Calgarians connect through art, culture and community on Neighbour Day
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, Calgarians came together across the city to celebrate Neighbour Day. It was a chance to connect with one another, build a community and highlight local creativity.
This year saw the launch of the Neighbour Day microgrant, which offered up to $2,500 per event. All $70,000 in available funding was distributed, helping support 43 community events that attracted more than 20,000 Calgarians.
Despite the rain, Neighbour Day 2025 was a great success, with Calgarians coming together to celebrate community spirit across the city.
Among the initiatives funded through the new microgrant were painting petite chairs in Chinatown, providing wellness services downtown and decorating birdhouses in the southeast. Each reflecting the diversity and heart of Calgary’s neighbourhoods.
Painting community pride in Chinatown
At the Chinese Cultural Centre, the Chinatown Business Improvement Area (BIA) welcomed attendees to a lively cultural event that included martial arts performances, lion dances, vendor booths and hands-on art activities.
A key highlight was a chair painting station where families, children and seniors painted miniature Adirondack chairs to take home. These pieces of art served as symbols of expression and connection while honoring Chinatown’s rich cultural heritage.
Event attendees at the Chinese Cultural Centre painting miniature Adirondack chairs.
“Neighbour Day is all about bringing the community together, connecting with one another and simply enjoying the day,” said Judy Eng-Hum, event organizer with the Chinatown BIA. “It’s a chance to share stories, build relationships and celebrate what makes our community so unique.”
Caring for community at Good Neighbour
At the Central United Church, the local nonprofit Good Neighbour hosted the Be a Good Neighbour celebration. The organization operates out of the church basement year-round providing food clothing and trauma-informed support to low-income Calgarians including newcomers, seniors and unhoused residents. Dozens of partner agencies contributed their services, making it a true community-wide effort.
Volunteers served BBQ meals while guests received free wellness services including massages, haircuts and access to health resources. Games, music and conversation brought a sense of joy and dignity to the day.
With Good Neighbour being a volunteer operation, organizers welcome Neighbour Day with open arms to celebrate their community and give back to those in need.
“The funding really helps grassroots nonprofits like ours afford more fun things,” said Alice Lam, co-founder of Be a Good Neighbour. “I also love that it's a citywide highlight on all the incredible neighborhoods and all the incredible volunteers that make the city run.”
Birdhouses and belonging in Millican Ogden
At the Millican Ogden Community Association (MOCA), the focus was on creativity and inclusion. Families gathered to paint wooden birdhouses with colorful designs and unique personal touches. The event also included music and games with a calm friendly atmosphere that encouraged meaningful connection.
Zev Klymochko, vice president of MOCA, was appreciative with how Neighbour Day binds the community together with simple activities.
“I think it helps people realize that we can promote neighbourhood pride,” said Klymochko. “When people attend events in their community, they don't have to go out of their neighbourhood. It strengthens that community.”
Neighbour Day continues to grow
Neighbour Day was first introduced in 2014 and continues to grow each year, with communities putting their own spin on what it means to connect. Whether through cultural celebration, public art or social support, the day is a reminder that great neighbourhoods are built on one conversation, one shared experience and one moment of kindness at a time.