May in Calgary

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.

Dress up as your favourite anime character for Otafest or sample your way through Calgary’s finest breweries at Beerfest. Watch chihuahuas race or penguins waddle. Enjoy a musical night out with the Calgary Phil or travel through time with Le Cirque de la Nuit. Treat your mom to afternoon tea at a place of your choice.

Calgary International Beerfest

Nothing brings people together like great food and drink. At Calgary International Beerfest, it’s all about celebrating together. With over 200 breweries, distilleries, cideries, plus delicious bites from 30+ local restaurants, you’ll truly get a taste of the city.

Where: BMO Centre 
When: May 1 & 2

Ogden Indoor Highland Games

Foothills Caledonia Youth Pipe Band, in partnership with the Alberta Society of Pipers & Drummers and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, invites you to experience a full day of Scottish bagpiping and drumming competitions.

Where: TransAlta Performing Arts Studio
When: May 2

10th Annual Century Downs Chihuahua Races

Catch the 10th Annual Century Downs Chihuahua Races for live harness racing and the 152nd Kentucky Derby. Who is going to make it across the finish line? Only one way to find out!

Where: Century Downs Racetrack and Casino
When: May 2

Asian Heritage Month at Studio Bell

Kick off Asian Heritage Month at Studio Bell with a blend of traditional and contemporary Chinese music, in partnership with the Chinese Artists Association of Alberta. The event features performances by GCB, a band that uses music as a universal language to explore themes of identity, migration, and shared emotion.

Where: Studio Bell
When: May 2

Alberta in Harmony: The Planets

Experience the power of two world-class orchestras as the Calgary Philharmonic and Edmonton Symphony come together to perform Become Ocean by John Luther Adams, a haunting work that evokes an unstoppable tidal wave.

Where: Jack Singer Concert Hall
When: May 2

LOOK26 Gala: Off The Path 

Contemporary Calgary is bringing an unforgettable night of revelry. Think sculptures, paintings and moving images along with DJs, live performances and art activations. Whether you dress the part or not, you’re invited to celebrate the magic of art and community.

Where: Contemporary Calgary
When: May 2

Calgary Maker Faire 2026

Get inspired at the Calgary Maker Faire which brings together curious minds to showcase their projects, passions, and experiments. The Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth, this is a family-friendly celebration of creativity, innovation, and hands-on inspiration.

Where: Acadia Rec Centre 
When: May 2-3

Wild After Hours: Penguins (18+) 

Wander into the unknown with this adults-only evening experience at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. Your ticket includes after-hours access to the Penguin Plunge habitat, a four-course dinner at Safari Lodge, and a captivating presentation on penguins.

Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo 
When: May 2 & 16

Triumph: Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded

Turn it up for a legendary night of classic rock as Triumph brings the Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded tour to Calgary. With soaring guitar solos, arena-sized anthems, and a high-voltage stage show, it’s going to be a performance you’ll remember.

Where: Scotiabank Saddledome 
When: May 8

Gin Cocktail Workshop 

Join Confluence Distilling for a special Mother’s Day gin workshop and discover the art behind botanicals and classic cocktails.

Where: Confluence Distilling 
When: May 7

Mother’s Day Specialty Brunch 

Celebrate Mother’s Day surrounded by lush gardens and the wild beauty of the Calgary Zoo, while enjoying a delicious buffet and specialty menu crafted in her honour.

Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo 
When: May 9 & 10

Mother’s Day Tea 

Treat the motherly figures in your life to fancy afternoon tea in the historic conservatory at Lougheed House. Museum admission is included in your reservation.

Where: Lougheed House
When: May 9 & 10

Train Excursion 

Gather the family for a brunch or supper train excursion at Aspen Crossing, created just for her.

Where: Aspen Crossing
When: May 9 & 10

Mother’s Day at The Hangar 

Join The Hangar Flight Museum for an aviation-themed Mother's Day Celebration with a flowerpot painting workshop and a paper airplane bouquet. Each workshop ticket purchased includes one flowerpot and bouquet.

Where: The Hangar Flight Museum
When: May 10

Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet

Celebrate Mother's Day at Spruce Meadows with warm hospitality, elegant surroundings and delicious offerings. Crafted with intention and thoughtfulness, this is an experience that will truly express your appreciation for the mother figures in your life.

Where: Spruce Meadows
When: May 10

Mother’s Day at The Confluence 

Treat Mom to a day filled with history, flavour and fun at The Confluence. Celebrate the mother figures in your life with an indoor picnic lunch in the Barracks, a guided walk through the surrounding parkland, and plenty of family-friendly activities along the way.

Where: The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland 
When: May 12

Judo Canada Open Nationals 

Witness a showcase of high-performance skill, determination, and competitive spirit at the Judo Canada Open Nationals where athletes from across Canada compete for national titles, earn valuable ranking points, and test themselves against the very best in their divisions.

Where: Olympic Oval
When: May 14-17

Otafest 

Get your nerd out at Otafest, Calgary’s Japanese anime and pop culture festival, featuring anime screenings, an exhibitor hall, community panels, cosplay contests, voice actors, concerts, and more.

Where: Calgary Telus Convention Centre and Mariott Hotel Downtown 
When: May 15-17

Kite Fest

Try your luck at Granary Road's first annual kite festival. Participate in kite building sessions, flying lessons, spectacular shows, and a flying area to test out your kites in the big blue sky!

Where: Granary Road 
When: May 16 & 17

Calgary Wild FC

Join the call of the wild and catch Calgary Wild FC, Canada's first professional women's soccer league, take on this season.

Where: McMahon Stadium 
When: May 16, 24 & 31

The Time Machinist by Le Cirque de la Nuit

Experience the captivating mysteries of time travel, presented by Le Cirque de la Nuit, at The GRAND. The bold and eccentric Time Machinist, Owen Mittagen Vottenberg III, is inviting you on an unforgettable adventure through the ages. Will you accept it?

Where: The GRAND 
When: May 21-24

Servus Calgary Marathon

Join the Servus Calgary Marathon, Canada's longest running marathon. With varying distances, there is something for every type of runner!

Where: North of Sam Centre 
When: May 23-24

Cavalry FC

Catch Cavalry FC take on Pacific FC in this high-energy match.

Where: ATCO Field
When: May 24

Calgary Surge

Watch the Calgary Surge shoot their shot against Scarborough Shooting Stars.

Where: WinSport Event Centre
When: May 28

FunnyFest Comedy Competition

The 26th Annual FunnyFest Comedy Competition delivers 11 nights of laughter featuring 50 comedians vying for a coveted spot in the renowned FunnyFest Comedy Festival. Each show promises a rotating lineup of performers competing to win over the crowd.

Where: Various venues
When: May 28 - June 7

These Calgary attractions officially open for the 2026 season over the May 16th weekend:

• Calgary Farmyard: May 15 - October 25

• Calaway Park: May 16 - August 30

• Heritage Park: May 16 - October 12

• Downhill Karting: May 16 - October 15

• Cobb's Adventure Park: May 16 - October 25

Looking for more things to do in and around Calgary? Check out our Events Calendar for the best events and happenings around the city.