We hope you’re feeling adventurous because spring has finally sprung and there is no shortage of things to do or see this month! From markets and festivals, exhibits, immersive experiences and beyond, you’re in for a fantastic few weeks. Not sure where to start? Here are 30 wonderfully exciting things to do in Calgary this May!
Alberta Ballet
The ballet is back and this month Calgarians can enjoy a production of Der Wolf & The Rite of Spring at the Jubilee Auditorium. This beautiful show will delight audiences of all ages with enchanting music, stunning costumes, and talent. Don’t miss it!
When: Thursday, May 2nd-4th, 2024
Where: 1415 14 Ave NW, Calgary
Cost: $51+
Glenbow at the Edison
This May, visit Glenbow at the Edison in Calgary for an incredible exhibit built entirely out of LEGO entitled: Building Black Civilizations: Journey of 2,000 Ships. Described as a reimagining of ancient African kingdoms,’ this important display features four major works that explore the mysterious 14th-century sea voyage of Mansa Abu Bakr II, predecessor of Mansa Musa, ruler of the medieval empire of Mali.
When: Until May 19th, 2024
Where: 150 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
Cost: FREE
Sponsored pick: Calgary Beerfest
Calgary Beerfest is coming to town! Mark your calendars and plan your Ubers, because It’s time to celebrate craft creations with food, brews, music, and more. If you’re not a big beer person, there will also be cocktails, cider, mead, RTDs, and non-alcoholic drinks alongside delicious bites. Enjoy fun games, unwind at the sports lounge, or dance to live music at the after-party! Get your tickets online and use the promo code SAVE20 for 20% off General Admission!
When: Friday, May 3rd and Saturday, May 4th, 2024
Where: BMO Centre, Stampede Park
Cost: Tickets start at $19.99 with packages available
Foreigner
Live music? What better way to celebrate another week? On May 8th, check out Foreigner at the Grey Eagle Event Centre! Tickets are still available at the link above. You won’t want to miss it!
When: Wednesday, May 8th, 2024
Where: Event Centre at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino – 3775 Grey Eagle Dr, Tsuut’ina, Alberta
Time: 8 pm
Cost: $211+
Sponsored pick: Chop Steakhouse & Bar
Special occasions, big announcements, celebrations of every type – we know there’s only one kind of place to do them justice: a modern steakhouse. Chop Steakhouse & Bar just announced their returning Steak Masters program complete with a new limited-time menu. The new menu will be available at Chop locations across Canada, but it’s only here for 8 weeks. Make up a special occasion if you have to, because you don’t want to miss this!
When: Limited 8-week Steak Master’s Menu starting on April 18.
Where: 17 locations across Canada
The Inglewood Night Market
This month, vendors from all over the city will take Inglewood for their beloved night market! With a beer garden, food trucks, live music, and so much more. You will not want to miss it! Enjoy!
When: Friday, May 10th 2024
Where: 10 Ave and 10 Street SE
Time: 5 pm – 10 pm
Cost: Free
Sponsored pick: Moxy Hotel
Moxy Hotel is opening its first location in Western Canada and it’s one of the most unique experiences in Banff. The new and improved space pays homage to the old Voyager Inn, built in 1964, with bold mid-century design, psychedelic textiles, expansive rundle stone walls, and the iconic Bar Moxy where you can get a free cocktail when you check in! This party hotel has everything you need for a good time, with year-round hot tubs, ping-pong tables, and the lobby Bar Moxy for unwinding with friends, both old and new.
Where: 555 Banff Avenue
When: Opening spring 2024
TSwift Dance Party: The Tortured Poets Department
Love TTPD?! This spring, dance your way through the eras and into the newest chapter of the icon’s career at Calgary’s big TSwift dance party!
When: Friday, May 10th, 2024
Where: The Back Alley – 4630 Macleod Trail Calgary
Time: 9 pm
Cost: $13+
Eau Claire Market Farewell Celebration
After 30 years of activities, fun and culture, The Eau Claire Market has announced it will officially close on May 31st, 2024. Luckily, for those who want to make a few more memories, they will be hosting a huge farewell party with live music and shows, heartwarming community performances and games on May 11th, 2024.
When: Saturday, May 11th, 2024
Where: 200 Barclay Parade SW #202, Calgary
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: Free
Mother’s Day Market
Happy spring! In celebration of the sunnier season, the Saskatoon Farm will be holding its 6th annual market featuring food, local vendors, live music, and more! Don’t miss it!
When: Saturday, May 11th-12th, 2024
Where: 80181 338 Ave E #20, Foothills County, AB
Time: 9 am – 5 pm
Cost: $7+
La Pizza Week
We hope you’re hungry, Calgary! La Pizza Week is back and like so many years prior, foodies will be encouraged to get cheesy at restaurants all over the country. From coast to coast, ovens will be hot and toppings will be plenty. Check out the link above to see the local restaurants participating in this year’s event!
When: Wednesday, May 1st – 7th, 2024
Where: See link above
Cost: Prices vary
Glow Garden Pop-up Centre
With wholesale prices and expert staff, the popup glow gardens are back! This annual shopping event is familiar to many and beloved by plant enthusiasts and admirers so don’t miss it! It’s going to be colourful!
When: Open throughout May 2024
Cost: Free
Easy Days
Shop ’til you drop! This spring, hit the East Village Riverwalk for the big Easy Days pop-up market! Featuring Calgary artists and various artisan vendors, guests can enjoy performances and local goodies!
When: Saturday, May 19th 2024
Where: East Village River Walk
Time: 12 pm – 5 pm
Cost: Free
YYCaesarFest
Created by Walter Chell In 1969, the Caesar is deeply rooted in our history so it only makes sense that one of the largest events celebrating the drink is held in Calgary! This month fans of the drink can hit the Stampede grounds where local bars and restaurants will be showcasing different variations of the boozy bevy under one roof.
When: Saturday, May 18th – 19th, 2024
Where: The Big Four, Stampede Park
Cost: $25+
Contemporary Calgary
This May, wander Contemporary Calgary – a modern museum with wide-open spaces and many a tale to tell. The best part? Admission is only $10 – so go ahead and get that extra espresso shot in your coffee on the way there.
When: Open Wednesdays to Sundays
Where: 701 11th Street SW
Cost: $10+
Miette Hot Springs
Located in Jasper National Park, this particular destination is said to have the ‘hottest water in the Canadian Rockies,’ and is a fool-proof way to relax, recharge and kick off the spring season.
When: Friday, May 3rd, 2024
Where: Improvement District No. 12, AB
Cost: $17.50
Canyon Ski Resort Alpine Coaster
Set to open over the May long weekend, Red Deer’s epic Canyon Coaster is approximately 1,345 metres, can travel at a speed of 40 km/hr and has a 440-foot vertical drop in total. Interested in taking it for a ride? Check out the link above for more information!
When: Saturday, May 18th, 2024
Where: 38433, Range Rd 264A, AB
Time: Wednesday – Sunday 11 am-6 pm
Cost: $25
University District Night Market
Credit cards at the ready! This May, Calgarians can spend an eventful evening under the stars at the University District Night Market! Showcasing various artisan vendors from all over the city, this event is going to be adorable.
When: Wednesday, May 29th, 2024
Where: Central Commons Park, 4019 University Ave NW
Time: 5 pm – 9 pm
Cost: Free
Nikka Yuko Garden
The Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens are one of the most beautiful places in not just Alberta, but all of North America and shouldn’t be much longer until flowers are in bloom! Check it out this May and enjoy.
When: Saturday, May 11th, 2024 (dependant)
Where: Corner of 9th Ave S &, Mayor Magrath Dr. S, Lethbridge
Cost: $13.50+
Lake Minnewanka Cruise
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to travel to the edges of the continent to enjoy a cruise! This May, climb aboard an hour-long tour of one of Alberta’s most beautiful lakes for everything from dinner and drink tours to sightseeing sails.
When: May 2024
Where: Lake Minnewanka, 10 mins outside Banff
Cost: $65+
Calaway Park
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Looking to do something a little more fast-paced this spring? Adrenaline lovers are encouraged to ride the coaster or eat all the carnival food their stomachs can handle at Calgary’s Calaway Park which is set to open this month!
When: Saturday, May 18th, 2024
Where: 245033 Range Road 33, Calgary
Cost: $35.95+
Cobb’s Adventure Park
They’re back! This May, get up close and personal with kangaroos and goats, play games, grab a bite to eat, and go mini-golfing! There’s really no better way to get outdoors than Cobb’s Adventure Park.
When: Saturday, May 18th, 2024
Where: 1500 84th Street NE, Calgary
Time: 11 am – 5 pm
Tickets: $21+
Banff Food and Cocktail Festival
Featuring 25 of the area’s best local restaurants and bars, the MADE WITH LOVE festival returns this Spring and it’s going to be more delicious than ever. From competitions and education events to the huge 2-day celebration on Bear Street, it’s going to be an incredible time. Don’t miss it!
When: April 19th – May 4th, 2024
Where: Various locations, Banff, AB
Contemporary Calgary
This May, wander Contemporary Calgary – a modern museum with wide-open spaces and many a tale to tell. The best part? Admission is only $10 – so go ahead and get that extra espresso shot in your coffee on the way there.
When: Open Wednesdays to Sundays
Where: 701 11th Street SW
Cost: $10 for GA
Films at the Fort
Films at the Fort is back with a series of crowd-pleasing, memorable movies. This May, catch one of their many choices from the classics to cult faves. For tickets and showtimes visit the link above and enjoy!
When: Various dates through May
Where: 750 9 Avenue SE, Calgary
Cost: $12
Journey to the 80s
This month, Calgarians are encouraged to enjoy a lively musical Inspired by the 80s! For more information or to get your tickets now, check out the link above!
When: All April long
Where: 1002 – 37th Street SW Calgary, AB
Cost: $75+
Bacon Fest
Hungry?! This May, pig out at Banff Sunshine’s big annual bacon fest, which will feature fun, food and meaty activities on May 4th, 2024. Enjoy!
When: May 4th, 2024
Where: #1 Sunshine Access Road, Banff, AB
Candlelight Concert
Featuring talented musicians and hundreds of brightly lit wicks, Calgarians can enjoy one (or all of) Fever’s Candlelight Concerts. Get your tickets now and enjoy! It’s going to be magical.
When: Various dates in May
Where: Various locations
Time: Various times
Cost: $29+
SPACE: A Journey to the Moon and Beyond
Dream big! SPACE: A Journey to the Moon and Beyond is now open at the science centre and will feature beautiful effects and stunning visuals. From the Apollo 11 lunar landing to constellations, attendees are in for an immersive experience that will feel as though they’re exploring star clusters and planets – a dream of any jr. astronomer.
Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre – 220 Saint George’s Drive Northeast, Calgary
Esker Foundation
Never been to the Esker Foundation Modern Art Gallery? You are in for a treat! This Month, check out locally sourced pieces and incredible exhibits all for free!
Where: The Esker Foundation, 1011 9 Ave SE 4th floor, Calgary, AB T2G 0H7
Cost: FREE
Whew, there you have it, friends, 30 things to do in Calgary this May. What will you check out first?! Let us know – and enjoy!
