Maybe we love May. Actually, there's no maybe about it. The grass is green, spring is fully in bloom, and the kids can practically taste the end of the school year!
Locally, there are some fun & FREE (or low cost) yearly events and attractions this month:
- 5/4, Saturday
- š FREE Comic Book Day ~ Deb Lee: Author Visit at Summit Public Library (teens/adults) – Summit
- šļø Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale at Millburn Public Library – Millburn
- š 2nd Annual Fairy tales at the Fairy Trail – Millburn
- š¤øš½āļø Healthy Kids Day® at South Mountain YMCA – Maplewood
- š¦øš¾āļø FREE Comic Book Day at Maplewood Library - Hilton Branch (all ages) – Maplewood
- š Union Twp AAPI Food & Music Festival – Union (rain date 5/11)
- 5/5, Sunday
- ā»ļø South Orange River Day 2024 – South Orange (rain date 5/12)
- šļø Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale at Millburn Public Library – Millburn
- š Spring Fling ~ Westfield – Westfield
- 5/11, Saturday
- š® AAPI Heritage Celebration at The Baird Center (all ages) – South Orange
- šļø The Warren Court Art Walk in South Orange – South Orange
- 5/12, Sunday
- š¶ Broadway in the Park: Mother's Day Edition at Maplewood Memorial Park – Maplewood
- šļø 2024 Maplewood Village Small Wonder Marketplace – Maplewood (switched to this rain date)
- 5/16, Thursday, through 8/18
- š¼ļø Inspired Minds: Young Artist Exhibition at SOPAC – South Orange
- 5/18, Saturday
- 5/19, Sunday
- š Mayfest ~ The Springfield Ave Street Fair – Maplewood
- š Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with HOLI - the Indian Festival of Colors – Maplewood
- š² 3rd Annual South Orange Greenway Bike Walk Parade (all ages) – South Orange (rain date 6/2)
- 5/26, Sunday
- šŖ¦š Pre-Memorial Day Encampment at Friberger Park – Union Township
- 5/27, Monday
- šŗšø Memorial Day Ceremony & Parade – Livingston
- š 25th Annual Memorial Day Duck Race at Memorial Park – Maplewood
- šŗšø Duckorate Your Stroller (or anything with wheels!) ~ Maplewood Memorial Day Parade – Maplewood
- šŗšø Memorial Day Parade – Millburn
- šŗšø Memorial Day Ceremony – South Orange
- šŗšø 2024 Summit Memorial Day Parade – Summit
- šļø Veteran's Alliance Memorial Day Parade – Union Township
- Ongoing since April & ends in November – Summit Farmers Market – Summit
- Other nearby farmers markets are also starting this month, such as ones in Cranford & Scotch Plains.
We also have 10 national occasions, events, and holidays happening this month that you can recognize with your family, from celebrating teachers and mothers to honoring those who died while serving in the U.S. military:
Holidays |
 Annie Japaud | Canva |
May Day
May Day, an ancient spring festival, is celebrated in many countries around the world, often with flower festivals, parades, and dancing around Maypoles. Want to mark the occasion? Leave some flowers for a neighbor to make their May Day! Read a DIY how-to: May Day Baskets are a Fun Way to Celebrate Your Neighbors
 652234 | Canva |
Free Comic Book Day
Get a free comic book at participating local bookstores and comic book stores as part of this national giveaway day! That's a serious superhero move. May 4
 adoproducciones | Canva |
Cinco de Mayo
While this day originated in Mexico to mark the country's victory over the French Army, in the U.S. it's become a day to celebrate Mexican-American culture, music, and cuisine. Try out some of our delicious recipes for guacamole, pico de gallo, and homemade chips! May 5
 studioroman | Canva |
Mother's Day
It doesn't matter if the appreciation of your hard work comes via sticky hug, a handmade card, breakfast in bed, or an expensive gift. Know that you are loved today, and every day. May 12
 jkmoller11 | Canva |
Memorial Day
Today, we remember those who died serving in the U.S. military. Take a moment to honor their sacrifice and reflect on the freedoms we enjoy because of their service. May 27
Week-Long Observances in May |
 CDC CCO Images | Canva |
Screen-Free Week
Screen-Free Week isn't just about giving up your screens, it's about gaining so much more! Instead of spending an hour on YouTube, you can spend that hour enjoying the great outdoors. Those ten minutes of scrolling through social media can turn into a fun doodling session. And on a rainy day, you can swap out a movie for some quality time reading, chatting, or playing pretend with your family. Read more: Five Ways to Enjoy Screen-Free Week as a Family. May 6-12
 Pavel Danilyuk | Canva |
National Teacher Appreciation Week
Teachers work hard every day to educate our kids. This is the week to show them how much we appreciate their efforts. We are proud to have teachers among our Macaroni KID publishers. Read about them here! May 6-10
Month-Long Observances in May |
 Kindel Media | Canva |
National Foster Care Month
May is the month when we recognize the amazing work of foster families who make a difference in the lives of over 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system. Learn more about fostering and how you can help. Could you be a foster parent?
 corelens | Canva |
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
This month we celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, spanning over 30 countries and over 100 different languages. Here are 10 books we love from AAPI authors.
 fotomaniya | Canva |
Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental illness affects more than 50 million people in the U.S. Visit NAMI for resources and ideas on how to mark this month, provide support, and advocate for change.
