30 things to do in Calgary this week: May 21 to 27

May 18 2018, 10:52 pm

This week may be short, but there’s no shortage of fun to be had!

Now that all the major parks are open around Calgary there are a ton of family-friendly activities to keep everyone happy on your weekend endeavours.

Head out on a quick road trip, see a show, or grab your gang for some good old-fashioned patio brews — there’s truly something for everyone. We’ve been cooped up hiding from the cold for far too long, it’s time to get outdoors and enjoy the heat.

We have gathered 30 events happening in and around Calgary that you simply can’t miss out on this week. Check them out below!

See also

Monday, May 21

Happy Mondays 

  • What: We all know that the struggle is truly real on Mondays! Luckily, National wants to make them a bit better with 25 cent Happy Hour offered all day long. Yes, you read that correctly! Grab a drink and make Mondays your new favourite day of the week.
  • When: Mondays
  • Time: 11 am to close
  • Where: National on 17 – 550 17th Avenue SW

Calaway Park Opening Weekend

  • What Everyone’s favourite outdoor theme park is finally opening for the summer and kicking off its 36th season of family fun!
  • When: May 19 to 21
  • Time: 10 am to 7 pm
  • Where: Calaway Park – 245033 Range Road 33
  • Cost: Regular park admission

Heritage Park Opening Weekend

week

Heritage Park Historical Village (Bernard Spragg. NZ/flickr)

  • What: Come celebrate the first long weekend of the summer at the opening of Calgary’s Heritage Park Historical Village. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride, ride the antique midway, and feast on a freshly baked cheese bun.
  • When: May 19 to 21
  • Time: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Drive SW
  • Admission: Regular park admission

David Byrne – American Utopia Tour

  • What: Remember the Talking Heads? Founder, David Byrne will be coming to Calgary to recreate some of your favourite hits!
  • When: Monday, May 21
  • Time: 8 pm
  • Where: Southern Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW
  • Tickets: Ticketmaster, $91 to $441

Tuesday, May 22

Macaron 101 

  • What: Ever wondered how to make a French macaron? Look no further. Everyone’s favourite macaron shop, Ollia, hosts Macaron Baking Classes, offering exclusive lessons on how to properly engage in some macaronage, get the perfect shell, and create a variety of flavours. Bon appetite!
  • When: Tuesday, May 22
  • Time: 6 pm
  • Where: Ollia Macaron and Tea – 810c 16th Avenue SW
  • Tickets: Call to reserve your spot, $100

Whitespace Writers Weekly Write-In

  • What: Looking for some inspiration, a place to write that isn’t your kitchen table, or simply some guidance on a writing project? For only $5 you can join White Space Writers every Tuesday morning and receive a workspace, unlimited coffee, accessibility to writing resources (aka they will look over a piece you’re working on) and a writing prompt if that is what you’re interested in. Plus you might make a new creative friend or two, which is priceless!
  • When: Every Tuesday
  • Time: 9 am to 12 pm
  • Where: Loft 112 – 535 8th Avenue SE
  • Admission: $5

Wednesday, May 23

Much Ado About Nothing

  • What: Weary and in love seems to be a trend in Shakespeare’s work! Come see Beatrice and Hero come to life in this captivating performance and reenactment of Shakespeare’s work.
  • When: May 17 to June 2
  • Time: Varies by performance
  • Where: 115 9th Avenue SE
  • Tickets: Online, $15+

Summer Planter 

week

Silk Plant Warehouse Calgary/Facebook

  • What: Bring home a beautiful planter made by yours truly to adorn your patio this summer!
  • When: Wednesday, May 23
  • Time: 7 pm
  • Where: #155, 2515 90th Avenue SW
  • Tickets: Online, $100

Hand Lettering with Alison Martin 

  • What: Get the creative juices flowing and pick up a new hobby as you learn how to create your own hand lettering masterpieces from the lovely Alison Martin of Amartincreative.
  • When: Wednesday, May 23
  • Time: 6:30 pm
  • Where: Greater Goods – #8 606 Meredith Road NE
  • Tickets: Online, $70

Thursday, May 24

NOtaBLE Hour 

  • What: Head to one of Calgary’s favourite eateries for some after-work libation for only $8 a glass. This deal includes the Moscow Mule Grilled Grapefruit Swizzle, a pint of Village Brewery No Bull beer, or a glass of wine. They will also be offering a chicken dinner for two for only $30, which includes half a wood-fired rotisserie Happy Chicken, with NOtaBLE signature salad and bottomless fries on the side – sign us up!
  • When: Tuesday to Thursday
  • Time: 3:30 to 5:30 pm
  • Where: 4611 Bowness Road NW

Check out Calgary’s Newest Ice Creamery

  • What: XO is located in the heart of one of Calgary’s newest communities, Auburn Bay. Paying tribute to the old-fashioned ice cream parlours and mom-and-pop shops, they have aimed to create an ice cream experience with flavours that are both nostalgic and creative, sparking memories across generations – past, present, and future!
  • Where: 808, 100 Auburn Meadows Drive SE

Greater Goods Monthly Pop-up Series: Essentials By Nature

  • What: Come shop the all-natural, preservative-free skin care products from Essentials by Nature throughout the month of May at Greater Goods Boutique and Tea Bar, located in the heart of Bridgeland. You’ll be supporting a local —and extremely talented — small business while purchasing products that are good for you, your home, and the environment.
  • Where: Greater Goods – #8 606 Meredith Road NE
  • When: The entire month of May

Friday, May 25

Vintage Redefined Market 

week

vintage clothes/shutterstock

  • What: Come shop for true antique gems at this brand-new vintage market. With over 25,000 sq ft of space, this market will feature a variety of vendors, such as true vintage collectibles, reclaimed goods, jewellery and more!
  • When: May 25 to 26
  • Time:
    • Friday: 5 to 9 pm
    • Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Where: Acadia Recreation Centre – 240 90th Avenue SE
  • Tickets: Online, $7.50 to $10

Queen – It’s a Kinda Magic

  • What: Enjoy the very best of Queen as this cover band recreates the magic of their 1986 World Tour. Relive hits like We Will Rock You, Under Pressure, Bohemian Rhapsody, and so many more!
  • When: Friday, May 25
  • Time: 8 pm
  • Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive SW
  • Tickets: Ticketmaster, $39 to $59

Saturday, May 26

East Village Junction Opening Weekend 

  • What: In only one year this colourful container lot has turned into a popular Calgary mainstay. Located behind the King Edward Hotel, this is a unique destination that features local retail shops, workshops, music, art, and, of course, YYC Food Trucks. You won’t want to miss out on the fun summer festivities that they have planned at this hip community gathering space.
  • When: May 18 to September 3
  • Where: 430 8th Avenue SE

Boozy Brunch

  • What: Enjoy a delicious four-course brunch paired with beer or a cocktail — what more do you need to start the day!
  • When: Saturday, May 26
  • Time: 11 am to 2 pm
  • Where: Market – 718 17th Avenue SW
  • Tickets: Reserve your table online, $50

East Town Get Down

  • What: One night. 60 bands. Eight venues. Six blocks. This brand new music festival is taking place on International Avenue and will be truly a night to remember! Get a wristband and hop between venues as you hear your favourite local bands and talent tearing up the stage. This festival is meant to shake up the festival landscape in Calgary and kick off the summer with an international flair!
  • When: Saturday, May 26
  • Time: 6 pm
  • Where: International Avenue – #250, 3515 17th Avenue SE
  • Tickets: Online, $25 (One wristband gets you into all 8 venues)

Festival of Quilts: “Quilts in Living Colour”

  • What: Get ready for the 23rd annual Festival of Quilts, Western Canada’s largest outdoor quilt show. Be sure to check out the Merchants Wall, Community Showcase, and the Iron Quilt Challenges. There will also be a Gala Dinner hosted at Gasoline Alley to celebrate this long lost craft while enjoying entertainment by Gloria Loughman.
  • When: May 26 to 27
  • Time: 10 am to 5 pm
  • Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Drive SW
  • Tickets: Regular admission to the park (Gala, $74.99 per person)

Sunday, May 27

HER Gathering 1: Write Your Vision

week

@agnieszka/Pexels

  • What: Calgary is full of some fiercely ambitious women who are absolutely killing it! It’s now their dream to inspire the next generation of women to do the same. Ladies 14 to 18 are encouraged to join the lady bosses who founded Crave Cupcakes and Dote Magazine for a visual writing workshop followed by a cupcake decorating class. We can assure you this event will be stunning, Instaworthy, and truly inspirational!
  • When: Sunday, May 27
  • Time: 10 am to 4 pm
  • Where: 7D Kitchen at Crave Kensington – 1107 Kensington Road NW
  • Tickets: Apply online by May 4. Only 8 Participants will be chosen

Barre and Brunch 

  • What: Enjoy a 50-minute barre class with Barre Belle and afterward enjoy a delicious brunch buffet, paired with bubbles of course. First we barre then we brunch — simple!
  • When: Sunday, May 27
  • Time: 10 am
  • Where: Trolley 5 Atrium – 728 17th Avenue SW
  • Tickets: Online, $30

Asparagus Festival 

  • What: Due to extreme hail and other contributing factors this festival had to be put on hold for a few years — but it’s back and larger than ever! Visit this real working asparagus farm, experience their story firsthand, enjoy a fully narrated wagon ride, watch the harvest in action, and even get the opportunity to pick some asparagus for yourselves. You’ll also have the opportunity to shop their Country Store and the artisan market village while saying hello to all the farm animals and joining in on the many festivities happening throughout the day!
  • When: May 27, June 3 and June 10
  • Time: 10 am to 4 pm
  • Where: 1465 Twp. Road 352
  • Admission: $5, kids 5 and under are free

Free fitness classes at the CORE: Bootcamp

  • What: For the month of May, start your Sunday off right with a free boot camp class courtesy of Caron Anderson at the CORE. Time to get started on your summer bod!
  • When: Every Sunday in April
  • Time: 11 am
  • Where: Dome Tower – 333, 7th Avenue SW
  • Cost: FREE

Any day of the week

Whales Tohora

  • What: Coming all the way from the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, this exciting exhibition has been travelling North America for the last 10 years and Calgary marks its final destination. Excite your senses with this unique cultural experience that will show you everything you need to know about the king of the ocean; the whale. The exhibit shows everything from life-size whale skeletons to the evolution of these creatures and understanding how they communicate. There is so much to know about these beautiful beings.
  • When: January 20 to June 20
  • Where: Telus Spark – 220 St. George’s Drive NE
  • Tickets: Online, $26

Head to the new Kananaskis Nordic Spa

  • What: Looking for a quick escape from the everyday grind? This brand new spa combines the tranquil rejuvenation of a traditional Nordic Spa and the Alpine stillness of the Canadian Rockies. This spa is meant to provide relaxation and the opportunity to discover clarity in the midst of the mountains.
  • Where: 1 Centennial Drive, Kananaskis

Experience the Brewster Banff Gondola

  • What: Head to the summit for a beautiful view above the treetops and a birds-eye view of six different mountain ranges, while sipping on coffee, or a refreshing glass of wine.
  • Where: 100 Mountain Avenue, Banff
  • Tickets: Adult $62, child $31

Take an Iconic Glacier Adventure

  • What: Depending on the level of adventure you’re looking for, experiencing the glaciers in the heart of the Icefields Parkway is a must-see on the bucket list. Head out for an unforgettable experience on a massive Ice Explorer where you will have the opportunity to walk on, feel and drink from the Athabasca Glacier. If you’re a thrill seeker you can your adventure up a notch by taking a jaw-dropping walk along the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk at the cliff’s edge. Don’t forget your camera — this is a moment you’ll want to capture!
  • Where: Located on the boundary of Jasper and Banff National Parks – P.O. Box 1140
    Banff, Alberta
  • Admission: Online, Adult $31 and Children (6 to 15) $16

Check out a Board Game Cafe 

  • What: Board game cafes make a great first date, as there are lots of icebreaker opportunities to make it very obvious if there will be a second date in the cards. Alternatively, it’s a fun way to hang out with friends and spice up the usual catch-up coffee affair. Plus, there is nothing wrong with some healthy competition!
  • Where:
    • Hexagon Board Game Cafe – #200 1140 Kensington Road NW, Calgary
    • Boxcar Board Game Cafe – 1215 1st Street SW, Calgary

Check out Famoso on 4th’s new digs

  • What: Come grab a fire-roasted pizza from you’re favourite neighbourhood pizza shop, Famoso’s on 4th, and check out their new renovations. A gorgeous centre bar, natural lighting, cozy booths, and more, they have really taken the concept of a local pizza eatery to the next level. Step into Italy and enjoy!
  • When: Opened early April
  • Where: 2303 4th Avenue SW

NOtaBLE Hour 

  • What: Head to one of Calgary’s favourite eateries for some after-work libation for only $8 a glass. This deal includes the Moscow Mule Grilled Grapefruit Swizzle, a pint of Village Brewery No Bull beer, or a glass of wine. They will also be offering a chicken dinner for two for only $30, which includes half a wood-fired rotisserie Happy Chicken, with NOtaBLE signature salad and bottomless fries on the side – sign us up!
  • When: Tuesday to Thursday
  • Time: 3:30 to 5:30 pm
  • Where: 4611 Bowness Road NW

Sherlock Holmes and the American Problem

  • What: When Annie Oakley’s brother goes missing there is only one pair of detectives right for the job. Follow along as Sherlock and Watson work to solve the mystery and end up in some unplanned situations involving inventions, robbery, and murder.
  • When: May 12 to June 10
  • Time: Varies per day
  • Where: Vertigo Theatre – 161, 115 9th Avenue SE
  • Tickets: Contact the ticket office at 403-221-3708
See also
Kristy ArchibaldKristy Archibald

+ Listed
ADVERTISEMENT