• Business areas are ideal busking spots for someone with an unconventional act. Popular locations include Kensington, Fourth Street, Inglewood, Bowness, Montgomery, International Avenue, Chinatown, Victoria Park, and Downtown. 
• Calgary parks are also available for busking. This includes Olympic Plaza, Tomkins Park, Century Gardens, Harmony Park and the Riverfront Promenade along Riverfront Avenue.
  • Please note: Busking is not permitted in Devonian Gardens and busking at Ralph Klein Park, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, Reader Rock Garden and Bottomlands Park may only take place while the park is open to the public.

• Busking is permitted between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
• Performances can only occur in public areas.
• Maximum performance duration is two hours per location.
• Busking operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Busking on Stephen Avenue requires a permit issued by the Calgary Downtown Association.
• Busking is not permitted anywhere within the Plus 15 network.
• Busking performances or audiences must not interfere with pedestrian, cycling or vehicle traffic.
• Busking in an area where a special event is happening must be approved by the special event permit holder. areas booked for events are subject to the event permit holder’s approval.

Amps must be used responsibly and with respect to the location, flow of foot traffic, and cannot violate the noise bylaws. Please follow these guidelines:

• Amps are not allowed in parks.
• For all other locations, small, portable amps that are battery powered are preferred.
• If complaints are received, or a bylaw officer determines the amplification level is too loud, it can result in the removal of your busking ID.

• You must be over 18 years old to busk independently.
• Buskers who are 16 or 17 years olds need parental consent to busk unsupervised.
• Buskers under the age of 16 must have an adult accompany them while performing.

• Please ensure all performances are suitable for a general family audience.
• No high-risk or unsafe performances are permitted. This includes anything that could put the public or the performer at risk, such as using knives or fire.

You may sell recordings of your own performance and display them in your instrument case. Sale of other forms of merchandise is not permitted.
 

To busk at a permitted Calgary Transit Stations you must have a valid Calgary Transit Busker ID and have it displayed during your performance. You must follow the above general busking guidelines as well as the Calgary Transit specific guidelines below.
 

• Busking is only allowed at the stations listed below.
• Pick a location where you can visibly see the help phone but are not directly in front of it.
• Performances are allowed inside the station, unless otherwise stated below. at Calgary.ca/busking.
• Performances cannot block the flow of pedestrian traffic.
• No performances are permitted on platforms, walkways, overpasses or stairs leading up to the station.
• Busking at transit stops or in transit vehicles is not allowed.

When you arrive at a station, pick up the emergency phone or push the “Help” button and let us know that you are performing. You will be asked your name and number to verify. At the end of your session performance, check out with us check out using the same process.

• Volumes must be kept at a level to allow customers to hear station announcements and talk at normal conversation levels.
• Only musical busking acts are allowed in permitted Calgary Transit stations.