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
— 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.
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.