Looking for something to do this May long weekend? Discover Calgary's dynamic spring offerings, from exploring urban art and a family-friendly farm, to hunting for books and enjoying nature in one of the city's largest park.
1. BUMP Festival Classic Mural Tour
Interested in discovering new corners of your city through art? Join a BUMP Festival mural tour this weekend! The BUMP Festival was created in 2017 as the Beltline Urban Murals Project. The movement aims to reimagine public spaces through visual art and expand the local arts community by selecting local and international artists for annual exhibitions. So far, the BUMP Festival has facilitated 270+ public art installations in Calgary, believing that public art can enrich communities and provoke conversation. They offer regular tours of their installations, including one on Sunday May 19 from 1-3 pm. The tour meets in the Beltline district downtown. Tickets can be booked online at: yycbump.ca/mural-tours
2. Visit Calgary Farmyard
Located on the southeast edge of Calgary and just a 20-minute drive from Alpine Park, the Calgary Farmyard reopens for family fun on May 17. The Farmyard was founded in 2008 so that everyone, regardless of age, can explore the fun of being on a farm. Open all holiday weekend, the farm offers lots of attractions like mini golf, zip lines, a potato sack slide, and a petting corral. Spring is the perfect time to visit and meet their newest arrivals (lambs and bunnies!), plus you can spend some time in the spring sunshine! Tip: you can save over $4 on admission by pre-purchasing in advance. For more info and to purchase tickets visit www.calgaryfarmyard.com
3. Calgary Reads Big Book Sale
The city’s biggest book sale is on from May 10-20 and features over 150,000 gently used books! Stop by the Calgary Curling Club to browse books of every genre imaginable and bring home some new reads for the long weekend. Most adult books are $4 and children’s books are $2, with proceeds going towards local early literacy programs. Visit www.bigbooksale.ca for more info.
4. Visit Fish Creek Park
This one’s in Alpine’s backyard! Explore over 100 km of paved and unpaved trails in Calgary’s largest urban park, Fish Creek Provincial Park, by foot or by bike this long weekend! The park is a popular spot for all kinds of recreational activities, including biking, hiking, swimming and fishing. The park also offers day-use areas and shelters spread throughout for your picnic needs, plus facilities like a visitor centre and concession stands. For a special fine-dining experience in the park head to Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant, one of Calgary’s top places to eat. Or stop by the quaint Annie’s Café for a coffee and ice cream break!
As the park stretches over 20 km across the south of Calgary, there are various access points and parking lots. Access to the visitor centre is via Bow Bottom Trail SE. You can also access Fish Creek Park by public transit: take the train to Fish Creek-Lacombe station and follow the pedestrian overpass to reach the park. For a detailed map of facilities and access points visit: www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kananaskis/fish-creek-pp/information-facilities
5. The Lego Batman Movie Screening
For a relaxing and family-friendly activity, head to The Confluence Historic Site and Parkland (formerly Fort Calgary) to watch The Lego Batman Movie in a cozy indie theatre atmosphere. Tickets include site admission and popcorn with additional snacks and drinks available for purchase. The movie will screen on Sunday May 19 from 2-4 pm. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at: www.showpass.com/fatf-legobatman