Top Things To Do in Calgary This Weekend- May 16 - 18, 2025
- May 14, 2025
- 9 min read
Hey Wanderers!
Get ready for an unforgettable weekend in Calgary, packed with vibrant culture, family fun, and exciting events for every interest!
Dive into fandom at Otafest, Calgary’s premier anime and pop culture celebration, where cosplay, panels, and community come together in a high-energy celebration of creativity. Book lovers can discover amazing deals and hidden gems at the city’s giant book sale—a reader’s paradise with something for every age and interest. Stroll through bustling spring markets, brimming with handcrafted goods, local eats, and seasonal charm from talented artisans. Experience the thrill of live action as Calgary’s soccer teams hit the pitch, bringing fans together for high-energy matches and unbeatable stadium vibes.
And that’s just the beginning—this weekend is bursting with opportunities to explore, connect, and celebrate the season. Whether you’re geeking out at Otafest, filling your tote with market finds, or cheering in the stands, Calgary has something magical waiting for you.
Friday, May 16, 2025
The Highfield Food & Beverage Market Fest
Where:
City & Country Urban Winery (544 38A Ave SE, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 16 - 17, 2025
Cost:
FREE entry
Details:
Discover the Brewery belt of Calgary, Alberta (Manchester/Highfield SE Calgary) with over 30 vendors, live entertainment and surprises!
Discovery Days: Take Flight
Where:
Bow Habitat Station (1440-17A Street SE, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 16, 2025
Cost:
$6+
Details:
Soar on over for an exhilarating journey into the world of migratory birds! Explore the remarkable travels of these winged adventurers across ecosystems and over fields, mountains, and water to return for Alberta’s breathtaking spring and summer seasons. Celebrate the beauty of nature and connect with the world of birds and winged friends as they make their way home.
Spring at Calgary Farmyard
Where:
Calgary Farmyard (284022 Township Road 224, Rocky View County, AB)
When:
May 16 - June 29, 2025
Cost:
$24+
Details:
Spring is the perfect time to meet our newly born barn babies and explore all the great attractions at the Farmyard. We have the cutest Barnyard Animals in Calgary (YES you can pet, play with and feed almost all of them!) Most of the animals on our farm are born here, and remain here so you can visit them each year!
We have the cutest barnyard animals, plus hours of great attractions to keep you entertained for hours.
Otafest 2025 – Calgary’s Premier Anime Festival
Where:
Calgary TELUS Convention Centre & Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel (120 9th Ave SE, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 16 - 18, 2025
Cost:
$59+
Details:
Otafest is a 3-day Japanese Cultural and Animation Festival at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre.
Shop. Cosplay. Play games. Watch anime. Join a community. Even meet your favourite stars – autograph signing fees are on us!*
Check out over 100 hours of programming facilitated by fans, members of our community, special guests, and staff, our huge Exhibitor Hall and Artist Alley for amazing art and merchandise, autograph signings, guest meet & greets, concerts, photo booth, video game tournaments, Pokemon league, Maid Cafe, and much more!
What to expect:
Workshops (seminars focused on interactive learning and skill-building) hosted by community members,
Panels (open ended discussions involving a pre-determined topic) hosted by community members,
Celebrity guest autograph and interaction opportunities,
Anime screenings throughout the day,
Free-play video gaming,
Card and board gaming,
Community booths to learn about other local events and organizations,
A Maid & Butler Cafe, where you’re served by volunteers in cosplay before watching a specially choreographed dance performance,
Cosplay contests,
Hobby-specific events (such as gunpla – model kits depicting the mecha machinery and characters of the fictional Gundam multiverse),
An Exhibitor Hall featuring companies, distributors, and/or other proprietors selling their newest products to fans,
Artist Alley (within the Exhibitor Hall) where artists sell their crafts, drawn art, self-published books or video, fanzines, etc.
Sketch Drive – an Otafest-original event where you can have a caricature drawn while supporting charity,
The CONbini, a pop-up mini-convenience store featuring Japanese snacks and drinks,
and more.
How to Train Your Dragon In Concert
Where:
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (1415 14 avenue NW, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 16 - 17, 2025
Cost:
$48+
Details:
DreamWorks’ How To Train Your Dragon is a captivating and original story about a young Viking named Hiccup, who defies tradition when he befriends one of his deadliest foes — a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless. Together, these unlikely heroes must fight against all odds to save both their worlds. Featuring John Powell’s Oscar-nominated score performed live to picture, this concert is a thrilling experience for all ages!
Serbian Fest Kickoff Party
Where:
Hitman's Bar (421 12 Avenue Southeast Calgary, AB)
When:
May 16, 2025
Cost:
$20
Details:
Start your Serbian Fest weekend with a bang! Join us on Friday, May 16 at 9 PM for an epic night of the greatest and latest hits.
Chinatown Scavenger Hunt
Where:
Various locations
When:
May 01 - 31, 2025
Cost:
FREE
Details:
Get ready to explore the vibrant heart of Calgary during Asian Heritage Month, as the Chinatown Scavenger Hunt is back for the month of May! It’s free to join the fun and win prizes. Simply download the Goosechase app and use code upi52m (recommended for ages 8+) to embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure through Calgary’s Chinatown, uncovering hidden gems, discovering delicious eats, and celebrating the rich culture.
Calgary Reads Big Book Sale
Where:
Calgary Curling Club (720 3rd Street NW, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 09 - 19, 2025
Cost:
$0+
Details:
Shop more than 150,000+ gently used books at the 19th Calgary Reads Big Book Sale!
Learn all about our special BOGO, fill-a-box and free book days + details about parking and more on our website.
Whatever you love to read, you’ll find stacks here! Most adult books are $4 and most children’s books are $2. Proceeds fuel the important work of local early literacy organizations so Calgary’s children can enjoy a bright start in school and in life!
Workshop Theatre presents "Prescription: Murder"
Where:
The Pumphouse Theatre (2140 Pumphouse Ave SW, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 09 - 19, 2025
Cost:
$25+
Details:
Workshop Theatre proudly presents:
“Prescription: Murder”
By William Link & Richard L. Levinson
Directed by Hamish Crawford & Ron Brouwer
New York psychiatrist Dr. Roy Flemming has it all: a successful practice, a loving wife Claire, and an enviable lifestyle. But he has grown tired of Claire and has fallen in love with his patient Susan Hudson. So Flemming plots the perfect murder and, with Susan’s help, executes it. The case is turned over to an unconventional homicide detective, the shabby but brilliant Lt. Columbo, to whom no detail is too trivial. Flemming engages in a duel of wits against Columbo to conceal his brilliant crime, with Susan a helpless pawn in the middle. The inspiration for the classic TV series.
StoryBook Theatre: Once On This Island the musical
Where:
Beddington Theatre Arts Centre (375 Bermuda Dr NW, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 09 - 31, 2025
Cost:
$28+
Details:
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Once on This Island, a Caribbean reimagining of The Little Mermaid, brought to life by the Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Based on the novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy, this Olivier Award-winning musical tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. But their love is tested by the gods who rule the island, wagering on whether love or death is stronger.
As Ti Moune pursues her love, she faces societal barriers and ultimate sacrifice. Her enduring spirit, however, transforms her into a symbol of unity, as the gods turn her into a tree that breaks the walls dividing their societies. With its vibrant score and compelling story, Once on This Island garnered eight Tony nominations, including Best Musical, Book, and Score. Don’t miss this captivating and deeply moving theatrical experience!
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Calaway Park Opening Weekend
Where:
Calaway Park (Range Road 33, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 17 - 19, 2025
Cost:
$38+
Details:
Western Canada’s largest outdoor family amusement park, Calaway Park, will open for 2025 season on Victoria Day Long Weekend.
As Western Canada’s Largest Outdoor Family Amusement Park, Calaway Park has been offering affordable, family- friendly fun and entertainment for over four decades.
Ever since our award-winning theme park first opened its doors in 1982, Calaway Park has built on our well-deserved reputation for excellence by offering the best attractions, no less than 32 rides designed for thrill-seekers of all ages and beautifully choreographed, high-energy entertainment.
Heritage Park Opening Weekend
Where:
Heritage Park (1900 Heritage Dr SW, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 17 - 19, 2025
Cost:
$9+
Details:
Exciting outdoor-only experience awaiting you beginning May long weekend.
With more than 200 exhibits and attractions spread over 127 acres of lush parkland, Heritage Park Historical Village has a lot to offer both the history buff and the pleasure seeker. It’s the perfect balance between historical fact, adventure, discovery and fun that makes our take on the tale of Western Canadian settlement so unique.
The S.S. Moyie is back in the water and ready to welcome you. Will you be sailing this summer?
Skyline’s Downhill Karting Opening Weekend
Where:
WinSport (88 Canada Olympic Rd S W, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 17 - 19, 2025
Cost:
$30+
Details:
Downhill Karting by Skyline Luge Calgary is a fun, fast-paced family activity that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy.
Skyline’s Downhill Karting experience is a unique wheeled gravity ride that provides riders full control over their descent on a purpose-built track.
With more than 50 twists and turns and covering a distance of over 1,800 metres on a continuous downhill trajectory, you’ll soon realise why once is never enough!
Climb aboard your kart and let gravity and your sense of adventure do the rest!
Cavalry FC vs. Pacific FC
Where:
Spruce Meadows (18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 17, 2025
Cost:
$25+
Details:
Cheer on Cavalry FC as they face off against Pacific FC! Don’t miss the action as two top Canadian Premier League teams clash in an exciting match.
Calgary Serbian Fest
Where:
16025 243 Ave E, Calgary, AB
When:
May 17 & 18, 2025
Cost:
$5
Details:
Experience Serbian hospitality for an entire weekend filled with fun activities for the whole family!
Join the Calgary-Serbian community as they entertain, feed and wow you with fantastic cultural and sports events. This spectacular event will feature a broad entertaining program showcasing some of the best cultural dances, cuisine, sports and displays that the Serbian community has to offer.
Don’t know what Serbian culture is? Come out and join us for some fabulous homemade Serbian food, cultural exhibits, sports competitions and much more. So save the date and mark it in your calendar today. This family-friendly event has something for everyone.
Prepare to be dazzled by performances from some of the finest multicultural folk dancing groups from Calgary and North America.
The Best Spring Clearance Market
Where:
Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association & Recreation Centre (5600 Centre St N, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 17, 2025
Cost:
FREE
Details:
A clearance event for your favourite vendors to have a sale! A one stop shop for the best deals on inventory and supplies! Over 80 vendors selling a wide variety of goodies from Watkins to jewelry and more!
The Canteen will be open and available for food and beverages!
Cineplex Family Favourites: Shrek
Where:
Cineplex
When:
May 17, 2025
Cost:
$4
Details:
Taking the family to a movie isn’t cheap–even before you purchase popcorn and drinks! Catching a Cineplex Family Favourites movie is a great way to enjoy a classic family movie at a great price every Saturday morning! Admission to Cineplex Family Favourites is only 3.99* (in-theatre price).
May 17, 2025: Shrek
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Calgary Wild FC vs. Roses de Montréal FC
Where:
McMahon Stadium (1817 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 18, 2025
Cost:
$25+
Details:
Get ready, Calgary Wild FC is taking the pitch, and the energy is electric! Whether you're a die-hard soccer fan or just looking for a thrilling night out, there's nothing like the roar of the crowd and the rush of live soccer action.
Dragons & Mythical Beasts
Where:
Jack Singer Concert Hall (225 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 18, 2025
Cost:
$47+
Details:
Calling all brave heroes! Enter into a magical world of myths and legends in this fantastical show for all the family.
Unveil a myriad of dark secrets and come face to face with some of the most magnificent monsters and terrifying beasts ever to walk the earth. Discover the colossal Stone Troll, the mysterious Indrik and Japanese Baku; the Tooth Fairy (not as sweet as you’d think), an adorable Unicorn and majestic Griffin. Take your place among legendary heroes, just don’t wake the Dragon…
From the creators of the international smash hit Dinosaur World Live, who bring spectacular puppets to life, this award-winning show comes to Canada for the first time, direct from London’s West End.
Don’t miss this spell-binding adventure, live on stage!
Queen – It’s a Kinda Magic
Where:
Grey Eagle Event Centre (3775 Grey Eagle Drive, Calgary, AB)
When:
May 18, 2025
Cost:
$39+
Details:
The ultimate Queen tribute concert is coming to Calgary!
Step into a time machine and relive the magic of Freddie Mercury and Queen in their prime. This internationally acclaimed production delivers all the iconic hits, epic costumes, and electrifying energy you'd expect from a real Queen concert.
We can’t wait to see where you wander this week!
Be sure to tag @WanderingInYYC / #WanderingInYYC in your stories and posts—we love following along with your adventures around the city and seeing how you make the most of May 16th - 18th.
Have a blast, and happy wandering!
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