🌼 Stop and smell the flowers

This edition is smoking!

Author

From Calgary
May 30, 2025

Hey Calgarians, 👋

From tacos to trail cleanups, hip-hop legends to high-altitude getaways — this weekend in Calgary is bursting with energy, flavour, and fresh air.

In today’s edition of From Calgary:

  • Lilac Festival is back!

  • 160+ Wildfires

  • Citywide rezoning

  • New restaurants to explore

  • Men’s workout group (FREE)

  • Bird watching

  • Scavenger hunts

Let’s get into it!

🌸 Calgary’s Lilac Festival Returns This Sunday!

Get ready to welcome summer in full bloom! Calgary’s beloved Lilac Festival is back this Sunday, June 1, 2025, transforming 4th Street SW into a vibrant, pedestrian-only celebration of community, creativity, and springtime spirit.

Festival Details:

  • Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025

  • Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  • Location: 4th Street SW, from 12th Avenue to Elbow Drive

  • Admission: Free

What to Expect:

  • Vendors: Over 500 vendors offering everything from handcrafted goods and artisan foods to unique fashion and home décor.

  • Entertainment: Seven performance stages scattered throughout 4th Street and 17th Avenue, featuring more than 70 live music and dance performances throughout the day.

  • Family-Friendly Activities: Children can enjoy activities like bouncy castles, while adults explore extended patios, discover new local bands, and shop for trendy fashions.

For more information, visit the official website: lilacfestival.net

🔥 Wildfire Season Is Underway With 160 Active Fires in AB

As of May 30, 2025, Alberta is grappling with an intense wildfire season, with over 160 active fires across the province. The situation has led to multiple evacuation orders, including for the town of Swan Hills, where approximately 1,300 residents were displaced. In northern Alberta, eight firefighters were forced to shelter in place due to rapidly advancing flames. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre has elevated the National Preparedness Level to 5, indicating full mobilization of national firefighting resources.

If / when the smoke descends on Calgary, make sure you’re prepared with a full-face gas mask and specialty smoke filter. DEADLINE: Until midnight on May 31st, you can get 25% off the MIRA Safety Fire Escape Pro Kit (while quantities last).

🏘️ Citywide Rezoning Engagement Closes Today

Today marks the final day for Calgarians to provide feedback on the city's draft Zoning Bylaw, which aims to guide the development of small-scale housing like rowhouses and townhouses in established neighborhoods. This initiative is part of Calgary's broader strategy to address housing needs and promote sustainable urban growth.

🌤️ 7-Day Weather Forecast

Friday, May 30: 27°C 🌡 13°C / ☀️ — Sunny and very warm; breezy in the afternoon
Saturday, May 31: 32°C 🌡 6°C / ☀️ — Very warm with a mix of sun and clouds; breezy
Sunday, June 1: 16°C 🌡 5°C / 🌥 — Cooler, partly sunny and breezy
Monday, June 2: 15°C 🌡 5°C / 🌧 — Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain
Tuesday, June 3: 17°C 🌡 7°C / 🌤 — Partly sunny and seasonal
Wednesday, June 4: 23°C 🌡 9°C / ☁️ — Mostly cloudy and warmer
Thursday, June 5: 23°C 🌡 10°C / 🌤 — Pleasant with periods of sun and cloud

Pro tip: The weather on Friday and Saturday looks incredible—sunny and summer-like. ☀️ Get outside and soak it up before the cool-down on Sunday!

🍽️ New Restaurants to Explore

Calgary's culinary scene continues to flourish with several new establishments:

  • The Fancy Induced Burger: Located on 17th Ave SW, this spot offers a unique dining experience with burgers featuring a hot cheese-filled syringe for self-injection, alongside all-day breakfast options and a viral Kunafa chocolate bar dessert.

  • Rice & Noodle: A family-run restaurant serving fresh, made-to-order dishes like Tom Yum soup, Laksa, and creamy peanut noodles, bringing international flavors to the city.

  • Actually Pretty Good: A popular pizza joint expanding to Crescent Heights, known for its cult-favorite pies.

  • SOT: Recognized as one of Calgary's best new restaurants in 2025, offering a contemporary dining experience.

Tim Sanders went from working at Costco to selling millions on Amazon FBA. Now he’s sharing everything he has learned in Private Label Masters!

If you have been looking for a side hustle that has the potential to replace your 9-5 (and WAY beyond), check out Private Labels Masters by clicking here.

🎉 What’s On This Weekend in Calgary

Friday, May 30

  • FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival
    8:00 PM – "The Jokers are Wild" show at The Canadian Brewhouse (University District), 3953 University Avenue NW.

  • Creative Calgary Scavenger Hunt
    All Day – Starting point at Rosso Coffee Roasters - Stephen Ave.

  • Calgary Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows
    6:00 PM onward – Held at Jack Long Park.

Saturday, May 31

  • Hues for Humanity Colour Run
    9:00 AM – Check-in begins at Harmony Circle, Rocky View County. 9:50 AM – Group Colour Toss. 10:00 AM – Race starts. Details here.

  • FREE Men’s Workout: Join other Calgary Men for a FREE boot camp-style workout. Open to ALL men. Any fitness level. We work out together, suffer together, hang out, and get better together. Saturday @ 6:30-7:30 am. 2019 Chicoutimi Drive NW. I’ll be there and hope to see you too!

  • Sara Naeini & Reza Rohani Concert
    8:00 PM – 10:30 PM – Performance at The GRAND, 608 1st St SW.

  • Big Band Burlesque
    7:00 PM – Show at Arts Commons.

  • Calgary Video Game Collectors Show
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM – Event at 240 90 Ave SE.

Sunday, June 1

  • Lilac Festival
    10:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Street festival along 4th Street SW from 12th Avenue to Elbow Drive SW.

  • The Blue Stones & The Darcys
    7:00 PM – The Palace Theater

  • FREE Men’s Workout: Join other Calgary Men for a FREE boot camp-style workout. Open to ALL men. Any fitness level. We work out together, suffer together, hang out, and get better together. Sunday @ 6:30-7:30 am. John Peake Park. 121 Chestermere Station Way, Chestermere. Just show up!

🏒 Sports

⚾ Okotoks Dawgs Home Games

Location: Seaman Stadium, Okotoks

  • Saturday, May 31: 7:05 PM – Edmonton Prospects vs. Okotoks Dawgs

  • Sunday, June 1: 2:05 PM – Lethbridge Bulls vs. Okotoks Dawgs

🏈 Calgary Stampeders Fan Fest

Date: Saturday, May 31
Location: McMahon Stadium
Join the Stampeders for their annual Fan Fest, featuring player meet-and-greets, interactive games, and family-friendly activities.

🏃 World Partnership Walk

Date: Sunday, June 1
Location: Prince's Island Park
Join Calgarians in this annual walk to raise awareness and funds to fight global poverty.

RENTAL REAL ESTATE

1 Bedroom + Large Den in Arbour Lake NW - This condo is located in the sought-after neighborhood of Arbour Lake in the NW. Just a short walk, bike, or car ride to Crowfoot Crossing shopping centre, and it is easy to access Crowchild Trail, Stoney Trail, John Laurie Trail, and all the amenities you'll need.

A dedicated parking spot in the secure & heated underground parking garage saves you from having to scrape ice off your car in the long winter months. Your guests will enjoy and appreciate the off-street visitor parking spots.

A nice-sized deck gives you plenty of extra living space during the summer months. Imagine BBQing on your natural gas BBQ while enjoying a cold drink!

Don’t hesitate to contact the owner about this inner-city gem! Click here for the rental listing.

📆 Available June 15th or July 1, 2025
📍950 Arbour Lake Road NW, Calgary, AB
💲 1985/m (includes water, storage locker, and heated underground parking)
🐶 Dog friendly (additional fee). Sorry, no cats.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC

Friday, May 30, 2025

  • Miesha and the Spanks + Beta Boys, Free The Cynics, Kue Varo and the Only Hopes
    8:00 PM @ Dickens Pub. High-energy garage rock and punk showcase.

  • Ollee Owens
    8:00 PM @ Festival Hall. Soulful vocals and heartfelt songwriting in an intimate setting.

  • Candlelight: Tribute to Linkin Park
    8:30 PM @ The Lantern Community Church. A string quartet reimagines Linkin Park's hits by candlelight.

  • The Lorna MacLachlan Quintet
    7:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Cornerstone Music Café. An evening of contemporary jazz.

Saturday, May 31, 2025

  • Drezo
    9:00 PM @ The Palace Theatre. Dark house beats from the LA-based DJ and producer.

  • Covenhoven
    Time TBA @ The Limber Hollow. Indie-folk melodies from the Colorado singer-songwriter.

  • Justine Giles
    Time TBA @ Space King Edward. Emotive acoustic set from the Calgary-based artist.

  • Zenon
    Time TBA @ Best of Kin. Local talent showcasing original music.

Sunday, June 1, 2025

  • The Blue Stones & The Darcys
    8:00 PM @ The Palace Theatre. Blues-rock duo and indie rockers share the stage.

  • Shayfer James
    7:30 PM @ Dickens Pub. Dark cabaret and alternative piano rock performance.

  • Songsmith Sundays with Carter Felker
    11:30 AM @ King Eddy. Brunch-time acoustic set featuring local songwriting.

  • Lilac Festival Performances
    10:00 AM – 6:00 PM @ 4th Street SW. Live music across multiple stages, including a performance by Kaiya Gamble.

🏞️ DAY TRIP IDEA

🐦 Frank Lake – Birdwatching & Prairie Serenity Just 50 Minutes from Calgary

Nestled in the open plains southeast of Calgary near High River, Frank Lake is a bird sanctuary and wetland oasis teeming with life. Managed by Ducks Unlimited, it’s a haven for photographers, birders, and anyone seeking a peaceful retreat from city noise and is less than an hour’s drive from the city.

Activities

Birdwatching: Spring and early summer bring thousands of migratory birds—pelicans, avocets, egrets, sandpipers, ducks, and more. Bring binoculars or a zoom lens.

Nature Walks: A short, easy trail (less than 2 km return) leads from the parking lot to viewing blinds and a boardwalk over the wetlands. Flat and stroller-friendly.

Photography: Dramatic prairie skies, glassy wetlands, and vibrant birdlife make this a favorite among local photographers.

Peace & Solitude: With few crowds and a big-sky feel, this is an ideal spot to clear your head or enjoy a quiet morning.

THANK YOU!

Thank you for reading From Calgary today. If you enjoyed this edition, found something useful, or learned something new, please share it with someone who lives in Calgary.

Chat soon,

Brent
Publisher
From Calgary

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