A curated weekly dispatch on what to do in YYC, every Thursday.
Editor’s Note
It's the May long weekend, four days, no excuses. Calaway Park reopens, Otafest takes over the convention centre, and the zoo is doing adults-only penguin dinners. Whether you're chasing rides with the kids or watching costumed skiers belly-flop into a pond at Sunshine, this weekend delivers.
Let's get to it.
— Jamie
👨👩👧Kid-Friendly Pick
Western Canada's largest outdoor amusement park opens for 2026. Rides, games, and the unofficial kickoff to Calgary summer.
🎉Social Pick
Calgary's homegrown anime and pop culture festival - three days of cosplay, panels, gaming, concerts, and exhibitor hall. All ages.
🎉Social Pick
Calgary's homegrown anime and pop culture festival - three days of cosplay, panels, gaming, concerts, and exhibitor hall. All ages.
Calgary Philharmonic performs John Williams' Oscar-nominated score live while the film plays on the big screen.
Inaugural rooftop summer concert series - live music with city skyline views. Great long-weekend kickoff.
👨👩👧Kid-Friendly Pick
Western Canada's largest outdoor amusement park opens for 2026. Rides, games, and the unofficial kickoff to Calgary summer.
🎉Social Pick
Calgary's homegrown anime and pop culture festival - three days of cosplay, panels, gaming, concerts, and exhibitor hall. All ages.
String quartet performs Inception, Interstellar, The Lion King, and Dune by candlelight inside Studio Bell.
Vibrant Sikh cultural celebration - dance performances, live music, food stalls, and community togetherness. Free, open to all.
👨👩👧Kid-Friendly Pick
Western Canada's largest outdoor amusement park opens for 2026. Rides, games, and the unofficial kickoff to Calgary summer.
🎉Social Pick
Calgary's homegrown anime and pop culture festival - three days of cosplay, panels, gaming, concerts, and exhibitor hall. All ages.
Gourmet brunch at Safari Lodge plus full-day zoo admission. A weekend ritual with the animals.
The monthly vintage and maker market takes over Crossroads Market for a Sunday browse. Handmade goods, vintage finds, local food vendors, and the kind of relaxed weekend energy that pairs perfectly with a coffee and no plan. Free entry, all ages.
Olympic-calibre judo in Calgary. Watch Canada's best compete for national titles at the Olympic Oval. Fast, technical, and surprisingly dramatic. Free to watch on the final day.
👨👩👧Kid-Friendly Pick
Western Canada's largest outdoor amusement park opens for 2026. Rides, games, and the unofficial kickoff to Calgary summer.
CFL preseason - Stampeders host the defending Grey Cup champion Roughriders on Victoria Day.
Finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries on the verandah at Heritage Park. Includes village admission. Six seatings.
THE May long tradition - season-closing party where skiers attempt to cross an icy pond in costume. Wild and very Alberta.
Shake Shack Opens First Western Canada Location at Chinook Centre - The chain's first spot west of Ontario debuted May 11 with Alberta-exclusive collabs. Prairie Berry Shake from Prairie Berries, a pie concrete with Pie Junkie, and beef from Beretta Farms. Expect lines all long weekend.
Six Calgary Restaurants Make Canada's 100 Best - Eight ranked #9 nationally, the highest ever for a Calgary restaurant. DOPO, River Cafe, Bar Gigi, Gatsby's, and Nupo also made the list. Six spots for a city that rarely gets national food cred. Go celebrate this weekend.
Love Damian Closing May 29 - Chef Kyle Opel's Northern Italian pop-up inside Meat & Bread downtown serves its last meal May 29 after 18 months of fresh focaccia and handmade pasta. The team hints something new is coming. Go this weekend before it's gone.
Kensington Just Got Its Coolest New Bar - Stable Palms Club opened in Kensington this month, taking over the old Freehouse space with three completely different vibes stacked on top of each other: a moody basement, a main-floor bar with a roaring fireplace, and a rooftop. Same team as Blue Rock Swim Club and Prickett Richard, so yes, the cocktails will be good.
Made by Marcus Is Finally Coming South - Calgary's most-loved ice cream shop is opening its fifth location at Willow Park Village this spring. Flavours like malted chocolate honeycomb and sea salt and goat milk caramel, now without the drive to the northwest.