Downtown Calgary's Historic Firehall No. 1 Courtyard is getting a new lease on life this fall and winter with nine free weekend events running from September 27 to December 13. The heritage site at 144 6 Ave SE will host everything from live music and art workshops to DJ sessions and a winter market, kicking things off during Calgary Culture Days with "Hello Harvest"—an afternoon of acoustic tunes and a family art activity called the Gratitude Grove.

The lineup offers something different each month, from October's pumpkin painting and sun printmaking to November's storytelling sessions highlighting Indigenous and newcomer traditions, complete with tea blending and seed pouch making. A youth DJ pop-up in mid-November brings dance vibes, while a cozy winter market rounds out the month with handmade goods and ornament decorating. December closes out the series with global craft traditions and a winter bash featuring cookie decorating and games.

These events aren't just about filling the courtyard for a few months—they're a test run for something bigger. cSPACE Projects is exploring plans to transform Historic Firehall No. 1 and the neighbouring North West Travellers Building into a permanent arts hub where artists, cultural organizations, and the community can gather year-round. Partnering with The City of Calgary, they're proving that vacant heritage spaces can become vibrant community destinations.