May in Calgary

father & son posing with Thomas the Engine at Heritage Park
father & son posing with Thomas the Engine at Heritage Park
Things to do

May in Calgary

Things to do this May 2023 in Calgary

Please 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 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 May in Calgary.


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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 5 & 6 

 

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 6-7, 12-14 

 

Shania Twain: Queen of Me Tour 

Canadian Icon, Shania Twain, is stopping in Calgary for two nights as part of her Queen of Me global tour. Country pop singer, Lindsey Ell, will be opening for the Grammy award-winning artist.  

Where: Scotiabank Saddledome 

When: May 9 & 10 

 

Lunchbox Theatre: Cottagers & Indians  

Cottagers & Indians is a funny and fierce play based on real-life events in Ontario's Kawartha Lakes region. The story infuses contemporary conflicts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous sensibilities with Drew Hayden Taylor's characteristic warmth and humour. 

Where: The Studio at Vertigo Theatre 

When: May 9-27 

 

Alberta Ballet: Botero 

Botero is a show not to be missed. Inspired by the life and distinctive style of painter Fernando Botero, this world premiere promises to be a whimsical experience of dance that is as unique as Botero’s voluminous subjects. 

Where: Jubilee Auditorium 

When: May 11-13 

 

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 11-14 

 

Glenbow at The Edison: The Living Sea 

The latest Glenbow Museum exhibit, The Living Sea, celebrates the beauty and magic of the ocean. This stunning photography display raises awareness of environmental causes and the importance of preserving biodiversity. 

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

When: May 11-21 

 

World Fair Trade Day  

May 13th is World Fair Trade Day! Support international artists and artisans from 50 countries at Villages Calgary. From 12 to 4 p.m. the fun includes fair trade banana splits, affogatos, family-friendly activities, and live music. 

Where: Villages Calgary 

When: May 13 

 

Stars on Ice 

This is your last chance to see four-time World and Canadian Champion Kurt Browning perform with Stars on Ice. Kurt will be joined on his farewell tour by Olympic gold-medalist Patrick Chan, Olympic silver-medalist Elvis Stojko and many other legendary skaters. 

Where: Scotiabank Saddledome 

When: May 14 

 

Marvel Studios Presents Black Panther in Concert 

Relive the excitement of T’Challa becoming king and battling Killmonger in Marvel Studios’ global sensation Black Panther. The Calgary Philharmonic will perform Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar®-winning score live to picture.  

Where: Jubilee Auditorium 

When: May 18 & 19 

 

Calgary Night Market - Bridgeland 

Night markets are back for the season in Bridgeland. Enjoy eight food trucks and local vendors selling everything from pottery to jewelry to vintage wares. 

Where: Bridgeland Riverside Community Association 

When: May 19 

 

Grazers Dining Series 

The May edition of the new Grazers Dining Series is a discussion about Canadian wine with experts from the industry, along with a delicious dinner from executive chef Kenneth Titcomb. 

Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo 

When: May 19 

 

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 19-21 

 

Calgary Roughnecks

The Calgary Roughnecks are hosting the Colorado Mammoth for a place in the National Lacrosse League Finals. The winner of Game 3 moves on to play the Buffalo Bandits for all the glory.

Where: Scotiabank Saddledome

When: May 20

 

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 20 & 21

 

Korean Cultural Heritage Festival 

South Korean artists and performers will be taking center stage during the Korean Cultural Heritage Festival. Enjoy K-Pop Dance, Chan Lee Taekwondo, Korean Traditional Dance, and other performances at the Bella Concert Hall. 

Where: Bella Concert Hall, Mount Royal University 

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 26 – June 4 

 

Calgary Surge 

Don’t miss the debut of Calgary’s new professional basketball team. The Calgary Surge are part of the Canadian Elite Basketball League. The team’s first home game of the season is a battle of Alberta against the Edmonton Stingers. 

Where: WinSport Event Centre 

When: May 27 

 

Party Like Gatsby: Soiree Royale 

Dress your finest and immerse yourself to the fullest as you enter the kaleidoscopic world of the 1920s. During Party Like Gatsby you’ll enjoy a breathtaking 3.5-hour stage show of burlesque, live music, and circus. 

Where: The Palace Theatre 

When: May 27 

 

Festival of Quilts 

During the Festival of Quilts you can enjoy the marvelous selection of quilts displayed throughout the park as part of your general admission. 

Where: Heritage Park 

When: May 27 & 28 

 

Servus Calgary Marathon 

The 59th running of the Calgary Marathon will be packed with energy from start to finish. Cheer on runners from around the world as they race along the beautiful Bow River in this Boston qualifier.  

Where: Start line is Stampede Trail 

When: May 28 

 

Jubilations Dinner Theatre: Wedding Singer 1999  

Sing along to all your favourite wedding songs from the 80’s and 90’s at Wedding Singer 1999. Enjoy live performances based on the classic movie about a 1980’s wedding singer who finally found a love of his own. 

Where: Jubilations Dinner Theatre 

When: On now until June 3 

 

Stage West Theatre: 9 to 5, The Musical  

Based on the 1980 hit movie, 9 to 5, The Musical, is a hilarious story of friendship and revenge. The music and lyrics are all by Dolly Parton. Watch the talented Stage West performers bring this classic movie to life. 

Where: Stage West Theatre 

When: On now until June 25 

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