The Free University District Night Market Returns for Fifth Season Featuring Live Entertainment and Unique Experiences

The U/D Night Market returns monthly from May through September with an expanded vendor lineup, live performances and new activations.

Returning for its fifth season, University District (U/D) will host the first U/D Night Market of 2026 on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Featuring an expanded lineup of local artisan vendors, the free outdoor market series will once again bring together local shopping, live entertainment and interactive experiences for the whole family to enjoy.

Taking place on May 27, June 24, July 29, August 26 and September 23, the 2026 U/D Night Market series will feature programming, live music, roaming performers and family-friendly entertainment, alongside new activations including lawn games designed to encourage guests to explore and spend more time throughout the market space. With new entertainment featured at every event, each U/D Night Market delivers a one-of-a-kind experience.

What: Shop local artisan vendors while enjoying live entertainment throughout the evening. The first U/D Night Market in the series features an energetic DJ set from Joash Charles, interactive performances from Mad Science – Up, Up and Away, live music from Matt Blais and The Wine Soaked Preachers, plus whimsical roaming entertainment.

Where: Central Commons Park at University District between Borough Bar + Grill and The Banquet. A Google Maps link to this event’s location is here for easy access.

When: Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Entertainment Schedule:

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: DJ Joash Charles

6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Mad Science – Up, Up and Away

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Matt Blais, Male Artist of the Year, 2018 Calgary Music Awards

8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.: The Wine Soaked Preachers, Local Four-Piece Roots band

Who: Spokespeople from University District will be on-site and available for media interviews between 5 and 7 p.m.

For more information on this event, visit myuniversitydistrict.ca/nightmarket/

About University District

To the west of the University of Calgary and overlooking the Bow River and Rocky Mountains, University District is a comprehensive 200-acre community with a bold new vision for urban living in Calgary. Through a collaborative, people-first design process, the Master Plan and extensive engagement program fostered strong relationships between local community members and the University District Trust. The neighbourhood applies leading urban design principles and incorporates the wants and needs of surrounding legacy communities, weaving contemporary aesthetics, technology and lifestyle options into the city’s strong social fabric. Nationally recognized for its leadership in community building, sustainability, and placemaking, University District is the 2022 and 2026 recipient of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) Award for Housing Excellence – Best Growing Community.

For more information about University District, visit its Discovery Centre at 4410 University Ave. N.W., Calgary (located on University Avenue accessible from Shaganappi Trail NW) or go online: myuniversitydistrict.ca and visit Instagram, X, and Facebook, @udistrictyyc_ #UDLife

Media Contacts

Lorna Prediger
Director, Marketing and Communications
University of Calgary Properties Group
lprediger@ucpg.ca
(587) 747-5289

Jacqueline Tran
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
University of Calgary Properties Group
jtran@ucpg.ca
(587) 774-4770

Rachel Redmond
Worthington PR & Story for University District
rredmond@worthingtonpr.com
(403) 305-0503