Are there any interest clubs for adults in Calgary?

Calgary offers an incredible variety of adult interest clubs covering virtually every hobby, from sports and the arts to technology and crafts. The city has a rich cultural ecosystem where every adult can find a community of like-minded people, develop new skills, and build strong friendships.

Sports and Active Clubs

Calgary Sport and Social Club

The Calgary Sport and Social Club is a leading provider of adult sports in Calgary. This club offers over 15 different sports each season, including:

  • Soccer, basketball, volleyball
  • Hockey, softball, and frisbee
  • Registration as a team, with friends, or individually
  • Seasonal parties, speed dating, ski trips, and themed nights
  • Exclusive access to discounts at sponsor bars

Calgary Outdoor Club

The Calgary Outdoor Club is free to join and open to any adult in the Calgary area. The club offers:

  • Monthly activities: hiking, biking, kayaking, disc golf in the summer
  • Skiing, snowboarding, fat biking, skating, and snowshoeing in the winter
  • Social events: bowling, movie nights, and house parties
  • Most activities take place in Calgary and the surrounding area, Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise

Clubs for seniors

Second Sixties Outdoor Club

Serving people aged 50+ for over 40 years:

  • Wednesday walks in Kananaskis Country, Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks in the summer
  • Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter
  • City walks on Mondays year-round
  • Golf on Mondays in summer
  • Charter bus transportation from northwest Calgary

5th Dimension Outdoor Club

Serves active people aged 55+:

  • Thursday daytime bus trips to the foothills and mountain parks
  • Various activity levels
  • Golf on Wednesdays in summer in Calgary

Arts and culture clubs

Book clubs

  • The Gloss Book Clubs – an informal group of women who enjoy discussing books and eating good food.
  • YYC Silent Book Club – silent reading together at the Central Library (Sundays, 2:30–4:30 p.m.), with no assigned reading and an opportunity to discuss the book at the end of the session.
  • Calgary Public Library – free meeting rooms at 20 locations; “Reading in the Park” every Sunday at Memorial Park Library until August 25.

Writing groups

  • Just Write – Calgary (2,130+ members): Saturday and Tuesday meetings, parallel writing in a café.
  • Shut Up & Write!® Calgary: structured meetings with a focus on writing (introductions, focused writing, summaries).
  • Alexandra Writers' Centre Society: classes, critique groups, individual tutoring; membership $40–120, open room 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

Hobbies and crafts

Craft and knitting clubs

  • In Stitches – 40 plus: Saturday meetings at Weeds Cafe; annual fee $10.
  • General Craft Group & Knitting for a Cause (Kerby Centre): free meetings Wednesdays 9:00–12:00.
  • Heritage Weavers and Spinners Guild: workshops in weaving, spinning, dyeing; monthly meetings September–May.

Photography clubs

  • Calgary Photographic Society (50 members): monthly print critiques, model shoots; membership $30.
  • Calgary Camera Club: meetings 1st and 3rd Wednesdays September–May; resources for learning photography.

Board games and gambling

Board game clubs

  • Social Boardgaming: “Dinner and a Boardgame” for $4.99.
  • Calgary Board Gaming Events: no charge, purchase at the venue.
  • Calgary Public Library – Board Games Night (Azul, Splendor, Ticket to Ride).

Board game cafes

  • D6 Tabletop Cafe (1,000+ games)
  • Hexagon Board Game Cafe (hourly fee)
  • Y Not Today Board Game and Bingsu Cafe (free)
  • ShoeBox Games & Cafe (family space)

Chess

  • Calgary Chess Club: tournaments and classes Tuesday–Friday; Downtown Chess Night (first Thursday of the month) BYOCB.

Cooking

Cooking schools and classes

  • The Cookbook Co. Cooks: hands-on classes at Bistro Kitchen; registration (403) 265-6066.
  • ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen: private group classes, kids' camps.
  • Cozymeal Calgary: master classes with local chefs; online and in-person.

Music and Dance

Dance Clubs

  • Alberta Dancesport: ballroom, salsa, country; Friday night parties.
  • Calgary Social Dancing Meetup: social partner dancing, weekly.
  • JUST DANCE CALGARY: pop-up events for all levels.

Astronomy

Calgary Astronomy Meetup Group

  • Public lectures, observations, “star parties,” telescopes for rent.

Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (Calgary Centre)

  • Wilson Coulee Observatory, StarSeeker monthly newsletter, YouTube lectures.

Maker spaces and technology

Protospace

  • 6,500 ft² maker space, wood, metal, 3D printers, lasers, electronics; membership $55/month.

Martial arts

  • Elite Martial Arts Academy: Muay Thai, BJJ; two locations.
  • Summit Martial Arts: Taekwondo for all ages; free trial.

Woodworking

Calgary Carvers

  • Carving every Tuesday; equipped workshop; waiting list.

Calgary Woodturners Guild

Southern Alberta Woodworkers Society (SAWS)

Volunteer and community clubs

Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown

  • Mentoring, Christmas baskets, large book sale.

Youth Central

  • Programs for teens ages 12–18, volunteering.

Clubs by age group

Calgary Friends Over 50 Social Club

  • Meetings, brunches, pub nights; $2 per event.

Specialized interests

Lifelong Learning

  • Interest groups: Zoom coffee, lawn bowling, Mah Jong, city walks.

Adult GO-Group

  • Informal meetups with activities (golf, billiards, archery).

Calgary offers an incredibly rich landscape of adult interest clubs to suit virtually any hobby and skill level. From active sports clubs and creative writing groups to tech makerspaces and traditional crafts, the city offers numerous opportunities for adults to explore new interests, develop skills, and build meaningful connections.

Many of these clubs welcome newcomers and offer flexible participation options, from drop-in sessions to long-term memberships. Whether you're looking for physical activity, creative outlet, intellectual stimulation, or simply an opportunity to meet like-minded people, Calgary has a club that fits your interests and schedule.

The key to finding the right club is to explore different options, attend a few meetings or events, and keep an open mind to new experiences. With so many options available, every adult in Calgary can find their community and pursue their passions alongside others who share similar interests.