Buy a book (or five) at two giant book sales
When: Calgary Book Sale runs from April 30 to May 3 and May 8 to 10; Calgary Reads Big Book Sale runs from May 8 to 17
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.
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
Spruce up your outdoor space by visiting a local garden centre
Whether you have a small balcony garden or a giant backyard, a visit to a local garden centre can help make sure your outdoor space is looking its best. Here’s a look at some of the garden centres in Calgary where you can get plants, gardening materials and more.
Read more: Garden Centres in Calgary
Check out one of the upcoming summer night markets in Calgary
Take advantage of the brighter and longer summer evenings by attending one of the upcoming night markets going on around the city. With options in Inglewood, University District, Marda Loop and more, you’re sure to find some great local products.
Read more: Summer Night Markets in Calgary
Shop for ceramics and take a workshop at the new Bao Bao Studio
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You may have seen Bao Bao Pottery’s dumpling-shaped ceramics online or at local markets before, but now, you can shop for these adorable items (and more by other ceramicists) at Bao Bao Studio, a new ceramics storefront and workshop space in Montgomery. The studio offers workshops where you can learn to make travel tumblers, a matcha bowl and whisk set, berry bowls and more.
4620 Bowness Rd., baobaostudio.ca
Sweat it out at a new sauna and cold plunge facility in East Village
When: Grand opening May 8 to 10
Tality Wellness, a sauna and cold plunge facility with a few locations in Vancouver, is expanding to Alberta. Visit the new East Village location to experience amenities like an electric sauna, a heated outdoor lounge and both an ambient and cold plunge.
150, 606 Confluence Way S.E., talitywellness.ca
Catch a courthouse drama at Vertigo Theatre
When: May 9 to June 7
Vertigo Theatre is ending its season with a courthouse drama. The Verdict follows a washed-up lawyer looking to make a comeback as he takes on a malpractice case in search of justice.
Playhouse, Vertigo Theatre, Suite 161, 115 9 Ave. S.E., vertigotheatre.com
See a movie at the Fairy Tales Queer Art & Film Festival
When: May 13 to 17
Back for its 28th year, the Fairy Tales Queer Art & Film Festival, Alberta’s longest-running queer film festival, returns with more than 40 feature and short films. Guests can also expect live performances, art activations, drag shows and more. Choose from single film screening tickets or a festival pass.
Contemporary Calgary, 701 11 St. S.W., queerfilmfest.ca
Grab a drink at a new dirty soda shop in Marda Loop
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Calgary’s newest destination for dirty sodas is tucked inside Fresh Kitchen’s Marda Loop space. Phizzy Dirty Sodas specializes in the popular drink that combines soda with cream, syrups or other toppings to create unique combinations. Choose from drinks like the Texas Sun (made with Dr. Pepper, cherry, cold cream and coconut) or Magic Dragon (made with 7 Up, lime, green apple and strawberry boba).
2402 34 Ave. S.W., @phizzydirtysoda
Watch Star Wars: Return of the Jedi while an orchestra plays live
When: May 15 to 16
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi is an iconic movie, and this month, you can watch it while the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra plays the music live. Choose from three screening times over two days.
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. N.W., calgaryphil.com
Dress up in cosplay for Otafest
When: May 15 to 17
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
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When: Opens May 16
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.
WinSport, Canada Olympic Park, 88 Canada Olympic Rd. S.W., downhillkarting.ca
Go to a movie at the sixth annual Calgary Black Film Festival
When: May 22 to 26
Now in its sixth 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 22 to 26. All-access passes and individual tickets are available now, and you can see the film lineup online.
In-person film screenings at Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave. S.W., calgaryblackfilm.com
Celebrate all things creative during the InglewooDIY Festival
When: May 22 to 31
Back for a second year, this festival celebrates creativity in many forms. The InglewooDIY Festival is all about embracing your inner artist and maker with opportunities to sign up for activities like jewellery making, candle workshops, a session on making a wine charm set and more.
Multiple locations, inglewoodyyc.ca
Order a scoop of ice cream at Made By Marcus’ newest location
The weather is getting warmer, which means we all need more ice cream. Thankfully, Made by Marcus has opened its fifth Calgary location in Willow Park. Swing by to get a scoop or two of flavours like cinnamon snickerdoodle, malted chocolate honeycomb or sea salt and goat milk caramel.
410, 10816 Macleod Tr. S.E., madebymarcus.ca
Go to a concert during East Town Get Down on International Avenue
When: May 23
This popular music festival, which takes place along International Avenue, returns on May 23 with more than 40 participating bands and artists. The Besnard Lakes, Concrete Vehicles, Arlo Maverick and Kacy Lee Anderson are just a few of the concerts you can check out this year.
Multiple venues, easttowngetdown.org
Put on your running shoes for the Calgary Marathon
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When: May 23 to 24
Did you know Calgary is home to the longest-running marathon in Canada? It’s not too late to sign up for this exciting weekend, which includes six different race options: A diaper dash, a kids race, a five-kilometre race, a 10-kilometre race, a 21.1-kilometre half-marathon and a 42.2-kilometre marathon.
Order a creative hot dog during a new hot dog festival
When: May 23 to June 6
If you love hot dogs, this is the food festival for you. Dog Days celebrates the almighty hot dog in all its forms as 45 local restaurants and breweries serve up their take on the popular dish. Each time a featured hot dog is sold, $1 will go to the Pet Access League Society.
Multiple locations, dogdaysyyc.com
Cheer on Calgary’s professional basketball team at its home opener
When: May 28
The Calgary Surge, Calgary’s professional basketball team, is back and taking on the Scarborough Shooting Stars for its first home game of the season on May 28. Grab your friends and head to WinSport Event Centre to cheer on the team.
WinSport Event Centre, calgarysurge.ca
Watch a baseball game in Okotoks
When: First home games of the season from May 29 to 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 team as it hosts its first home games of the 2026 season from May 29 to 31 against the Sylvan Lake Gulls and Lethbridge Bulls.
Seaman Stadium, 256 Don Seaman Way, Okotoks, dawgsbaseball.ca