May in Calgary

group dining at a long table during a private event held at Lougheed House during spring
group dining at a long table during a private event held at Lougheed House during spring
Things to do

May in Calgary

Things to do in Calgary this May 2024

Note: These events and activities are no longer up-to-date. Check out What to Do in Calgary This Week for more great things to see and do in Calgary.

Fresh activities and events are blooming this May in Calgary with the return of the Servus Calgary Marathon, Canada’s longest-running marathon, and the Calgary International Beerfest, Canada’s largest beer festival! Make new family memories at Day Out with Thomas at Heritage Park, cheers to National Caesar Day with YYCaesarFest, and celebrate moms everywhere with fun things to do for Mother’s Day, this month in Calgary.


Supress from menu
No

 

Cody Johnson: The Leather Tour 

Saddle up for a night of authentic country music with Cody Johnson, platinum recording artist and CMA Male Vocalist of the Year nominee as he brings "The Leather Tour" to Calgary, promising an evening filled with heartfelt lyrics, foot-stomping melodies, and genuine Texan charm. 

Where: Scotiabank Saddledome  

When: May 2 

 

Kristina Kuzmic’s Hope & Humor Tour 

Kristina, in her undeniably authentic way, takes us on a peaks and valley journey full of laughter, and even a few tears, in her Hope & Humor Tour, with a through-line of four things she's done wearing: other people's judgements, guilt, the pressure to be perfect, and the unrealistic fantasy of what life should look like. 

Where: The GRAND 

When: May 2 

 

Alberta Ballet: Der Wolf & The Rite of Spring 

Enjoy the shocking impact of "The Rite of Spring" with a modern take that preserves its thematic essence, alongside a contemporary reinterpretation of "Little Red Riding Hood" named "Der Wolf" at Alberta Ballet’s newest production live at the Southern Jubilee Auditorium. 

Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium  

When: May 2-4 

 

FascinAsian Film Festival   

The FascinAsian Film Festival offers up three days of films and events, celebrating the stories and perspectives of Asian-Canadian filmmakers!   

Where: Central Library  

When: May 2-5 

 

Jane’s Walk Festival in Calgary 

Take in 50+ colourful murals located downtown, find poetic inspiration in nature, or walk through historic mainstreets with Jane’s Walk Festival Calgary. There’s something for everyone in a city that welcomes everyone, all led by brilliant Calgarians! Register for a walk today, and come explore the city with us! 

Where: Various locations 

When: May 3-5 

 

Calgary International Beerfest  

Canada’s largest beer festival returns to Stampede Park for another year of fun. Enjoy two days of sampling the best in local and international beer at the Calgary International Beerfest.  

Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park  

When: May 3-4 

 

Day Out with Thomas  

All aboard an interactive train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine. This limited-time exhibit at Heritage Park is the perfect family-friendly outing. Families can get creative exploring the Colour Corner, mix it up in the Play Pod with lawn games, enjoy live entertainment, and check out the exclusive pop-up gift shop.  

Where: Heritage Park  

When: May 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12, 2024 

 

Cinco De Derby Chihuahua Races

Join in the fun at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino's famous fiesta with Chihuahua races, food and drink specials, and live music!

Where: Century Downs Racetrack and Casino 

When: May 4 

 

Authentically Indigenous: Spring Matriarch Market

The Spring Matriarch Market is the perfect place to find unique treasures and support local vendors. From handmade crafts to vintage finds, there's something for everyone.

Where: Kerby Centre Gym

When: May 4 & 5

 

Lunchbox Theatre: The Ballad Of Georges Boivin 

At 77, Georges Boivin decides to “give the dice a roll.” Georges just lost his wife, the “centre of his universe.” But there is life after 70, and it must continue even after great loss. With his three friends, all older than he, he sets out on a cross-country road trip from Québec to Vancouver, in search of his first love who he hasn’t seen in 50 years.  

Where: The Studio at Vertigo Theatre  

When: Until May 5 

 

SPACE: A Journey to the Moon and Beyond  

TELUS Spark Science Centre invites you to fly through a technicolour nebula, kick up dust on the moon, and witness Saturn’s rings up close in this out-of-this-world immersive experience.   

Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre  

When: Until May 5  

 

Da Vinci The Exhibition  

View the work of one of the greatest minds in history including iconic works of art, inventions, and theories at the immersive Leonardo da Vinci exhibition at TELUS Spark!  

Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre  

When: Until May 5  

 

FOREIGNER: Farewell to Canada Tour 

Get ready to rock like never before because FOREIGNER is bringing their epic Farewell Canada Tour to the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino on May 8! Don’t miss your chance to witness the legendary band that has been shaping the rock music landscape for decades. 

Where: Grey Eagle Resort & Casino  

When: May 8 

 

Stars on Ice  

The world-class ice skating extravaganza, Stars on Ice, returns to Calgary featuring some of the most accomplished and renowned figure skaters, including Patrick Chan, Elvis Stojko, Satoko Miyahara, Madeline Schizas, Keegan Messing, and more. 

Where: Scotiabank Saddledome  

When: May 10  

 

Otafest 

Calgary’s Japanese anime and pop culture community comes to life at Otafest. The festival features anime screenings, an exhibitor hall, community panels, cosplay contests, voice actors, and concerts.  

Where: Calgary TELUS Convention Centre  

When: May 10-12 

 

Storybook Theatre Presents: The Music Man 

​By turns wicked, funny, warm, romantic and touching, The Music Man is family entertainment at its best. Meredith Willson's six-time, Tony Award-winning musical comedy has been entertaining audiences since 1957 and is a family-friendly story to be shared with every generation.  

Where: Beddington Theatre Arts Centre 

When: May 10 - June 1 

 

Mother’s Day Events in Calgary

Celebrate mom with these family friendly events and brunches in Calgary.

  • Mother’s Day at The Confluence - May 12
  • Mother's Day at Spark - May 12
  • Mother’s Day Brunch with Alex Hughes at the King Eddie - May 12
  • Calgary Women’s Jazz Orchestra Mother’s Day Brunch - May 12
  • Mother’s Day Brunch at Heritage Park - May 12
  • Mother’s Day Brunch at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo - May 11 & 12

 

Decidedly Jazz Danceworks: Party Time

Party Time is about a house party. The guests arrive, they dance, they chat, they play some party games, enjoy some libations, make friends, they have moments of romance, of friction. They do all the things one does at a party, except at this party, things get a little extra wild as the guests all reveal their inner party animals.

Where: DJD Dance Centre  

When: Until May 12

 

Grazers Dining Series - Old World vs. New World Wines 

The May edition of the new Grazers Dining Series features a dinner curated by Executive Chef Kenneth Titcomb exclusively paired with New vs. Old World wines. A local Sommelier will discuss the ins and outs of how the dinner was paired, with added details about inspiration and how it complements the palate. 

Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo  

When: May 17 

 

Witchcraft and Wizardry: Murder by Magic 

Embark on a captivating journey with Witchcraft and Wizardry: Murder by Magic! Perfect for groups of families and friends, each ticket to this extraordinary outdoor experience allows up to 6 adults to become detectives in a magical murder mystery set in a realm of sorcery and spells. 

Where: Beddington Theatre Arts Centre 

When: May 18 

 

YYCaesarfest 

Celebrate Canada’s National Cocktail at the Calgary Caesar Festival. This two-day sampling event honouring the Calgary-born cocktail featuring over 40 Caesars, local food, craft beer, Caesar merch, & other goods. 

Where: The Big Four at Stampede Park 

When: May 18-19 

 

Highfield Food & Beverage Market Fest 

Enjoy the best beverages the Brewery Belt has to offer while shopping at the Market Fest! You will find a variety of market vendors and local businesses that will offer you unique items to enjoy at this AGLC Licensed event. Free admittance! 

Where: 38a Ave SE, by City & Country Winery 

When: May 18-19 

 

Glenbow at The Edison | Building Black Civilizations: Journey of 2,000 Ships 

In Building Black Civilizations: Journey of 2,000 Ships, artist Ekow Nimako explores what might have been when ruler Abu Bakr II chose to abdicate his throne and set out across the Atlantic. Using LEGO® to recreate epic possibilities, Nimako creates a narrative of Black civilizations and imagines liberated futures.  

Where: The Glenbow Museum’s temporary location at The Edison  

When: Until May 19 

 

Calgary Surge Basketball  

Experience the thrill as the Calgary Surge hit the basketball court at the Scotiabank Saddledome for the team’s home opener in a battle of Alberta against the Edmonton Stingers.  

Where: Scotiabank Saddledome  

When: May 21 

 

Royal Canadian International Circus Calgary  

Come under the Big Top at the all-new Royal Canadian International Circus. The show features classic circus entertainment like high-flying acrobatics, death-defying tricks, towering feats of strength, and teetering towers of balanced bodies.  

Where: CrossIron Mills  

When: May 24 - June 2 

 

Festival of Quilts  

Explore the Historical Village and admire hundreds of colourful quilts on display at the Festival of Quilts! And of course the Historical Village is open with all your favourites so you can experience the sights, smells, and sounds of living history spanning from the 1880s to the 1950s! 

Where: Heritage Park  

When: May 25-26  

 

Rosebud Theatre Presents: Chariots of Fire  

100 years after the epic race at the 1924 Paris Olympics, witness actors run full-out on Rosebud’s Opera House Stage in this energetic rendition of the 1981 Academy Award-winning film.  

Where: Rosebud Theatre 

When: Until May 25  

 

Velocity Auto Show 

Experience Calgary's 2nd annual Velocity Auto Show! Explore a diverse range of cars, from classics to modern sports cars, tuners, and rare exotics. 

Where: Platform Calgary 

When: May 25 

 

Servus Calgary Marathon  

Join the Servus Calgary Marathon, Canada's longest running marathon, on Sunday, May 26! Choose from 6 different distances starting with a 1.2km kids race to a 60km ultra! All runners will receive a special 60th anniversary medal & ASICS shirt, plus a big 60th year post-race party with fun surprises! New this year: $20 entry for youth 18 & under!  

Where: Start line is Stampede Trail  

When: May 26 

 

Calgary Stampede Sam Centre Opening Weekend

Calgary's newest attraction shares the greatest Stampede stories year-round through captivating exhibits and immersive multimedia shows. Be one of the first to check out this one-of-a-kind experience at the Sam Centre!

Where: Sam Centre, Stampede Park

When: Opening May 29

 

Calgary Surge Basketball  

The Calgary Surge take on the Scarborough Shooting Stars in their second home game of the season. 

Where: WinSport Event Centre  

When: May 29 

 

Jubilations Dinner Theatre presents Journey to the 80’s  

Every decade has its trends. The 60’s had its hippie counter culture, the 70’s had bell bottoms and disco, but no other decade had the sheer explosion of pop culture like the 80’s! Join  Jubilations Dinner Theatre as they journey to the time when we were livin' on a prayer, and we all had a total eclipse of the heart.  

Where: Jubilations Dinner Theatre  

When: Until June 1  

 

Jubilations Junior: Teenage Mutant Kung Fu Turtles  

Dive into a morning of fun with "Teenage Mutant Kung Fu Turtles" at Jubilations Junior. This special show is crafted just for kids, featuring a story that will have them laughing, singing, and enjoying a meal made especially for young ones. 

Where: Jubilations Dinner Theatre 

When: Every Saturday morning, Until June 1 
 

Violins of Hope

Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre presents Violins of Hope, a collection of string instruments dating from before and during the Holocaust. These meticulously restored instruments once belonged to victims and survivors of the Holocaust. Today, the instruments stand as enduring symbols, serving to educate and memorialize those affected by one of history’s darkest chapters through concerts, exhibitions, and other commemorative projects.

Where: Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre  

When: Until June 16

 

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical 

Stage West presents Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, the inspiring true story of Carole King’s journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  

Where: Stage West Theatre  

When: Until June 23

 

Thunderin' Thursdays at Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall 

Get ready to stomp and sway at Thunderin' Thursdays at Ranchman’s – your ultimate destination for an electrifying night of rhythm and fun! Join this unforgettable experience each Thursday featuring Free Line Dance Lessons starting at 9:00 p.m.  

Where: Ranchman’s Cookhouse & Dancehall  

When: Until June 27 

 

BUMP Mural Tours 

Explore Calgary’s open air street art gallery with an official guided mural tour led by the BUMP Festival. Walk with BUMP to see 20+ murals, marvel at record breaking artworks, celebrate local history, and learn about the most iconic murals in Calgary. 

Where: High Park Parkade Level 6 

When: Weekends, Until October 27 

 

Le Petit Chef 

Indulge in a culinary adventure like no other at Bistro Novelle Restaurant, nestled in the heart of downtown Calgary at the Dorian Autograph Collection Hotel. Immerse yourself in the mesmerising world of "Le Petit Chef," which promises to captivate your senses and ignite your imagination. 

Where: Dorian Autograph Collection Hotel 

When: Indefinite

Supress from menu
No