Upcoming Events
Historic Places Days
Historic Places Days 2026 run from July 11–19, 2026, inviting visitors to explore Alberta's rich heritage with special activities and on-site experiences. Participating sites, including Heritage Park in Calgary and various provincial sites, offer unique looks into Alberta's history, often featuring free or discounted admission during this period.
Drive-In Movie: Hairspray!
Join us for a nostalgic Drive-In Movie Night under the stars.
Get ready to shake, rattle, and roll! This August, we’re transforming the shadow of our "prairie giants" into a classic open-air cinema for a high-energy screening of the hit musical Hairspray.
Experience the magic of 1960s Baltimore right here in the heart of the Foothills. As Tracy Turnblad dances her way toward her big dreams, you’ll enjoy a front-row seat to the spectacular beehives and toe-tapping tunes, all set against the historic backdrop of our 1927 Alberta Wheat Pool elevator. It’s a night built on big hair, big hearts, and the big silhouettes of our iconic landmarks.
Catherine MacLellan Concert
Join us for a truly special night as the Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre hosts Juno Award-winning Catherine MacClellan for an intimate performance set against the historic backdrop of our iconic "prairie giants."
There is something magical about the way music carries in the shadow of these living museums. On July 19, the warm, acoustic melodies of one of Canada’s most celebrated folk singer-songwriters will fill the air, blending Catherine’s poetic storytelling with the rich heritage of Nanton.
https://www.showpass.com/cmaclellannantonelevator/
Historic Calgary Week
This 11-day history festival is back for the 36th year. Plan on taking in several of the 75-plus events, comprised of walks, tours and presentations – something for everyone.
The theme this year, Chinook Country: Influences and Icons, will explore the places, events and personalities that have been important in the growth and successes in our society. In addition to events in Calgary, you can learn of the interesting past of places such as High River, Okotoks, Chestermere, Cochrane and more.
Again this year, we will have an exhibition of modern photographs of iconic historic places. This year the exhibition will be in the Central Library.
Registration for members will begin on or about June 15. Public access for registration will open on July 1. Return to this web page for updates.
Questions or your ideas for events at HCW 2026, contact us at hcw2@chinookhistory.ca.
Alberta Open Farm Days
Alberta Open Farm Days is your free, behind-the-scenes look at the province's agriculture and local food system. It is also an incubator for agricultural tourism and rural sustainability, bringing Albertans together through educational and hands-on experiences that show where food comes from and how it is produced.
For one weekend, farms, ranches, breweries, orchards, dairies, and food producers across the province open their gates to the public.
See it firsthand: Walk a field, meet the animals, or learn about the tools and technology that power modern agriculture.
Meet the people: Talk directly with the farmers, ranchers, producers, and culinary partners who grow and prepare your food, and get your questions answered.
Taste local: Many host locations feature farm-to-table meals, onsite specials, samples, food trucks, or Alberta-made products for purchase.
Alberta Open Farm Days is a chance to connect with rural communities, support agricultural tourism, and experience the diversity of food grown and raised right here in Alberta.
Kinjo & Young Concert
Jory Kinjo and Aaron Young are two titans of the Canadian music scene, bringing decades of global touring experience to the stage.
Kinjo, a veteran of the legendary Mocking Shadows, has shared stages with icons like B.B. King and Ziggy Marley, blending soul, ska, and reggae into a world-class groove. He is joined by virtuoso guitarist Aaron Young, a prolific performer with over 7,500 live shows to his credit. From his years with the world-beat phenomenon Barrage to producing over 180 albums, Young’s fingerstyle mastery and soulful songwriting make for "next level" entertainment.
Together, they deliver an unforgettable performance rooted in deep musical history and exceptional talent.
Paint n' Sip
June 20: Paint 'n' Sip at the Elevators
Kick off the summer season with an evening of creativity against the backdrop of our historic "Prairie Giants." There is something truly special about the way the June sun lingers over the skyline—a scene that has inspired poets for decades, and one you can now capture on canvas.
Whether you are a seasoned artist or picking up a brush for the first time, this evening is all about community, relaxation, and celebrating our local heritage. Guided by a local instructor, you'll enjoy a unique perspective of the Centre while creating your own masterpiece.
Tickets are now available! Check back soon to secure your spot for this first event of the summer!
Emily Triggs Concert
Experience an intimate evening of music set against the iconic backdrop of Nanton’s "prairie giants." The Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre is proud to host celebrated roots musician Emily Triggs for a special performance inside this living piece of Alberta’s history.
“The Princess Bride” Drive-In Movie
🎬✨ Drive-In Movie Night at the Nanton Grain Elevators! ✨🎬
“As you wish…” 🌹 Join us under the prairie sky for a special showing of The Princess Bride!
📅 Date: Saturday, October 25
⏰ Showtime: Approximately 7:30 PM
🚗 Admission: $40 per car
Bring your blankets, pack your snacks, and settle in for true love, sword fights, and inconceivable fun—all set against the backdrop of our historic grain elevators. 🌾
💧 Proudly sponsored by Nanton Water 💧
👉 Space is limited, so gather your crew and don’t miss this magical prairie movie night!
Purchase tickets: https://shorturl.at/aHqT0
Alberta Wheat Pool Elevator Clean Up
Volunteer Opportunity: Fall Elevator Clean-Up
The Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre is looking for helping hands this fall! Join us on Saturday, October 4 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for a community clean-up of the historic Alberta Wheat Pool Elevator.
This is a great opportunity to get involved, meet new people, and play a part in preserving one of Nanton’s most iconic prairie landmarks. Whether you can stay for a few hours or the full day, every bit of help makes a big difference.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, October 4
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre, Nanton, Alberta
How to Get Involved:
📞 Call: 403-646-1146
📧 Email: nantongrainelevators@outlook.com
Your support helps us keep our elevators standing tall and our history alive. We can’t do it without our volunteers—thank you for being part of this important community effort!
Open Farm Days
Free tours today to celebrate Open Farm Days!
Alberta Open Farm Days is a collaborative, province-wide, two-day event that gives Albertans an opportunity to experience farm life and understand where their food comes from. It is a backstage pass to meet the farmer, experience Ag-tourism in Alberta and taste local foods direct from the producer.
Dates: August 16 + 17th, 2025
Alberta Open Farm Days is a Province-Wide event that sees over 150 farms open their doors to Albertans for the weekend. You can see a comprehensive list of farms & chart your visits at https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/ofd-farms/.
13th Annual: 2025 marks the 13th annual Alberta Open Farm Days
2025 Theme is Water, the lifeblood of every farm. This is a spotlight on the intricate water systems Alberta has to offer, and the unique stories that each and every host farm will have to tell regarding their relationship with water and its vitality to their farm.
Open Farm Days being a Province-Wide, Free, Event: No matter where you are in the province, there will be a Farm for you to visit!
Core Activities:
Explore local farmers and producers
Learn about how your food is produced
Experience the diverse farms operating in Alberta
Discover the many local products created in Alberta
Connect with your local farmers and food producers
Have novel farm experiences that are generally inaccessible to many Albertans
Open Farm Days
Free tours today to celebrate Open Farm Days!
Alberta Open Farm Days is a collaborative, province-wide, two-day event that gives Albertans an opportunity to experience farm life and understand where their food comes from. It is a backstage pass to meet the farmer, experience Ag-tourism in Alberta and taste local foods direct from the producer.
Dates: August 16 + 17th, 2025
Alberta Open Farm Days is a Province-Wide event that sees over 150 farms open their doors to Albertans for the weekend. You can see a comprehensive list of farms & chart your visits at https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/ofd-farms/.
13th Annual: 2025 marks the 13th annual Alberta Open Farm Days
2025 Theme is Water, the lifeblood of every farm. This is a spotlight on the intricate water systems Alberta has to offer, and the unique stories that each and every host farm will have to tell regarding their relationship with water and its vitality to their farm.
Open Farm Days being a Province-Wide, Free, Event: No matter where you are in the province, there will be a Farm for you to visit!
Core Activities:
Explore local farmers and producers
Learn about how your food is produced
Experience the diverse farms operating in Alberta
Discover the many local products created in Alberta
Connect with your local farmers and food producers
Have novel farm experiences that are generally inaccessible to many Albertans
Morgan Toney concert
Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre presents the Morgan Toney Trio on Wednesday, August 13. JUNO-Nominated Mi'kmaq fiddler and singer Morgan Toney brings the fiery fiddling of Cape Breton Island and the old songs of the Mi’kmaq People together with brilliance and heart.
With thousands of years of tradition behind him, Toney melds the Scottish heritage of this Nova Scotian island with Mi’kmaq songs, stories, and language in his own genre of music, “Mi’kmaltic,” meaning Mi’kmaq + Celtic. His new album, Heal the Divide (2025, Ishkōdé Records), recognizes the difficult history the L’nuk (Mi’kmaq People) and all First Nations peoples have had in Canada, but it also celebrates the L’nu legacy in Canadian culture. It’s part of Toney’s larger vision to bring people together, to set our differences aside, and walk toward a place that Toney calls the “Promised Land”. Morgan proudly welcomes the rest of Canada and the world to L’nu traditions as they contain many universal teachings. In his trio, Morgan is joined on stage by Keith Mullins (guitar, vocals, percussion) and Ryan Roberts (mandolin, vocals). Together, they have created a fusion of cultures, a bridge between two worlds, and a path ahead for Truth and Reconciliation.
Doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 7:30. Licensed event, all ages welcome.
The movie GREASE on the sides of the elevators
Watch the 1978 classic musical GREASE, starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, projected on the side of a century-old grain elevator.
Experience the friendships, romances and adventures of a group of high school kids in the 1950s. Welcome to the singing and dancing world of "Grease," the most successful movie musical of all time. A wholesome exchange student (Olivia Newton-John) and a leather-clad Danny (John Travolta) have a summer romance, but will it cross clique lines?
Bring your lawn chairs for this concert-style seating outdoor movie event. Tickets $10 each. Limited concession and indoor washroom available. Movie starts at 10 pm (or as soon as it is dark enough to see the projection!)
John Wort Hannam concert
John Wort Hannam has been on his folk and roots-fueled troubadour journey for two decades, spinning song writing gold from the chaff of the lives he has encountered and those within his fertile imagination. Twenty-two years in, he shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, he’s gaining both momentum and a wider audience, winning two 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards for Solo Artist of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year. Add to this a Juno Award nomination, a Kerrville New Folk Win, a previous Canadian Folk Music Award, and it’s easy to see why audiences and critics alike hear something special in his narrative and lyrically driven songs. Effortlessly mixing rich and clear timbered vocals with lyrics that tug at the heart, his sound is both unique and familiar.
A 1929 Pioneer grain elevator is the perfect backdrop for John's prairie songs, his family stories and his unique take on life. Don't miss this opportunity to hear the John Wort Hannam Trio in an unusual, intimate setting, with just 60 tickets available.
Licensed event, all ages welcome.
Doors open at 7.
Get Lucky on Valentine’s Day 50/50 Raffle
Get Lucky this Valentine’s Day with Our 50/50 Raffle
Feeling lucky in love? Why not add some cash to the mix? Enter the “Get Lucky on Valentine’s Day” 50/50 Raffle for your chance to win big and support the Nanton Grain Elevators, a cherished community landmark.
Win Half the Pot – Treat yourself or your Valentine.
Support a Local Treasure – Help preserve our history.
Feeling Lucky? This could be your moment.
Tickets are selling fast—don’t miss out! Grab yours today and make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable.
Annual General Meeting
Join Us for the Nanton Grain Elevators' Annual General Meeting! Let's come together on November 20th to reflect on our achievements, discuss plans, and keep our local heritage alive. Your voice matters in shaping our community’s future!
Back To The Future at the Nanton Grain Elevators
Rev up your DeLorean and travel back in time! Watch Back to the Future at the Nanton Grain Elevators' drive-in movie event, perfect for family fun.
Beetlejuice at the Nanton Grain Elevators
Join us for a spooky night under the stars! Watch Beetlejuice at the Nanton Grain Elevator's drive-in movie event this Halloween season. Fun for the whole family!