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21 May 2026

Mark Your Calendar: The U/D Night Market is Back!

The U/D Night Market is back for its fifth season, bringing an exciting mix of local vendors, live entertainment and family-friendly fun to University District. Featuring the most diverse lineup of Calgary artisans and small businesses to date, the 2026 series pairs local shopping with interactive performances, live music and new experiences throughout Central Commons Park. Taking place on the last Wednesday of every month from May to September*, the Night Market continues to grow as one of the community’s staple summer events. Each month will feature a fresh lineup of live music and vendors, giving visitors something new to experience all summer long.

*4th Wednesday in September

What You Can Expect at this Year’s U/D Night Market Series

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This year, the market expands into the open green space of Central Commons Park, creating even more room to explore and take in the summer sun. DJ Joash Charles will be kicking off each U/D Night Market from 5 pm, spinning the hottest hits of the summer. Families can also enjoy themed entertainment and interactive performances beginning between 6 and 6:30 PM (see schedules below). Find a park bench, lay out a picnic blanket, and grab a bite from Retail Main Street while soaking in the atmosphere, live music, and community energy. New for 2026, guests can also enjoy interactive lawn games at the centre of the market.

May 27: Igniting the Sounds of Summer

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Photo of Matt Blais taken from his Instagram page, here.

 

The first U/D Night Market of the summer will feature Calgary-based roots-rock singer-songwriter Matt Blais, as he brings his powerful vocals, harmonica work, and authentic live performance style to the Central Commons Park stage.

Says Blais, “A setting like the U/D Night Market is perfect for music. It’s the community coming together and that’s where music belongs. People can come or stay as they please, choosing their own path of experience.”

Having performed more than 1,000 shows and opened for artists such as Blue Rodeo and Collective Soul, Blais has become a recognized name in Calgary’s music scene, earning Male Artist of the Year at the Calgary Music Awards.

Following his performance, local four-piece roots band The Wine Soaked Preachers will keep the evening going with their distinctive blend of folk, roots and prairie storytelling.

Bring your family to listen to local musicians, browse local products, shop handmade goods, snack on tasty treats, and experience Mad Science’s “Up, Up and Away” interactive show, a fun performance packed with exciting experiments.

May 27 Featured Entertainment:

June 24: Saddle Up for a Boot-Stompin’ Hoedown

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Get a taste of western flair and get warmed up for the Calgary Stampede with an evening of high-energy singing and dancing. Enjoy live country music from Alberta Métis singer-songwriter Jaiden Riley & The Crybabies. Blending folk, classic country, and bluegrass with powerful prairie storytelling, Jaiden’s heartfelt songwriting and high-energy performance style create a show full of soul and authenticity. Fresh off a first-place win at Ranchman’s and Country 105 Rising Star Competition, Jaiden secured a mainstage performance at Country Thunder Alberta 2026, cementing her as one of Alberta’s rising country artists to watch.

The evening will also feature a lively performance from the Chinook Country Line Dancers, one of Southern Alberta’s largest and most popular entertainment and line dance studios. The Chinook Country Line Dancers are recipients of the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun Readers’ Choice Awards for Best and Favourite Line Dance Studio. This award-winning dance group offers professional instruction for all ages and will encourage attendees to join in and dance along throughout the night.

Gather around to watch Skinny’s Variety Show + Playshop, where unicycles, juggling, and playful audience interaction come together in a lively, family-friendly circus experience packed with fun for all ages.

June 24 Featured Entertainment:

July 29: Retro Sounds and Yacht Pop Under the Stars

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Photo of Kayla Williams taken from her Instagram page, here.

 

In July, Calgary-based artist Kayla Williams will bring her modern yacht-pop sound to the stage, blending soulful vocals with magical grooves inspired by the ‘70s and ‘80s. With retro-funk swagger and nostalgic energy, her sound channels artists like Hall & Oates, HAIM, and Lake Street Dive into a performance perfect for a warm summer night.

The evening will also feature Calgary pop-rock band The Frontiers, known for their dynamic blend of pop, soul, rock, folk, and country. With more than 1,500 live performances over the past decade, these homegrown musicians bring a high-energy stage presence that keeps crowds dancing start to finish.

Attendees can also watch and participate in the Mad Science: Fire and Ice show, where curious minds can dive into exciting experiments and a fog-filled finale.

July 29 Featured Entertainment:

August 26: Summer Soundtracks and Bubble-Filled Fun 

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Photo of The Moonsnakes, credit to Sara from Grey Hills Studio.

 

Soak up the final stretch of summer with a fresh lineup of live music from Saskatchewan-born singer-songwriter Craig Aikman and his lively acoustic sounds. Drawing from personal experiences and a decade of performing, recording, and touring across Canada and internationally, Craig’s heartfelt songwriting and laid-back performance style set the tone for a relaxed summer evening in Central Commons Park.

Closing out the night are Calgary’s own The Moonsnakes, blending feel-good summer vibes with infectious pop hooks. Inspired by Canadian artists like Mac DeMarco and The Tragically Hip, the band delivers a nostalgic, yet modern sound great for dancing or relaxing.

Guests can also enjoy Safire’s Bubble Show, where incredible bubble displays, comedy, and audience participation bring out the kid in everyone, followed by an interactive Bubble Playshop for even more hands-on fun.

August 26 Featured Entertainment:

September 23: Paws, Performances and the Perfect Start to Fall 

Celebrate the turning of the season at the final U/D Night Market with an evening full of entertainment, including energetic performances from The Global Pet Foods SuperDogs™. A neighbourhood favourite, guests can gather on the grass and Central Commons Park seating for an up-close experience. Stay after their spins, tricks and jumps for a  special Pat ‘n Chat with their trainers and to meet the four-legged stars.

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The evening will also feature live music from multifaceted Calgary-based musician, comedian, and actress Sonia Deleo, whose soulful sound is showcased through her dynamic vocal range and knack for storytelling.

Closing out the night is The Dust Collectors, an alternative folk band celebrated for their rich blend of country, folk and rock harmonies. Their latest album, Cold Feet, has been praised as both heartfelt and refreshing, delivering songs that linger long after the final note fades.

September 23 Featured Entertainment:

 

Please Note: Should it be necessary to cancel a U/D Night Market event due to extreme weather conditions or any other unforeseen reason, a notice will be posted to our website and social media pages.

To learn more about U/D’s upcoming events, visit: https://myuniversitydistrict.ca/events/

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