25 things to do in Calgary this weekend: May 3 to 5

The first weekend of May is upon us! Enjoy it with these 25 great Calgary events happening on Friday, May 3, Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5. Calgary International Beerfest, Star Wars Day, and more!

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

See also

• Cirque Du Soleil's new show is coming to Calgary this summer (PHOTOS)
• There's an epic foam obstacle course near Calgary this summer
• Comedian Sugar Sammy is performing in Calgary as part of new tour

Friday, May 3

The Tea Party

What: Toronto rockers The Tea Party bring the Black River Tour to Calgary. Their 1993 album, Splendor Solis, sold over one million copies in Canada. The Edges of Twilight followed, trailed in 1997 by Transmission.

When: Friday, May 3, 2019
Time: Doors 7 pm, show 8 pm
Where: Grey Eagle Event Centre – 3777 Grey Eagle Drive SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Bike To Work Day

What: Bike to Work Day is celebrating its 13th year. There will be eight different bicycle pit stops along the route, where you can receive tune-ups, (for you and your bike) and free giveaways. Everyone will then gather at Eau Claire Market for a free pancake breakfast served by the Stampede Caravan, and lots of cool swag.

When: Friday, May 3, 2019
Time: 6 am to 9 am
Where: Eau Claire Market – Centre Court and North Plaza – 200 Barclay Road SW
Cost: Free

Calgary International Beerfest

What: The Calgary International Beerfest is rated as one of the best beer festivals in the world, with over 700 beers from over 200 breweries. Hear great stories in the Brew Master Seminars or savour the chocolate and cheese pairings in the Cooking with Beer Seminars. Explore the Distillery District, sample delicious food from some of Calgary’s best restaurants, and enjoy live entertainment. The Calgary International Beerfest is also home to the Canadian International Beer Awards.

When: May 3 and 4, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: BMO Centre (Enter through Halls C or E) – 20 Roundup Way, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Jane’s Walk

What: On the first weekend of May every year, Jane’s Walk festivals take place in hundreds of cities around the world. Jane’s Walks encourage people to share stories about their neighbourhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbours.

When: May 3 to 5, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various Locations
Admission: FREE

What’s up with Bow Habitat Station

What: Explore Alberta’s wildlife and natural spaces on the first Friday of the month. Visit investigation stations in the Discovery Centre to discover the wildlife that make their home right here in Calgary! Join in a large group activity at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm or 2:30 pm to discover how wildlife has adapted to city life with special guests from Alberta Parks. Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society will be hosting an investigation station all about some furry and feathered friends you might find in our city. Hands-on activities are designed for learners ages two and up.

When: May 3, 2019
Time: 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Bow Habitat Station – 1440 17A Street SE, Calgary
Admission: All activities are included with Discovery Centre Admission.

Saturday, May 4

Free Comic Book Day

What: The annual event takes place at independent comic book shops all across North America, with thousands of comic shops giving out well-known titles like the Avengers, Captain America, Doctor Who, Pokemon, Riverdale, the Amazing Spiderman, and Star Wars, to name a few. In Calagary, several shops will be celebrating with free books and special events.

When: Saturday, May 4, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various Comic Shops across Calgary
Admission: Free

Calgary Bike Swap

What: Alberta Bike Swap strives to create a safe atmosphere where you can sell, donate, or buy a bike. There is a $2.00 admission for adults while children under 12 are free. This money is donated to local non-profit bike group to help fix the donated bikes.

When: Saturday, May 4, 2019
Time: 8 am to 4 pm
Where: City Centre Parkade – 340 10 Avenue SW
Cost: $2 admission. Children under 12 are free.

Day Out with Thomas

What: Day Out With Thomas provides an opportunity for kids to take a ride with their favourite tank engine, meet the railway controller, Sir Topham Hatt, have fun in the Imagination Station, enjoy face painting, musical entertainment and much more. Tickets are sold for specific train times, with departures from 9 am to 4:20 pm.

When: May 4, May 5, May 10, May 11 and May 12, 2019
Time: 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Heritage Park – 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Tickets: Online, $21 to $25

Calgary Performing Arts Festival

What: The Calgary Performing Arts Festival is an integral part of the Calgary arts community, encouraging classical and contemporary music and speech arts performance among amateur students of all ages and skill levels. Featuring 12,000 performers in 19 categories over 21 days.

When: Now to May 4, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Mount Royal University – 4825 Mt Royal Gate SW, Calgary
More Info: Online

Alberta Ballet: Joni Mitchell’s The Fiddle & The Drum

What: The 10th anniversary of Joni Mitchell’s The Fiddle & The Drum. The Fiddle & The Drum gives passionate expression to Mitchell’s lifelong concern with the issues of conflict, violence and humanity’s continuing devastation of the environment. Alberta Ballet dancers depict Mitchell’s most famous characters from her lyrics and artwork, at times in counterpoint, abstractly illustrating fragile hope and potential for the creation of beauty.

When: Now to May 4, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm (1:15 pm on Saturday, May 4)
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – 1415 14 Avenue NW
Tickets: Online

Ruthie Foster

What: Austin’s Ruthie Foster has been nominated for Best Blues Album Grammy three times in a row. These nominations are in addition to seven Blues Music Awards, three Austin Music Awards, the Grand Prix du Disque award from the Académie Charles-Cros in France, a Living Blues Critics’ Award for Female Blues Artist of the Year, and the title of an “inspiring American Artist” as a United States Artists 2018 Fellow.

When: Saturday, March 4, 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Where: Eric Harvie Theatre – Banff Centre, 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr, Banff
Tickets: Online, $35

Cavalry FC vs York9 FC

What: Cavalry FC take on York9FC in Canadian Premier League action at Spruce Meadows.

When: May 4, 2019
Time: 12:30 pm
Where: Spruce Meadows – 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Star Wars Trivia

What: Tipsy Trivia YYC presents 50 questions on the original Star Wars trilogy for a chance to win some amazing prizes.

When: Saturday, May 4, 2019
Time: 2 to 5 pm
Where: Hudsons Canadas Pub – Shawnessey – 16061 Macleod Trail Southeastm Calgary
Tickets: Online

Sled In A Can: A Sled Island Benefit

What: Sled Island is heading into its 13th year this June, and to support and celebrate the festival HiFi Club presents Sled In A Can, a fundraiser filled with bands, dJs and comedy acts.

When: Saturday, May 4, 2019
Time: 9 pm to 2 am
Where: HiFi Club – 219 10 Ave SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online, $20

May The Fourth Family Storytime

What: May the force be with you for this very special Drop-In Family Storytime. Join Christy and Fraser from 101.5 TODAY RADIO for a special event in a galaxy not that far away. Family friendly costumes are encouraged. Plus there will be craft stations and treats.

When: Saturday, May 4, 2019
Time: 10:30 am
Where: Calgary Public Library – 800 3 St SE, Calgary
Register: Online

Sunday, May 5

Calgary Outdoor Yoga

What: A 60 minute outdoor vinyasa flow class for all levels. Everyone welcome, including children. Practice in the grass or bring your mat or blanket

When: Every Sunday starting May 5, 2019
Time: 1 to 2 pm (Stanley Park) 4 to 5 pm (Mahogany)
Where: Stanley Park SW – 42 Ave & 1A Street SW; Mahogany – Masters Square & Mahogany Blvd
Admission: Pay what you want

Calgary Horticultural Society Garden Show

What: Learn from experts, discover plant and gardening specialty groups, and find a perfect idea for your garden. This event is the charity’s major fundraiser of the year. Money raised at the Garden Show funds year-round programming.

When: May 4 and May 5, 2019
Time: 9 am
Where: Max Bell Centre – 1001 Barlow Tr SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Canmore Uncorked

What: Eat, drink and eat some more at this annual award-winning food festival, held in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Enjoy the best Canmore has to offer, delight in sampling new flavours and old favourites as our Canmore chefs tempt you with their creativity and inspire you with amazing food combinations.

When: Now to Sunday, May 5, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations in and around Canmore
Tickets: Online, prices may vary

Cinco de Mayo Day Party

What: Tropicalyyc is throwing a huge Cinco de Mayo day party. Featuring food and drink specials,  and live mariachi singer Gisela Romero from 6 to 7 pm.

When: Sunday, May 5, 2019
Time: 3 pm to 2 am
Address: Tropicalyyc – 1424 17th Avenue SW, Calgary,
Tickets: Online

Circus! Science Under the Big Top

What: Come one, come all and discover the science behind circus at TELUS Spark. Bring your wildest expectations and unravel the secrets behind circus oddities, mysteries and puzzles with over 20 exhibits. This highly interactive exhibition is riddled with circus sights and sounds, ready to bring out the child in all of us.

When: Now to Sunday, June 9, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: TELUS Spark – 220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
Tickets: Online

Bubbles & Brunch YYC

What: The inaugural year of Bubbles & Brunch Calgary,  a fabulous and fashionable spring event at Palliser Hotel. Enjoy gourmet brunch items, complimentary beer, wine and bubbly, DJ, raffle prizes, and be pampered at one of the luxury beauty sponsor stations – all in support of Look Good Feel Better.

When: Sunday, May 5, 2019
Time: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Where: Fairmont Palliser – 133 9 Avenue Southwest, Calgary
Tickets: Online

A Love Letter to Emily C

What: A Love Letter to Emily C by Calgary’s Poet Laureate Sheri-D Wilson explores the life and times of Canadian icon and artist Emily Carr. Presented by Handome Alice Theatre.

When: Friday, May 3 to Saturday, May 11, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Big Secret Theatre – Arts Commons
Tickets: Online

Fashion Institute Spring Show

What: This annual celebration marks the end of The Fashion Institute’s academic year, and gives students, staff and faculty the opportunity to welcome over 400 guests to a professional show that features garments designed and crafted by students and alumni of The Fashion Institute. All garments are selected by a jury of fashion industry experts.

When: Sunday, May 5, 2019
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: Mercedes-Benz Downtown Calgary – 909 15 Street Southwest, Calgary
Tickets: Online

JFSC Annual Fundraiser featuring Rick Mercer

What: Jewish Family Service Calgary present their annual fundraiser featuring Rick Mercer at MacEwan Hall.

When: Sunday, May 5, 2019
Time: Doors 6 pm
Where: MacEwan Hall – 402 Collegiate Blvd NW, University of Calgary, Calgary
Tickets: Online

CRLC Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show

What: The 59th annual CRLC Gem Show put on by The Calgary Rock & Lapidary Club features over 50 vendors selling rocks, gems, minerals, crystals and more. Plus enjoy demonstrations, a silent auction, kids’ activities, and a variety of vendors. There are door prizes every hour and kids under 12 get in free and this year they can mine sapphires as well as garnets that they can keep.

When: Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 5, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Vivo for Healthier Generations – 11950 Country Village Link NE, Calgary
Tickets: Adults $7 (3 days $10), Seniors/Students $5 (3 days $7), children 12 and under free