A curated weekly dispatch on what to do in YYC, every Thursday.
Editor’s Note
First real post-Victoria-Day weekend, the patios are finally honest about it, and the city is in full-on outdoor-festival mode. Inglewood takes over its own street for three days, East Town shuts down 17 Ave SE for the biggest block party of the spring, and the CPO closes its season with Mahler's First on Friday night. If the weather holds, this is one of the best weekends of the year to just wander into things.
Let's get to it.
— Jamie
🥂Couples Pick
The CPO closes its season with Mahler's gigantic First — the "Titan," 60 minutes of pure earned crescendo and the kind of program that's worth getting dressed up for. Drinks at the Werklund Centre lobby first, dinner on Stephen Avenue after — the full grown-up Friday night.
👨👩👧Kid-Friendly Pick
A real Canadian astronaut, Col. Joshua Kutryk, takes the Spark stage Sunday morning — Q&A, mission stories, signed posters, all included with regular admission. The kind of thing that gives a six-year-old a full week of stories.
🎉Social Pick
International Avenue shuts down for the biggest street party in the east — live music, food from every continent, two stages, patios open late. Bring the group, bring cash for vendors, plan to stay through the headliners.
🥂Couples Pick
The CPO closes its season with Mahler's gigantic First — the "Titan," 60 minutes of pure earned crescendo and the kind of program that's worth getting dressed up for. Drinks at the Werklund Centre lobby first, dinner on Stephen Avenue after — the full grown-up Friday night.
Inglewood's three-day maker takeover kicks off Friday night — shops stay open late, alleyway pop-ups, live demos in every nook of 9 Ave. The opening crawl is the best night of the weekend if you like wandering and stumbling into stuff.
Projection-mapped fine dining where the tablecloth becomes the show. Pricey, theatrical, the kind of meal you don't get anywhere else in town — book the early seating if you can.
🎉Social Pick
International Avenue shuts down for the biggest street party in the east — live music, food from every continent, two stages, patios open late. Bring the group, bring cash for vendors, plan to stay through the headliners.
The city's best food trucks parked under one roof, drinks flowing, picnic tables, no entry fee. Show up hungry, share dishes, plan on three hours.
South Asian cultural festival in the NE — colour throws, bhangra stage, samosas the size of your hand. Bring white clothes you don't mind retiring.
The launch party for the citywide hot dog crawl — 45 restaurants doing limited dogs over the next two weeks. Start at Cold Garden's patio, build your route from there.
👨👩👧Kid-Friendly Pick
A real Canadian astronaut, Col. Joshua Kutryk, takes the Spark stage Sunday morning — Q&A, mission stories, signed posters, all included with regular admission. The kind of thing that gives a six-year-old a full week of stories.
"How to Save a Life," twenty years on, at MacEwan Hall. A genuinely good Sunday night sing-along — the kind of show that's better with a group and a beer.
Buffet brunch at the zoo's Safari Lodge, then walk it off through the new African Savannah. The combo that finally makes brunch worth the price.
Free passport-style tasting tour through the South market — vendors from a dozen countries doing samples. Easiest Sunday morning of the year.
Shake Shack Opens First Alberta Location at Chinook - The first Alberta location opened earlier this month at CF Chinook Centre. Lines are still long, but they're moving faster than launch week.
Reader Rock Garden Is Open for the Season - One of Calgary's quietest hidden gems sits behind the Curling Club on Macleod, with peonies and lilacs hitting their peak this week. Free, dawn to dusk.
Astronaut Joshua Kutryk Lands at Spark Sunday - The Alberta-born CSA astronaut, scheduled for the ISS in 2025-26, is doing a free Q&A as part of Spark's general admission. Worth the day pass alone.
Calgary Farmyard Is Fully Open for the Season - The east-side spring kids' destination has its full lineup running — baby goats, train, jumping pillows, the whole circuit.
Dog Days Lands Citywide This Weekend - 45 restaurants are running limited hot dogs through early June. The launch party hits Cold Garden Saturday at 3.
Beyond our curated picks, here’s everything else happening in Calgary this weekend.