It’s the month of May! Check out the guide below to find May activities in Columbus! It’s going to be a great month with summer on the horizon as well! Have fun checking out our guide to the month of May for lots of family fun!
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Important May Blog Posts to Check Out
Calendar of May Events and Activities
May 1-8
May 1-May 5: Made for Mom Market Week One: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Groovy Ranch Plants | Mom’s so special we are celebrating her ALL MAY LONG at GPR! Come out to shop our Made for Mom Market with local vendors, build your own bouquet from flower farm Highland Hills Farm, and pick out the perfect gift for Mother’s Day!
May 3: Pancake Breakfast in Westerville: 7:30 a.m. | Bring your family and friends to this monthly breakfast. Enjoy pancakes, eggs, sausage, orange juice, and coffee.
May 3: Brews in the Bosque: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at The Commons | First Wednesday of the Month! Whether you live for local libations or just looking for something to do, bring the fam or your fur baby and join us for a beer. We’ll be serving up ice-cold cans of the most popular craft brews + a refreshing Commons Cocktail made with Middle West Spirits OYO Stonefruit Vodka + Lemonade. Tip one back, take in some tunes, and enjoy the backyard-meets-beer-garden vibe of this happy hour happening.
May 4: Easton Unplugged: Every Thursday throughout the summer, enjoy an acoustic concert series that returns every Thursday from 6-9 PM on The Yard. From solo acts to duos and trios, these local artists are the perfect Friday eve lineup to get your mind off work and ready for the weekend. Find The Yard in Easton’s newest district, located north of Macy’s and east of Nordstrom.
May 4: May the Fourth Be With You: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Columbus Main Library | Wear your favorite Star Wars gear to this free family-friendly event. There are activities on every floor.
May 4: Sam Morril: The Class Act Tour: Morril is one of the fastest-rising stand-up comics in New York City and one of the best joke writers in the scene today! At The Southern THeater.
May 4-7 and May 11-14 and May 18-21: The Wolves: Come see CATCO put on the show!
May 5: It’s Cinco de Mayo! If you want to order takeout and need some suggestions on our favorite taco shops, here’s a list: taco shops.
May 5: Touch a Truck Powell: 11:00 a.m. at Seldom Seen Park | Come out and explore trucks for everyone!
May 5-6: Cinderella: 3:00 p.m. | Presented by the New Albany Ballet Company!
May 5: Worthington Star Party: 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. at The Worthignton Community Center | This is a STEM-themed event, that will include an outer space glow party, games, crafts, and a variety of STEM activities that will delight both kids and adults.
May 5-6 and May 8: Chicago: 7:00 p.m. on May 5 & 6, 3:00 p.m. on May 8 at Hilliard Darby High School | Tickets are $7-$15, based on age. Come support the students and their hard work in this production!
May 6: Farmers’ Markets: Today marks the opening day for several farmers’ markets throughout Columbus. Take a look at who is open today and who is opening later this season. Support a farmer and shop locally!
May 6: Green on the Green: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Welcoming visitors to shop & learn from dozens of eco-friendly businesses & organizations. From the simplest green steps to the latest in renewable energy and green technology, there’s something for everyone to learn and do!
May 6: Dublin Market: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | The popular market returns to Bridge Park!
May 6: Mother’s Day Spa Kits and Hands-on Help: 9:30 a.m – 11:30 a.m. | Guests of The Open Shelter are navigating difficult life circumstances and many may not have the resources to show their appreciation on Mother’s Day with gifts. Help us make sure all mothers are celebrated by showering The Open Shelter with spa kits!
May 6: Kites and Rockets Day: 11:00 a.m. in Westerville | Families will take flight by making kites and launching rockets at Heritage Park. Families can watch drones take flight and listen to a fun reading from the Westerville Public Library. Drinks and snacks are provided. Families are welcome to bring their own kites to fly.
May 6: COSI Big Science Celebration: 11:00 a.m. | Join us for this day of FREE, hands-on science! Held in the parks and riverfront surrounding COSI on the final day of our Science Festival, this incredible gathering brings the public face-to-face with STEM experts from academics to pharmaceuticals to zoology— and everything in between.
May 6: In-Person NICU Bags: 1:00 p.m. at Columbus Library | Children and their families will decorate and assemble Mother’s Day gift bags for new moms staying with their babies in local hospitals.
May 6: May Chihuly Night at Franklin Park Conservatory: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | All 18 installations will be professionally lit up to create breathtaking views within the backdrop of the interior Conservatory. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see the Conservatory at night!
May 6-7: Central Ohio Folk Festival: 10:30 a.m. at Highbanks | Two day family-friendly festival featuring multiple performing stages presenting an array of upbeat folk/roots/Americana music. Activities include drum circle, kid programming, music workshops, a Festival Store, Beer garden offering Nocterra craft beer. Food trucks on site.
May 7: Free Community Day The Franklin Park Conservatory: Just show your proof of Franklin County!
May 7: Frozen in the Park: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Come to Scioto Park and let it go and travel into the unknown with your family and your frozen family! Tickets are $35 per family.
May 7: Kids as Planet Protectors with Seeds of Caring: 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m .at Mock Park | Discover new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle and put trash in its place by working together to pick up litter at the park.
May 7: Grown Up and Me Yoga: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Enjoy a yoga class and open play together. Sensory bins from The Gab Lab and professional photos by Heather Pedigo Photography are included. Registration is required.
May 9-16
May 9: Rose Tasting at Worthington Tavern: Welcome and learn about the different ways wineries make rosé, the most commonly used grapes and why, and witty comebacks for ignoramuses trying to tease you for drinking rosé, one of the greatest wine styles on planet Earth. We’ll be pouring our 10 favorite rosés at this special event for $20.
May 10: Madagascar the Musical: 7:00 p.m. at The Palace Theater | Join Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria as they bound out of the zoo and onto the stage in this live musical spectacular! This smash hit musical features all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.
May 11: Toddler Theater: 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 at Coffman Amphitheater | Join Marlene Hartzler at Coffman Amphitheater for 45 minutes of toddler hits like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, The ABCs Song, and Wheels on the Bus!
May 11: Easton Unplugged: Every Thursday throughout the summer, enjoy an acoustic concert series that returns every Thursday from 6-9 PM on The Yard. From solo acts to duos and trios, these local artists are the perfect Friday eve lineup to get your mind off work and ready for the weekend. Find The Yard in Easton’s newest district, located north of Macy’s and east of Nordstrom.
May 11-May 18: The Wild Party: Various times and Days at The Short North Stage | A steamy prohibition tale, steamrolling and roaring its way across the stage, Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party was an Off-Broadway gem that garnered an array of industry accolades, including Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Obie awards.
May 12-14: Annie: Multiple Showtimes at The Palace Theater | Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved music of all time is set to return in a new production–just as you remember it and just when we need it most.
May 12-21: School of Rock: Various Times at The Columbus Children’s Theater |School of Rock – The Musical, with its sensational live kids’ rock band, is a loving testimony to the transforming power of music. May the spirit of rock be with all who pledge allegiance to Lloyd Webber’s newest hit!
May 13: All Ohio Reptile Show: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Franklin Country Fairgrounds | Come see your favorite reptiles today!
May 13: Mother’s Day Tea Party: 10:00 a.m. – 11:45 or 12:45 -2:30 p.m. | A TASTY BRUNCH SERVED BY TIANA FROM HER FAMOUS RESTAURANT! Strawberry Creme Cheese Croissants, Blue Berry Muffin, Fruit Cup & Sweet Tea!
May 13-14: Mother’s Day Makers Vendor Show: 12:00 p.m. at Polaris Fashion Place | The Black Wall Street Pop-Up joins community members together in a wholesome environment that promotes unity, self-love, healthy eating, and trade… all while circulating the Black dollar with other like-minded individuals to strengthen these precepts.
May 13: Open Barn Days: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Sunrise Sanctuary | Come visit the farm and explore with the animals! (This typically sells out quickly, so act fast!)
May 14: Mother’s Day Celebration: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at The Franklin Park Conservatory | From 11 am-2 pm, guests can decorate a flower pot and plant a flower to give as a gift. Then, at 2 pm, The Magpie Consort, a mixed-voice choral ensemble based in Columbus will present selections from their upcoming summer repertoire, Sounds of Summer. Enjoy music and pageantry evoking sun, rain, rivers, greenness, skies, heat, birds, dragonflies, kites, and summer fun!
May 14: Fairy Trail Party: 12:00 p.m. at Infirmary Mound Park: Come experience a touch of magic on the Wildflower Fairy Trail with Infirmary Mound Parks’ fairies and sprites! Our wildflower trail area has beautiful early spring wildflowers which fairies love to call home. Walk the trail and try to spot all the houses. Enjoy some snacks fit for a fairy picnic and get your face painted.
May 14-15: Community Days at the Zoo: The zoo will offer half-priced admission at the zoo if you are a Franklin County Resident.
May 17-24
May 18: Bexley Farmers Market: Thursdays 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | It’s back! The season kicks off on Thursday, May 18th, and runs weekly on Thursdays through October 2023.
May 18: Cocktails at the Conservatory: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m .| Hop into summer! Enjoy a beer (or a cocktail!) while learning about growing hops and brewing beer. There will also be a scavenger hunt to guide you through the gardens during golden hour. Food trucks and live music will be available along with lawn games, entertainment, and access to the entire Conservatory.
May 18: Easton Unplugged: Every Thursday throughout the summer, enjoy an acoustic concert series that returns every Thursday from 6-9 PM on The Yard. From solo acts to duos and trios, these local artists are the perfect Friday eve lineup to get your mind off work and ready for the weekend. Find The Yard in Easton’s newest district, located north of Macy’s and east of Nordstrom.
May 18: Concert for Community: 7:30 p.m. at The Columbus Commons | Harmony’s powerhouse 500-voice chorus representing the cultural mosaic of our Central Ohio community returns to the stage for their first large concert since 2019, at Columbus Commons. This free-to-the-public event will also feature the Harmony Band and Orchestra.
May 19: Wonderball: 8:00 p.m. – Midnight at The Columbus Museum of Art | We invite you to get dressed up and celebrate the creative spirit of Columbus at Wonderball! Experiences planned for 2023 are inspired by the theme of AWAKEN and will range from dance, performance art, participatory experiences, and fashion to local music standouts
May 20-22 Home and Garden Show at Polaris Mall: Meet with many of the area’s local Home improvement companies and get some great new ideas to improve your home. The event is FREE to the public and runs during regular mall hours.
March 20: Skate Late: 7:00 p.m. Alum Creek Park South | Enjoy this night under the lights on your board. All ages and abilities are welcome to participate. Open session will begin at 7 p.m. followed by Best Trick for GROM, beginner, intermediate and advanced categories. This annual event is made possible with support from Old Skool Skate Shop. **No Bikes or Scooters**
May 21: Girls on the Run: 8:00 a.m. | Each season comes to an end with a celebratory 5K. This closing event gives program participants of all abilities a tangible sense of accomplishment. Crossing the finish line instills confidence through completion and is a joyful moment program participants always remember! Register for the Girls on the run 5K!
Be sure to check out other Farmers’s Market this season too!
May 25-31
May 23: Hilliard Farmers Market Returns: Tuesdays 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m at the Hilliard United Methodist Church | Shop fresh and local!
May 25: Toddler Theater: 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 at Coffman Amphitheater | Join Marlene Hartzler at Coffman Amphitheater for 45 minutes of toddler hits like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, The ABCs Song, and Wheels on the Bus!
May 25: Easton Unplugged: Every Thursday throughout the summer, enjoy an acoustic concert series that returns every Thursday from 6-9 PM on The Yard. From solo acts to duos and trios, these local artists are the perfect Friday eve lineup to get your mind off work and ready for the weekend. Find The Yard in Easton’s newest district, located north of Macy’s and east of Nordstrom.
May 26: Mount Carmel St. Ann’s 4th Friday: 6:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m. | Bring the family out for a night of fun as the streets will be blocked off and shops open late!
May 26 – May 29: Each year Westerville honors military heroes by putting up an impressive display of 3,500 American Flags on the grounds of the Westerville Community Center. Find out more details for 2022: Field of Heroes
May 26: Read and Roar: Kickoff activities at Westerville Library | Register for summer fun!
May 27: Grandview Heights Memorial Day Parade: in Grandview | The Memorial Parade begins at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 27, 2023 on First Avenue and Cambridge Boulevard and goes along First Avenue to Oxley Road.
May 27: Free Family Fun Day at the Columbus Commons: Start your summer with a free party at the park. And by party, we mean hours of free family-friendly games, crafts, face painting, carousel rides, live music and more. New this year is an early opening at 3 p.m. for a sensory hour to accommodate children on the autism spectrum in partnership with Autism Speaks.
May 27: Buckeye Country Fest: Featuring George Strait and Chris Stapleton and many more!
May 27-29: Asian Festival: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Free public cultural event: free admission + free shuttles. Entertainment, cultural/art performances, art exhibitions, market place, Asian food court, children’s arts and crafts, health screening….and more!
May 27: Free Outdoor Showing of Moana: 8:00 p.m. at the Columbus Commons: There’s something enchanting about watching the stars of some of the hottest PG flicks under the stars of a steamy summer night. And talk about a big screen. We have a ginormous movie screen for a larger-than-life viewing of the show, plus six acres of lawn seating. No chair kicking or popcorn throwing here.
May 28: Mid Summer Nights Dream: At the Columbus Dance Theater | Shows at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
May 28: Free Shadowbox Live Performance: 7:00 p.m. at The Columbus Commons | Shadowbox Live brings their production of Flower Power to Columbus Commons. A chance to re-live the times and music of a cultural revolution that changed everything. This rockumentary celebrates the influence of hippie culture and the music that inspired the greatest political and social movements of our time. So, grab your tie-die shirts, throw on your go-go boots, and get ready to belt it out to the music of the 1960’s. This is a free show and tickets are not required.
May 28: Free Admission to Columbus Museum of Art | Free on Sundays so come explore. Reserve a timed ticket.
May 29: Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Powell: 10:00 a.m. | Parade will be followed by a special ceremony at Veterans Memorial. Field of Flags also available throughout the weekend.
May 29: Worthington Memorial Day Parade: 10:00 a.m. | The parade will return this year!
May 30-June 5: Memorial Tournament: Watch the biggest names in golf!
May 30: Memorial Day Weekend Events: Remember our fallen service members on Memorial Day with our annual Remembrance Ceremony starting at 10 a.m. (ET) on the National Veterans Memorial and Museum rooftop. This year’s keynote speaker is Gold Star family member Cheryl Mason.
May 30: Worthington Bourbon Tasting: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Worthington Tavern |This is a stand-and-mingle event; please make a reservation with Worthington Tavern if you’d like to enjoy their menu with your bourbon tasting. There will be two sessions for this event to maintain ample room for everyone to enjoy:-Session 1 is from 5-7pm.
-Session 2 is from 7-9pm.
Columbus Clippers will be opening up to fans! Get your tickets here!
We update this list all month long, so check back often. If we missed something, please comment below. We hope May provides lots of opportunities to get outside and build memories with your family.
