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!
Important May Blog Posts to Check Out
Calendar of May Events and Activities
May 1-8
May 1: Seeds of Caring’s Buddy Box Packing With Family Mentor Foundation: 6 – 7:30 pm at the Family Mentor Foundation (6520 Singletree Drive; Columbus, OH 43229) | Children will learn about food insecurity and then pack Buddy Boxes that will be given
to local children experiencing food insecurity.
May 2-5: Ride the Cyclone: Get ready for the ride of a lifetime – or, the end of a lifetime that is! After a tragic rollercoaster accident claims the lives of several high school choir students, they find themselves in the afterlife at a dilapidated carnival, face-to-face with the mechanical fortune teller, The Amazing Karnak.
May 3: Touch a Truck Powell: 11:00 a.m. at Seldom Seen Park | Come out and explore trucks for everyone!
May 3: Tay Tay Party: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Calling all swifties! Singing, hip hop, karaoke, and bracelet making! Come to Paulette Princess Parties for all the fun!
May 3: Coffee Chemistry: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Learn the science behind the coffee magic at Crimson!
May 3: 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 3-5: Seussical the Musical: Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical JR., a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony-winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
May 3-5: Catch Me If You Can: Various Times at Hilliard Darby High School | Seeking fame and fortune, precocious teenager, Frank Abagnale, Jr., runs away from home to begin an unforgettable adventure. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer – living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. When Frank’s lies catch the attention of FBI agent, Carl Hanratty, though, Carl pursues Frank across the country to make him pay for his crimes. Come support the students and their hard work in this production!
May 4: 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 4: Dublin Market: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | The popular market returns to Bridge Park!
May 4: Star Wars Drive Thru Checkpoint: 9:00 a.m. | A fun re-creation of the scene in Star Wars where Luke’s Land speeder is stopped by Storm troopers looking for R2-D2 and C-3PO. Rebels will drive through a checkpoint and answer questions from Stormtroopers.
May 4-5: 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 4: Seeds of Caring’s Move-in Kit Assembly and Donation Drive: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at 727 East Main Street; Columbus, OH 43205 | Children will learn about gratitude and assemble Move-In Kits for families in our community.
May 4: 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 4: Saturday Party: Summer’s biggest day party is BACK in the 614! On the first Saturday of every month, May – October, Beeline in Easton Town Center will be buzzing with excitement from 2 PM – 2 AM.
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: 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 5: Seeds of Caring’s Respite Snack Bags and Activity Kits: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Seeds of Caring Office (355 E. Campus View Blvd, Suite 157; Columbus, OH 43235) | Children will learn about Alicia’s Closet and support children navigating foster care.
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: Pint Size Performance: 2:00 p.m. | Horn players from the Columbus Symphony perform light classics in an intimate setting.
May 5: Free Community Day The Franklin Park Conservatory: Just show your proof of Franklin County!
May 5: Respite Bags with Seeds of Caring: 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m | Children will learn about Alicia’s Closet and support children navigating foster care.
May 9-16
May 7-12: Tina Turner: 7:00 p.m. at The Ohio Theater | Come see the show!
May 11: Bicycle Safety Rodeo: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.| Learn bicycle safety and the rules of the road through interactive stations and this fun event. A local bike shop will be on hand to ensure your bikes are in working order and helmets fit correctly.
May 11: Mother’s Day Sip and Shop at Easton: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Get ready for a special day of shopping, exclusive discounts, and refreshing drink & dining specials! Whether you’d like to treat yourself and your friends to a shopping spree, or treat mom to a perfect Mother’s Day outing, you won’t want to miss this perfect blend of retail therapy and relaxation.
May 11: Mother Daughter Princess Tea Party: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and second session 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Celebrate Mothers day at a Lovely Tea Party surrounded by beautiful princesses that will entertain you and make Dreams come true.
May 11: Pop Up Mother’s Day Market at Polaris Mall: 11:00 a.m. | Gift bags for all mothers!
May 11: Mother’s Day Sip and Paint: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Come to Bliss and Bottle
May 11: Mother’s Day Psychic Reading: 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m | $65 per Flight of 4 Wines and chocolate pairings and a 15-minute reading!
May 11-May 18: A Walk In The Woods: Multiple Showtimes at In a woods on the outskirts of Geneva, two superpower arms negotiators, a Russian and an American, meet informally after long, frustrating hours at the bargaining table. Through their revealing conversations, we become aware of their profound frustrations with their two systems of government as well as their optimism for a new path forward Palace Theater.
May 11: 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 11: Mother’s Day Craft: Decorate a flower Pot and plant a flower for the special person in your life. While supplies last. ($3.00 per craft)
May 12: Mother’s Day Concert: 2:00 p.m. at The Franklin Park Conservatory | Treat mom to a day out surrounded by the beauty of Franklin Park Conservatory, and a Mother’s Day concert by local fan-favorite, jazz singer Kelly Crum Delaveris & Trio. Inspired by her father’s collection of records by big band artists and Sergio Mendes, Kelly has been singing professionally since 1978.
May 14: Modern Calligraphy: 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Bonjour Cafe | Come take a beginners class!
May 16: 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 16: Bexley Farmers Market: Thursdays 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | It’s back! The season kicks off on Thursday, May 16th, and runs weekly on Thursdays through October 2024.
May 16: 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 17-24
May 18: All Ohio Reptile Show: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Franklin Country Fairgrounds | Come see your favorite reptiles today!
May 18: Seeds of Caring’s Reading is for Everyone: 10 am – 12 pm at 4645 Executive
Drive; Columbus, OH 43220 | Families will learn about the importance of early literacy
skills and assemble literacy toolkits to help kids get prepared for kindergarten.
May 18: Seeds of Caring’s Veteran Appreciation Bags: 10:15 am – 12 pm at National
Veterans Memorial and Museum (300 W Broad Street; Columbus, OH 43215) | Seeds
of Caring is partnering with the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) to
show our appreciation to veterans visiting the museum om Memorial Day and during the
Memorial Day weekend. Families will grow in empathy as we learn about and honor our
veterans and active service members. We will take a guided tour of the museum and
then children will work together to assemble appreciation bags and create thank you
cards that will be distributed to veterans visiting the NVMM.
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 19-20: Community Days at the Zoo: The zoo will offer half-priced admission at the zoo if you are a Franklin County Resident.
May 19: 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!
May 21: Hilliard Farmers Market Returns: Tuesdays 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m at the Hilliard United Methodist Church | Shop fresh and local!
May 22: KIDX Story time with Delaware Library: 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Delaware County District Libraries takes over KidX with their always popular story time programming! The library staff will be bringing their popular kids story time to Polaris Fashion Place!
Be sure to check out other Farmers’s Market this season too!
May 25-31
May 24: 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 24 – May 27: Field of Heroes: 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 24: Reading Challenge Kickoff: Kickoff activities at Westerville Library | Register for summer fun! See farm animals too!
May 25: Grandview Heights Memorial Day Parade: in Grandview | The Memorial Parade begins at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 25, 2024 on First Avenue and Cambridge Boulevard and goes along First Avenue to Oxley Road.
May 25: 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 25-26: 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 25: Free Outdoor Showing of Encanto: 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 24: Free Live Performance: The Navigators: 7:00 p.m. at The Columbus Commons | A group comprised of Columbus executives and professionals playing high-energy rock tunes from the 1960’s to today. Since their formation in 2002, they have helped to raise more than $500,000 to help local and national charities such as the City Year Columbus, United Way, Salvation Army, Mid-Ohio Food Bank, Hilltop YMCA, the American Red Cross, A Kid Again and more.
May 26: Free Admission to Columbus Museum of Art | Free on Sundays so come explore. Reserve a timed ticket.
May 27: 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 27: Worthington Memorial Day Parade: 10:00 a.m. | The parade will return this year!
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 5-7 p.m.
-Session 2 is from 7-9 p.m.
May 31: Seeds of Caring’s Community Connections with Franklin Park Conservatory: 9– 10:30 am at 925 Ferndale Place; Columbus, OH 43209 | Seeds of Caring is partnering with Franklin Park Conservatory and their Growing to Green’s Community Connections program. Experienced Growing to Green staff and community master garden leaders from Bexley Community Gardens will be on-site to support a well-
rounded understanding of community gardening and how everyone can make a
difference in green spaces throughout the city. Children will learn about different
gardening techniques and get their hands busy in the garden.
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.
