Take a look around Red Deer, and you’ll see a vibrant arts and culture community catering to all ages. Explore the culture of the city with a stroll along the pedestrian-friendly downtown streets, browse through one of the many art galleries, view one of the largest public collections of life-sized bronze sculptures, and take in a world-class musical performance. It’s all here.
Red Deer’s heritage isn’t a distant memory; it’s a vibrant part of the buildings, parks and art throughout the community. See it, touch it and experience it first hand as you make your way through Red Deer and throughout Central Alberta.
Cultural, Heritage & Arts Tourism Experiences
Downtown Red Deer
Cultural, Heritage & Arts Tourism Experiences
Downtown Red Deer
Downtown Red Deer is a hub for dining, shopping, art and culture. A vibrant entertainment, music and nightlife scene, Ross Street Patio Parties and Red Deer Ghost Statues are all staples of Downtown Red Deer’s art & culture scene.
Red Deer Symphony Orchestra
Cultural, Heritage & Arts Tourism Experiences
Red Deer Symphony Orchestra
Established in 1987, the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra is a community oriented organization that is dedicated to inspiring appreciation for arts and culture in central Alberta through providing high calibre performances and educational experiences. The seven concert Main Series runs from fall to late spring. Memberships and single ticket sales are available.
Learn More > Get Tickets >Red Deer MAG
Cultural, Heritage & Arts Tourism Experiences
Red Deer MAG
The Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (commonly known as the MAG by locals) is a modern museum showcasing local history & art exhibitions, with family events.
Art & Culture
Nationally recognized quality symphonic music has been at the core of a vibrant arts and culture scene in Central Alberta thanks to the talents and efforts of the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra (RDSO). Regular performances team the professional orchestra with featured guest performers and choirs for a thrilling and diverse season of professional concert music.
Celebrating culture through a local lens, the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery, locally known as the MAG, is a testament to community focus. The MAG’s permanent exhibition, “Remarkable Red Deer: Stories from the Heart of the Parkland” showcases a diverse mix of multimedia installations celebrating the history of the region and its people. They also have a program of rotating exhibits throughout the year, so there’s always something new to discover.
The First Friday of every month is a chance to see local art, enjoy live music and refreshments at a number of downtown galleries.
One of the main goals of the Red Deer Arts Council is to promote and market the arts in the community. They’ve designed an excellent directory resource for anyone interested in learning more about the arts in the community and connecting with the various local artists and arts organizations.
Heritage
Downtown has many heritage buildings & art and is a great starting place to learn about Red Deer’s history, but it’s only the beginning. Cronquist House, Sunnybrook Farm & Museum and Historic Fort Normandeau are all great additions to your journey. Learn about the people and explore the places that have helped shape our community as you enjoy the new heritage walking tours developed by The City of Red Deer.
Discover what life was like for the immigrants who settled this region at Red Deer’s Norwegian Laft Hus Museum or by taking a drive along Red Deer County’s Scandinavian Trail. The history and stories of Danish and Icelandic settlers come alive at sites like the Markerville Creamery museum and Stephansson House, the home of one of Canada’s greatest poets. Red Deer and area has a wealth of historic and cultural sites that are fascinating and fun to explore.
Red Deer
Cultural, Heritage & Arts Attractions
Stephansson House Provincial Historic Site
On skates and skis we run, light spirited mountain children, hurl about snowdrifts on hills and flying-slick ice of a lake in July. –“Seasons in Alberta”, Stephan G. Stephansson Stephan G. Stephansson – Poet of the Rocky Mountains – was born in Iceland in 1853. In 1889, he brought his family to Alberta near what is now the Markerville area. Within the view of the Rockies, he homesteaded with his family, farming by day and writing by night. Stephansson’s prolific literary output has h
On Twp Road 371, west of Range Road 22
4037283929
View Website
Danish Canadian Museum and Saga Cafe
The Danish Canadian Museum is located just south of the hamlet of Dickson, in a building that originally served as a dormitory for students attending high school in Dickson. Explore and experience the stories of Danish immigration to Canada, the Danish immigrant experience, and the contributions Danes have made to Canadian culture from Viking times through to the modern era. And don’t forget to stop in our Saga Cafe to sample authentic Danish Canadian Cuisine!
35544 Range Road 31
4037280019
View Website
Dickson Store Museum
Welcome to the Dickson Store Museum “Where The Past Comes To Life” Originally opened as a general store 1909 and restored in 1991 The Dickson Store Museum is a unique destination for any trip to Central Alberta. Dickson Store supplied many necessities to the surrounding area for decades, everything from candy, dry goods, and hardware to livestock and a postal service. It was an integral business for the community that settled here and today is an important reminder of Alberta’s pio
Box 146
403-728-3355
View Website
Bowden Pioneer Museum
The Bowden Pioneer Museum opens for the season the last Saturday in May. The Museum is open 11:00 am to 4:00 pm every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during June, July and August. Admission is By Donation, under six free. Free Entrance for Museum Members. Displays include photographs and artifacts from the Bob Hoare Photography Studio, Bowden Hardware Store, Irene Wood Avon Collection, a recreated school room from Bowden’s old Schoolhouse, the Creamery, Railway, Military Memorial and more. Th
2201 19 Avenue
4032242122
View Website
Red Deer Museum & Art Gallery
Make the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (MAG) your next stop when exploring Red Deer! Whether you create your own masterpiece through one of our art programs, take in a world class touring exhibit, or learn how truly remarkable Red Deer is through our history exhibit, we are not only telling our story, we want to help you write yours! Visit our website for what’s on with public programs, exhibits and events.
4525 47A Ave
5877974040
View Website
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site
Located in Rocky Mountain House. Nine Aboriginal Cultures, Five Forts, Two Companies…One Great Site! Rocky Mountain House…the forts are gone but the name remains. This is a story of trade, exploration and competition, but above all it is a story of people! Hike interpretive trails, take photos of the bison herd or try on period costumes in the exhibit gallery. Learn to make bannock or dream catchers; or play traditional games and picnic near the play fort. Bring the school to experience age
Site 127 Comp 6, RR4
4038452412
View Website
Sunnybrook Farm Museum
Sunnybrook Farm is a place where people experience and learn about the evolution of rural life in Central Alberta at our 10-acre site. Visit us for either a guided or self guided tour that promotes learning about rural life in Central Alberta, circa 1880 – 1950, through historical stories and a living farm community. Mission Statement: A place where people can experience and learn about the evolution of rural life in Alberta.
2879 Botterill Crescent
4033403511
View Website
Double Tree Village Museum
You can experience the way the west country was opened up for us to enjoy now. We have wagon and sleigh rides pulled by our beautiful team of Belgian Draft horses and mini horses to enjoy. They are quite precious and love children. Our Village hosts the Annual Draft Horse and Pioneer Field Days on the first weekend of June. The Draft horses will be working the field with a variety of farm equipment during both days and wagon rides will be provided for you to go to the field. In the village there
36304 RR# 41 Box 86
4037283875
View Website
Alberta Sports Hall of Fame
Your Heroes. Heroes abound. At the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, it won’t take you too long to find your heroes. In fact, they are around every corner. From Alberta greats to the pioneers of the game, our facility shares and protects the province’s rich sporting heritage. Come enjoy our family-friendly, interactive experience. You will be surprised by what you discover inside! Have fun, laugh, play, and discover Alberta sports heroes together. The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is an interactive
102 4200 HWY 2
4033418614
View Website
Historic Markerville
Markerville was established in 1888 by Icelandic pioneers. Markerville Creamery opened in 1902 bringing prosperity to the tiny hamlet. Upon its closure in 1972, the business sector struggled & soon businesses closed. Today, the Markerville Creamery Museum offers guided tours of the commercial butter production set in 1932. Learn the secrets of how cream went from the cow to your table. How bats played a big role in the Creamery & why small, rural creameries closed. Experience culture &am
114 Creamery Way
4037283006
View Website
Norwegian Laft Hus
The Laft Hus is a centre for preservation, interpretation and study of material relating to life and culture of Norwegian Canadians. As such it instills in Canadians of all ethnic backgrounds an awesome awareness of the great diversity in their cultural heritage and enables Norwegian-Canadians to see, understand, and appreciate their place in the mosaic of Canadian Culture The log house with its sod roof is a handcrafted replica of a 17th century farmhouse from the Numedal District in Norway. Lo
Heritage Square 4402 - 47 Avenue
4033472055
View Website
Lacombe Museums
The Lacombe & District Historical Society (#6288), formerly known as Maski-pitoon Historical Society, was incorporated May 5, 1971. Before officially becoming a Society, the organization met to discuss the purchase of the Grace Methodist parsonage, the birthplace of Governor General Daniel Roland Michener. The purchase of the site occurred in 1972 and the restoration work took 13 years, with the museum officially being opened by Roland Michener himself in May 1984. This heritage site has exp
5036 51 Street (Alberta Street)
4037823933
View Website
Historic Fort Normandeau
Brand new exhibits and a reconstruction of the original Fort at Red Deer Crossing sets the stage to bring the early history of Red Deer to life. Join us for programs, exhibits and seasonal special events. A heritage garden, poultry yard and teepees are set up for public enjoyment. Located west of Red Deer on the banks of the Red Deer River, Fort Normandeau sits at the site of the original Red Deer Crossing community. Red Deer began on and around this site in the 1870s. Before the railroad came
28054 Range Road 382
4033477550
View Website
Historic Markerville
Markerville was established in 1888 by Icelandic pioneers. Markerville Creamery opened in 1902 bringing prosperity to the tiny hamlet. Upon its closure in 1972, the business sector struggled & soon businesses closed. Today, the Markerville Creamery Museum offers guided tours of the commercial butter production set in 1932. Learn the secrets of how cream went from the cow to your table. How bats played a big role in the Creamery & why small, rural creameries closed. Experience culture &am
114 Creamery Way
4037283006
View Website
Norwegian Laft Hus
The Laft Hus is a centre for preservation, interpretation and study of material relating to life and culture of Norwegian Canadians. As such it instills in Canadians of all ethnic backgrounds an awesome awareness of the great diversity in their cultural heritage and enables Norwegian-Canadians to see, understand, and appreciate their place in the mosaic of Canadian Culture The log house with its sod roof is a handcrafted replica of a 17th century farmhouse from the Numedal District in Norway. Lo
Heritage Square 4402 - 47 Avenue
4033472055
View Website
Sunnybrook Farm Museum
Sunnybrook Farm is a place where people experience and learn about the evolution of rural life in Central Alberta at our 10-acre site. Visit us for either a guided or self guided tour that promotes learning about rural life in Central Alberta, circa 1880 – 1950, through historical stories and a living farm community. Mission Statement: A place where people can experience and learn about the evolution of rural life in Alberta.
2879 Botterill Crescent
4033403511
View Website
Red Deer Arts Council
The Red Deer Arts Council works with local arts organizations, visual, literary and performing artists as well as many community participants to bring arts and culture in our City to the forefront of people’s minds. Red Deer Arts Council does programs for local schools, workshops for artists’ skills development, have a scholarship and awards program, newsletters that share our members profile to the broader community, address advocacy issues as they arise, support local organization
4818 50 Avenue, Suite 110
4033482787
View Website
Viewpoint Gallery
The Viewpoint Gallery, located in the Culture Services Centre, gives a collective of local, established, and professional artists the opportunity to utilize a regular exhibition space.
3827 39 Street
View Website
Kiwanis Gallery
Red Deer Arts Council operates the Kiwanis Gallery at the Red Deer Public Library as a partnership. The Gallery is open the same hours as the Library except for the evening of the First Friday of the month when the arts council hosts an opening for the exhibition presented there. The space is in the lower level of the Library and is adjacent to the Snell Auditorium which is where the openings are held. We also showcase local performers and writers at alternate First Friday openings. The Kiwanis
4818 49 Street
4033482787
View Website
Red Deer Museum & Art Gallery
Make the Red Deer Museum + Art Gallery (MAG) your next stop when exploring Red Deer! Whether you create your own masterpiece through one of our art programs, take in a world class touring exhibit, or learn how truly remarkable Red Deer is through our history exhibit, we are not only telling our story, we want to help you write yours! Visit our website for what’s on with public programs, exhibits and events.
4525 47A Ave
5877974040
View Website
Red Deer Players
Red Deer Players is pleased to bring you Breaking Cover – a new, exciting, and interactive experience. Breaking Cover is a series of play readings featuring works in progress by Alberta playwrights. Works presented will be scripts that are close to performance ready, where playwrights would benefit from a rehearsed reading with audience feedback. Playwright, director and actors will meet in advance to discuss the work and prepare for the reading. Readings will occur on Sunday afternoons;
4818 49 Street
View Website
Bull Skit Comedy
Bull Skit Comedy is Red Deer’s only comedy improv troupe, delivering hilarious, brand new high energy sketches each and every month. Bull Skit has been providing improvisational theatre to Red Deer and the Central Alberta area for 10 years! Enjoy a multitude of shows from the main stage show called Bull Skit, to the fully improvised shows Bull Prov, Calf Skit, Get White trashed, Christmas Carol, and many more! Doors at 7:00 PM, show at 8:00 PM. For more information about shows, workshops, ple
4816 50 Ave
View Website
CAFF Central Alberta Film Festival
CAFF (Central Alberta Film Festival) is a not-for-profit organization based out of Red Deer, AB. This prime cultural project supports, promotes & celebrates the art of Canadian cinema.
#3 7476 49th Avenue
4033472627
View Website
Red Deer Symphony Orchestra
Established in 1987, the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra is a community oriented organization that is dedicated to inspiring appreciation for arts and culture in central Alberta through providing high calibre performances and educational experiences. The seven concert Main Series runs fall – late spring; memberships and single ticket sales are available. Music education experiences offered include Choir Kids, Open Dress Rehearsal and Music Plus; dates, times and ways to participate in education pr
3827 39 Street
4033402948
View Website
Central Alberta Theatre
Central Alberta Theatre (CAT) is one of the longest running community theatre groups in Canada! Each season, CAT brings you delightfully entertaining dinner theatre at the Black Knight Inn located at 2929 50 Ave, as well as staging performances at the Nickle Studio in the Red Deer Memorial Centre.
4214 58 St
4033478111
View Website
Ignition Theatre
Red Deer’s Ignition Theatre is a semi-professional theatre company dedicated to producing dynamic, provocative and ultimately rewarding live theatre experiences for the Central Alberta region. Ignition Theatre prides itself on the promotion of emerging talent from across the province in addition to giving a voice to original work. Performances take place in the Nickle Studio, third floor of the Red Deer Memorial Centre. Visit the website for upcoming performances and ticket sales.
4214 58 St
View Website
Travel Inspiration
Local Cultural, Heritage & Arts Stories To Spur Your Adventure
Art is Life in Red Deer
When she began her clothing and textiles degree at the University of Alberta, Darcy Gusse Edinga thought she would be a fashion designer. However, somewhere along the way she ended up being an artist instead. Painting on silk has provided Darcy with an artistic outlet and an unplanned career. Her Red Deer based company, Silk Concepts, has been in business for more than 25 years. "Through my art, my goal is to enrich peoples lives and encourage them to become more aware of the beauty in their
Celebrate History and Culture
Red Deer began as a river crossing. Before the railway connected Edmonton and Calgary, Red Deer River Crossing was the gateway between Northern and Southern Alberta. From time immemorial, First Nations and later Metis People followed the wildlife over the ford at Red Deer Crossing. In 1884, a stopping house was built next to the river crossing and in 1885 during the Riel Rebellion the structure was fortified by the 65th Mount Royal Rifles under the command of Lt. J.E.Bedard Normandeau. You can s
Are We There Yet?
For many Canadians, road tripping is the ultimate holiday and Red Deer region has a lot to offer to those who want to get behind the wheel and explore. We admit it. Red Deer’s Gasoline Alley is a great stop for road trippers. But if that’s all visitors see of this vibrant part of Alberta, they are really missing out. Those who venture into Alberta’s third largest city discover a municipality surrounded by green spaces and wonderful attractions, festivals and fairs... and did we mention