Alberta Music Cities Convention 2026

Date: 30 September – 1 October 2026

Place: Calgary, Alberta. Canada

Venue: Studio Bell | National Music Centre

The Music Cities Convention is the global stage for city leaders, decision-makers and music industry innovators shaping how music drives economic growth, job creation, sustainable development, urban planning, and social impact. This autumn, the Convention lands in Alberta for three days of panels, presentations, networking, and collective thinking.

The programme opens on Tuesday, 29 September with a private session exclusively for Canadian music cities, before the full conference opens to all registered delegates on Wednesday, 30 September and Thursday, 1 October.

In the past 10 years, Alberta has been on a journey to become a leading emerging voice in the music cities movement in Western Canada and the world.

​Home to renowned music festivals, artists, creators, producers, artist-friendly radio/platforms, Canada’s National Music Centre, Winspear Centre for Music, acclaimed music schools, music associations, live-music venues, and some of Canada’s most iconic music hall of famers, the province’s music legacy and ecosystem runs deep.

But Alberta is more than history and an existing vibrant music community—it’s a province and place in transformation. As Canada’s energy capital diversifies and continues to grow, music has become a signal of change, creativity, and cultural resilience.

What to expect at the Convention

The Alberta Music Cities Convention will gather international delegates working at the forefront of music city topics from all around the world. Over three days, you'll be able to engage in insightful discussions and network with peers from 25+ different countries. This is more than an event, it's the celebration of a 10-year journey to position Alberta as the leading music region in Western Canada, and to showcase the possibilities lying ahead as the city keeps strengthening its music ecosystem.

The programme begins on Tuesday, 29 September with a private session exclusively for Canadian music cities, before opening to all registered delegates for the full two-day conference on Wednesday, 30 September and Thursday, 1 October.

For more information please visit our website here: www.musiccitiesevents.com/alberta

Speakers and full programme will be announced soon through Sound Diplomacy Events and Education marketing channels.

This convention is made possible with the collaboration of West Anthem, Alberta Music, Studio Bell National Music Centre. Supporting partners are Alberta government, Calgary government and the Scotlyn Foundation.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 

Alberta Music Cities Convention is located on the traditional lands of the peoples of the Treaty 7 region, including the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

Sound Diplomacy and the National Music Centre are committed to honouring the sovereignty and traditional territories of the First Peoples and acknowledging the treaties that have shaped this land. Guided by this commitment, NMC is dedicated to forging creative bridges of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, recognizing and celebrating Indigenous voices from all regions of Canada, and inspiring positive change.