Spring is in full bloom, and Ann Arbor is abuzz with excitement as May approaches! With warmer weather and blooming flowers, the city comes alive with a plethora of events to delight locals and visitors alike.

From music festivals to artisan markets, and bike races to enchanting lantern festivals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Let’s explore the must-do events happening in the Ann Arbor area this May, promising unforgettable experiences all month long.

Jump Ahead:

Arts + Culture | Community Celebrations | Sports | Food + Drink

 

Arts + Culture

Dog Man: The Musical | Ann Arbor

Where: Michigan Theater

When: May 5, 2024

Dog Man: The Musical is based on the worldwide bestselling series from Dav Pilkey, who created Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club. This hilarious production follows best friends George and Harold, who have written a musical based on their favorite character, Dog Man, who is part dog, part policeman. This show is recommended for grades 1–5! Get your tickets here.

 

Ypsilanti Spring Artisan Market | Ypsilanti

Where: Ypsilanti Freighthouse

When: May 5, 2024

Get your Mother’s Day shopping done at the Ypsilanti Spring Artisan Market! There will be more than 40 local small businesses, crafters and non-profit organizations to visit, plus a performance by the Professional Youth Theater of Michigan. Fuel up with some food and drinks from the vendors on site, including Khaki Cuisine, Issa’s Pizza, Deep End Coffee, and Poppins Bubble Tea!

 

The Ann Arbor Music Fest | Ann Arbor

Where: The Blind Pig

When: May 11, 2024

Coming back after much success for its fourth year, the Ann Arbor Music Fest is bringing a variety of musical talent to The Blind Pig stage for a night of non-stop fun. This year’s lineup includes Set to Spiral, Bulletproof, After Midnight, General 11, Wax Canvas, and Twisted Lemon Blues. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door!

 

Finders Keepers Vintage Market | Chelsea

Where: Chelsea Community Fair

When: May 19, 2024

Photo Courtesy of Finders Keepers Vintage Market

Finders Keepers is a market event at Chelsea Community Fair featuring local boutiques, wall decor, one-of-a-kind furniture, delicious sweets, food trucks, salvaged finds, trendy clothing boutiques, jewelry, organic products, and so much more. The event has two ticket options: an early bird entry ticket that costs $15 (and must be purchased in advance!) and allows entry from 10–11 a.m., and a general admission ticket that costs $5 cash and is available at the gate from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Guests who purchased an early bird ticket do not have to leave at 11, as the market will remain open for general admission. With more than 200 vendors on site, the Chelsea market is the largest spring market hosted by Finders Keepers!

 

Third Place [MusicFest] | Ann Arbor

Where: Various Locations

When: May 29–June 1, 2024

Third Place [MusicFest] is an annual four-day performing arts festival featuring multiple concerts in various local spaces. At the heart of the festival lies a simple yet crucial principle — that concerts should be radically welcoming, accessible, and inclusive. The festival aims to bring together artists, businesses, and community members from Southeast Michigan to celebrate the power of the “third place,” which might be churches, cafes, clubs, public libraries, bookstores or parks. Third places are often overlooked but play a vital role in building a sense of community. Third Place [MusicFest] recognizes this and seeks to honor and showcase these third places through a series of concerts. Get more information here as the event draws near!

 

Community Celebrations

Bicentennial Beethoven’s 9th Concert | Dexter

Where: Dexter Center For the Performing Arts

When: May 5, 2024

Don’t miss this special event at the Dexter Center for Performing Arts celebrating both Dexter’s Bicentennial with an original composition created just for the city as well as the bicentennial of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, which both turn 200 just a month apart! Directed by Karen TenBrink, the concert will feature singers from the Ann Arbor Civic Chorus and the Dexter Community Choir.

 

Halfway to Halloween Expo | Ann Arbor

Where: Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds

When: May 11, 2024

You don’t have to wait until October to celebrate Halloween! In fact, get started on the spooky festivities at the Halfway to Halloween Expo, a spine-tingling indoor event designed for all Halloween and horror enthusiasts. The expo features an impressive array of costumes, props, decorations, haunt-related items, horror-related goodies, and one-of-a-kind custom pieces. This is the perfect place to pick out your Halloween costume or unique decor, props and collectibles to outfit your home come Halloween. Plus, there will be a bone-chilling walk-through haunt, a creepy hearse car show, and delectable treats from a stellar lineup of food trucks. And of course, costumes are encouraged! Get your tickets for this fright-filled event, if you dare…

 

Ann Arbor Water Lantern Festival | Milford

Where: Martindale Beach at Kensington Metropark

When: May 18, 2024

The Ann Arbor Water Lantern Festival brings everyone together for an evening celebrating light and community! This family-friendly event will feature tasty food trucks, fun music, interactive activities, and the main event: thousands of lanterns lighting up the night with love, hope and happiness. Each adult ticket comes with a wristband for entry, a floating lantern kit, an LED candle, a commemorative drawstring bag, conversation cards, playing cards, and a marker. Your ticket purchase helps cover the cost of removing the lanterns from the water at the end of the event, and also supports the mission of Water.org in helping to provide safe water and sanitation to families around the world.

 

Huron River Day Festival | Ann Arbor

Where: Island Park

When: May 19, 2024

44 years ago, Huron River Day began as “a way to encourage partnerships among government, private and non-profit organizations and to educate citizens about the importance of water quality and Huron River preservation.” Today, the event has grown to include educational and fun river exhibits, children’s activities, live music, food trucks, and more. The festival also offers nature walks by Natural Area Preservation starting at the information tent at various times throughout the day. Additionally, guests can enjoy food from local food trucks while taking water squirting lessons with Dirt Doctor, visiting with live animals from Leslie Science & Nature Center, and learning about the river’s natural history with Huron-Clinton Metroparks. Admission to Huron River Day is free — and if you ride your bike there, take advantage of the complimentary bike valet provided by Common Cycle!

 

Sports

2024 Annual Burns Park Run | Ann Arbor

Where: Burns Park

When: May 5, 2024

Photo Courtesy of Burns Park Run

The Burns Park Run is a beloved event in the Burns Park neighborhood that attracts runners of all ages and skill levels. This annual fundraiser is organized and operated entirely by volunteers, with the proceeds supporting the Burns Park Elementary PTO and other local school PTOs through their “Run for Schools” program. The event features a 5K and 10K race, as well as a 1/2 mile “Fun Run” for younger participants. The route, which winds through a picturesque neighborhood near the University of Michigan campus, is a favorite among both beginners and elite runners. The Burns Park Run draws between 1,000 to 1,500 runners each year, with more than 200 elementary school kids participating in the 5K race. All finishers of the 10K and 5K (walk and run) will receive a finisher medal! Register for the Burns Park Run here.

 

Mother’s Day Time to Teal 5K & Fun Run/Walk | Ann Arbor

Where: Downtown Ann Arbor

When: May 12, 2024

The Mother’s Day Time to Teal 5K is an awareness event hosted by the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance to promote early detection of ovarian cancer and improved treatment outcomes. The event includes a timed 5K run and a 1-mile fun run/walk through scenic downtown Ann Arbor. All participants will receive teal ribbon finisher medals, a treat from Washtenaw Dairy, and post-event munchies, and the option to purchase a t-shirt for an additional fee. Plus, there will be a grand prize awarded to the team and individual who raise the most money for MIOCA! Founded in 2011 by Ann Arbor resident Pam Dahlmann, who lost her mother and maternal grandmother to ovarian cancer, MIOCA raises awareness, provides resources and support to survivors and their families, advocates for change, educates Michigan communities, and funds innovative ovarian cancer research. Register here to support this amazing cause! You can also choose the “stay in bed” option if you don’t want to participate in person but still wish to support the cause.

 

Bløm 7th Annual 100 Mile Ride | Ann Arbor

Where: Bløm Meadworks

When: May 16, 2024

The Bløm 7th Annual 100 Mile Ride is a free, self-supported gravel/mixed terrain ride that offers participants the chance to ride their bike, have fun, and enjoy some delicious post-ride snacks and drinks. Choose from the 50K (ideal for those wanting a chill ride), 100K (for the seasoned rider looking for a good workout) and the 100-mile (for the hardcore rider who doesn’t mind gravel and rough terrain). The event is not a race and not a no-drop ride, so riders can go at their own pace. The route is unmarked and on open roads, and riders must obey all traffic laws. The rider’s guide will provide all the necessary information for a great day of riding and will be sent out to registered riders a few days before the event. After the ride, stick around for some tamales and snacks from Pilar’s Tamales and mead or cider from Bløm on the patio! For all the information, and to register, visit Bløm Meadwork’s website.

 

Bicentennial Bikeapalooza | Ann Arbor

Where: Corner of William and 5th

When: May 25, 2024

Bikeapalooza is an annual free event celebrating downtown Ann Arbor’s protected bikeway network. And this year, the event falls on the city’s birthday, May 25! There will be plenty of fun activities, including cargo bike demos, giveaways, face painting, and more, all happening on the surface parking lot at the corner of William and Fifth, across from the library.

 

Food + Drink

Beers, Bites, Bands, & Boards | Northville

Where: Millennium Park

When: May 4, 2024

Celebrate the grand opening of Unity Skate Park at Millennium Park at Beers, Bites, Bands, & Boards. This unforgettable day will feature craft beer, food trucks, and fantastic music, all in a spacious outdoor park setting. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit The Dominic Duhn Memorial Foundation to support Skateboarding to Success, programs that provide skateboards and lessons to underprivileged children, and The Northville Educational Foundation.

 

Happy May!

What May events are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!