Watch a movie at the FascinAsian Film Festival
When: May 1 to 4
Kick off Asian Heritage Month at this popular film festival, which showcases “the best in features and short films by Asian creators as well as highlighting Asian perspectives.” Along with feature film screenings and short film programs, the festival includes events like a film industry resource fair, industry panel discussions, a mixer and awards reception and more.
Multiple locations, fascinasian.ca
Buy a book (or five) at two giant book sales
When: Calgary Book Sale runs from May 1 to 4 and May 9 to 11; Calgary Reads Big Book Sale runs from May 9 to 19
If you love reading, you’re in luck — there are two huge, used book sales taking place in Calgary this month in support of worthy causes.
First up is the Calgary Book Sale hosted by RESET Society of Calgary at Crossroads Market. The money raised will go towards RESET’s EXIT Program, which helps women impacted by sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.
You can also shop at the Calgary Reads Big Book Sale this month at the Calgary Curling Club. The Rotary Club of Calgary puts on this sale in support of childhood literacy.
Both sales are marking their 21st anniversaries this year, and shoppers can expect more than 100,000 books to choose from at each sale.
Calgary Book Sale, Crossroads Market book sale tent, 1235 26 Ave. S.E., resetcalgary.ca; Calgary Reads Big Book Sale, Calgary Curling Club, 720 3 St. N.W., bigbooksale.ca
Go bowling with friends at Splitsville’s latest Calgary location
Grab your friends and head to Splitsville’s newest Calgary location at Creekside Shopping Centre. Spanning 26,500 square feet, the new entertainment facility promises plenty of fun, whether you try your luck at some 10-pin bowling or play arcade games. Plus, enjoy tasty bites like garlic parm fries, chicken and waffle sticks, chicken sandwiches, pizza and more.
12330 Symons Valley Rd. N.W., 403-776-4666, splitsville.ca
Learn more about the city on a Jane’s Walk
When: May 2 to 4
Named after urbanist and activist Jane Jacobs, Jane’s Walks offer a way to learn more about the city through free walking tours. There are dozens of walks to choose from this year, including one about hidden gems in Edgemont, an urban sketching walk in the Mount Pleasant and Tuxedo Park areas, a look at local art and installations in Crescent Heights and more.
Multiple locations, janeswalk.calgarycommunities.com
Relax in the sauna at Offline Wellness Club
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The next time you’re craving rest and relaxation, head to Offline Wellness Club in the Beltline. The team behind the local run club has officially opened a sauna and cold plunge club that will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Pricing options include one-time drop-in passes and club memberships.
1214 11 Ave. S.W., offlinewellnessclub.com
Tour the studio of a local artist
When: May 2 to 4
If you’ve ever wondered what the inside of an artist’s studio might look like, you can find out now. The Calgary Artists Studio Tour invites guests to peek inside the studios of more than 60 local artists. Take yourself on a self-guided tour to meet the artists and learn more about their work. A full list of participating artists is available online.
Multiple locations, calgaryartistsstudiotour.com
Chow down on Jamaican cuisine at the new JamRock Lounge & Grill
There’s a new spot to fill up on delicious Jamaican cuisine in Calgary. Head to JamRock Lounge & Grill where the menu includes small plates of ackee and saltfish spring rolls, chicken wings and Jamaican patties, as well as entrees like oxtail, jerk chicken, curry chickpeas and potato and more.
5335 Dufferin Blvd. S.E., 825-414-7740, @jamrockloungeandgrill
Check out a mixed media showcase called Halo Halo
When: On now until July 27; Opening reception and market on May 4
On display at The Confluence, this mixed media showcase shares the stories of Harvey Nichol, Moses (Moey) Aquino, Euniz Brown and Salvation Atay, and explores their journeys and experiences moving from the Philippines to Canada. The exhibit uses visual arts, animation, storytelling and more to examine themes of identity and belonging. If you can, try to swing by on May 4th — there will be a market with Filipino arts vendors from 12 to 5 p.m. and Halo Halo’s opening reception from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, 750 9 Ave. S.E., halohaloyyc.com; theconfluence.ca
Celebrate all things creative during the new InglewooDIY Festival
When: May 11 to 25
Calgary’s newest festival is all about creativity. The InglewooDIY Festival is all about embracing your inner artist and maker with opportunities to sign up for activities like a lotion making class, a succulent planter workshop, a punch needle workshop and more.
Go to the inaugural home game for Calgary’s new professional women’s soccer team
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When: May 11 and 18
Wild FC is Calgary’s brand new professional women’s soccer team, and fans can cheer on the team at its inaugural home game against Ottawa Rapid FC at McMahon Stadium on May 11. You can also catch Wild FC play against the Montreal Roses FC on May 18.
McMahon Stadium, calgarywildfc.com
Dress up in cosplay for Otafest
When: May 16 to 18
This celebration of Japanese anime and pop culture is back and better than ever. The festival promises plenty of fun with events like anime screenings, an exhibitor hall, gaming tournaments, a Sketch Drive where you can get your portrait done and more.
Calgary Telus Convention Centre and Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel , otafest.com
Go shopping at a spring market
Looking for a locally made gift, or just something cool for yourself? There are tons of spring markets happening in and around the city where you can shop for apparel, food products, art and more.
Read more: Spring Art and Craft Markets In and Around Calgary
Go downhill karting at WinSport
When: Opens May 17
Get ready for a rush when Downhill Karting returns for the season this month. Book a time to race from the top of a chairlift terminal down the 1,800-metre track at WinSport. Choose from individual packages offering two to four rides, or get a shareable ride pass to share 12 or 15 rides.
WinSport, Canada Olympic Park, 88 Canada Olympic Rd. S.W., downhillkarting.ca
Dine at the newly opened Acme Pizza & Pasta Co. in Sunnyside
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Popular pizza spot Acme Pizza Co. has expanded with a new pizza and pasta restaurant, which recently opened in Vendome Cafe’s former space in Sunnyside. Try dishes like the burrata or carne pizza, pastas like the short rib mezzelune or chili-crab capoletti, and small plates like the Acme meatballs or flank steak.
940 2 Ave. N.W., acmepasta.ca
Cheer on Calgary’s professional basketball team at its home opener
When: May 25 and 29
The Calgary Surge, Calgary’s professional basketball team, is back and taking on the Winnipeg Sea Bears for its first home game of the season on May 25. The team will also have a home game against the Brampton Honey Badgers on May 29. Grab your friends and head to WinSport Event Centre to cheer on the team.
WinSport Event Centre, calgarysurge.ca
Cool down with a sweet treat at a new gelato shop
A new gelato spot has opened just in time for summer. Toronto-based Nani’s Gelato has opened its first Western Canada location in Calgary. Pop in to try flavours ranging from chocolate caramel crunch to saffron cardamom kulfi. The shop also offers cheesecake slices and made-to-order gelato pies and cakes.
11630 Sarcee Tr. N.W., nanisgelato.com
Watch a baseball game in Okotoks
When: May 31
Calgary may not have its own baseball team, but you can make the short drive to Okotoks to see the Okotoks Dawgs in action this spring and summer. Cheer on the 2024 Western Canadian Baseball League champions on May 31 as the team opens its 2025 season against the Energy City Cactus Rats at Seaman Stadium.
Seaman Stadium, 256 Don Seaman Way, Okotoks, dawgsbaseball.ca
Challenge your friends at a board game café
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Love board games? Head to one of the many board game cafés around the city for an afternoon of snacks, drinks and friendly competition with some friends.
Read more: 6 Fun Board Game Cafés to Check Out in Calgary
Go to a movie at the fifth annual Calgary Black Film Festival
When: May 23 to 27
Now in its fifth year, the Calgary Black Film Festival presents films from around the world, highlighting Black filmmakers and stories. The films are available to watch in person and/or online from May 23 to 27. All-access passes and individual tickets are available now, and you can see the film lineup online.
Memorial Park Library, 1221 2 St. S.W. and Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave. S.W., calgaryblackfilm.com
Go to a concert during East Town Get Down on International Avenue
When: May 24
This popular music festival, which takes place along International Avenue, returns on May 24 with more than 45 participating bands and artists. Sea of Lettuce, A.N., Ginger Beef, L’Omelette and The Canadian Dispatch are just a few of the concerts you can check out this year.