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Bravo! Your Guide to Family-Friendly Theatre (& More!) in Calgary

Family-friendly Theatre Guide (Family Fun Calgary)

Live theatre is a treat for all ages and your kids don’t need to grow up before they can start attending! Calgary has a wealth of options for a wonderful family night out. Some are relatively inexpensive and tickets to a special event like these make a wonderful gift. From local theatre to travelling Broadway productions and ballet to live symphony, keep reading to find something for your family, from tots to teens.

Alberta Ballet

Alberta Ballet is Canada’s second-largest ballet company, beloved for its delightful, classical repertoire and engaging, contemporary works. Alberta Ballet is renowned for family classics, such as the annual Christmas special, The Nutcracker. They also demonstrate their ingenuity and cultural connection by making ballet relevant to Albertans with such creations as Balletlujah! – a tribute to k.d. lang, and All of Us – The Tragically Hip Ballet. Whether you love the classics, with tutus and tiaras, or prefer your dancing a little edgier and more modern, Alberta Ballet will likely have something for you. The Alberta Ballet runs a full repertoire of shows each season and often has family-friendly options.

Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Address: 1415 14 Ave NW, Calgary AB
Website: www.albertaballet.com


Alberta Theatre Projects

Alberta Theatre Projects is a not-for-profit, professional theatre company that plays in the Martha Cohen Theatre. They produce a wide range of high-quality plays, often focusing on Canadian playwriting, some of which are designed for children. They often produce a Family Holiday Show, although not for the 2023-24 season.

Where: Martha Cohen Theatre
Address: 220 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Website: www.atplive.com


Bert Church Theatre – Airdrie

Bert Church Live Theatre is a fully equipped, live performing arts facility, only a short drive from Calgary. The facility seats 377 people and offers audiences an intimate opportunity to experience world-renowned performers. The charm of a small city venue that provides an up-close and personal experience, plus free parking, is definitely worth the drive.

Where: The Bert Church Live Theatre
Address: 1000 E Lake Blvd SE, Airdrie, AB
Phone: 403-948-8824
Website: www.thebertchurchtheatre.com


Broadway Across Canada

Broadway Across Canada is a theatre company that brings the best of Broadway to our city. Every year they come to Calgary with a variety of the hottest shows on the Broadway scene. While many of these shows are designed for an adult audience, there are usually some shows every year to delight the children in your family.

Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Address: 1415 14th Avenue NW, Calgary AB
Websitewww.calgary.broadway.com


Calgary Opera

Founded in 1972, Calgary Opera’s Mission is to be the best at connecting people, through the magic of opera, to themselves, to each other, and to the community.

For 44 years, Calgary Opera has made a name for itself as a company that is committed to the development of Canadian talent and the development of new opera works, as well as bringing opera to all ages in the community on a broader scale. They bring opera to younger audiences through school tours in Calgary and northern/southern Alberta. As well, the company’s For Students Only Dress Rehearsals provides thousands of students with hugely discounted tickets not otherwise available.

Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Address: 1415 14th Ave NW, Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-262-7286
Website: www.calgaryopera.com


Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has been bringing live music to Calgary audiences since 1955 when the Alberta Philharmonic and the Calgary Symphony merged together. Lauded for their expert versatility, they perform a wide range of music for all ages. They offer educational opportunities, and their home is the Jack Singer Hall in the Arts Commons in downtown Calgary.

At various points throughout the year, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra presents Symphony Sundays, a symphony experience specially designed for children. But there are other concerts that children may enjoy, especially older kids.

Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall (Unless otherwise indicated.)
Address: 205 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-571-0849
Website: www.calgaryphil.com


Calgary Young People’s Theatre

Calgary Young People’s Theatre was created with the desire to inspire and develop young people in the arts by offering a safe, creative space. Through their classes, camps, workshops, and production opportunities, youth ages 9 – 17 can explore the creative arts and develop their potential. They are given a chance to audition for productions and also learn other theatrical skills.

Where: West Village Theatre
Address: 2007 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Website: www.cypt.ca


Fire Exit Theatre

Fire Exit Theatre is a non-profit, semi-professional theatre company that strives to artistically explore the world through the lens of faith. They tell stories of transformation and redemption, with a mandate of “hope-challenge-change.”

Phone: 403-640-4617
Website: www.fireexit.ca


Jubilations Dinner Theatre Junior

Jubilations Dinner Theatre is now offering a Junior Series. With dinner and a show suited for kids, it’s perfect for a great family night out. With fun shows and funny parodies, the whole family will enjoy the Junior Series. Or, check out some of the regular Jubilations Dinner Theatre shows for older kids or date nights.

Where: Jubilations Dinner Theatre
Address: 1002 37th St SW, Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-249-7799
Website: www.calgary.jubilations.ca


Loose Moose Theatre Company

The Loose Moose Theatre Company makes going to the theatre an experience that is truly magical for children 4 – 10 years old, as well as fun and entertaining for parents. Loose Moose has gained an international reputation for innovation and excellence in improvisational theatre. They also train actors who are interested in an improvisational career. Plan an affordable family night out that everyone can enjoy!

Where: 2nd Floor of the Crossroads Market – South West Entrance
Address: 1235 – 26th Ave. S.E., Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-265-5682
Email: mail@loosemoose.com
Website: www.loosemoose.com


Lunchbox Theatre

Lunchbox Theatre, in Calgary’s downtown, presents an enriching and engaging theatre experience with an emphasis on accessibility for audiences and artists. They create and produce one-act plays primarily at noon and are suitable for families with teenagers.

Where: Lunchbox Theatre
Address: Studio at Vertigo Theatre: #161, 115 – 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-221-3708
Website: www.lunchboxtheatre.com


The Painted Fish Theatre Company

The Painted Fish Theatre Company presents plays and musicals that are family-friendly and offer messages of encouragement and hope. The Painted Fish Performing Arts Society is run completely by volunteers and they encourage families to participate. They generally present one show a year.

Website: www.paintedfish.ca


Pumphouse Theatre

Pumphouse Theatre was started in the early 1970s to help fill a theatre void in Calgary at that time and to provide Calgarians with an affordable place to enjoy creative arts. Beyond theatre productions, they also provide a drama education program. You’ll find different theatre companies on their stage, such as shows from companies like Morpheus Theatre.

Where: Pumphouse Theatre
Address: 2140 Pumphouse Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Website: www.pumphousetheatre.ca


Rosebud Theatre

The tiny town of Rosebud, a little over an hour from Calgary, boasts a thriving theatre that has become a favourite of many Calgarians. Among other entertainment, Rosebud Dinner Theatre offers professional theatre productions that will engage and entertain you, plus a delicious meal.

Where: Rosebud Theatre
Address: 106 Martin Avenue, Rosebud, AB
Website: www.rosebudtheatre.com


Stage West for Kids

Join Stage West for the children’s version of dinner theatre. Dining out and kids don’t always go together like fries and gravy but throw in some singing, dancing and musical theatre you’ll find your whole family will have fun. For starters, Stage West displays an incredible “kids buffet” complete with all the favourites … hot dogs, pizza, Jell-O, ice cream and much more. The buffet is then followed by a live child-oriented performance with plenty of humour for parents as well.

If you have older kids, you might prefer the regular shows at Stage West Dinner Theatre (updated for the 2023-24 season).

Where: Stage West Theatre
Address: 727 42 Ave SE, Calgary, AB
Websitestagewestcalgary.com/stage-west-for-kids


Storybook Theatre

StoryBook Theatre is the largest volunteer-driven Theatre for Young Audiences in Canada. They delight children of all ages with their charming performances. Every season they bring together incredible talent, both on and off the stage, to present theatre productions that are suitable for the whole family. Stories brought to life can entertain, inspire, and connect us, as children explore different perspectives and dream about who they are.

Where: Beddington Heights Theatre
Address: 375 Bermuda Drive NW, Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-216-0808
Websitewww.storybooktheatre.org


Theatre Calgary

Theatre Calgary is a premier theatre company in Calgary, performing numerous shows every season. Primarily an adult theatre, there are some shows, such as A Christmas Carol, and anything that is advertised specifically as ‘for the whole family,’ that kids would enjoy. You would be the best judge of whether your child is interested and able to enjoy the production, but the sales staff are happy to advise you if you desire. Theatre Calgary also produces Shakespeare by the Bow, an outdoor theatre festival starring emerging artists.

Where: Max Bell Theatre at Arts Commons
Address: 205 8 Avenue SE, Calgary AB
Websitewww.theatrecalgary.com


Vertigo Theatre

Vertigo Theatre offers theatre productions for adults, which, of course, may also be enjoyed by older kids. Vertigo Theatre is located at the base of the Calgary Tower, and is home to the BD&P Mystery Theatre Series, which began with Agatha Christie’s classic, The Mousetrap, and plays such classics as Sherlock Holmes.

Where: Vertigo Theatre Studio
Address: 115 – 9 Avenue SE, Calgary AB
Websitewww.vertigotheatre.com

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