play!
FREE 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. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
No registration required; just drop by!
Clay Play
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 10 AM - 4 PM
Grab some clay and play! With the help of our skilled instructors, you will be able to try out wheel throwing or contribute to a collaborative hand-built clay sculpture.
Ceramics Studio
Watercolour & Zentangle
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 10 AM - 12 PM
Use watercolour paint to create your own celebratory painting! Sharpie markers and oil pastels will be available to embellish your creation with zentangle techniques, which promote relaxation and creativity through the use of repetitive patterns called "tangles."
This activity is recommended for ages 6+
Visual Arts Studio
Interactive Artist Demo: Mural Painting
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 10 AM - 12 PM
Join artist Cecilia Leddy (Teenybotanist) and contribute your mark to a vibrant, collaborative mural celebrating the wildlife and landscapes of the Bow Valley. As you drop in, you’ll be able to fill in a square—or a few—with paint, adding your own touch by bringing flowers, animals, hikers, or whatever inspires you, to life.
artsPlace Parking Lot
Wood Burning
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 11 AM - 1 PM
Experiment with the art of wood burning, also called pyrography, as you burn a design of your choice into a wooden coaster.
This activity is recommended for ages 6+
Fabrication Studio
To Be Announced
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 1 PM - 3 PM
Coming soon!
Visual Arts Studio
Interactive Artist Demo: Chalk Mandala
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 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 mandala 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
Cold Wax Painting
Saturday, Sept. 13 • 2 PM - 4 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 leaf painting.
This workshop is suitable for ages 12+
Fabrication Studio
Clay Play
Sunday, Sept. 14 • 10 AM - 4 PM
Grab some clay and play! With the help of our skilled instructors, you will be able to try out wheel throwing or contribute to a collaborative hand-built clay sculpture.
Ceramics Studio
Basket Weaving
Sunday, Sept. 14 • 10 AM - 12 PM
Create your own basket in this hands-on workshop. We will learn how to construct a template, select suitable fabrics, and hand-weave a functional circular or oval basket to take home.
This activity is recommended for ages 6+
Visual Arts Studio
Interactive Artist Demo: Wood Working
Sunday, Sept. 14 • 10 AM - 12 PM
Join our resident woodworker Graeme Ford as he shares his joy of wood carving. This artist demonstration will invite participants to sit down and experience the creative process of working with wood for themselves.
This activity is suitable for ages 8+
artsPlace Parking Lot
Felted Seascapes
Sunday, Sept. 14 • 11 AM - 1 PM
Create your own drawing with felt! Participants will use merino wool to follow a guided, step-by-step process to create your own felted work of art.
Fabrication Studio
Cyanotyping
Sunday, Sept. 14 • 1 PM - 3 PM
Create a unique cyanotype print using this historical photographic process. Participants will arrange pre-cut stencils and experiment with UV light to create different patterns of light & dark on their unique compositions.
Visual Arts Studio
Interactive Artist Demo: Acrylic Painting
Sunday, Sept. 14 • 1 PM - 3 PM
Work alongside artist Patti Dyment to add your own unique contribution to a large, gallery wrap canvas.
artsPlace Parking Lot
Patch Embroidery
Sunday, Sept. 14 • 2 PM - 4 PM
Try your hand at this fun embroidery technique with artist Gini Dickenson. Choose a fabric stamp and stitch the design into the patch with colourful embroidery thread.
This activity is recommended for ages 8+
Fabrication Studio
Background image for: Festival Volunteers Needed!
Festival Volunteers Needed!
We are looking for volunteers to help make our 10th Festival of Art & Creativity truly unforgettable! Join us throughout the festival and help out in a variety of fun & engaging roles.
Sign up!
Background image for: Festival Volunteers Needed!
Festival Volunteers Needed!
We are looking for volunteers to help make our 10th Festival of Art & Creativity truly unforgettable! Join us throughout the festival and help out in a variety of fun & engaging roles.
Sign up!
Background image for: Festival Volunteers Needed!
Festival Volunteers Needed!
We are looking for volunteers to help make our 10th Festival of Art & Creativity truly unforgettable! Join us throughout the festival and help out in a variety of fun & engaging roles.
Sign up!Thank you to the following supporters
