30 things to do in Calgary this weekend: May 17 to 20

The long weekend just makes everything better! Pack your schedule with these 25 great Calgary events on Friday, May 17, Saturday, May 18, Sunday, May 19, and Monday May 20. Otafest, Vegan Week Festival, and more!

For more things happening around town check out our events section.

See also

• There's an epic Game of Thrones celebration at TELUS Spark for the series finale
• Highly-anticipated Brewery & The Beast Calgary 2019 lineup revealed
• A massive free Latin festival will take over downtown Calgary for 3 days this summer

Friday, May 17

Calgary Otafest 2019

What: The three-day long, all ages festival will bring the best in Japanese animation to Calgary’s Telus Convention Centre, including cosplay contests, community-run panels, voice actors, and much more. Special guests will include James Landino, Rusty Meeks, and Wendee Lee, to name only a few.

When: Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19, 2018
Time: A full schedule can be found here
Where: Telus Convention Centre – 120 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Available online or at the door, $55 to $60

Free Yoga Class in Central Library

What: Join Yoga with Rowena for Slow & Gentle free yoga classes in Central Library Calgary. Attendees will focus on building strength and confidence within ourselves through each asana and through each movement of our breaths.

When: Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Central Library – 800 3 Street Southeast, Calgary
Register: Online, Free

Clear the Rack at Nordstrom Rack

What: Nordstrom Rack is having a massive ‘Clear the Rack’ event. Here you’ll be able to shop for clothing, shoes, beauty, and accessories from top designers like Nike, Ted Baker London, Steve Madden, Cole Haan, and more at unbeatable prices. During the massive sale, customers will receive an extra 25% off all clearance items or ‘red tag’ items. As the clearance section is already 40-60% off the retail price, customers will save up to 75% off during the event.

When: May 17 to May 20, 2019
Hours: Friday, Saturday, and Monday, 10 am to 9 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Nordstrom Rack Deerfoot Meadows: 33 Heritage Meadows Way SE, Calgary; Nordstrom Rack South Edmonton Common: 1910 102nd St NW, Edmonton
Admission: Free

Bring Your Own Cup Event at 7-Eleven

What: 7-Eleven’s iconic Bring Your Own Cup Event is back… for two whole days! For the annual event, $2 will buy a choice of any Slurpee – including limited edition flavours like Ghostbusters Green Apple, Watermelon Slurpee, and Strawberry Blast Slurpee – in any cup. The Canada-wide chain of convenience stores encourages customers to get imaginative with their choice of vessel. Containers must be within 26 cm in diameter, watertight, clean, and hygienic.

When: Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, 2019
Time: All Day
Where: Participating 7-Eleven locations across Canada
Price: $2

PetSmart National Pet Adoption Weekend

What: From May 17 to 19, 250 Canadian animal welfare organizations will bring adorable, adoptable pets into nearly every one of PetSmart’s 130-plus stores across the country. The event organizers said the goal for the weekend is to find lifelong, loving homes for 2,114 shelter pets, including dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, and various small pets.

When: Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19, 2019
Time: 9 am to 9 pm on Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday
Where: Select PetSmart locations across Canada (Check website for full list of participating locations)

Saturday, May 18

Meet the Baby ‘Roos at Cobb’s Adventure Park 2019

What: Cobb’s Adventure Park in Calgary is giving visitors the chance to be the first to meet, pet, and hold their adorable brand new baby kangaroos and wallabies. The park offers a wide variety of rides, games, and activities for all ages with a kangaroo petting zoo, climbing wall, bouncy houses, pedal carts, tractor rides, giant slides, archery tag, and much more. You can even book a kangaroo visit for your birthday party, classroom, or office during their offseason. For $250/hour they bring two baby joeys and three sugar gliders to your birthday party, classroom, or office.

When: May 18 to May 26, 2019
Time: 11 to 5 pm
Where: Cobb’s Adventure Park, Calgary
Cost: $18 general admission, kids under 3 free!

Heritage Park Opening Weekend

What: Come celebrate the first long weekend of the summer at the opening of Calgary’s Heritage Park Historical Village. Enjoy a different experience every day. Take a tour back in time on a horse-drawn wagon ride, play traditional Aboriginal games in the First Nations’ Encampment and pick up a freshly baked cheese bun from the Alberta Bakery. Plus S.S. Moyie paddlewheeler will once again sail the Glenmore Reservoir this summer, which means the return of the much-loved Captain’s Cruises.

When: Saturday, May 18 to Monday, May 20
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Admission: Regular park admission

Serbian Fest

What: Experience Serbian culture with dances, sports, heritage, food, and much more.

When: May 18 to 19, 2019
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Serbian Orthodox Church – 16025-243rd Avenue E
Admission: $5, children nine and under free

Grand Opening Weekend at Calaway Park

What: Calaway Park will be kicking off its 38th season of family fun. Enjoy rides, games, food and more.

When: May 18 to 20, 2019, then open every Friday and Saturday until June 16. Then open daily from Monday, June 18 to Monday, September 2. Then every Friday and Saturday from September 7 to October 13. Closing day on Monday, October 14.
Time: 10 am to 7 pm until September 2. 11 am to 6 pm from September 7 to October 14
Where: Calaway Park – 245033 Range Road 33
Admission Info: Online

Cavalry FC vs FC Edmonton

What: Cavalry FC take on FC Edmonton in Canadian Premier League action at Spruce Meadows.

When: Saturday, May 18, 2019
Time: 3 pm
Where: Spruce Meadows – 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Authentically Indigenous Spring Craft Show and Market

What: Markets like this offer a unique shopping experience featuring over 30 Indigenous artists and vendors stretching from Calgary to the Treaty 7 area of Southern Alberta. The premise of this market is simple: Everyday people, making amazing things!

When: Saturday, May 18, 2019
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Kerby Centre — 1133 7th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB
Cost: Adults: $2, Kids under 12: Free

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers with Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Cantaré Children’s Choir

What: Stretch out your muscles with some hip-hop yoga. Introducing a Drake themed yoga and brunch at Commonwealth. After an hour-long flow vinyasa class led by the resident yogi, attendees will be seriously thirsty for some Champagne Papi, so stay for brunch.

When: Friday, May 17, Saturday, May 18, Sunday, May 19, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm (Friday and Saturday), 2 pm (Sunday)
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14th Avenue NW, Calgary,
Tickets: Online

Party Like Gatsby Calgary 2019

What: Party Like Gatsby, the world-wide spectacle extraordinaire based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel, is coming to Calgary this spring. The bash takes aspects from “The Great Gatsby” and turns it into a wild night of music, dancing, burlesque, classy attire, and drinking for one massive party. “Party like Gatsby” combines shows and a party into one night that includes 20 world-class performers, live music and the event’s resident DJ, The Great Grantsby.

When: Saturday, May 18, 2019
Time: 9 pm to 2:30 am
Where: The Palace Theatre — 219 8th Avenue SW, Calgary
Price: Currently sold out, though had been going for $41

Back To The Future Trilogy

What: Relive the adventure of Doc and Marty with two screenings of the Back To The Future Trilogy at Globe Cinema. All three Back To The Future films played in sequence with 10 minute intermissions between each.

When: Saturday, May 18, 2019
Time: 12:30 and 4 pm
Where: Globe Cinema – 617 8 Ave SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Menopause the Musical

What: Set in a department store, four women with nothing in common but a black lace bra… come to realize they have more to share than ever imagined. The All-Star Canadian cast makes fun of their hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, wrinkle, not enough sex, too much sex, chocolate binges and a whole lot more.

When: Now to Saturday, May 18, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm (plus 2 pm on Saturday)
Where: Arts Commons – 205 8th Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Sunday, May 19

YYC Vegan Week Festival

What: Celebrate sustainable eating with Calgary’s Vegan Week! Various participating restaurants will offer a delicious vegan menu with $1 dollar from each meal going towards VegFest Calgary, an annual non-profit food and lifestyle festival. It’s a festival within a festival!

When: Sunday, May 19 to Saturday, May 25, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: Various costs depending on location

No Filter Presents: Lost Frequencies

What: Commonwealth Bar + Stage is launching #NoFilter; a new long weekend event series where anything goes. They’re kicking off the series with Belgian producer & house DJ Lost Frequencies along with Benanas and Sky Millz.

When: Sunday, May 19, 2019
Time: 9 pm
Where: Commonwealth Bar & Stage – 731 10 Avenue SW Calgary
Tickets: Online

Crossroads Market

What: Enjoy farm-fresh produce and tasty treats plus lost of unique finds from the large variety of vendors.

When: Fridays to Sundays
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Crossroads Market – 1235 26 Ave SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

Free compost giveaway 2019

What: The City of Calgary is inviting residents to pick up free compost for their lawns and gardens this spring, starting this Sunday, May 12. The nutrient-rich compost has been created out of the food and yard waste put into the green bins throughout the past year, and anyone looking to take the city up on their offer will be able to drive away with up to 100 litres of compost per vehicle.

When: Saturday, May 19, and Saturday, May 26, 2019
Time: 8 am to 4 pm
Where: Shepard Landfill – 12111 68th Street SE, Calgary
Admission: Free

End of Thrones

What: “End of Thrones” is coming to TELUS Spark for an epic celebration of all things Game of Thrones. Each ticket includes reserved entry into the private event, a Westeros inspired sampling plate, and general admission to the science centre.

The event will feature medieval flights with The Barony of Montengarde, a Calgary-based organization “dedicated to researching and re-creating the customs, combat and courtesy of the Middle Ages.” You can even carve your own house sigil, get up close and personal with fire-breathing dragon Notorious B.A.D., and get your photo taken on the replica throne.

When: Sunday, May 19, 2019
Time: 12 to 5 pm
Where: Telus Spark – 220 St Georges Dr NE, Calgary
Tickets: $26 for adults, $24 for seniors, available online

Long Rainy May Weekend Party

What: Buttermilk Fine Waffles is throwing a four-day waffle party. Daily drink specials, a new waffle sando (hint: it involves Mac & Cheese) and lots of upbeat tunes to chase the rainy day blues away.

When: Friday, May 17 to Monday, May 20, 2019
Time: 9 am to 4 pm (Friday to Sunday), 9 am to 2 pm (Monday)
Where: Buttermilk Fine Waffles – 1919 4 St SW, Calgary
Admission: Free

5th Annual All White Affair

What: Dress up all in white and dance all night to live DJ music. Afrobeat, HipHop, Dancehall, RnB, Soca, and more.

When: Sunday, May 19, 2019
Time: 10 pm to 2:30 am
Address: VAULT17 – 636 10 Avenue Southwest, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Scotiabank Backbeat: Tabla Workshop with Shawn Mativetsky

What: Scotiabank Backbeat provides regular weekend activations for families, children, and general visitors of all ages, including pop-up music performances, hands-on activities, presentations from community partners, and more. Discover the rhythms and rich traditions of Indian classical music in an interactive tabla workshop with Shawn Mativetsky, a pioneer in bridging the worlds of Western and Indian classical music. Then Chestermere High School joins Shawn Mativetsky to present a unique performance combining tabla and drum line

When: Sunday, May 19, 2019
Time: 1 pm Workshop with Shawn Mativetsky; 4 pm Chestermere High School performs with Shawn Mativetsky
Where: National Music Centre – 850 – 4 Street SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, included with admission

Top Notes Flute Quartet

What: Flute Club of Calgary’s final concert of the 2018-2019 season. All the way from Edmonton, The Top Notes Flute Quartet will perform exciting chamber selections.

When: Sunday, May 19, 2019
Time: 3 to 6 pm
Where: Knox United Church – 506 4 Street SW, Calgary
Admission: $20 general, $15 students/seniors

Spring Festival at Granary Road

What: Join Granary Road to welcome spring through activities, games and farm friends.

When: Sunday, May 19, 2019
Time: 9:30 to 5:30 pm
Where: Granary Road – 226066 112th St W MD of Foothills, Calgary
Admission: Free

Monday, May 20

91st Annual Slush Cup

What: Slush Cup is a tradition unique to Sunshine Village that goes back many years! Have fun splashing in the melted snow, while watching live performances, participating in fun competitions and enjoying a brew at the Molson Beer Gardens. Even if you aren’t participating in the competition, be sure to dress to impress, by coming up with a creative, unique and original costume that will make you stand out amongst the rest of the wet shenanigans.

When: Monday, May 20, 2019
Time: 10 am (registration)
Where: Sunshine Village – 1 Sunshine access Road, Banff
Cost: Regular spring admission

YYC Comedy Festival

What: This stellar comedic line-up will have you in stitches before you can say “another Ceaser please?” The likes of Steve Patterson and Danish Anwar, as well as Calgary’s very own Jann Arden. Get the tissues ready, you’ll definitely be in tears.

When: Monday, May 20 to Saturday, May 25, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Cost: $25

Pint Of Science Calgary

What: Pint of Science will be back in Calgary for the second time on May 20-22. Eager to learn more about science while having a beer? Enjoy a drink and let the speakers blow your mind with their latest scientific discoveries during two presentations per night and per brewery. This year themes are: Beautiful Mind Cabin Brewing Company (Southeast), Reveals of Mental Health Therapies, Planet Earth Citizen Brewing Company (Northeast), Beloved endangered host with additional presentations from the Brewers, Tech Me Out Last Best Brewing & Distilling (DownTown), and Design and Power of New Tech.

When: Monday, May 20 to Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations
Tickets: Online, Free

Blake Ferris Live at Koi

What: An evening of Country pickin’, Soul singin’, and very bad stage banter with Black Ferris.

When: Monday, May 20, 2019
Time: 8 to 10 pm
Where: Koi – 1011 1ST St SW #100, Calgary
Admission: By donation

Comedy Rain or Shine

What: Comedy Monday Night and the YYComedy Festival present Comedy Rain or Shine starring Graham Clark.

When: Monday, May 20, 2019
Time: 8 pm
Where: Broken City – 613 11 Avenue SW, Calgary
Tickets: $10