May in Calgary

Fresh activities and events are blooming this May in Calgary with the return of the Servus Calgary Marathon, Calgary International Beerfest, and Day Out with Thomas at Heritage Park.

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.

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.

Where: Various locations 
When: May 2-4

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 2-3

Classic Albums Live: The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers 

Relive the raw energy of rock’s golden age as Classic Albums Live brings The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers to the stage at Jack Singer Concert Hall. Hear the full album performed live, note for note and cut for cut, including timeless tracks like “Brown Sugar” and “Wild Horses.” After intermission, the band keeps the party going with more hits from the Stones’ legendary catalogue.

Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall
When: May 3

Day Out with Thomas at Heritage Park

Climb aboard for a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and spend the day surrounded by party vibes and fun for the whole family. The Party Tour at Heritage Park includes a real train ride with Thomas, meet-and-greets with Sir Topham Hatt, lawn games, storytelling, and party-themed activities celebrating 80 years of adventures.

Where: Heritage Park
When: May 3, 4, 10, and 11

Alberta Ballet: Don Quixote

Alberta Ballet presents a reimagined production of "Don Quixote ," choreographed by Francesco Ventriglia. Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes' classic novel, this ballet follows the adventures of the idealistic Don Quixote and his loyal squire, Sancho Panza.

Where: Southern Jubilee Auditorium
When: May 1-3

FascinAsian Film Festival

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

Where: Central Library
When: May 1-4

Once on This Island at StoryBook Theatre

A Caribbean-inspired musical retelling of The Little Mermaid, this Olivier Award-winning show follows Ti Moune, a brave young girl who sets out on a journey of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery. With a lively score and powerful storytelling, “Once on This Island ” is perfect for families and theatre lovers alike.

Where: StoryBook Theatre
When: May 9-31

The Da Vinci Code at Vertigo Theatre

Step into a world of ancient secrets and hidden codes as Vertigo Theatre brings Dan Brown’s best selling thriller to the stage . Join Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu on a gripping hunt for clues, where every twist leads closer to an explosive truth. This fast-paced mystery will keep you guessing until the final moment.

Where: Vertigo Theatre
When: May 10-June 8

Calgary Wild FC Inaugural Home Opener

Be part of history as Calgary Wild FC plays its first home match in Canada's new professional women's soccer league against Ottawa Rapid FC at McMahon Stadium.

Where: McMahon Stadium
When: May 11

Puppets and Planes: Mother's Day at The Hangar 

Celebrate Mother's Day with a unique blend of aviation and puppetry at The Hangar Flight . Moms receive free admission when accompanied by a paid guest. The event features a special presentation by WP Puppet Theatre and offers activities like writing 'air-mail' letters to mom, creating a memorable experience for the whole family.

Where: The Hangar Flight Museum
When: May 11

Mother's Day Gin-Making Classes – Bottles & Blooms 

Celebrate Mother's Day with a unique gin-making experience at Confluence Distilling . This special class guides participants through crafting their own gin, complemented by a bouquet-making session. Enjoy a hands-on workshop that combines the art of distilling with floral design, creating memorable gifts to take home.

Where: Confluence Distilling
When: May 11

'Wonder-Foal' Mother's Day Brunch

Celebrate Mother's Day with an elegant buffet brunch at Spruce Meadows' Congress Hall . After dining, enjoy a meet-and-greet with mother horses and their foals, shop with local vendors, and explore the beautiful grounds for a heartwarming family experience.

Where: Spruce Meadows, Congress Hall
When: May 11

Liars at a Funeral at Alberta Theatre Projects

When Grandma Mavis fakes her own funeral to bring her fractured family together, chaos ensues. With a storm stranding everyone inside the funeral home, secrets unravel and hilarity follows in this sharp-witted comedy by Sophia Fabiilli . Expect plenty of heart, laughs, and family drama in this riotous new Canadian play.

Where: Martha Cohen Theatre
When: Until May 11

Reminiscing in Tempo

To celebrate their 40th anniversary, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks presents a retrospective performance featuring highlights from over 70 original concerts. The show is set to live music led by longtime collaborator Kristian Alexandrov, making this a powerful tribute to the company’s legacy and spirit.

Where: DJD Dance Centre
When: Until May 11

Champions of Magic: Chasing the Unbelievable

Experience a thrilling evening as the Champions of Magic present their all-new show, featuring mind-bending illusions and interactive performances suitable for the whole family. This high-energy production combines grand-scale magic with a flair for spectacle and undeniable showmanship.

Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
When: May 11&12

The InglewooDIY Festival

This two-week celebration in Calgary’s Inglewood neighbourhood showcases the local arts scene with DIY workshops, maker markets, and street art installations. Connect with artists through hands-on sessions and behind-the-scenes tours in one of the city’s most creative districts.

Where: Various locations throughout Inglewood
When: May 11-25

Julie Kim: Doing Too Much   

Join one of Canada's top stand-up comedians, Julie Kim, for her "Doing Too Much" tour at Yuk Yuk's Calgary. Known for her sharp wit and relatable humour, Julie has performed at major festivals like Just for Laughs and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.

Where: Yuk Yuk's Calgary
When: May 15

Take Flight at Bow Habitat Station

Join Bow Habitat Station for their Take Flight Discovery Day dedicated to the fascinating journeys of migratory birds. This family-friendly event offers interactive activities and educational experiences that highlight the incredible migrations these birds undertake to return to Alberta for the spring and summer.

Where: Bow Habitat Station
When: May 16​

Otafest

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

Where: Calgary TELUS Convention Centre
When: May 16-18

SIX The Musical

The six wives of Henry VIII transform history into a high-energy pop concert. This Tony Award-winning show blends catchy tunes with clever storytelling.

Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
When: May 20–25

Foundation to Future at Lougheed House

Explore the evolving story of Lougheed House through this new core exhibition focused on its historic roles and community impact. Enjoy free admission during the opening weekend.

Where: Lougheed House
When: May 23–25

Royal Canadian International Circus Calgary  

Come under the Big Top for the Royal Canadian International Circus and experience high-flying acrobatics, death-defying tricks, towering feats of strength, and teetering towers of balanced bodies.

Where: CrossIron Mills
When: May 23 - June 1

Taste of Carifest Expo

Experience Caribbean culture with food, music, costumes, dance, and fun for all ages. Highlights include a jerk chicken cook-off, live performances, and a kids' zone.

Where: Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association
When: May 24, 12–6 p.m.

Calgary Stampeders Preseason Game

CFL preseason action is here! Kick off the summer and cheer on the Stamps as they face Edmonton at home.

Where: McMahon Stadium
When: May 24, 7:30 p.m.

Spring Local: A Small Business Market

Support Calgary's small business community at Spring Local ! This small business market features a diverse community of local vendors and products, and is the perfect opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs showcasing their crafts and services.

Where: The Rooftop YYC
When: May 24

Calgary Surge Home Opener

Start the CEBL season with the Calgary Surge as they face the Winnipeg Sea Bears.

Where: WinSport Event Centre
When: May 25, 2:00 p.m.

Servus Calgary Marathon  

Join the Servus Calgary Marathon , Canada's longest running marathon, on May 24 and 25! Choose from 6 different distances starting with a 1.2km kids race to a 60km ultra!

Where: Start line is Stampede Trail
When: May 24-25

National Geographic Live: Kakani Katija – Designed by Nature

Join bioengineer Dr. Kakani Katija as she explores how nature-inspired designs can address global challenges at this special edition of National Geographic Live .

Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall
When: May 25-26

FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival

Celebrate 25 years of laughs with themed shows and stand-up comedy across the city. Enjoy performances from 70 comedians over 11 nights at various venues.

Where: Multiple venues across Calgary
When: May 29 – June 8

Quantum Sandbox

Immerse yourself in Quantum Sandbox , an interactive digital installation at TELUS Spark Science Centre's Digital Immersion Gallery. This exhibit explores five core principles of quantum physics, including the newly added concept of Entanglement, through vibrant displays of colour, energy, and sound. Each visit offers a unique experience as the landscapes shift with light, time, and motion.

Where: TELUS Spark Science Centre
When: Until September 2