Downtown Events & Activities

Celebrate Downtown 2020 marks the 5^th annual Celebrate Downtown awards to honour Downtown Champions. The event, hosted by the Heart of Our City Committee, was to be the largest to date. The event was scheduled to be held in May with 66 nominations brought forward by the community. Unfortunately, COVID-19 tossed those plans out the window, but over the summer the Celebrate Downtown was busy working hard with London Road Media to present the awards digitally. The Heart of our City Committee congratulates all of the Celebrate Downtown 2020 nominees and winners.

To view the nomination videos and see the winners CLICK HERE

Unsung Hero Award: committed to taking care of the downtown community, often without recognition or praise.
Transformation Award: leading the transformation of downtown spaces, businesses and activities.
Innovator Award: takes risks and is not scared to challenge the status quo as they work to create, maintain, support and promote an exciting downtown.
From the Heart Award: social change agent, working to make downtown a welcoming place for all.
Event of the Year: event committed to creating a vibrant and inclusive downtown.
Volunteer of the Year: someone who freely gives up their time and energy to benefit downtown.
People's Choice Award: overall downtown champion.
Legacy Award: a very special award (1^st time ever) honouring a lifetime commitment to the improvement of downtown.

In 2016, the Heart of Our City Committee commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Heart of Our City Master Plan with a celebratory event. The purpose of the event was to recognize individuals, businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions that exemplify the vision and pillars of the revitalization of our Downtown. These outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations have invested time, ideas and capital into the Downtown to make it more beautiful, livable, exciting, vibrant, accessible and sustainable. Due to the success of the event and that there many outstanding individuals, businesses and organizations deserving of special recognition, the Heart of Our City Committee decided to make Celebrate Downtown an annual event. The event provides an excellent opportunity for Downtown Champions, those friends, neighbours, colleagues and community members, to meet, mingle and network.

2019 saw over 75 nominations submitted for the 7 award categories. The Celebrate Downtown Subcommittee would like to thank everyone for their nominations and would like to congratulate all the nominees and winners

> Award categories, nominations and winners

Downtown Event Schedule

With festivals, live performances, art gallery exhibitions, seminars, community events, and business promotions and sales a daily occurrence in the downtown. Be sure to check-out the downtown event calendars to see what's coming up!

Downtown BRZ Event Calendar

Community Calendar of Events

Heart of Our City Activity Grant

The Heart of Our City is committed to enhancing the vibrancy of Downtown Lethbridge.

The Heart of Our City Activity Grant was created to provide City of Lethbridge funds, up to $10,000 annually, to assist Lethbridge organizations host events that attract audiences and bring excitement and vibrancy to the Downtown and Civic Common.

2020 Activity Grant Recipients
2020 Activity Grant Application Package

2019 Activity Grant Recipients

Due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gathering a revised ‘Virtual Activity Grant Program’ will provide financial support for events, artists and businesses who contribute to the ongoing vibrancy of Downtown Lethbridge through a virtual platform.

The revised Virtual Activity Grant Program Application can be accessed by clicking here.

View the full news release on the Virtual Activity Grant Progrm by clicking here.

First Fridays

On the First Friday of every month, we invite you to visit your downtown and experience all the exciting things we have to offer.

With more than 60 unique retail shops and 50 restaurants and pubs, offering food from around the world to satisfy every taste, you won't be disappointed.

Stop by one of our art galleries to view work from both local and national artists, catch a movie at the theatre, explore our local shops or cool off in the Rotary Centennial Fountain in Galt Gardens.

Downtown Lethbridge is your family room in the city – a place where everyone connects after a hard day's work in a friendly and safe environment.

Every First Friday will feature a variety of community events so be sure to check back regularly to see what's coming up at https://www.downtownlethbridge.com/firstfriday/.

The idea of starting First Friday was an initiative by the Heart of Our City Committee and the event is now organized by the Downtown BRZ.