Bring the whole family to Art in Motion!

🕛 12–5 PM | 📍 First Street Downtown

Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon the kids will love! Start your adventure at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, then stroll down First Street to explore a world of creativity. Watch artists in action, make your own masterpieces at hands-on stations, and browse unique finds at the Open Air Art Market.

Enjoy live music, dance and cultural performances, and join in playful activities led by local community groups. With something for every age, Art in Motion is the perfect way to celebrate art, movement, and family fun right in the heart of downtown!‍

Watch this video clip to see what makes Art in Motion one of Medicine Hat's favourite community celebrations.

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Plan Your Day at Art in Motion 2026

Use our interactive map to see where all your favourite activities will be located this year. Activities span the length of First Street from the Esplanade to City Hall. But don't let your day end on First Street! Explore our local downtown businesses while you're here.

Click here to open the interactive map in a new window.

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Festival Highlights

There's something to discover around every corner at Art in Motion! Explore interactive art activities, watch artists create live, enjoy performances throughout the day, visit local organizations, browse the Open Air Art Market, and grab a bite from a variety of food trucks.

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Art in Motion x Culture Days

Celebrating creativity, culture, and community together!

Culture Days is joining Art in Motion, bringing even more opportunities to create, connect, and experience local arts and culture!  

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Location: Courtyard behind Courthouse

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Cultural Performances

• 12:00–1:00 PM - Ray of Sun Drum Circles – Community Circle
• 2:00–2:30 PM - Mi Gente YXH Association Dancers – Bachata Dance
• 2:30–3:00 PM - African Canadian Society of Medicine Hat – Traditional Drumming
• 3:45–4:00 PM - Medicine Hat and Redcliff Thai Community – The Grace of Siam Traditional Thai Dance
• 4:00–4:30 PM - Mexican Folklor Ballet: La Escuelita
• 4:30–5:00 PM - Sunworks Arts and Cultural Dance – Métis Jig Activation

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Barefoot Soccer

Barefoot Soccer hosted by the Connection Intercultural Association as a lead-up to the 4th annual Medicine Hat Cultural Days Soccer Tournament on September 13 at Big Marble Go Centre.

Teams include Guatemala, Thailand, Mexico and Canada.

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Inside the Esplanade

• Thai Fruit Carving Demonstrations
• African Hair Tying Demonstrations

Learn more about Culture Days 2026: ‍Culture Days 2026 — Pop Up Parks

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Hands-On Art Activities

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Hosted by the Esplanade, these free creative experiences invite visitors of all ages to get inspired and make something memorable.

• Window Painting (Paint-by-Numbers & Freestyle)
• Giant Pendulum Painting
• Mystery Button Factory
• Selfie Doodle Station
• Watercolour Painting & Tree Gallery
• Giant Building Blocks
• Community Rock Garden
• Hearts in Motion‍

Live Art

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‍Medicine Hat Mural Fest

Watch five talented artists create live postcard murals throughout the afternoon along First Street.

Featured Artist: Teanna Church

Medicine Hat painter, designer, and muralist Teanna Church creates vibrant works that brighten both private and public spaces. Her downtown Medicine Hat mural, often described as a "bouquet of hope," reflects her ability to combine bold colour with uplifting themes. Teanna's work continues to weave art into the everyday landscape of the city.

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‍Jeff Goring – My Graffiti Hat

Become part of a collaborative community artwork by adding your own creativity to Jeff Goring's interactive graffiti wall.

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Live Entertainment

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‍Danczilla

Enjoy exciting dance performances on the Esplanade front lawn near the Buffalo Rubbing Stone.

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Performance Times

• 12:30–1:30 PM
• 2:15–3:15 PM
• 4:00–5:00 PM

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The Cultural Catwalk

Back by popular demand! Hosted by The Connection, The Cultural Catwalk is a multicultural fashion show where heritage meets contemporary style.

Showtimes

• 1:30 PM
• 3:00 PM

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‍Puppet Stuff Canada – Monster Rescue Petting Zoo

Meet the newest creatures from Puppet Stuff Canada!

The Monster Rescue Petting Zoo will be roaming Art in Motion, bringing colourful characters, puppetry and plenty of fun encounters throughout the day.

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Family Fun

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Bring the whole family and enjoy free activities happening throughout the festival.

• Sunshine Learning Station Bus
• Zen Zone featuring a hammock, sensory toys, headphones, cooling fans and giant games
• Bounce Castle & Obstacle Course
• Foam Pit
• Chalk Zone - Pop Up Parks
• Free Face Painting
• Color Blast Zone - Get ready to make a colourful splash! Grab a throwable paintball or water blaster filled with colourful water and join Big Marble Go Centre in creating a one-of-a-kind collaborative mural. The more colour you blast, the better! And the best part? The finished mural will be on display at Big Marble Go Centre for everyone to enjoy!
• Woven Together - A community weaving tent hosted by Medicine Hat Fibre Arts Society.
• CORE Kids on the Block - CORE Association's Kids on the Block is a troupe of life-sized puppets that helps create awareness around disability, medical and educational differences, and social and safety issues. Puppet shows are approximately 15 minutes, followed by a Q&A and an opportunity to meet the puppets. Find CORE Kids on the Block near the Watercolour Painting activity.

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Medicine Hat Public Library Fun Zone

Drop in and enjoy free family activities including:

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Paint a Bookend

Help the Library add more art to its stacks through this community art project! Paint a bookend inspired by the joy of reading — think of your favourite stories, where reading transports you, and let your imagination run free! Bookends will be displayed throughout the Library's stacks.

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Giant Board Games

Play oversized favourites including Connect Four and Jenga.

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Ping Pong

Challenge your family and friends with paddles provided by the library.

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Explore Inside the Esplanade

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Discover local artists, demonstrations, and interactive experiences throughout the building.

Featuring:

• Medicine Hat Photography Club
• PRAXIS – Hands-on science activities including making solar ovens for s'mores and catapults
• Art Room on 2nd – Live painting with Ursula Maser and Interactive Painting with Jackie Deblasio
• RM Fluid Arts Acrylic Pour Activity with Roxanne Moman
• Mr. E's Solve-it-torium – Mini Solve-it Boxes
• Artists from the Hat Art Club & Medicine Hat Potter's Association, including Loretta Fix, Leanne Stenerson, Colleen Copland & Corley Farough
• Medicine Hat Wood Carving Club Demonstrations
• Heritage Resource Working Group Information Booth
• Alberta Foundation for the Arts Information Booth
• Medalta Community Clay Project
• Friendship Bracelet Making in the Gallery Foyer hosted by Pop Up Parks

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City Hall

Continue your Art in Motion adventure at City Hall.

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Creative Freedom Art Hub

Watch slip casting demonstrations throughout the afternoon.

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Medicine Hat Urban Sketchers

Meet artist Leanne Stock and members of Medicine Hat Urban Sketchers creating artwork live throughout the festival.

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Fortress of Cheese Art Vending Machine

Discover original art through the Fortress of Cheese Art Vending Machine.

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Acoustic Music

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Food Trucks

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Take a break and enjoy a variety of local favourites throughout the afternoon.

• Freshly Squeezed Lemonade
• Flamingo Fuel Stop
• Kona Ice
• Camp Ice Cream
• Road Runner Smash & Dash
• Millie's Sodas & Sweets
• El Super Taco Food Truck
• Pooty's Poutine
• Prairie Wings

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Open Air Art Market

Browse handcrafted artwork, pottery, jewellery, woodworking, home décor, baked goods, gifts, and more from talented local artists, makers, and community organizations.

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Getting Here

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Start planning your trip to Art in Motion on September 12!

With more than 5,000 attendees joining us last year, we know parking and getting around downtown can be a challenge. To help make your visit easier, we've put together a map highlighting free parking options and convenient Park & Ride locations.

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Free Parking Options

• Towne Square Parking Lot | 603 First Street SE

• Transit Parkade | 333 Sixth Avenue SE

• Old Arena | 150 Ash Ave SE

• Athletic Park | 1 Birch Ave SE

• City Hall (Bicycles only) | 580 1 St SE (Near Finlay Bridge)

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Transit Park & Ride Locations

Skip the search for parking and ride the bus down to Art in Motion from:

• Big Marble Go Centre

• Medicine Hat College

• Medicine Hat Mall

Download the MHTapp (Medicine Hat Transit App) for pickup times and route information.

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Support Local While You're Here

Whether you're walking from a parking lot or stepping off the shuttle, take some time to explore downtown Medicine Hat. Grab a coffee, enjoy a meal, browse local shops, and discover the businesses that help make our downtown unique.

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See You Downtown!

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