If you're heading to Southcentre Mall on March 29, you might want to budget some extra time. Calgary arts organization Honens is setting up a Steinway & Sons concert grand piano in Centre Court for a full afternoon of free performances in honour of World Piano Day — no ticket required, no concert hall dress code, just live music in the middle of your Saturday errands.

The lineup runs from mid-morning into the evening, mixing professional artists with piano students from the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University. The highlight is a 2:00 p.m. performance by Illia Ovcharenko, the 2022 Honens Prize Laureate, with family-friendly programming earlier in the day courtesy of Calgary songwriter Kenna Burima.

The event also marks the launch of Piano Project YYC 2026, a new Honens initiative that will bring free piano concerts to high-traffic community spaces across Calgary throughout the year — part of the organization's ongoing effort to make exceptional live music accessible to everyone.

World Piano Day falls on the 88th day of the year each year, a nod to the 88 keys of the piano. Honens has marked the occasion with public performances since 2024.