This Calgary street festival turns the sidewalk into a giant art gallery for one day

If you’re walking through the streets of Calgary’s Montgomery neighbourhood and the sidewalks start to look a lot more colourful than usual, you’re not imagining it. Chalk the Block transforms Bowness Road into an open-air canvas, turning the pavement into a giant community art project.

The free, community-driven event takes over the stretch between 44th and 46th Street Northwest on June 27, 2026. It brings together local artists, makers, and businesses for a day that feels more like a neighbourhood hangout rather than a traditional festival.

A street full of colour, creativity, and community

This year’s theme, “Chalk What Makes You Smile,” sets the whole vibe for the entire festival, with each artist turning each section of pavement into something unique.

Some artists go for quick and playful sketches, while others create detailed pieces that take up entire sidewalk squares, and watching everything come together throughout the day is part of what makes the festival so much fun. You can walk down the street in the morning and see blank pavement and come back later to find it completely transformed.

And what makes this event so different from your usual festival is how easy it is to take part in. According to organizers, it’s completely free, and artists of all ages and skill levels are welcome to sign up for the chalk competition, with cash prizes for standout creations.

Chalk the Block debuted in 2025, and event organizers say it was a day filled with creativity, connection, and the community coming together in a truly unique way.

Beyond the chalk art, the street fills up with local vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and artisans. And this year, there will also be a beer garden hosted by Brewsmith Brewing, making it easy for visitors to grab a drink and enjoy the atmosphere.

Chalk the Block is the perfect event for the whole family to get creative and spend a chill summer day together. It’s fun and colourful, and it lets you get out and do something different without a real plan.

Chalk the Block

When: Saturday, June 27, 2026
Time: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Bowness Road, Calgary, Alta. (between 44th and 46th Street NW)
Cost: Free (all chalk supplies provided)

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