13 EPIC things to do in Calgary this long weekend: May 17-19

We've finally made it to May and it's shaping up to be a very busy weekend with lots of events taking place in Calgary over the next few days.

There are plenty of local favorite parks opening for the season starting Friday, so don't miss your chance to try them out for the first time this year!

Here are 13 epic events happening in Calgary this weekend.

Heritage Park is open on weekends

What: Heritage Park will open a day early this year on Friday for the season. Opening Day is sure to be a fun-filled day full of special performances, live music and exciting exhibits. The park also promises an in-store “surprise” and suggests arriving early for the grand opening!

When: Opening day is Friday from noon to 5pm and open daily for the season from 10am to 5pm.
Where: Heritage Park — 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Price: General admission is $34.95 and tickets for youth ages 3 to 15 are $22.95 and can be purchased online here .

Calaway Park is open on weekends

What: If you're looking for a place to get your adrenaline pumping this weekend, Callaway Park is open for the season so you can hop on the roller coasters or bumper cars.

When: Open for the season Saturday, May 18
Where: 245033 Road No. 33
Price: Admission is $51.95 for ages 3 to 49

Downhill karting

What: Get your adrenaline pumping this week by trying downhill karting on the city's 1,800m mountain track.

When: Opening hours vary throughout the season, check here
Where: Winsport Canada Olympic Park — 88 Canada Olympic Road SW
Price: Tickets start at $28 for two rides and can be purchased here

Jubilations Dinner Theatre: A Journey into the 80s

What: Head to Jubilations Dinner Theater this weekend for a night of 80s fun. If you have young children, you can also watch the Jubilations Junior show Kung Fu Turtles.

When: From March 30 to June 1
Where: 1002 37th St. SW
Price: Tickets for adults are $75.95 and tickets for children 12 and under are $44.95 and can be purchased online here.

Roller skating at the Skate House

What: Calgary has a dedicated roller rink! Get ready to party in your laces under the twinkling lights of the Skate House. There are also special long skate nights on weekends!

When: Different times. Click here for the full schedule
Where: 42 Highfield — 1100 42nd Avenue SE
Tickets: Prices range from $12 to $18 and can be purchased online here

Le Petit Chef

What: This amazing dining experience has taken social media by storm with its mix of food and digital entertainment. State-of-the-art 3D mapping and video projection are used to bring the chef's adventures to life right on the table, and it's amazing to see IRL.

When: From February 10, 2024
Where: Hotel Dorian – 525 5th Ave SW, Calgary
Price: $129 for adults and $64.99 for children; buy tickets here

Rock the Nation National Music Center

What: Rock the Nation covers over half a century of Canadian music. According to the website, it contains “songs that have inspired, moved, comforted and challenged a nation from the 50s to today. It's a soundtrack for generations and a musical reflection of the country's evolution; a nation intent on creating its own unique identity in a rapidly changing world.” The National Music Center has extended this exhibition until August 25.

When: It lasts until August 25
Where: Studio Bell — 850 4th Street SE
Price: Starts at $12.60 for NMC members and can be purchased online here

Violins of Hope

What: The National Music Center has Violins of Hope, a collection of stringed instruments from before and during the Holocaust.

When: From May 3 to June 13
Where: Studio Bell — 850 4th Street SE
Price: Starts at $12.60 for NMC members and can be purchased online here

Sports Night Feelin' Right

What: If you're looking for a way to get out and get those endorphins going, you can head to the Capitol Hill community's big 'neighborhood night'. Youngsters can sign up for high-octane sports and there will be an open mic for all ages.

When: Friday, May 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m
Where: Capitol Hill Community Association – 1531 21st Avenue NW
Price: It's FREE, but don't forget to register here

Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert

What: Join the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra on a cinematic journey this weekend with a Star Wars: A New Hope concert. Created in partnership with the Calgary International Film Festival, visitors can watch the full film with a live musical score.

When: May 17 and 18
Where: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium — 1415 14th Ave., NW
Price: Between $34 and $94 and can be purchased online here

See a movie at The Confluence

What: You can catch The Lego Movie This weekend at The Confluence at their vintage-style Burns-West Theatre! Tickets are very reasonably priced and include popcorn!

When: May 11 from 18:30 to 21:00
Where: The Junction is at 750 9th Avenue SE
Price: $12 plus tax and can be purchased here

View gallery with Calgary Art Pass

What: The Calgary Public Library and Contemporary Calgary offer free gallery visits during the three-week loan period.

Price: FREE

Building Black Civilizations: The Voyage of 2,000 Ships in the Edison

What: Check out this amazing free art exhibition in Glenbow this weekend. The event's Instagram page reads: “In this exhibition, artist Ekov Nimako explores what happened when Abu Bakr II, the ruler of Nimako, chose to abdicate and cross the Atlantic. Using Lego to recreate epic possibilities, Nimako creates a narrative of black civilizations and imagines liberated futures.”

When: From April 10 to May 19
Where: Glenbow at Edison — 150 9th Ave., SW, 2nd floor
Price: FREE