Fun Things to Do in Calgary – Calgary Events for May 2026

19.9K

Here are the events that will be happening this week in Calgary. Check out the fun and interesting events for May 2026. Every month we spend hours searching for the best Calgary local and fun events for the whole family so that you don’t have to!

Friday, May 1

• Calgary International Beerfest @ BMO Centre, 1912 Flores Ladue Parade SE from 5pm – 10pm; Tickets: $30 & up; runs May 1–2

Saturday, May 2

• Calgary International Beerfest – Day 2 @ BMO Centre, 1912 Flores Ladue Parade SE; Tickets: $30 & up
• Mini Masterpiece Fine Art Show from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the Canyon Meadows Community Association. This one-day event celebrates original fine art in a unique and collectible format,  featuring 3 sizes and 3 price points. Making it easy and affordable to start or grow your art collection. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply looking for something meaningful and beautiful, there’s a perfect piece waiting for you.
• Thomas the Tank Engine at Heritage Park @ Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Dr SW; Tickets: $32.95; also runs May 3, 9 & 10
• Chihuahua Races @ Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, 260 Century Downs Dr at 12.45pm; Free
• Wild After Hours – Penguin Plunge @ Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, 210 St. George’s Dr NE at 5pm; Tickets: $130; also May 16
• Calgary Comic Book Show @ Acadia Recreation Complex, 240 90 Ave SE; Tickets: $12.50 & up; also May 3
• LOOK26 Contemporary Calgary – Art Party @ Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St SW; Tickets: varies

Sunday, May 3

• Thomas the Tank Engine at Heritage Park @ Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Dr SW; Tickets: $32.95; also May 9 & 10
• Trilogy @ Grey Eagle Event Centre, 3775 Grey Eagle Drive at 7pm; Tickets: varies
• Calgary Artists Studio Tour – Final Day @ various artists’ studios across Calgary; Free; runs May 1–3
• Black Flag – One Night, Two Sets @ Dickens, 209 10 Ave SW at 7pm; Tickets: varies
• RESET Society Book Sale @ Crossroads Market Tent; Free admission; also May 8–10
• Alberta Ballet: Notre Dame de Paris – Final Performance @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW at 7.30pm; Tickets: varies
• The Starling Effect (World Premiere) @ Vertigo Theatre, 115 9 Ave SE; Tickets: varies; runs through May 9

Monday, May 4

• City and Colour @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW at 8pm; Tickets: varies

Tuesday, May 5

• Cinco de Mayo – Common Tuesdays @ Commonwealth Bar & Stage, 731 10 Ave SW at 10pm; Free (RSVP required). Calgary’s popular weekly Tuesday night party gets a festive Cinco de Mayo makeover with themed drinks, DJs, and a lively downtown crowd.
• Gabriel Rutledge – Don’t Read the Comments @ Commonwealth Bar & Stage, 731 10 Ave SW at 7.30pm; Tickets: varies. The sharp and self-deprecating American stand-up comic brings his latest tour to Calgary, known for his relatable takes on family life, social media, and everyday absurdity.

Wednesday, May 6

• Elbow Valley Musicfest @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW at 6.30pm; Tickets: varies. A celebration of local musical talent showcasing performers from Calgary and the surrounding Elbow Valley community in one of the city’s most iconic concert halls.
• Love and Rage @ various Calgary theatre venues at 8pm; Tickets: $25 – $45; runs May 6–16. An original theatrical production exploring passion, conflict, and human connection, running for nearly two weeks across Calgary’s intimate performance spaces.

Friday, May 8

• After Dark at the Military Museums @ The Military Museums, 4520 Crowchild Trl SW from 6pm – 9pm; Tickets: varies. An adults-only evening at one of Calgary’s most fascinating museums, featuring guided tours through four regimental galleries, hands-on firearms history stations, and a signature Commander’s Old Fashioned cocktail.
• Dragon: A Vertical City Performance @ various downtown Calgary venues at 8pm; Tickets: $22 – $48; also May 9. A jaw-dropping large-scale vertical dance performance on the sides of downtown Calgary buildings, blending acrobatics, lighting, and storytelling in a truly one-of-a-kind outdoor spectacle.
• TAMASHA Calgary @ venue TBC at 9.30pm; Tickets: $19 – $22. A vibrant South Asian-inspired nightlife event celebrating Bollywood, bhangra, and contemporary desi music — one of Calgary’s most high-energy cultural dance nights.
• World Famous Fridays Rap Night @ Commonwealth Bar & Stage, 731 10 Ave SW at 10pm; Free (RSVP required). A weekly hip-hop night at one of Calgary’s go-to live music venues, featuring local and touring rap acts alongside DJ sets well into the night.
• Arcade Jam 2026 – CGDA @ venue TBC from 4pm; Tickets: $27 – $38; runs May 8–17. Presented by the Calgary Game Developers Association, this indie gaming showcase lets you play, test, and celebrate locally made video games across multiple days of hands-on fun.

Saturday, May 9

• Marda Loop Night Market @ 34 Ave between 18 & 19 St SW from 5pm – 10pm; Free. One of Calgary’s most beloved neighbourhood street markets returns for the season, filling the Marda Loop area with local vendors, food, and live entertainment on a warm spring evening.
• Thomas the Tank Engine at Heritage Park @ Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Dr SW; Tickets: $32.95; also May 10. The beloved blue engine rolls into Heritage Park for a family day packed with real train rides, photo opportunities, lawn games, music activities, and a pop-up gift shop.
• Ilan Bluestone @ venue TBC at 8.30pm; Tickets: $0 – $35. Israeli trance and progressive house DJ and producer Ilan Bluestone brings his cinematic, high-energy electronic sound to Calgary for a late-night dance event.
• Mother’s Day Brunch @ Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, 210 St. George’s Dr NE; Tickets: $45 – $90; also May 10. Treat Mom to a special brunch surrounded by Calgary’s incredible animals, with gourmet breakfast stations, waffle bars, eggs Benedict, and a full day of zoo access included.
• Mother’s Day Brunch with Michela Sheedy @ King Eddy, 438 9 Ave SE at 9am; Tickets: $38 – $67. A soulful Mother’s Day morning at the historic King Edward Hotel, pairing a hearty brunch spread with a live performance by edgy soul-country singer Michela Sheedy.
• CRLC Rock and Mineral Show @ venue TBC; Tickets: varies; runs May 9–10. The Calgary Rock and Lapidary Club’s annual show brings together gems, crystals, fossils, handmade jewellery, and mineral displays — a surprisingly fun outing for curious kids and adults alike.
• Safari Sunday Brunch @ Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, 210 St. George’s Dr NE; Tickets: from $49.95; weekly Sundays through November 1. The zoo’s popular weekly Sunday brunch offers gourmet comfort breakfast foods and zoo admission in one, making it a relaxed and unique way to spend a Sunday morning with family or friends.

Sunday, May 10 – Mother’s Day

• Thomas the Tank Engine at Heritage Park @ Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Dr SW; Tickets: $32.95. The last day to catch Thomas this weekend — bring the little ones for train rides, hands-on music activities, and all the family fun Heritage Park does best.
• Mother’s Day Brunch @ Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, 210 St. George’s Dr NE; Tickets: $45 – $90. Spoil Mom with a gourmet brunch in the heart of the zoo, with full animal access included and a beautifully set dining experience she won’t forget.
• Sport Chek Mother’s Day Run, Walk & Wheel @ downtown Calgary; Tickets: varies. A feel-good community fundraiser where families run, walk, or wheel together to honour the moms and caregivers in their lives, raising funds for Parkinson Canada along the way.
• High Tea at Lougheed House @ Lougheed House, 707 13 Ave SW; Tickets: varies (museum admission included). Treat Mom to an elegant afternoon tea in the beautifully restored historic Lougheed House conservatory, complete with finger sandwiches, scones, and a guided look at this stunning National Historic Site.
• Mother’s Day at Spruce Meadows @ Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Trl SW; Tickets: varies. A refined and heartfelt Mother’s Day celebration at the world-renowned Spruce Meadows equestrian facility, featuring elegant surroundings, thoughtfully crafted menus, and warm hospitality.
• Mother’s Day Picnic at The Confluence @ The Confluence Historic Site, 750 9 Ave SE; Tickets: varies. A charming and relaxed outdoor celebration for Mom at one of Calgary’s most scenic historic sites, with an indoor picnic lunch in the Barracks, a guided parkland walk, and family-friendly activities.
• Symphony Sundays for Kids – Calgary Philharmonic @ Jack Singer Concert Hall, 205 8 Ave SE at 3pm; Tickets: varies. A wonderful Mother’s Day treat for the whole family — the Calgary Phil’s kid-friendly concert series makes classical music fun and accessible for young audiences in a world-class concert hall setting.
• Movie Night: Mamma Mia! @ The Grand, 608 1 St SW; Tickets: varies. What better way to celebrate Mom than with ABBA bangers on the big screen — The Grand’s movie night screening of Mamma Mia! is a sing-along-worthy way to end Mother’s Day weekend.

Wednesday, May 13

• Sooshi Mango – The Home Made World Tour @ Jack Singer Concert Hall, 205 8 Ave SE at 7.30pm; Tickets: varies

Friday, May 15

• Star Wars: Return of the Jedi In Concert @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW at 7.30pm; Tickets: varies (Note: 14th Ave NW bridge construction may affect access — check the Jubilee website); also May 16 (2.30pm & 7.30pm)
• Otafest @ Calgary Telus Convention Centre, 136 8 Ave SE from 9am; Tickets: varies; runs May 15–17

Saturday, May 16

• Star Wars: Return of the Jedi In Concert @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW at 2.30pm & 7.30pm; Tickets: varies
• Otafest – Day 2 @ Calgary Telus Convention Centre, 136 8 Ave SE; Tickets: varies
• Kite Fest @ Granary Road, 226066 112 St W from 10am; Tickets: varies; also May 17
• Wild After Hours – Penguin Plunge @ Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, 210 St. George’s Dr NE at 5pm; Tickets: $130

Sunday, May 17

• Otafest – Final Day @ Calgary Telus Convention Centre, 136 8 Ave SE; Tickets: varies
• Sexyy Red @ Grey Eagle Event Centre, 3775 Grey Eagle Drive at 8pm; Tickets: varies
• Kite Fest – Final Day @ Granary Road, 226066 112 St W; Tickets: varies

Tuesday, May 19

• Mamma Mia! – Broadway Across Canada @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW at 7.30pm; Tickets: varies; runs May 19–24
• Arkells – Between Us City Takeover @ Palomino Smokehouse, 109 7 Ave SW at 7pm; Tickets: varies

Thursday, May 21

• Arkells @ The Palace Theatre, 219 8 Ave SW at 7pm; Tickets: varies

Friday, May 22

• Morgan Jay – Goofy Guy Tour @ Grey Eagle Event Centre, 3775 Grey Eagle Drive at 8pm; Tickets: varies; also May 24
• Calgary Black Film Festival @ various venues; May 22–26; Tickets: varies
• InglewooDIY Festival @ Inglewood; May 22–31; Tickets: varies

Saturday, May 23

• Servus Calgary Marathon – Race Weekend @ Starting line, 11 Ave SE at 7am; Tickets: varies by race distance; also May 24
• East Town Get Down @ International Avenue, 17 Ave SE; Free
• Serbia Fest @ various; May 23–24; Tickets: varies
• An Evening with Eckhart Tolle @ BMO Centre Champions Ballroom, 1912 Flores Ladue Parade SE at 7pm; Tickets: varies
• Taste of Calgary – Food Truck Edition @ various; Tickets: varies
• The Barn Artisan Market – May Market @ Shawnessy Barn, 224 Shawmeadows Rd SW from 11am – 4pm; Free

Sunday, May 24

• Servus Calgary Marathon – Race Day @ Starting line, 11 Ave SE; Tickets: varies by race
• Morgan Jay – Goofy Guy Tour @ Grey Eagle Event Centre, 3775 Grey Eagle Drive; Tickets: varies

Thursday, May 28

• Calgary Surge vs. Scarborough Shooting Stars @ WinSport Event Centre, 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW at 7.30pm; Tickets: varies

Friday, May 29

• FunnyFest Comedy Festival @ various Calgary venues; May 28 – June 7; Tickets: $10 – $29

Saturday, May 30

• YYC Italian Wine Fest @ location TBC; Tickets: varies
• The Royal Canadian Circus @ various; May 22–31; Tickets: varies

---

What’s Happening This Month in Calgary

• Calgary International Beerfest @ BMO Centre, 1912 Flores Ladue Parade SE, May 1–2; Tickets: $30 & up
• Thomas the Tank Engine at Heritage Park @ Heritage Park, 1900 Heritage Dr SW, May 2, 3, 9 & 10; Tickets: $32.95
• Calgary Reads Big Book Sale @ Calgary Curling Club, 720 3 St NW, May 8–17; Free admission
• Otafest @ Calgary Telus Convention Centre, 136 8 Ave SE, May 15–17; Tickets: varies
• Star Wars: Return of the Jedi In Concert @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW, May 15–16; Tickets: varies
• Mamma Mia! – Broadway Across Canada @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW, May 19–24; Tickets: varies
• Calgary Black Film Festival @ various venues, May 22–26; Tickets: varies
• InglewooDIY Festival @ Inglewood, May 22–31; Tickets: varies
• The Royal Canadian Circus @ various, May 22–31; Tickets: varies
• Servus Calgary Marathon @ downtown Calgary, May 23–24; Tickets: varies by race
• FunnyFest Comedy Festival @ various Calgary venues, May 28 – June 7; Tickets: $10 – $29

If you haven’t done so, you can subscribe to this VIP Events List below. If you want me to add your event to this list, please send me an email or contact me here.  

 

Need help with Calgary Real Estate?

I’m a licensed real estate agent and property manager with CIR REALTY, serving Calgary since 2011. Whether you’re buying or selling, I provide clear guidance, honest advice and a smooth, stress-free experience.
Learn more about me here.

If you’d like quick information or want to explore your options without spending hours researching, reach out anytime. You can:

• Send me a message

• Book an appointment (Zoom, phone call or an office meeting)

• Text me at 403.835.6913 for the fastest reply (I may be with clients, so texting or scheduling online is best)

I’d be happy to help you choose the best type of property in Calgary for you and your family, or help you sell your home for the right price with the right strategy.

If you want to stay updated on Calgary real estate and get fun and interesting weekly events, sign up for my Calgary Weekly Events in Your Inbox: http://bit.ly/yyceventslist