Studio Bell is now open with free admission on weekends courtesy of ATB until the end of 2021. Studio Bell will also be open with free admission and extended hours from July 9-18 with a country-themed exhibition, spectacular stage wear, and daily buskers in celebration of the 2021 Calgary Stampede. 

Timed Tickets Required

Admission is free on weekends courtesy of ATB. But timed tickets are required for all visitors, including NMC Members. This is a new process to keep everyone safely physically distanced. Thank you for adhering to it, and kindness to staff on entry is essential.

Visit the NMC Gift Shop

The NMC Gift Shop & Café is open weekends from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, so you can continue to shop in person. You can also visit the shop online at nmcgiftshop.ca to purchase locally made music-inspired gifts from the comfort of your couch.

Masks Are Mandatory

Masks are mandatory as per the City of Calgary’s mask bylaw that requires the public to wear face coverings in all indoor spaces. If you don't wear a mask you won't be permitted to enter Studio Bell.

Registration Required for Admission:

What Can I Expect from My Studio Bell Experience?

Studio Bell will be operating at reduced capacity with timed-entry tickets in place, so you’ll feel like you’re at a museum after hours with lots of space for social distancing. Once inside the building, you’ll enter through the south stairwell and exit from the north stairwell to ensure visitors—and air flow—are moving in one direction. The third floor of Studio Bell, which includes high touch point areas and interactives, will be closed. Instrument interactives on the fourth floor will also be restricted.

It will not be your typical experience, but there will still be lots to see and do at Studio Bell. Explore a special self-guided Cross-Country Music Road Trip. To navigate through the tour visitors can snap a photo of the tour poster at the base of the South staircase. Music lovers can catch roaming educators for instrument show-and-tells, science and sound demos, and performances on fan favourite, the Kimball Theatre Organ. Guests will be able to see the expanded onsite version of the Community Storytellers exhibition with over 30 interesting, unusual, and meaningful musical artifacts and stories from the Alberta community; and the new Canadian Music Hall of Fame exhibition, featuring memorabilia from 2021 inductee Jann Arden. Plus, enjoy breathtaking architecture (photos are encouraged, but please wear your face mask at all times while in the building).

Complete your visit with a stop at the NMC Gift Shop & Café. The shop will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm to coincide with NMC’s hours of operations. Please note: The NMC Gift Shop & Café is accessible from inside Studio Bell’s lobby. The 4 Street door will be used for exiting only.

Hours & Pricing

Cash will not be accepted onsite. Thank you for understanding!

Admission Rates:

Admission is free on weekends courtesy of ATB until the end of 2021, but please reserve tickets in advance. Due to COVID-19, at this time we are limiting to 6 people per booking.

Last entry is at 3:30 pm.

Tickets:

Tickets are available online, and onsite on a first come first served basis. Get your free ticket on this page above. Members are also required to reserve their online tickets.

Safety at Studio Bell

NMC will adhere to all Alberta Health Services guidelines to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, and visitors. Masks will also be mandatory as per the City of Calgary’s mask bylaw that requires the public to wear face coverings in all indoor spaces. Thank you for your kindness and respect to our staff as we try to protect our community from the spread of COVID-19.

You are not to enter Studio Bell if:

• You're ill or experiencing symptoms of COVID -19. These include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, and/or others listed on Alberta Health Services website here.
• You've been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with or has symptoms of COVID-19.
• You or someone in your household has traveled internationally in the past 14 days.

You will be asked to follow all Alberta Health Services guidelines while inside Studio Bell:

• Practice physical distancing: keep two metres between your household and others.
• Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds.
• Masks are mandatory as per the City of Calgary’s mask bylaw that requires the public to wear face coverings in all indoor spaces.

The following onsite amenities will be available:

• Washrooms will be open, with increased cleaning protocols in place.
• Hand sanitization stations will be located at Studio Bell’s entry and throughout the building. Please use them.

The following will be unavailable until further notice as we support a safe experience for all:

• Guided tours (including Backstage Pass)
• Water fountains

Support the National Music Centre, a registered charity

During these challenging times, we would appreciate your support of NMC in any of the following ways:

• Leave a one-time donation online at studiobell.ca/donate or become a monthly donor at and be the steady rhythm that keeps NMC on beat.
• Buy or renew an NMC Membership at 50% off throughout the month of July 2021. Become a member at studiobell.ca/become-a-member.
• Shop the NMC Gift Shop & Café online at nmcgiftshop.ca to shop locally made, music-inspired gifts from the comfort of your couch. The NMC Gift Shop & Café is open on weekends from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, so you can continue to shop in person.
• Read, watch, and listen to the stories, videos, and concerts we continue to publish on amplify.nmc.ca and please like and share with your networks.
• Visit the King Eddy. Show your Studio Bell ticket stub, and get 10% off your food and beverage bill.

• FAQs

  How long will it take to move through the building with the limited experience? We estimate two hours or less. We ask guests to stay no more than two hours to provide space for future timed-ticket holders and prevent crowding.

  Do children under 3 years of age also need a ticket? Yes, book your ticket above.

  Are food and beverages available for purchase? The NMC Gift Shop & Café will be open, offering grab-and-go snacks and drinks, and fresh pastries and charcuterie plates. Please note: Food and beverages cannot be consumed in the museum. Grab a bite on your way in or exit through the gift shop and grab something on your way out. You can also bring your own water bottle. Water fountains will be shut off to reduce the spread of infection.

  What should I bring with me? Bring your own water bottle, your mask—and a great attitude!

  Can I leave Studio Bell and come back in? Once you exit you cannot re-enter without a new timed ticket. Visitors will be required to leave immediately after their visit to eliminate congestion within the museum.

  What if I buy a ticket and discover I'm unable to attend at the date/time I selected? No problem! If you need to rebook or cancel your timed ticket, please email info@studiobell.ca or call us at 403-543-5115. We will do our best to accommodate.

  Is the Lost & Found operational? Lost & Found is still available with safety measures in place.

  Is the gift shop open? Yes. After your visit, be sure to visit the NMC Gift Shop. Shop for exclusive NMC merchandise, find your new favourite book, or find a one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone in your life.

  Please note: The NMC Gift Shop is accessible from inside Studio Bell’s lobby. The 4 Street door will be used for exiting only.