Culture Days is a national celebration of arts, culture and creative expression. In Alberta, the festivities run throughout September, with the national spotlight shining over a three-week period each fall.
Across Canada, thousands of free events invite millions of people to explore, create and connect through culture. Join the celebration in Strathcona County – discover something new, try a hands-on activity, or reconnect with your creative side. All events are free and open to everyone!
All events are free, but most require pre-registration or a ticket. View each opportunity for full details.
Get ready to savour the best of Strathcona County with Savour — a much-loved community celebration of local food, art, and music.
Explore culinary creations from local restaurants, food trucks, brewers, and distillers. Take in the visual talent of local artists showcased by Gallery@501. Soak up the sounds of homegrown musicians performing throughout the event.
This year, Festival Lane transforms into an open-air marketplace with the Farmers' Market, presented in partnership with the Sherwood Park Farmers’ Market and other Strathcona Sunny Girl Markets. For one day only, Festival Lane will be closed to traffic and filled with local growers, makers, and artisans.
No registration or ticket required.
In 1984, Strathcona County launched a cultural arts program from the historic Smeltzer House site. The garage was converted into a pottery studio, and the house presented an array of artistic media. Fast forward 40 years, and the site now includes a glass fusing studio, a thriving fibre arts program, and a stunning garden.
Celebrate 40 years of arts programming at Smeltzer House during Culture Days! This free, open house event offers hands-on activities in the Clay Hut, Studio One Glass Studio, and throughout the historic site.
Join us for drop-in programs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., or sign up on-site (starting at 1 p.m.) for a guided history tour or a clay or glass art session. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis — come on time to secure your spot!
The open house event is supported in part by the Festival Place Cultural Arts Foundation.
Decorative clay mushrooms (6Y+) — Requires sign-up 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Step into our pottery studio and create a one-of-a-kind decorative mushroom to proudly display in your home.
Glass pendants and keychains (9Y+) — Requires sign-up 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Personalize your very own pendant in our glass studio. Choose your colours, create your design, and craft something uniquely yours.
Fibre Arts Fun! (all ages) — Drop-in any time 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Create and take home a unique fibre arts masterpiece, made sustainably with recycled materials, yarn, and your own creative flair.
Charades and dance party (all ages) — Drop-in any time 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Get ready for a laughter-filled charades challenge where everyone gets to act and guess together! Then, keep the fun going with a freeze dance party — dance to the beat and freeze in your silliest pose when the music stops!
Smeltzer House history tours with the Strathcona County Museum and Archive (all ages) — Requires sign-up 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Discover the history of the Smeltzer House and site with the Strathcona County Museum and Archive. Tours last 20 minutes and three tours will be offered, one family-focused and two adult-focused.
Handicrafts fundraising sale presented by local non-profit, the Eastside Grannies (all welcome) — Drop-in any time 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Proceeds from the sale help support the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which helps support grandmothers in sub-Saharan Africa who are raising their orphaned grandchildren.
Enjoy a live performance by blues legend, Colin Linden — a talented guitarist, songwriter and producer. You may recognize his work in the Coen brothers' O Brother Where Art Thou or Inside Llewyn Davis, both of which featured his guitar playing on the soundtracks.
Seating is limited and a ticket is required to secure your spot. Free tickets will be available on the Festival Place website starting Wednesday, August 20. All patrons of all ages require a ticket. Grab up to four tickets per household while supplies last.
This event is sponsored by TD.
Celebrate culture and creativity in this hands-on workshop for all ages. Learn the traditional art of Filipino paper weaving with guidance from artists Mary Escano and Emiliana Soriano.
This free program is part of our Special Events and Workshops series. Registration is required through Recreation Online, opening August 21.
Presented with support from Strathcona County Public Library.
Looking for even more events? Try these free, community events presented by local culture non-profit groups and hosted in and around Strathcona County during Culture Days.
View the Rockies in a new creative light in the work of local Métis artisan Angela Tihić with "Whispers of the Peaks: a fine tip gel pen journey through the Rockies."
Image: Detail of artwork by Angela Tihić, fine tip gel pen, 2025
Get inspired by Korean culture and Hanji paper with the "Korean Stories: Rooted in Hanji" exhibit! Eunju Park uses Hangul (Korean letter symbols) in colourful collages of positive affirmations. ILang Song paints original and traditional Minhwa folk art to share stories of blessings. Meet the artists at a public reception and artist talk event on September 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the gallery.
Image: Detail of “Fish (Uehaedo/어해도)” by ILang Song, Korean Stick painting pigments (봉채), Korean coloured paint powder pigments (분채) and Korean Tube paint on Hanji, 2024 (left) and detail of “I Am the Author of My Life 내가 쓰는 나의 인생” by Eunju Park, Hanji, 2025 (right)
Phone: 780-467-2211 Fax: 780-449-1906 Email: recreation@strathcona.ca
Last updated: Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Page ID: 51079