Calgary 
You know exactly what’s in the air. The weather is warmer, and the flowers will begin to bloom.
There are a growing number of things to do in Calgary as the snow melts and the temperatures warm up. If you want to take full advantage of the spring weather in Calgary, there are a number of recreational activities right here in the city or a short drive outside of Calgary. If you’d prefer these activities, be guided, there are also several outdoor tours you can book this spring.
Spring 2026 in Calgary is also a prime time to enjoy local food and drink. There are food and drink festivals scheduled for April and May, and some key restaurant openings that recently took place.
Many of Calgary’s attractions will open for the long summer hours as of May 2025 or the long weekend, but some are gearing up for open seasons with extra events. These are attractions like the Zoo, or Heritage Park. Spring in Calgary will be busy this year, and below are ideas to fill the entire season’s calendar.
Contents:
- Outdoor Recreation
- Outdoor Tours
- Live Shows & Entertainment
- Festivals
- Attractions and Feature Events
I. Outdoor Recreation
University of Calgary
1. Stargaze
April is when the annual Lyrid meteor shower light up the skies. Get a good dose of relaxation and natural scenery with a night of stargazing on the outskirts of Calgary. There are a few places you can head to for a quiet night in nature, free from light pollution.
Rothney Astrophysical Observatory is back with its monthly programs, and in April, you can learn about the latest research in Astrophysics and enjoy an outdoor sky tour by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Calgary Centre.
2. Walk Calgary
You have several options for a peaceful walk through the Bow River Valley or one of Calgary’s many parks.
Jane’s Walk Calgary: If you’d like to join for free guided tours, Jane’s Walk Calgary is back with in-person, virtual, and self-guided walks from May 1 to 3, 2026.
If you are looking to explore the city on your legs, then plan to enjoy the view from scenic locations:
- 25 Must-Do Scenic Lookout Hikes Near Calgary
- 25 Urban Walking Trails in Calgary
- 17 Must-Visit Scenic Lookouts In Calgary
For even more peace and quiet, take a short drive to one of these rural trails. You can expect new views, a bit or a lot of exercise, and possibly some spring-blooming to photograph.
- Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area
- Sheep River Loop
- MacKinnon Flats and Bow River
- Big Hill Springs PP
3. Rent an E-bike
There are a few different places in Calgary that can rent you out an e-bike to try for the day. You can take your bike all throughout Calgary, the Bow River Valley, and the more minor park pathways, all while using way less effort than a regular bike!
Calgary Bike Swap is returning on May 2.
PEDEGO
Where: Unit 110 1220 Kensington Rd NW Calgary
Details
Bow Cycle E-Bikes
Where: 632 Confluence Way SE & 6501 Bowness Road NW, Calgary
Details
4. Host a Picnic & Fire Pits in the Park
With warmer weather comes picnic season in Calgary! You can rent a picnic site with a firepit and enjoy the whole day at any number of city parks in the northeast, southeast, northwest, or southwest. The reservable sites with firepits are free, while other picnic sites can be reserved for 6-hours along with a fee. Details
5. Book your Comfort Camping
There are two reasonably nearby comfort camping areas that you can take advantage of near Calgary: both Sundance Lodges and Wyndham-Carseland PP offer a relaxing and easier way to camp. At Sundance, pick from trappers’ tents or tipis. If you plan to book at the Provincial Park, you’ll get to stay in a large canvas tent with solid flooring.
- 20 Places to Go Comfort Camping & Glamping in Alberta
- 25 Places to Go Camping in and Around Calgary
- A Beginner’s Guide to Camping in Alberta Parks
6. Birdwatching during Calgary’s Migration Season
Spring migration season is upon us! That means Alberta’s bird population is about to get bigger, with the southern vacationers coming back to the northern regions. The pro birdwatchers recommend late April and early May for spotting migratory birds.
15 Places to Go Birding in and Around Calgary
- Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Nature Centre has a physical visitor centre and trails that are free to visit and use.
- Fish Creek Provincial Park follows a large stretch of the Bow River as it leaves Calgary in the city’s southeast. You can even follow a birding checklist on your adventure!
- Weaselhead Flats in west Calgary can also lead you along the shores of the Glenmore Reservoir. These areas are known for raptor sightings, including bald eagles and northern goshawks.
- Depending on where you are in Calgary, Frank Lake can either be a 30-minute drive or 1-hour drive from home. The wetlands are an official Ducks Unlimited Site and an Important Bird Area.
- The Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation will open to visitors in May; here, you can walk the ponds or take a hawk walk and view flying demonstrations.
II. Outdoor Tours
Spirit Hills Flower Winery
1. Take a Winery Tour
Drive a little beyond Calgary city limits to discover a delicious way to spend an afternoon. Spirit Hills (Millarville, Alberta) Winery offers tasting tours guided by the Spirit Hills family, who can teach you all about the birds and the bees, the flowers, the honey, and how it all comes together to make their wine.
When: begin weekends in April
Where: 2380 Drive West, Millarville
Details
2. Bike the Urban Pedal Tours
The Urban Pedal Tour bookings are now open. The tours allow you to power a large tandem bike through Calgary’s iconic neighborhoods while also tasting the beers of local breweries. Local public tours include Inglewood, The Barley Belt, or Downtown Calgary.
Where: meeting area- 1417 9 Ave SE, Calgary
How much: $399 & up per group
Details
You may like:
- Lazy Rafting: Ways to Enjoy Lazy River Floating Around Calgary This Summer
- Water Adventures: Fun Water-Based Activities and Adventures For This Summer in and Around Calgary
- Guide to River Tubing, Floating and Guided Raft Trips in and Around Calgary
3. Explore Vulcan
Plan a spring trip to Vulcan, originally built around rail and agriculture, which gained international attention due to its name’s link to Star Trek. Embracing this connection, it was named Canada’s official Star Trek capital in 2010 following Leonard Nimoy’s visit. The town hosts Spock Days each June and also offers historical experiences through the Vulcan Museum, local events, and nearby attractions like Aspen Crossing, with Mother’s Day train rides and garden walks at Coutts Centre.
III. Live Shows & Entertainment
1. Live Theatre Shows
Calgary’s performing arts centres and theatre venues are offering various live shows for all tastes.
Theatre Calgary puts on A Doll’s House, and Come From Away at Max Bell Theatre
Golden Girls Vegas Vacation by Jubilations Dinner Theatre, The Barber Of Seville by Calgary Opera, Patience by Morpheus Theatre, and ATP’s Wildwoman.
Alberta Ballet is presenting
Touring performances include Mamma Mia! by Broadway across Canada.
2. Musical Performances at Jack Singer Concert Hall
The Spring season at the Jack Singer Concert Hall offers a wide variety of musical genres and subgenres. You can catch rock acts, orchestra performances, tribute bands, international sounds, country, and more!
You can relive movies in concert, like Dirty Dancing.
When: April & May, 2026
Where: 225 8 Ave SE, Calgary
3. Chart-Topping Artists
If you are looking to enjoy live concerts by chart-topping artists, then famous artists visiting the city include:
- Lee Brice – Sunriser Tour on Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Diljit Dosanjh – Aura World Tour 2026 on Thursday, April 30, 2026
- An Evening with City and Colour (solo) / the way it used to be… on Monday, May 4, 2026
- Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell: The Untold Love Story on Saturday, May 30, 2026
IV. Festivals & Events
Annual POW! Parade of Wonders/Calgary Expo
1. Cheer Cavalry FC
Calgary’s soccer team playing in the Canadian Premier League will kick off the 2026 season at ATCO Field (Spruce Meadows) on April 12th.
2. Shop the Spring Markets
The market-shopping season is truly upon us! While a few indoor markets remain over the winter, the spring season has both indoor and outdoor markets from which to choose.
- Spring Market Collective on April 10 to 12 @ Contemporary Calgary, #701 11th Street SW
- Parkdale Art Club Annual Spring Show and Sale on April 11 @ Parkdale Community Centre, 3512 5Ave, NW
- National Women’s Show on April 11 & 12 @ BMO Centre 20 Roundup Way SE
- The Fibre Shindig on April 11 @ The Genesis Centre, 7555 Falconridge Blvd. NE
- The Calgary Creative Arts Guild Annual Spring Show & Sale on April 18 @ Montgomery Community Association, 5003 16th Ave NW
- Western Canadian Reptile Expo on April 18 & 19 @ Acadia Recreation Complex, 240 90 Ave SE
- Spring Thaw Car Show on April 19 @ Heritage Park’s parking lot, 1900 Heritage Dr SW
- The Gluten-Free Expo on April 19 @ BMO Centre, 1912 Flores Ladue Parade SE
- Saskatoon Farm Spring Market on April 25 & 26 @ The Saskatoon Farm, 80181 338 Ave E, Foothills County
- Samaritan Club of Calgary Semi-Annual Super Thrift Sale on April 25 @ Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Centre, 1320 – 5th Avenue NW
- Triwood Spring Market on April 26 @ Triwood Community Association, 2244 Chicoutimi Drive NW, Calgary
- Calgary Book Sale from April 30 to May 10, 2026@ Crossroads Market, 1235 26 Ave SE
- Spring Himalayan Bazaar on May 2 @ Glamorgan Community Hall, 4207 41 Avenue SW
- The Calgary Orchid Show on May 30 & 31@ The Genesis Centre, 7555 Falconridge Blvd NE #10
You may like: Summer Night Markets in Calgary
3. Spring Babies
Welcome spring babies at Butterfield Acres Farm. There are opportunities to help with bottle feeding and heart-warming up-close moments with some favourite farm animals for both kids and adults.
- Spring Babies Festival: April 3 to 19, 2026
- Barnyard Babies Date Night (Adult only): April 11 & 18, 2026
4. Rock the Village
Get ready to Rock the Village! This one-of-a-kind live music event in partnership with the National Music Centre is bringing the beats to the streets of East Village. Three outdoor stages. Three incredible performances. One unforgettable day.
When: Sunday April 12, 2026
Where: RiverWalk Plaza, 5th Street Square, Calgary
How much: Free
5. Calgary PetFest
Expect everything from adorable corgi races and dachshund dashes to duck herding, reptile showcases (yes, capybaras!), and even RCMP K-9 demos at Calgary Petfest. With 60+ vendors, guest speakers, a petting zoo, and adoptable animals from local charities, it’s a fun, family-friendly celebration of all things furry, scaly, and feathery.
When: April 24 to 26, 2026
Where: Spruce Meadows, 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW, Calgary
How much: $10 to $18
6. Calgary Expo
Experience the ultimate playground for Comics, Sci-Fi, Horror, Anime, and Gaming. three BIG days of events, family-friendly attractions and world-renowned celebrities await.
When: April 23 to 26, 2026
Where: Stampede Park, 1410 Olympic Way Southeast, Calgary
How much: $12 & up
7. Calgary Underground Film Festival
Don’t let the name scare you; the Calgary Underground Film Festival is a family event with screenings for all ages, and special CUFF Tots screenings. The variety of films offer a variety of genres, too, like surrealism, documentary, romance, satire and comedy, children, and horror.
When: April 16 to 26, 2026
Where: Globe Cinema, 617 8 Ave SW, Calgary
How much: $10 to $15+fees
8. Calgary International Beer Festival
The International Beer Festival is a massive tasting event in which you can try not only a host of international beers, but also international coolers, spirits, and liqueurs.
When: May 1 & 2, 2026
Where: BMO Centre, Calgary
How much: $29.99 & up
9. Otafest – Calgary’s Premier Anime Festival
Otafest is a 3-day Japanese Cultural and Animation Festival. Shop. Cosplay. Play games. Watch anime. Join a community. Even meet your favorite stars – autograph signing fees are on us!
When: May 15 to 17, 2026
Where: Calgary TELUS Convention Centre
How much: $16.73 & up
10. Calgary Serbian Fest
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.
When: May 23 & 24, 2026
Where: Serbian Orthodox Church St Simeon, 16025 243 Ave E, Calgary
How much: Free
11. Royal Canadian International Circus
Come under the Big Top and get a glimpse into a traditional circus world. Jam-packed with explosive live entertainment, featuring high-flying acrobatics, death-defying tricks, towering feats of strength, teetering towers of balanced bodies, extreme bending and devilishly precarious aerials!
When: May 22 – June 1, 2026
Where: CrossIron Mills, 261055 CrossIron Blvd, Calgary
How much: $35- $60
12. 4th Street Lilac Festival
This free one-day event is the start to Calgary’s vibrant festival season and encourages Calgarians to shake off their winter blues and reintroduce themselves to the thriving creative community in our city. Enjoy an array of musical talent, artisan vendors, quality entertainment and some perfect people watching.
When: Sunday, June 7, 2026
Where: 4th St SW Between 13th Ave and Elbow Dr, Calgary
How much: Free
13. Calgary Ukrainian Festival
The Calgary Ukrainian Festival is a fun, family-friendly event that celebrates Ukrainian culture with tasty food, traditional arts and crafts, and lively performances. You’ll find everything from Ukrainian beer and vodka to kids’ activities and live demos. It’s all about sharing and enjoying the richness of Ukrainian heritage in an entertaining and welcoming atmosphere.
When: June 6 & 7, 2026
Where: Acadia Recreation Complex, 240 90 Ave SE, Calgary
How much: $5 to $10
V. Attractions and Feature Events
1. Heritage Park Historical Village
You can start experiencing Heritage Park now with their Guided Ghost Tours. The park reopens for Summer on Victoria Day weekend.
Heritage Park debuts a brand new event – Heritage Park Roadshow, a market blending history, rare antiques, thrilling auctions and the city’s largest scavenger hunt into an unmissable experience for collectors, families, kids and treasure hunters alike.
Take a trip with Thomas the Train Engine and more this Spring at Canada’s largest living museum.
When: Various dates
Where: Heritage Drive and 14 St. SW
How much: Varies
2. Visit Calgary Zoo or Attend a Feature Event
You can pay for regular admission to the zoo this spring for a simple tour of the grounds, and hundreds of visits with different animals. You can also purchase tickets to some of their special feature events for Easter or May.
- The Zoo hosts Easter Eggstravaganza April 18 to 21 with games, photo stations, treat stations, an easter brunch, and many other surprises.
- Grab tickets for their weekly Safari Sunday Brunch.
- The Calgary Zoo is open for daily admission, too. You can simply walk the zoo and learn about its animals.
3. Browse Contemporary Calgary for an Afternoon
Stroll the halls of Contemporary Calgary for inspiration, for a peaceful afternoon, or just to see what is out in art world now. You can currently catch a number of different artistic exhibits and you can also sign up for, or sign up your kids for, different art workshops.
When: Daily
Where: #701 11th Street SW, Calgary
How much: $12 – Single Entry
By donation: 24 and under
Details
4. Visit Studio Bell
This spring, head to Studio Bell to celebrate 2026 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee, Nelly Furtado. The exhibit showcases her sound, style, and artistic evolution through stage outfits, storytelling, archival photos, videos, and installations. While you’re there, explore five floors of music exhibits, and hands-on activities the whole family can enjoy.
When: Various Dates Through Spring
Where: 300-851 4 Street SE
How much: $16.50 to $24.50
5. TELUS Spark Science Centre
TELUS Spark’s Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits explores the science, psychology, and skill behind adventure sports. Visitors can learn how athletes push boundaries while trying hands-on activities like high-line balance, climbing, and virtual biking or kayaking. Featuring global stories and interactive experiences, the exhibit highlights focus, courage, and human potential, offering an engaging experience for all ages.
Where: 220 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary
How much: $24.95 – $33.95
Details
6. Tour The Hangar Flight Museum
Visitors of all ages can stand in awe and wonder at the gigantic displays from the Hangar Flight Museum. Step inside the massive hangar to explore decades worth of aviation technology. You can see the cool, unusual, and historically significant planes from around Canada while learning about the pilots who flew them.
When: open 6 days a week, Tuesday to Sunday
Where: 4629 McCall Way NE, Calgary
How much: Adult – $9 to $17
Details
The “Urban Pedal Tours” idea is actually Pedal Pub – they’re different companies. That’s the address for the Pedal Pub office but it links to Urban Pedal Tours Edmonton location, which is incorrect.