👑 Five free things to do this week

Happy Monday, Regina! 👋

Summer has well and truly arrived in the Queen City. The patios are full, Wascana is glowing in the evening light, and this past weekend gave us one of the busiest stretches on the calendar all year.

This week keeps the momentum going, with the outdoor pools opening, a thought-provoking speaker series at the museum, live music and theatre downtown, and a milestone graduation worth celebrating. Let's get into it.

In today's edition:

Mosaic Wraps a Vibrant 56th Year With Two New Pavilions

Regina spent the weekend travelling the world without leaving the city. Mosaic – A Festival of Cultures, the longest-running multicultural festival in Saskatchewan, ran June 4 to 6 and welcomed thousands of festival-goers to nineteen pavilions across the city. This year marked the festival's 56th edition, with the Persian pavilion making its debut and the Bangladesh pavilion returning after a 12-year absence.

The format is as charming as ever: a $15 adult passport opens the door to every pavilion, with traditional food, dance, and displays at each stop, and free Regina Transit access on routes serving the festival. Board chair Terry Zwarych summed up the local feeling nicely, calling Mosaic his "Christmas in June." If you went, you already know. If you missed it, this is the one to circle for 2027.

A First in 53 Years: Cornwall Alternative School Celebrates Its First Grade 12 Graduates

Here's a Regina story worth pausing on. Cornwall Alternative School will graduate its first-ever Grade 12 class on June 18, a milestone in the school's 53-year history. Founded in 1972 by a group of social workers, Cornwall serves Regina students who have faced significant challenges in mainstream schooling, with small classes capped at 12 and a total enrolment of 60.

Until this year, students had to leave Cornwall to finish Grade 12 elsewhere. The school's expansion to a full Grade 12 program means students can now complete their diplomas in the same supportive environment that helped get them there, all the way to graduation. It's a quiet success that says a lot about what this city's educators can do.

Learn more about Cornwall Alternative School

Summer's Here: Regina's Outdoor Pools Open This Week

There may be no clearer sign that summer has landed than the outdoor pools filling up. The City of Regina has confirmed that Wascana Pool opens first on Tuesday, June 9, followed by Buffalo Meadows, Maple Leaf, Massey, and Regent pools on Thursday, June 11. Opening dates can shift with the weather, so it's worth checking before you pack the towels.

The pools have something for everyone, with swimming lessons, leisure swims, and dedicated times for preschoolers, teens, and families. Returning favourites include Family Swim, Toonie Teen Swim, and Adapted Leisure Swim. Wascana Pool is also lining up special summer events, with late-night swims on August 6 and 13, a Glow Night on August 20, and a Movie Night later in the month. Parking near Wascana is free in the evenings and on weekends.

Globe Theatre Closes Its Season With the Classic Comedy Arsenic and Old Lace

Downtown's Globe Theatre has opened its production of Arsenic and Old Lace, the beloved 1940s dark comedy about two endlessly sweet aunts with a very dark hobby. The show, which the director describes as a modern twist on the original, runs from June 3 to June 28 at the Globe's home at 1801 Scarth Street, Canada's only permanent theatre-in-the-round.

It's the company's final mainstage show before the summer break, which makes it a fitting way to send the season off. Pair it with dinner at one of the nearby Scarth Street or downtown spots and you've got a proper night out. The Globe is also known for its pay-what-you-can performances, so it's worth a look at the schedule for ticket options that fit your budget.

Cathedral Village Arts Festival Caps a Record 35th Year

While we're celebrating local culture, the Cathedral Village Arts Festival deserves a final round of applause. Organizers say the festival's milestone 35th edition surpassed even last year's record-breaking attendance of roughly 50,000 people across the week, with a larger Street Fair, packed performance venues, and stronger Indigenous partnerships.

For six days, Cathedral Village turned into a living gallery, with musicians on stages, artists opening their studios, and thousands of visitors filling the parks and sidewalks of one of Regina's most recognizable neighborhoods. Nearly every show ran at or near capacity and the Street Fair did exceptionally well, calling the year a "wild success." It's the kind of community event that reminds you why this neighborhood matters.

June 8 – 10

🖼️ RUNNING ALL WEEK

🌾 Kssááhkom Áássksinima'tstohki: The Land is our Teacher — Dunlop Art Gallery, Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | Daily through June 17 | Free admission Guest curated by Star Crop Eared Wolf, this exhibition explores land as a source of knowledge and teaching. A quiet, powerful stop worth making any day this week. Gallery info

MONDAY, JUNE 8

🎨 In-Person Sensing Art – Ledger Art — Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Free A descriptive tour of the Dunlop's "The Land is our Teacher" exhibition, followed by a hands-on mixed-media artwork created on historical documents. Great for all ages and abilities. Register

🎸 Citizen Rage with Hellbent & Bats Out! — The Exchange, 2431 8th Avenue | Doors 7:00 PM | Paid admission A loud, local night of punk and hardcore at one of Regina's best small live venues. Event details

🎭 Arsenic and Old Lace — Globe Theatre, 1801 Scarth Street | Evening performance | Paid admission The classic dark comedy continues its downtown run through June 28. Shows & tickets

TUESDAY, JUNE 9

🏊 Wascana Pool Opens for the Season — 2211 College Avenue | 7:00 AM onward | Paid admission Regina's flagship outdoor pool kicks off the summer swim season with lane swims, leisure swims, and lessons. Pool info

🪶 SGI Solstice Speaker Series: Michael Greyeyes — Royal Saskatchewan Museum, 2445 Albert Street | 7:00 – 8:30 PM (doors 30 min before) | Free Nêhiyaw actor, director, and choreographer Michael Greyeyes delivers a keynote, "We Will Write Our Way Out of This," on creativity, Indigenous leadership, and healing. Reserve free tickets

♠️ Diamond Poker Classic — Casino Regina | Runs June 9–13 | See site for details The popular multi-day poker tournament gets underway downtown. Casino Regina

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10

🎭 The Birds and the Bees — Regina Performing Arts Centre, 1077 Angus Street | Evening | Paid admission A witty, warm-hearted comedy on stage at the RPAC. Event details

📖 Book Launch: "Sublime: Poems for Vanishing Ice" — George Bothwell Branch, Regina Public Library | 7:00 – 8:30 PM | Free Three Regina poets share work from a new collection on the beauty and fragility of ice, joined by RPL's Writer in Residence. Library info

🎬 RPL Film Theatre: Sirât — Central Library, 2311 12th Avenue | 7:00 PM | Free admission Oliver Laxe's acclaimed 2026 Spanish film at Regina's best independent cinema. (14A) Film schedule

🌈 DIY Pride Jewelry — Regent Place Branch, Regina Public Library | 6:00 – 7:00 PM | Free Kids ages 6–12 make rainbow-themed jewelry to show their Pride. Supplies provided. Register

🎶 Regina Farmers' Market — Victoria Park | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Free admission Local produce, baked goods, and makers in the heart of downtown. Market info

🎨 MacKenzie Art Gallery — T.C. Douglas Building, 3475 Albert Street | 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM | Free admission World-class exhibitions, always free to wander. Plan your visit

🎸 Napalm Death + Primitive Man — The Exchange, 2431 8th Avenue | Doors 6:30 PM | $40 | British grindcore pioneers Napalm Death bring nearly 40 years of fearless, full-throttle heavy music to Regina's oldest live venue, with Denver's Primitive Man in support. All ages and licensed. Event details

Summer's officially here. What's your first move?

Hit reply to let us know :)

Thanks for reading Queen City Digest. After a weekend that showed off the very best of this city, there's plenty of good reason to get out and enjoy the long summer days ahead. Stay well, Regina.

Next edition: Wednesday, June 10.

-QCD