SERIOUS FAMILY FUN

Create-your-own opera adventure. Free with registration.

Our doors are wide open for people of all ages to play, learn, and discover. Serious Family Fun explores the many facets of opera: music, theatre, dance, visual arts, storytelling, creative writing, and more! Interact with artists and artisans from a wide variety of artistic and cultural traditions that reflect what opera is today. No two experiences are ever the same – each gathering is a unique creation that unfolds as you participate. Details about each event are found below.

Open to all ages. Best suited for ages 4-10 with caregivers present. Completely free with registration.

Dates

September 27, 2025
February 14, 2026
May 2, 2026

1-3 pm (doors open at 1 pm; activity zones available throughout the afternoon; guided adventures at times listed below)

Location

Mamdani Opera Centre
1315 7 Street SW
Calgary Alberta

  • Calgary Opera's first Serious Family Fun event of the 2025-26 season explores characters from the world of fairy tales and folk tales through the imaginative lens of opera!   

     With the help of professional opera teaching artists, create an original opera scene with beloved characters such as Hansel and Gretel, the Big Bad Wolf, and Napi (the Blackfoot trickster) as well as others from your own imagination. Join Ali DeRegt, professional puppetry artist from the Old Trout Puppet Workshop, to create your own mask, and play a role in the musical story! 

    Event Timeline

    • 1:00 p.m. Doors Open. Mask-making is available in the Gallery throughout the afternoon.  

    • 1:30 p.m. Storytime begins: German storyteller Christine Pastran will share the original story of Hansel and Gretel as the real Hansel and Gretel make an appearance! 

    • 1:45 p.m. Hansel and Gretel take their place alongside the audience, listening as Elder Saa'kokoto shares the story of Napi, the Blackfoot trickster. 

    • 2:00 p.m. With the help of professional opera teaching artists, attendees will create - and even perform in - an original opera scene using these characters. 

    • 3:00 p.m. Event concludes. 

    This event is generously supported by the City of Calgary and Calgary Culture Days. 

City of Calgary logo
Calgary Culture Days logo

Good to know

When you register, the ticket will say 1 p.m., but you can feel free to explore anytime between 1-3 p.m.

Snacks will be available, and volunteers will be on hand to help engage children of all ages.

Please have your ticket ready for scaning when you arrive! This will be found in an email from sales@calgaryopera.com. Not able to register online? Don’t worry — free registration is available at the door.

The Mamdani Opera Centre is, regrettably, not a barrier-free facility. The entry way has four outdoor steps with a hand rail, a single step over the threshold, then six steps with a hand rail inside to reach the main level of the building. Staff will be on hand to assist if necessary, but please take this in to account when planning your visit. For instance, we recommend leaving large strollers at home or in your vehicle if possible.

Serious Family Fun is meant to be a welcoming and flexible environment that inspires creativity and participation in ways that work for you and your family. Self-guided activities will be available throughout the afternoon, and the guided adventure can be joined or departed as required.