Fun doesn’t have to cost a pretty penny. Finding free things to do around town is easier than you think, and often way more fun than you’d expect.
Whether you’re looking for free events, outdoor adventures, or just something chill to do with friends, there’s plenty happening right around you that won’t cost a thing.
In this blog, we’re sharing the best free things to do in your city, from hidden gem parks to free festivals, art walks, and family-friendly outings.
We’ve even got tips on where to park nearby, so you don’t waste time driving in circles.
Just download the Indigo Neo app, book your spot in seconds, and go enjoy the day. Whether you’re out with friends, family, or on your own, there’s always something free and fun waiting.
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Free Things to do in Toronto
Francophonie en Fête – A Free Celebration of French Culture
If you’ve been looking for free things to do in Toronto, the 20th edition of Francophonie en Fête hits the spot. Held from September 12 to 14 at The Bentway, this festival offers three days of live concerts, vibrant music, and cultural expression, all completely free to attend, with no tickets required. The festival showcases Francophone diversity through a mix of artists, music, and educational programs that bring the joy of French-language culture right into the heart of Toronto, making it a perfect choice for free events or free family activities during the early fall.
WHERE TO PARK:
530 Front Street West
13-minute walk to the venue
This 24/7 underground lot offers 242 parking spaces. EV charging is available on-site.
Smoke‑A‑Palooza – Free Poutine and Live Music
Craving something wild, unique, and totally free? Smoke‑A‑Palooza is your go-to fall fest. On Saturday, September 6, Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square) transforms into a 12-hour poutine party complete with free samples, live 80s tribute bands, daredevil stunts, games, and the epic World Poutine Eating Championship Streets of Toronto. Think of it as a free outdoor activity dream with food, music, entertainment, and poutine galore. It’s a one-of-a-kind event you can do with your friends.
WHERE TO PARK:
55 Gerrard Street West
8-minute walk to the venue
This 24/7 underground garage offers 104 parking spaces for convenient access at any time of day. EV charging is available on-site.
The Word on the Street Festival
If literature is more your style, The Word on the Street’s 36th Annual Festival on September 27–28 at David Pecaut Square is a must. This celebrated literary event is 100% free to attend and invites book lovers, families, and curious minds to enjoy author readings, marketplace booths, writing workshops, and kid-friendly programming, all without spending a dime. If you’re searching for free family events near you, this festival delivers a world of storytelling, creativity, and connection right in the city.
WHERE TO PARK:
200 King Street West
3-minute walk to the venue
This spacious underground garage is open 24/7 and features 247 parking spaces. EV charging is available on-site.
Free Things to do in Montréal
Giant Dodgeball Tournament on Place des Festivals
Mark your calendar for the Giant Dodgeball Tournament at Place des Festivals on September 6. Part of the vibrant Place aux jeux events, this free festival transforms the square into a giant playground with two life‑size dodgeball courts. Teams of up to 25 people face off, and the energy amps up when Montréal artist Ariane Moffatt joins the action to cheer everyone on. It’s the perfect blend of sporty fun, community vibes, and pure free family activity energy, an ideal way to spend a fall afternoon without spending a dime.
WHERE TO PARK:
1251 Rue Jeanne-Mance
3-minute walk to the venue
This underground lot has1042 spaces and is open 24/7. Payment at this location is available on-site only. EV charging is available on-site.
Les Jardins Gamelin – All-Day Free Culture in the Heart of the City
If you’re searching for free outdoor activities near you in Montréal that offer a mix of culture, creativity, and chill, Les Jardins Gamelin is your go-to spot. Each summer, this public space in the Quartier des Spectacles offers a rich lineup of free fun things to do: music, dance, outdoor movie screenings, urban agriculture demos, art workshops, karaoke nights, creative displays, and more, spread across 14 thematic activity series, running daily from noon into the evening. No tickets, no fees just show up, relax, and join in. Families, artists, and festival lovers flock here for authentic and memorable experiences.
WHERE TO PARK:
800 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Est
1-minute walk to the venue
This underground lot is open 24/7, offering 400 spaces. Payment at this location is available on-site only.
TEMPÉO Dance and Music Festival
From September 9 to 13, Montréal’s Esplanade at Place des Arts comes alive with five free dance‑and‑music nights during the TEMPÉO Festival. Each evening brings a different global flavour, from funk and Eastern pop to country, Afro‑pop, and salsa, and invites you to learn new moves through fun, professionally led dance workshops, followed by live music and DJ sets. Whether you’re a rhythm rookie or a salsa pro, these nights are a joyful invitation to move, connect, and enjoy free events that bring the city together in dance.
WHERE TO PARK:
1071 Rue Saint-Urbain
5-minute walk to the venue
This underground lot has 128 spaces and is open from 6am-11pm. EV charging is available on-site.
Free Things to do in Ottawa
Festive Evening at the NAC
If you’re hunting for free events in Ottawa, the Festive Evening at the National Arts Centre (NAC) should be on your radar. On September 8 at 9 PM, head to Club SAW for a warm, music-filled soirée that’s completely free and open to all. Imagine winding down your day with live tunes in a festive setting, perfect for those searching for free things to do or looking to enjoy activities with friends. No tickets, no fuss, just show up and soak in the vibe.
WHERE TO PARK:
3 Daly Avenue
1-minute walk to venue
This underground lot is open 24/7, and offers 250 parking spaces.
Metcalfe Plaza — A Pop-Up Free Social Hub
Over at 151 Metcalfe Street, Metcalfe Plaza has been turned into an open-air event hub offering free activities and cheap fun things during a six-week summer pilot (August 14 to September 20). By day, the plaza acts as a casual co-working space with seating, tables, and power outlets. By night, expect rotating treats like DJ sets, drag performances, Pilates classes, and art markets.
WHERE TO PARK:
193 Metcalfe Street
2-minute walk to venue
This 24/7 underground lot offers 141 parking spaces.
613flea Market
The 613flea market offers a lively escape with zero admission fee. Held monthly (excluding January and December) at Lansdowne Park’s historic Aberdeen Pavilion, this not-for-profit marketplace boasts over 140 vendors offering handmade crafts, vintage finds, records, comics, artisanal treats, and more.
WHERE TO PARK:
1015 Bank Street
1-minute walk to venue
This 24/7 underground lot offers 1100 parking spaces. EV charging is available on-site.
Free Things to do in Vancouver
Vancouver Art Gallery
Every first Friday of the month, the Vancouver Art Gallery opens its doors free of charge between 4 PM and 8 PM, making it one of the best free activities around. You can admire changing exhibitions, from contemporary installations to classic Canadian works, without spending a dime. Art lovers, casual strollers, and culture-seekers alike flock here to soak in creative energy on a budget or with family.
WHERE TO PARK:
865 Hornby Street
2-minute walk to venue
This 24/7 underground garage features 195 parking spaces, offering secure and convenient access at any time. Payment at this location is available on-site only.
Fiesta Mexicana 2025
Craving something festive, cultural, and free? On Sunday, September 14, Fiesta Mexicana takes over Robson Square and the area in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery with a full-on Mexican cultural celebration. Expect mariachi bands, folkloric dancers, lucha libre exhibitions, artisan vendors, street-style eats, and the emotional Ceremonia del Grito to mark Mexican Independence Day, all open to the public with no entry fee.
WHERE TO PARK:
800 Hornby Street
2-minute walk to venue
This underground lot is open from 24/7 and has 330 spaces available.
Pop Up Dances Festival
If you’re seeking unique free events that blend performance art and urban surprise, the Pop Up Dances Festival is it. From September 19–21, dance unfolds in out-of-the-way places, think staircases, alleys, garages, and even cranes, at the Vancouver Public Library and Granville Island, and it’s all free. Kicking off with a noon-hour performance and artist talk at the VPL Central Library on Friday, the rest of the weekend invites audiences to join a guided walking tour across Granville Island to experience five site‑specific performances by celebrated artists.
WHERE TO PARK:
235 Robson Street
3-minute walk to the venue
This gated underground garage offers 24 spaces and is open 6am-12am. EV charging is available on-site.
Free Things to do in Calgary
Inglewood Night Market
If you’re searching for free things to do in your city that blend casual shopping, local flavour, and music, the Inglewood Night Market is a standout. Held once a month throughout the summer— July 11, August 8, September 5, and September 12—it takes over 10 Avenue and 10 Street SE in the heart of Inglewood, just steps from The Nash Restaurant and Cold Garden Brewery. The market runs from 5 PM to 10 PM and welcomes everyone with free admission. Live music sets the tone, it’s pet-friendly, and kids are welcome, making it one of the best free events Calgary has to offer.
WHERE TO PARK:
1201 10 Avenue Southeast
2-minute walk to venue
This 24/7 surface lot offers 15 parking spaces for easy and convenient access at any time.
Night Light – A Free Glow‑Art Festival
Night Light transforms Victoria Park into a luminous wonderland over three evenings: September 25–27, 2025. This free, family‑friendly light art festival layers the neighborhood with interactive installations, projection‑mapped architecture, and live performances. Stretching across five blocks, it’s a dazzling cultural experience that invites exploration and surprises at every turn. Kids, friends, and art lovers alike will find themselves caught up in the glow of one of Calgary’s most imaginative fun free activities.
WHERE TO PARK:
1150 3 Street Southeast
1-minute walk to the venue
This 24/7 underground lot offers 150 parking spaces for easy and convenient access at any time.
Movie Weekend – Outdoor Film Fun in the Park
Movie night without tickets? Yes, please. On Friday, September 12, 2025, Royal Sunalta Park hosts Movie in the Park, where the community gathers under the sunset to watch The Wild Robot. Bring a blanket or chair, arrive early to grab mini-donuts from friendly vendors, and enjoy a cozy, free family event that brings the big screen outdoors.
WHERE TO PARK:
1608 17 Avenue Southwest
7-minute walk to the venue
This 24/7 surface lot offers 25 parking spaces for convenient, around-the-clock access.
Free Things to do in Edmonton
Culture Days at the Royal Alberta Museum
Every year during Alberta Culture Days weekend—September 27 and 28, 2025—the Royal Alberta Museum welcomes visitors with free admission, no tickets needed, although pre-booking is welcome if you want to secure entry ahead of time. It’s the perfect opportunity to wander through expansive galleries filled with natural and human history, marvel at the Bug Gallery featuring live insects, and let the kids loose in the interactive Children’s Gallery, making it one of the best free things to do in your city, especially for families and culture lovers.
WHERE TO PARK:
10020 102A Avenue Northwest
9-minute walk to venue
This 24/7 surface lot offers 958 parking spaces for easy and convenient access at any time. EV charging is available.
Salsa in the Square
Looking for things to do with your friends for free? Head over to Churchill Square in early fall for Salsa in the Square. Every Tuesday evening in September from September 2 to 30, 2025 dive into Latin dance lessons starting with Merengue and ending with Salsa and Mambo topped with a live band. Lessons begin at 6 PM, followed by social dancing, and it’s all open-air and free. It’s a joyful, community vibe perfect for solo dancers, couples, or anyone in search of free outdoor activities.
WHERE TO PARK:
10025 102A Avenue Northwest
1-minute walk to the venue
This 24/7 underground lot offers 197 parking spaces. Payment is available on-site and EV charging is available.
Stargaze at the U of A Observatory
Ever wanted to look at the stars through a real telescope, without spending a cent? The University of Alberta Department of Physics Astronomical Observatory opens its doors to the public for free stargazing on Thursdays. During solar observing sessions, you can drop in to view the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars with guidance from volunteer astronomers. Even outside solar sessions, they welcome drop-in visits during scheduled public hours, no experience required.
WHERE TO PARK:
11141 84 Avenue Northwest
10-minute walk to the venue
This Underground lot is open from 6am-9pm and offers 52 parking spaces.
Conclusion
There are so many free things to do in your city, you just need to know where to look. From night markets in Calgary to dance festivals in Montréal, and art nights in Vancouver, fun doesn’t have to cost a thing.
Whether you’re planning a day out with friends or looking for free family activities near you, these events prove that the best moments are often free.
Before you go, download the Indigo Neo app to book parking. That way, you can skip the stress and get straight to the fun.
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