Thousands of Calgarians celebrate Family Day with free citywide events

There was no shortage of free and entertaining events to enjoy this Family Day, from musical performances to biking on ice.

From the rhythmic beat of drums to the glide of skates on Olympic ice, Calgarians turned out in droves Monday to take advantage of a wide array of free activities across the city this Family Day.

The National Music Centre at Studio Bell served as a major hub for the festivities, offering free admission to thousands of visitors.

The day was designed to spark musical curiosity through live performances and interactive displays.

“I would love for Calgarians to experience the magic of what the National Music Centre is,” said Stephanie Hutchinson, director of programs at Studio Bell.

“It’s the home for Canada’s music history—past, present and history in the making. We have all kinds of interactive exhibits to explore. Everyone can learn about how the power of music brings us all together.”

Outdoor thrills and winter sports

On the other side of downtown, families gathered for the final day of the Chinook Blast winter festival at Eau Claire Plaza.

While some enjoyed live outdoor performances, the more adventurous attendees took to the ice for a unique experience: ice biking.

For those inspired by the Winter Games, the Olympic Oval hosted its free Winter Sport Festival.

The event offered the public a chance to test their skills in disciplines such as ringette, speed skating and para ice hockey.

“We love it! Honestly, it’s one of our biggest events of the year, so we look forward to this time every year,” said Katie De Boer with the Olympic Oval.

History takes flight

The celebrations moved from the ice to the air at the Hangar Flight Museum, which opened its doors for a free open house.

Aviation enthusiasts were treated to a close-up look at Canada’s storied aerial history.

“There’s some very unique items here,” said Darcy Cherwaty of the Hangar Flight Museum.

“Aircraft from both World War I, World War II, our Silver Dart replica, which, of course, is the first Canadian-made aircraft. It’s a huge, huge draw.”