Another month in Calgary means another month full of things to do. With the weather getting nicer, there is so much more to check out.
From outdoor markets and festivals to marathons and awesome events, there is something for everyone. Here are 21 spectacular things to do in Calgary this May.
Calgary International Beerfest
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What: Calgary International Beerfest features over 200 breweries, distilleries, cideries, meaderies, and ready-to-drink beverages that you can sample at the festival. You can also find delicious bites from 30 local pubs, restaurants, and eateries, as well as live music.
When: May 1 and 2, 2026
Where: BMO Centre – 1912 Flores Ladue Parade SE
Cost: Starting at $30
Day Out With Thomas at Heritage Park
Heritage Park/Facebook
What: Thomas the Tank Engine is coming to Heritage Park this month! Enjoy a train ride with a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine as well as live entertainment, photo opportunities, lawn games, shopping at the pop-up gift shop, and hands-on activities. It’s the perfect outing for the whole family.
When: May 2, 3, 9, 10, 2026
Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Dr. SW
Cost: $32.95
10th Annual Century Downs Chihuahua Races
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What: Century Downs is hosting its 10th annual chihuahua races this May. Visitors can expect live standardbred horse racing, Born Brewing Co. sampling, Parachutes for Pets thrift store pet-friendly giveaways, and, of course, the chihuahua races.
When: Saturday, May 2, 2026; 12:45 p.m.
Where: Century Downs Racetrack and Casino — 260 Century Downs Dr.
Cost: Free
Calgary Maker Faire
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What: The Maker Faire brings together engineers, artists, scientists, crafters, and more to show off their creations, hobbies, and projects. Touted as the “Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth,” it’s an amazing showcase of creativity and invention.
When: May 2 to 3, 2026
Where: Acadia Rec Centre – 240 90th Ave. SE
Cost: Starting at $12.50
Wild After Hours: Penguins
The Calgary Zoo/Facebook
What: The zoo is hosting wild after hours for two nights this May. The evening includes an exclusive, after-hours viewing of the Penguin Plunge habitat, a four-course meal, and a penguin presentation.
When: May 2 and 16, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo – 210 St. George’s Dr. NE
Cost: $130
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Sunday Safari Brunch
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What: Head on over to the zoo this month to enjoy their Sunday safari brunch. You can enjoy gourmet and comfort breakfast foods, like fresh fruit, eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon, a waffle bar, omelettes, and much more.
When: Sundays until November 1, 2026
Where: Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo – 210 St. George’s Dr. NE
Cost: Starting at $49.95
Inglewood Night Market
Inglewood Night Market/Facebook
What: The Inglewood Night Market is back for the summer! Join them this May for the first market of the season, featuring a bunch of local vendors, live music, and food located in the heart of Inglewood.
When: Friday, May 8, 2026; 5 to 10 p.m.
Where: 10th Avenue and 10th Street SE
Cost: Free
Triumph: Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded
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What: Rock band Triumph is coming to the Scotiabank Saddledome this month with their Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded Tour.
When: Friday, May 8, 2026; 8 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE
Cost: Ticket prices vary by seat
Movie nights at The Grand
The Grand/Facebook
What: The Grand has three movie nights this month, including screenings of The Mummy, Mamma Mia!, and Shrek.
When: May 8, 10, and 15, 2026
Where: The Grand — 608 1st St. SW
Cost: Prices vary
Calgary Reads Big Book Sale
Calgary Reads Big Book Sale/Facebook
What: The Calgary Reads Big Book Sale is a massive book sale with over 200,000 gently used books for sale. Browse rows upon rows of wonderfully organized titles from every genre imaginable. Whether you’re partial to sci-fi, detective novels, or fantasy epics, we bet you’ll find something.
When: May 8 to 17, 2026
Where: Calgary Curling Club — 720 3rd St. NW, Calgary
Cost: Free
SuperMom Calgary
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What: Hosted by Parkinson Canada, SuperMom Calgary is a family-friendly fundraising walk at Caburn Park celebrating moms, caregivers, and families while raising awareness and funds to support Canadians living with Parkinson’s.
When: Sunday, May 10, 2026
Where: Caburn Park – 67 Riverview Dr. SE
Cost: Prices vary
Judo Canada Open Nationals
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What: The 2026 Judo Canada Open Nationals are coming to Calgary this May. Watch as athletes from all over Canada come to Calgary to compete for national titles.
When: May 14 to 17, 2026
Where: Olympic Oval – 288 Collegiate Blvd. NW
Cost: Prices vary
Otafest
Otafest/Facebook
What: Otafest is a premier weekend celebration of Japanese art and pop culture right in the heart of Calgary. You can find anime screenings, an exhibitor hall, community panels, cosplay contests, voice actors, and concerts.
When: May 15 to 17, 2026
Where: Calgary Telus Convention Centre and Marriott Downtown Hotel – 136 8th Ave. SE
Cost: Prices vary
Pirates of the Bow River
What: Pirates of the Bow River is a family fun scavenger hunt right in Calgary. It features an outdoor pirate adventure, an interactive scavenger hunt, puzzles, exploration, teamwork, and a final pirate gift for those who complete the challenge.
When: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Where: Baker Park – 9333 Scenic Bow Rd. NW
Cost: $30
The Confluence Craft Club
Jeff Whyte/Shutterstock
What: Grab your crafting materials and head over to the Confluence this May for their monthly craft club. It’s a great place to connect with other crafters and work on any project you might have lying around.
When: Sunday, May 17, 2026; 1 p.m.
Where: The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland — 750 9th Ave. SE
Cost: $8
Broadway Across Canada Mamma Mia!
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What: Broadway Across Canada is bringing Mamma Mia! to the stage at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. “Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA.”
When: May 19 to 24, 2026
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Ave. NW
Cost: Ticket prices vary by date and seat
Shrek the Musical
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What: Storybook Theatre is putting on Shrek the Musical this month. “The tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself joined by a wisecracking Donkey to rescue a feisty princess, Fiona, to salvage his home, is hilarious brought to the stage.”
When: May 20 to June 21, 2026
Where: Beddington Theatre Arts Centre – 375 Bermuda Dr. NW
Cost: Ticket prices vary by date and seat
Servus Calgary Marathon Race Weekend
Calgary Marathon/Facebook
What: The Servus Calgary Marathon Race Weekend is here! The weekend features a variety of races, including a five-kilometre, a 10-kilometre, a half-marathon, a full marathon, a kids race, and a diaper dash.
When: May 23 and 24, 2026
Where: Starting line: 11th Avenue SE, just north of the Sam Centre
Cost: Prices vary by race
Morgan Jay
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What: Comedian Morgan Jay is bringing his Goofy Guy tour right to the Grey Eagle Events Centre this May.
When: May 22 and 24, 2026
Where: Grey Eagle Events Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Dr.
Cost: Ticket prices vary by date and seat
The Barn Artisan Market
The Barn Artisan Market/Supplied
What: The Barn Artisan Market is back! You can find over 30 vendors across two floors. You’ll be able to shop and browse products from local artisans, creators, crafters and makers.
When: Sunday, May 24, 2026; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Shawnessy Barn – 224 Shawmeadows Rd. SW
Cost: Free
Death on the Dancefloor at Heritage Park
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What: Join Heritage Park for a murder mystery. “In Death on the Dancefloor, a murder interrupts a lively dance at the Wainwright Hotel, and the lead investigator needs your help to uncover the truth.” Your ticket includes a three-course dinner and the show.
When: May 22, 23, and 30, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park — 1900 Heritage Dr. SW
Cost: $120