This May, take the time to enjoy vibrant springtime celebrations and community gatherings around the Ann Arbor area. Whether you call the region home or you’re just passing through, there’s plenty to do and see in Dexter, Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Ann Arbor, and beyond — so pack your calendar with events such as Cinco de Mayo bar crawls and Mother’s Day concerts!

Arts + Culture

Ann Arbor Pinball Show

8891 Spicer Road, Brighton
May 2nd-4th

Whether you’re an avid pinball fanatic or you just appreciate a bit of history, the Ann Arbor Pinball Show is the largest pinball show in North America by unique game count. Check out the whopping 525+ working restored pinball games that are available to play. The best news is that the ticket registration system in place at the show keeps the number of players low — so there are no lines to contend with! The 2025 Spring Showcase has games that date back to the early 1930s, which essentially marked the birth of the coin-operated pinball game. Games from every decade and manufacturer will be on display, including many rare varieties. The machines are free to play, so take advantage of unlimited play all day for the price of your entrance ticket. Friday, May 2nd is a VIP party from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM before the show opens to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

A2CT’s Steel Magnolias

1226 Murfin Avenue, Ann Arbor
May 8th-11th

If you’re a fan of the 1989 American film Steel Magnolias, then you won’t want to miss the performance by the Ann Arbor Civic Theater this May! Watch as the beloved cast of southern women in a small-town beauty shop discover courage and true purpose amid comical banter and close friendship. The story by Robert Harling has been directed by Lindsey Brown, bringing this charming story to the stage in the Arthur Miller Theatre. There will be four showings of Steel Magnolias, kicking off on Thursday, May 8th at 7:30 PM and running through Sunday, May 11th at 2:00 PM. You can grab your tickets now, which start at $25 for general admission. Seniors and students receive discounted rates of $22 and $15, respectively.

Finders Keepers Spring Market

20501 West Old US Highway 12, Chelsea
May 18th

The Finders Keepers Spring Market will be held at the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds this May, featuring 200+ vendors. This is the biggest spring market in the area – be sure to mark your calendar today so you don’t miss out! Tickets are priced at $15 for early bird admission from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM or $5 for general admission. Tickets include access to food trucks, vendors, and live music to keep the vibes high throughout the day. Attendees can shop local handmade products, as well as unique vintage finds and awesome decor from dealers that you won’t find anywhere else. This is an indoor/outdoor event, so dress for the weather! Tickets are paid in cash and no refunds are provided. Invite your friends, family, and fellow shopaholics to enjoy this grand finale spring market!

Community Celebrations

Ann Arbor Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl 

1204 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor
May 3rd

Cinco de Mayo is on May 5th, but you can get the party started early at the Ann Arbor Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl on Saturday, May 3rd! Check-in is scheduled from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and crawlers should plan to arrive at the Brown Jug Restaurant to pick up their wristband during this time. Invite a group of your fellow Cinco de Mayo revelers and kick off a day packed with festive fun and exclusive deals around the city. The crawl will take participants through a series of popular bars where you can enjoy themed food and drink specials and jam out to live music, bands, and DJs. Bar crawl tickets include an exclusive wristband for easy, no-cover access to participating venues and discounted drinks and cocktails. The sooner you snag your tickets, the better! General admission is priced at $19.99 and will increase to $24.99 on event day.

Halfway To Halloween Expo

5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor
May 10th

If you’re daring enough to delve into the Halfway To Halloween Expo, then prepare yourself for all things dark and creepy! Attendees will discover immersive experiences that bring nightmares to life, as well as themed attractions and exciting entertainment. The expo features a range of activities, events, and showcases, such as the Hearse Show for enthusiasts of these one-of-a-kind vehicles. There will be food trucks and live performances that are guaranteed to make your spine tingle. Performers include fire breathers, glass blowers, and even dancing witches and scary guys on stilts! The biggest test of bravery will be The Haunted House, which is a collaborative effort by various talented individuals and teams to create the ultimate haunting. Filled with eerie decorations, unexpected jump scares, and immersive storytelling, this is a haunt that you won’t soon forget. Tickets to Halfway To Halloween are priced starting at $5.

Sesame Street Live!

Eastern Michigan University, George Gervin GameAbove Center
799 North Hewitt Road, Ypsilanti
May 10th

Is the little one a Sesame Street super fan? Surprise them with a trip to Sesame Street Live! Audiences will be delighted by their favorite ensemble of characters, including Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their friends from Sesame Street who want to say hello! Audience members are invited to sing, dance, and enjoy playing alongside their beloved furry friends. The show will be held at EMU’s George Gervin GameAbove Center and tickets range from $22.50 to $67.50. The show is catered towards ages 1 to 7 but the action-packed live show can be enjoyed by the entire family. Children under the age of 2 don’t require a ticket to sit on a parent’s lap. Parents of children with sensory concerns should keep in mind that the show features flashing lights, fog, and confetti.

Ellen Rowe’s Annual Mother’s Day Concert

415 North 4th Avenue, Ann Arbor
May 11th

Celebrate Mother’s Day with the annual Ellen Rowe performance from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Kerrytown Concert House. Rowe is a jazz pianist and this year, she’ll be joined by bassist Marion Hayden, as well as trumpeter Ingrid Racine and vocalist Sunny Wilkinson for a program of beautiful music crafted by female composers. Surprise your mom or the women in your life with an afternoon of live jazz tunes and a fantastic lineup of female musicians exciting to serenade the audience. Tickets are priced by tier, ranging from $35 to $45. There are student and youth discounts available, as well. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of the show.

Sports

AFC Ann Arbor Season Home Opening Weekend

Pioneer High School, Holloway Field
601 West Stadium Boulevard, Ann Arbor
May 9th & 10th

The AFC Ann Arbor team is an American soccer club with both a men’s and a women’s team. The 2025 season kicks off this May, with the women’s team opening on Friday, May 9th and the men’s schedule kicking off on May 10th at 7:00 PM with a game against Lansing City. Kids ages 13 and under are always free. All home matches are played at Hollway Field at Pioneer High School. Individual match tickets are priced at $12 when purchased online, or $15 at the gate. There will be a food truck and BBQ at both home matches, as well as Washtenaw Dairy ice cream! Use the promo code “RR15” for a 15% discount on advance purchased tickets to the games. The men’s team will also play a match against Oakland County on May 26th at 3:00 PM.

Michigan Wolverines Baseball

1114 South State Street, Ann Arbor
May 6th, 13th, 15th, 16th, 17th

The team’s first May home game is on May 6th against Central Michigan at 4:00 PM and the May 13th game is against UW Milwaukee at 4:00 PM. Both games feature free admission, which is a great opportunity for families! The team faces a three-game home stand against Indiana on May 15th-17th. These home games will have exciting themes and spotlights, such as Bark in the Park, Community Heroes, and Senior Day. The Wolverines play their home games in the Ray Fisher Stadium. Enjoy watching the ballgame with classic concessions and plenty of excited fans cheering loudly for the home team!

Washtenaw County Heart & Stroke Walk & 5K

8801 North Territorial Road, Dexter
May 17th

Lace-up your sneakers and race for a good cause this May! The Washtenaw County Heart & Stroke Walk & 5K is not only a great opportunity to get your heart pumping, but it helps to raise money and awareness of cardiac arrest. Quick CPR action has been shown to help save lives, so the goal of this event is to have one person from every household confident and prepared to perform the maneuver. The event opens at 9:00 AM on May 17th and the 5K run kicks off at 9:30 AM. There will be an opening ceremony at 10:30 PM, at which point the walk will begin. The route is 1 mile long and there is a $10 parking fee at the Hudson Mills Metropark. The Washtenaw County Heart Walk is a family-friendly event that’s designed to bring the community together to get active and raise life-saving funds. Consider getting trained on how to properly perform CPR so you can stay prepared to help those in need!

Food + Drink

Sourdough 101 at NautiMI 

9260 McGregor Road, Pinckney
May 3rd, 17th & 30th

If you’ve always been curious about the ins and outs of sourdough bread making, then make it your mission this May to take one of the Sourdough 101 classes at NautiMI! These workshops are designed for “chefs” of all levels and will teach participants from start to finish how to craft their very own artisan loaf of bread in an easy, step-by-step method that bakers can replicate at home. These Sourdough 101 classes have smaller class sizes to ensure everyone gets the attention they need and can ask questions as they work. The goal is to leave with a fundamental understanding of why sourdough works differently and how it compares to other breads. Participants will go home with their own sourdough starter and a supply kit that’s ready to hit the home kitchen! The class fee is $70, which includes a proofing basket, a scraper, a starter, a scoring tool, a sourdough handbook, and rice flour. Classes at NautiMI are taught by independent instructors, with payment and registration links located here.

Margarita and Taco Flight Night

5200 Polo Fields Drive, Ann Arbor
May 8th

Polo Fields Golf and Country Club is hosting a Margarita and Taco Flight Night on May 8th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The specialty menu will feature a variety of taco options, as well as refreshingly crisp margaritas. Drink flights are priced at $12 and tacos are priced at $14. Snag your reservation ahead of time to ensure there’s a table ready for you! The golf course and country club feature a banquet hall, a restaurant, and various facilities for special events. Golf memberships come in an array of shapes and sizes, from full family memberships to single full memberships. Enjoy unlimited golf, free bag storage, and use of the restaurant and invites to members-only social and golf events!

Happy May!

With spring nearing an end, May is a great opportunity to get outdoors and experience the flowers in bloom and the warmer weather. Get some exercise by participating in the Washtenaw County Heart & Stroke Walk in Dexter, or cheer on the AFC Ann Arbor teams as they open their seasons. And make sure to check back next month for a selection of the best June events to kick off the summer season!