Every month Tour de Cincinnati creates a shortlist of notable events around Greater Cincinnati—large festivals, food weeks, entertainment, and ongoing series—to make sure you mark down these dates to keep in mind as you make plans in the coming weeks.
Here are several important dates for local events in May to get in your calendars now:
through May 4
Disney’s Frozen Jr
Taft Theatre
The Children’s Theatre’s final production in Taft Theatre before they move home to the newly renovated Emery Theatre.
through May 4
William Shakespeare’s The Tempest
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
April 1–May 31
Pitching for Platelets
All platelet donors that give 3 or more times from April 1 to May 31 will win a VIP experience at a Reds game in July. Each qualifying donor will receive:
- A ticket for the donor and a guest
- Free parking provided by SP+
- A chance to throw out the first pitch
- Special recognition during the game
- A visit from the Reds mascot(s)
- And more!
In partnership with the Cincinnati Reds.
through August 24
Cycle Thru! The Art of the Bike
Cincinnati Art Museum
Spanning the 1860s to today, over 20 bicycles from The Bicycle Museum of America in New Bremen, Ohio, illustrate the design innovations—both functional and aesthetic—marking the vehicle’s development.
Ticketed. Free for members.
through September 1
Barbie™: A Cultural Icon
Cincinnati Museum Center
Step back into your childhood and join us on a six-decade evolution and the making of a global phenomenon.
Exhibition ticket required
May 1
Opening Day: Interactive Water Park
Washington Park
MAY 1–31
AAPI Heritage Month
AAPI Heritage Month recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Click here to view Asianati’s community calendar, which includes AAPI Heritage Month activities all month long.
MAY 1–31
Zoo Babies
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Big babies and small are include in the Zoo Babies class of 2025.
Free admission for moms on Mother’s Day
May 2
Opening Day: Ohio Now: State of Nature
Contemporary Arts Center
Through diverse materials and perspectives, artists across Ohio focus on sustainability, agriculture, food justice, and natural ecologies.
MAY 2–4
Flying Pig Marathon Weekend
Weekend-long Pig Party, including full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, 50W Mile, 4-Person Relay, Flying Piglet, The 26th Mile, PigAbilities, Flying Fur, Fitness Expo, Victory Party, Family Fun Festival, and more. Voted Best Marathon by 10best.usatoday.com.
May 2–3
Art Walk
Essex Studios, 6–10p
A showcase for resident artists and studios, as well as select local artists.
May 10
Opening Day
Ziegler Park Pool
Season Passes on Sale Now. Pool season May 10–September 7.
May 10
Spring Crafty Supermarket
Music Hall Ballroom, 10a–4p
Juried indie craft show of metropolitan proportions featuring 100+ crafters, artists, and makers from all over North America.
May 10–August 10
Gothica Botanica: A Krohn Butterfly Show
Krohn Conservatory, 10a–8p daily
Gothic-themed butterfly garden featuring shadowy black foliage and deep-hued blooms with iridescent butterflies to shimmering in the light.
May 16
Florence Y’alls Opening Day
Florence Y’alls vs. Washington Wild Things
Thomas More Stadium, 7:03p
The first 1000 fans will get a Y’alls x TMU bucket hat.
May 16–18
Maifest
Goebel Park (Covington)
Celebrate spring with a weekend of German culture, beer, food, music, and maypole dancing, as well as craft and food vendors, live entertainment, and activities for ages.
May 16–18
Mustard Seed Market
Clermont County Fairgrounds
100+ talented makers, locally owned businesses, one of a kind artists, and thoughtfully crafted curators.
May 16–24
May Festival
Music Hall
Cincinnati’s longest running community engagement project—the reason Music Hall was built and why we have the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the sixth-oldest symphony in the US.
May 17
Great Parks Pollinator Festival & 5K
Miami Whitewater Forest Harbor, 10a–2p (5K at 9a)
Family friendly event featuring music by The Tillers, local vendors, exhibitor booths, and immersive butterfly garden. There will also be a costume contest (dress as your favorite pollinator).
Register for the 5K here
May 17
Bacchus Beer Fest 3 (formerly Oakley)
Element Eatery, 3–8p
30 breweries and spirits, 10 food vendors, live music, and more.
General admission $29; 21+
May 24–26
Taste of Cincinnati
Fifth Street, downtown
The nation’s longest running food festival and Cincinnati’s largest culinary tradition, featuring several blocks of food and vendors, activities, and live entertainment.
May 30–June 1
CincItalia
Harvest Home Park
Live music, local Italian restaurants, wine and beer, games for all ages.
May 30–June 1
2025 Summerfair Cincinnati
Coney Island
For more than 50 years, this annual three-day fine arts fair has been dedicated to supporting visual and performing arts in Greater Cincinnati. This three-day fine arts fair raises enough funds to support awards, scholarships, and exhibitions.
Tickets
May 30–June 14
22nd Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival
Multiple Venues in OTR
Cincinnati’s summer theatre party is back for its 22nd year, complete with 13 days of theatre arts produced by Know Theatre. Learn more about the festival here.
All-access passes now available
May 31–June 22
Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Ensemble Theatre
Have any questions or want specific recommendations about things to do? Just ask!
