Don Quixote
Alberta Ballet is finishing its season with Don Quixote, a reimagining of the famous Miguel de Cervantes novel of the same name. The ballet runs at the Jubilee Auditorium from May 1 to 3. Immerse yourself in this classic romantic comedy, complemented by Francesco Ventriglia’s choreography and handmade costumes by designer Gianluca Falaschi. Jeté your way to albertaballet.com to find showtimes and pick up your tickets.
LOOK2025 Art Auction
Contemporary Calgary’s LOOK Art Auction is back again for another year, running all May. Go between 5 and 9 p.m. on May 1 and get free admission to the entire auction exhibition! Place bids in the silent art auction for a new statement piece for your living room, or just enjoy a fancy evening without paying fancy prices. The auction ends on May 31 with the LOOK Gala. This year’s theme is “Noir Nouveau,” inspired by the work of local artist Simone Elizabeth Saunders. Pay the big bucks ($300) to attend the cabaret and participate in the live auction, or just $40 for the after-party. Either way, a one-year membership to Contemporary Calgary is included in the ticket. ‘LOOK’ at contemporarycalgary.com to grab your tickets.
FascinAsian Film Festival
May is Asian History Month, so kick it off with the fourth annual FascinAsian Film Festival, running from May 1 to 4 on the main floor of the Calgary Central Library. With a lineup including Gillian McKercher’s new film Lucky Star and a short from Jason Sakaki called Ramen Boys, this is a jam-packed weekend highlighting the creativity and bold artistic vision of Canada’s Asian community. And before the movies, cross-cultural performances bring together Indigenous traditional dancers and Chinese lion dancers. Grab tickets at fascinasian.ca.
Calgary International Beerfest
What goes better with warm spring weather than an ice-cold beer? If you’re looking to cool off, hop on down to Stampede Park on May 2 and 3 for a taste of the finest beers from Alberta and beyond. Get a fruity-fix with Alley Kat’s Aprikat ale, or something a little darker with Eighty-Eight’s Wave Pool tropical IPA — a personal favourite. Each event day ends with musical performances by Sam Feldt, Raise Your State, and more. If you’re more of a hard iced tea, seltzer or barely-alcoholic kombucha kind of person, you’ll still be able to drink your fill. Find your new favourite vendor at albertabeerfestivals.com, and don’t forget to pick up your tickets.
Vertigo Theatre presents: The Da Vinci Code
If your mother is a big reader, there’s a good chance she has The Da Vinci Code on her bookshelf. Vertigo Theatre’s stage adaptation of the (in)famous Dan Brown novel opens on Mother’s Day, making it the perfect gift for a mystery-loving mom. Follow Dr. Robert Langdon (Graham Percy) and cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Isabella Pedersen) as they attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding the murder of the Louvre’s museum curator. The play runs from May 10 to June 8 at Vertigo Theatre. Purchase tickets at vertigotheatre.com — just don’t let Mom know.
OtaFest
Listen up, weebs: OtaFest is back from May 16 to 18 at the Telus Convention Centre and Marriott Downtown Hotel. This annual Japanese anime and pop culture event is chock-full of fun events, including panels, contests and celebrity guests. This year’s roster of guests includes stars from shows and video games like Jujutsu Kaisen, Arcane, and Genshin Impact. Don’t forget to stop by the Maid & Butler Café or the pop-up CONbini Japanese convenience store, which offers onigiri, melon soda, curry buns, and more Japanese snacks. Start planning your killer cosplay and visit otafest.com for tickets.
2025 Canadian Premier League
Nothing screams “spring” more than soccer, in our humble opinion. Kick off the season with a seat at one of Calvary Football Club’s home games at ATCO Field in Spruce Meadows. Calgary’s home team plays Victoria’s Pacific FC on May 17 and Winnipeg’s Valour FC on May 25. Bring cash and hit up the food stands for a scoop of ice cream from Foothills Creamery or some fresh-off-the-grill barbecue. Hit up cavalryfc.canpl.ca for tickets and the complete season schedule.
Legally Blonde
If The DaVinci Code is a little dark for you, how about something a little more pink? The 2007 musical Legally Blonde – based on the book and iconically feminist movie of the same name – is coming to Theatre Calgary from May 20 to June 15, in partnership with Citadel Theatre. This well-loved musical received seven Tony nominations and won three Laurence Olivier Awards on the West End. Bend-and-snap up tickets at theatrecalgary.com. If you go to the first preview show, you can even get the first taste of the special show-themed cocktail.
Calgary Black Film Festival
Back again for its fifth year, the Calgary Black Film Festival runs from May 23 to 27. Celebrate the creativity of Canada’s Black community, in person or from the comfort of your bed via streaming. The festival opens with Fight Like a Girl at the Globe Cinema, based on the true story of a Congolese woman who escapes an illegal mining operation and joins an all-women boxing club. Pick up tickets for online or in-person viewing at calgaryblackfilm.com and find the complete lineup of films.
Spring Local: A Small Business Market
YYC Market Girls are hosting a small business market at The Rooftop YYC on May 24. Browse around and find all kinds of handmade crafts and homemade goodies. The Rooftop will be decked out in charming, spring-themed decor to get you in the mood for the warm weather to come. Hit up the market after a Saturday brunch and keep the drinks coming; The Rooftop’s bar will be open and serving up the cold ones. Entry to the event is free, but make sure there’s space by reserving a spot at eventbrite.com.
Chump to Champ
Have you ever wanted to watch a bunch of dudes who’ve never competed in a boxing match before throw punches at each other? Since your answer is obviously “Yes,” head over to Southpaw Boxing Gym on May 31 and check out Chump to Champ. In this showcase, you sit ringside and watch a bunch of average joes — who’ve only had three months of training — punch the hell out of each other, all in the name of raising money for Variety: the Children’s Charity. Head over to chumptochampcanada.com to pick up tickets.
Stampeders Season Kick-Off
The Stamps have a revamped squad and a whole new lease on football life — get your first glimpse of the team in action on June 7, when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at good ole’ McMahon Stadium for the first game of their regular season. Nothing screams “summer is almost here” like a cold beer and a pocket dawg under (hopefully) blue skies. Grab tickets today at stampeders.com.
