April is when we can start taking advantage of warmer weather and take our dates outside. Calgary has limitless ways to enjoy the outdoors, from city parks, the Bow River Valley, and the nearby foothill parks. But you can add some excitement to your April day or night out.
Calgary has upcoming events that give you ideas for live music and concert dates, dining experiences, local festivals and markets, and much more.
A date in Calgary this April can be simple, too. Calgary consistently has new restaurants and cafes to check out with someone special. Plus, there are many places in Calgary where you can take a free walk, and a gorgeous sunset over the mountains or city.
Dining Events in Calgary
There are a variety of dining events happening in Calgary in April, with something for all tastes and interests. These dining opportunities take the typical dinner date and add something extra, special, or memorable.
- Alchemy & Aura is the latest event at the Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant. The April 6th event features a full dinner with feature cocktails.
- There are over 20 different Easter meals available in Calgary with take-out and dine-in options. These include dine-in Easter dinners at a variety of Calgary restaurants. Find them all here.
- The Calgary Zoo Grazing Dinner Series feature Bridgeland Distillery on April 21, 2023. More of a brunch couple? The Zoo also hosts Safari Sunday brunch every week with ticket options to include time for walking the Zoo grounds.
- Calgary’s most romantic restaurants can offer different takes on the date night atmosphere.
Dates and Laughs in Calgary
If you need some icebreakers for your date, you can leave it up to the professional comedians, and get tickets for one of these shows. These Calgary comedy performances in April include international and local acts.
- Craig Robinson, of The Office and Hot Tub Time Machine, will be live at The Laugh Shop on April 27-30.
- The official FunnyFest takes place this year in June, but the festival do have an April event too. Their Comedy Competition will be April 20-29 in downtown Calgary.
- The Comedy Cave host stand-up acts almost daily. Upcoming comedians include Todd Ness, Adam Ruby, and Myles Weber.
Coffee Dates at Calgary’s Newest Cafes
Treat your date or significant other to something new and exciting, but as simple as a literal cup of coffee. These new cafes recently opened in Calgary in 2023 and offer a lot more than just coffee and drinks. They all offer somewhere to sit and socialize.
- Primary Colours have only been open in Calgary for a couple of months- just enough time to prove itself as a neat little date spot.
- Egg & Spoon can be a place to meat for coffee, and a whole lot more. Their menu is filled with a number of shareables, too.
- Wonder Donuts only opened at the end of March, but are already a go-to donut and coffee place for many in Calgary.
- Where to Find Calgary’s Local Bookstores and Cozy Book Cafes
- 9 New Dining Spots to Discover This April in Calgary
Dinner & a Movie
Don’t only plan for dinner and a movie. Plan for a date night experience with these dinner and a movie ideas for an April date in Calgary.
- The Calgary Underground Film Festival showcases the best of our local indie film scene (April 20-30). Tickets go on sale March 30th. The main venue, Globe Cinema, is near a plethora of food options on 10th Ave SW.
- Canyon Meadows Cinemas have an Adults Special on the third Wednesday of every month. So for an April 19th date night, you can get a movie, popcorn, and beverage for only $15. Drive north on McLeod Trail to find a variety of dinner options.
- The Country Hills, Market Mall, and Shawnessy Landmark Cinemas offer a unique movie-going experience with Premiere Seats. These can be converted for cuddling, heated at your control, and can recline.
Wonderspaces & Spark After Dark
TELUS Spark Science Centre’s newest exhibit is Wonderspaces! Have fun with interactive or immersive exhibits, and take moments for photos, or extra learning. The exhibits are a mix art, science, light, and colour. The Spark After Dark is an adults-only event and will host an April event on the 14th. This month’s Spark After Dark is focused on technology in the fashion industry.
When: Wonderpsaces on for April; Spark After Dark April 14th
Where: 220 St. George’s Drive NE
How much: $19-$26
Take in the Arts in April
There is always something going on with Calgary’s arts scene in any given month. And April is no exception. The month will see a variety of local gallery exhibits, the big annual Comic event, and a feature at the Glenbow’s satellite location: the Edison.
- Calgary Comic Expo (April 27-30) takes over Stampede Park once again with a full slate of artists, celebrity guests, cosplay, and much more.
- The Glenbow at the Edison is featuring Howie Tsui’s Retainers of Anarchy until April 16th
- Galleries West have a long list of gallery exhibits to check out in Calgary this April.
Sunset Walks
There are some places around Calgary which make for extra-special sunset walks. No matter where you look to west from Calgary, there are tall mountain peaks, and rolling foothills, to complement a setting sun. The weather is a bit warmer now for April (albeit a bit more unpredictable), so take advantage of you can with a free but memorable date.
- Watch the sun set over the Bow River from the Peace Bridge, or Edworthy Park.
- Take in a sunset over downtown Calgary from Scotsman’s Hill.
- And take in one of those Rocky Mountain sunsets from Nose Hill Park.
Calgary’s April Theatre Lineup
We covered all the great opportunities for movie dates in Calgary, but there are just as many chances to see great live theatre.
- Wedding Singer: 1999 starts at Jubilations Dinner Theatre on April 1st (runs until June), and will include a buffet dinner, plus access to beverage menus.
- Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville is on at Theatre Calgary from April 18 to May 13.
- The Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium is featuring the touring Pretty Woman: The Musical from April 4-9, and Macbeth at the end of the month.
Spring Markets in Calgary
Market shopping can be a fun date option thanks to the on-site food and drink options that are always available, and the hour or two you get to spend supporting local.
- The Crossroads Market is open every weekend with a large list of vendors.
- The Calgary Farmers’ Market has two convenient locations in the city: south, and west. There will be Easter specials at both from April 5-9. These markets are open every weekend.
- Discover artful designers at UPrise {designer POP-UP} – April 14 & 15.
- Head to Saskatoon Farm for their annual spring market featuring 90 local makers, bakers and creators.
Live Music Date Ideas in April
Calgary’s live music scene provides something for all tastes and interests, and plenty of ideas for a night out with your loved one, or new date. These events take place across the whole month of April, giving you time for more than one performance.
- The Grey Eagle Events Centre always have fun and exciting performances scheduled. For a date night in April, they offer Serena Carpenter, Whitney Cumming, Megadeath, and more.
- Calgary’s International Jazz Days Festivals (April 27-30) has performances scheduled for a variety of venues, including the Devonian Gardens!
- The Arts Commons and Jack Singer Concert Hall will host a variety of shows from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.