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 1-5
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 1-4: COSI Science Festival: 4 days of science activities all over Central Ohio!
May 2: Night at the Races: 6-8:30 p.m. | Wedgewood Country Club, 9600 Wedgewood Blvd., Powell | $25-$60 | Buy naming rights for a horse or places your bets ahead of the Kentucky Derby.
May 2:Moonlit Tulip Painting: 6:30-8 p.m. at BrewDog | $20 to Paint a flower masterpiece and enjoy 15% off drinks!
May 2-5: Ride the Cyclone: Get ready for the ride of a lifetime – or, the end of a lifetime that is!
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. Come support the students and their hard work in this production!
May 3-5: Matilda The Musical Jr.: Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Westgate Community Center | Tickets are $5 and sold at the door.
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: May the 4th Be With You: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Come to the Main Library for a day of fun with Star Wars. Storytime at 11:00 a.m. too!
May 4: Star Wars Archery: 10:00 a.m. at Scioto Grove | Equipment and basic instruction will be provided. For ages 8 and up.
May 4:Herb Day at Creekside Gahanna: Celebrate Gahanna’s Herb Capital status with a plant sale, herb and plant-themed activities, local artists and vendors at Creekside Plaza on Saturday from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM.
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: COSI Big Science Celebration: 11:00 a.m. | Join 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: May the 4th Be With You at Old Worthington Library: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Celebrate Star Wars with games, crafts, Jedi training, a costume concert and visits from the 501st Legion.
May 4: Washday Blues at Slate Run Farm:1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at Slate Run Farm | Help the farmwife with the laundry using the scrub board and wringer. There will also be soap making demonstrations!
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: Mochas, Moms and Minis at Family Room Coffee & Bake Shop: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, enjoy a mocha for mom and cocoa for the kids. There will be a photographer on site to take your photo and you can make a keepsake picture frame. The cost is $25 for mom and 1 child and $5 for each additional child.
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: Columbus Fury vs. Omaha Supernovas: 7 p.m. | Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Arena District | $25-$150 | Get ready to cheer for our hometown professional volleyball team as they’re back on the home court.
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.
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: Powell Street Market: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM in Powell: Enjoy local food, vendors and a street market in downtown Powell.
May 5: Pint Size Performance: 2:00 p.m. | Horn players from the Columbus Symphony perform light classics in an intimate setting.
May 4:Family Creeking at Blendon Woods Metro Park: 3:00 p.m. | Take a 1/2 mile hike to the stream to search for water creatures at Blendon Woods Metro Park!
May 5: Free Community Day The Franklin Park Conservatory: Just show your proof of Franklin County residency!
May 5: Fairy House Building at Blendon Woods Metro Park:2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Gather natural materials and make a fairy house at Blendon Woods!
May 6-12
May 7-12: Tina Turner: 7:00 p.m. at The Ohio Theater | Come see the show!
May 10: Hilliard Touch a Truck: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Hilliard Station Park | See a Norwich Township Firetruck, a police cruiser, tow trucks, a Paw Patrol character strolling, Erica Carlson offering airbrush tattoos and more.
May 10-12: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey at the Schottenstein Center:The Greatest Show on Earth is returning to Columbus May 10-12 at the Schottenstein Center! There are 5 shows throughout the weekend beginning Friday night and ending Sunday night. Enjoy awe-inspiring acts including acrobatics, world dance and jaw-dropping thrills!
May 10-12: UNEXTINCT at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium:On Friday and Saturday from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM explore a world of illusions and extraordinary wildlife at this special engagement event at the Columbus Zoo. There are 15 scenes to experience. Tickets are available online.
May 11: Garten Markt at German Village Meeting Haus: This annual plant sale and festival includes arts & crafts vendors, food trucks, the German Village Farmer’s Market, and all kinds of plants for sale. It takes place on Saturday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the German Village Meeting Haus.
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: Spring Fling: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Sunny 95 Park in Upper Arlington | This touch a truck event will have several city vehicles, inflatables, live music, carnival games and Erica Carlson will be there twisting balloon creations.
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:I-Spy Nature Challenge at Sharon Woods: Stop by the Naturalist Office at Sharon Woods Metro Park to pick up an I-Spy Nature Challenge sheet and see how much wildlife you can spot in the park to win a prize! This activity takes place between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM on Saturday.
May 11: Mini Market and KPop Performance at Main Library| Shop a mini vendor market on Kaufman Plaza featuring baked goods, jewelry and a DJ from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Saturday. Enjoy a performance by KPop Dance Columbus from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, too!
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: 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: All Ohio Reptile Show: 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. | Come out and see your favorite scaly friends! Admission is cash only.
May 12: Mother’s Day Craft at Homestead Metro Park:Stop by the craft table at the Barn Shelter at Homestead Metro Park to make a gift for mom on Sunday between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
May 12: Craft and Plant at Inniswood Metro Gardens: Create a special card and planter mom or a special person in your life at Inniswood Metro Gardens on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
May 12: Paint your Own Pottery Pop Up: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Olentangy Caverns
Get crafty with mom on Mother’s Day at our FIRST ever paint-your-own pottery pop-up! Choose which items you plan to paint. (Mugs will be dishwasher safe after going through the kiln.) They will have 15 paint colors and lots of brushes!
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.
May 13-19
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. – 11:45 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.| 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-May 19: A Walk In The Woods: Multiple Showtimes at the Abbey Theater of Dublin | 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. The show is recommended for ages 12+ and tickets are $24.
May 18: All Ohio Reptile Show: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard | See and buy reptiles/supplies at this monthly expo.
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 18-19: Delaware Arts Festival: 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday | Stroll the streets of Downtown Delaware for two days of fun, food, art and entertainment for the whole family.
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 20-26
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!
Be sure to check out other Farmers’s Market this season too!
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!
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 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.
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 with 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: Watch the movie from 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 26: Free Admission to Columbus Museum of Art | Free on Sundays so come explore. Reserve a timed ticket.
May 27-31
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 the 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 | 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.
