September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the newest federal Statutory holiday.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day to reflect on the impacts of residential schools, honour survivors of residential schools, their families, their communities and all of those who never made it home, and learn more about the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples.
Though Alberta does not recognize it as a provincial holiday, the city of Calgary has declared September 30 a holiday for all City employees.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is also a holiday for the Calgary public and Catholic school boards.
Here are some things to do in Calgary to honour National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:
Pokaiks – The Children Commemorative Walk & Gathering
Join the Pokaiks Reconciliation Society for its annual Pokaiks ‘The Children’ Commemorative Walk & Gathering honouring Indigenous children past, present and future on National Day of Truth & Reconciliation. Details
Wednesday, September 30th 2026 | 11 AM – 5:30 PM
Peace Bridge (Eau Claire Park side) to Contemporary Calgary. , 701 11 St SW, Calgary
Free
Orange Shirt Day at The Confluence
As part of our ongoing mission of reconciliation and decolonization, The Confluence will be offering a variety of free programming all day, including free admission to exhibits in the cultural centre, programming in tipis on the land, educational walking tours and more.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland, 750 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
Free
Free Admission Studio Bell
Visit Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, and explore five floors of music exhibitions and interactive activities, including the evolving Speak Up! exhibition on Level 3.
Curated by David McLeod and NMC’s National Indigenous Programming Advisory Committee, the award-winning exhibition showcases Indigenous artists who have made a social impact on music in Canada, while motivating a new generation to take action and offering a better understanding of where they come from.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 10 AM to 5 PM
Studio Bell, 850 4 Street SE, Calgary
Free
City of Calgary
Join us to commemorate Indian residential school victims, honour survivors and their families, and commit to acting on reconciliation. Remembering the Children. The program features keynote speakers, remarks from the Mayor, a moment of silence, and cultural performances that highlight Indigenous traditions and youth voices, culminating in a round dance. Together, we will reflect on the legacy of residential schools and reaffirm our commitment to truth, reconciliation and shared understanding.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 9 – 10:30 a.m.
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, 750 9 Ave. S.E., Calgary
Free
Werklund Centre National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
This year, in commemoration of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Elders of the Elders Story Project (ESP) are moving from Truth towards Reconciliation, featuring ceremonies and a free Indigenous Makers Market and Powwow Showcase. Join us on September 30th for a celebration of tradition, artistry, and ceremony. Details
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 11 AM to 9 PM
Jack Singer Concert Hall, 225 8 Ave SE, Calgary
Free
Truth and Reconciliation – Together as One
Through song, dance, drumming, food, art and community, we come together to honour residential school Survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and recognize the generations of Indigenous families and communities who continue to be affected by the residential school system. The pow wow will feature Indigenous dancers and drum groups, Indigenous vendors, food, and opportunities for visitors to gather, learn and reflect. Details
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Heritage Park, Calgary
$8.95 to $14.95
ANNUAL ORANGE SHIRT DAY RUN/WALK
Join Indigenous Runners Alliance on The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This will be a combination of pavement and gravel run overlooking the Glenmore Resevoir and Weaslehead Flats starting at North Glenmore Park and includes three distances of 5 & 10 km and an Elder/Kids 2.15 km.
September 30 | 10 AM
North Glenmore Park, Crowchild Trail Southwest, Calgary,
$28.93 & up
Film Screening of “WaaPake”
Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Central Library, Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall
Free
In Conversation with Chief Wilton Littlechild
Join Dr. Michael Hart with Wilton Littlechild, the first Indigenous lawyer from Alberta, former member of Parliament, former Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six Nations, and residential school survivor. Remarks by Dr. Ed McCauley, Paul Lane, and Elder Reg Crowshoe. Event takes place at Rosza Centre, University of Calgary. Details
Wednesday, Sept. 30 | 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, UCalgary, Calgary
Free
For all other events taking place this weekend, see Things to Do This Weekend in Calgary
Every Child Matters Flag Raising
Join us as we raise the Every Child Matters flag to honour residential school survivors and the ones who did not return home. Details
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026| 8:15 a.m.
Rozsa Centre flagpoles, Calgary
Free
You might like:
- Must Visit Indigenous Culture and Heritage in Alberta
APTN National Day for Truth & Reconciliation
In honour of the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), APTN, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) and the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation will join forces to produce a 90-minute multilingual commemoration. The gathering will be broadcast live across the country from Parliament Hill, on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation.
September 30 | Various Hours
APTN Lumi or by watching APTN on your local TV network.
Free
Calgary Area Indigenous-Owned Businesses to Support
Calgary Public Library
Read or get resources from Calgary Public Library in-person or online. — Details
Learn More:
- White Goose Flying Report
- Indigenous peoples and cultures
- Indigenous languages
- Indigenous history
- Residential Schools Recommended Reading for Adults & Teens
- Residential Schools Recommended Reading for Children
Wear Orange
September 30th is also Orange Shirt Day, which is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day that honours the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and remembers those who did not.
This day relates to the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwpemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, on her first day of school, where she arrived dressed in a new orange shirt, which was taken from her. It is now a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. Details
Exhibitions & Movies
Visit Art Galleries to learn more about indigenous peoples’ way of life, art, and culture.
Learn more about Indigenous history and the history and legacy of residential schools through movies for free on the National Film Board of Canada website.
nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up (52 minutes), Tasha Hubbard, provided by the National Film Board of Canada
Explore Calgary with IndigiTRAILS
IndigiTRAILS is a free app available on Apple and Android devices. The app uses GPS or location services to allow audiences to participate in digital art galleries and other future activities within Calgary. Details
What is Open-Closed
(This will be updated following the City of Calgary media release.)
September 30th is a federal statutory holiday. All federally regulated companies and Crown-owned corporations like Service Canada, banks, Canada Post etc.: Closed
- City of Calgary offices: Closed
- Malls, grocery stores: Open
Schools & Universities:
- Closed.
City of Calgary Tourist Attractions:
Most tourist attractions are open unless closed due to seasonal closure (closed for fall/winter season like Heritage Park).
Telus Spark – Closed.
You may like: Thanksgiving: Restaurants in Calgary Offering Dine-In, Turkey to Go, and Dinner Takeout
Libraries:
- Select locations – open – Locations
Leisure/Recreational Facilities:
- TBA
Landfill:
Parking:
- TBA
Transit:
- TBA