It’s Gonna Be May! The Memphis Moms Blog Guide to May 2017
Grab your sunscreen and bring on the patios, food trucks, and parks! The most magical month in the Mid-South has arrived y’all. It’s the official start of festival season and the return of outdoor events. May in Memphis is here! This month there is an abundance of family friendly festivals and outdoor events. And even a few of your favorite indoor events are taking it outside.
We are especially excited about BLOOM: An Event for New and Expecting Moms. This event is being held on the afternoon of MOTHER’S DAY–what perfect timing for all you brand new moms and moms-to-be! Memphis Moms Blog is proud to be partnering with City Moms Blog Network and over 50 of our other sister sites to bring local communities this event with an estimated attendance of over 5,000+ moms across the US! Join us at Dixon Gallery + Gardens to enjoy snacks, mocktails at our Cravings Bar, listen to educational resources and speakers, giveaways, and some awesome swag. You can purchase BLOOM tickets here.
And as our Mother’s Day gift to you, MMB has compiled this huge list of events, so you can get outside and make the most of May. From all of us at MMB, we hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day and a fabulous May!
May 1-7
May 5, 6, and 7: 6:00 pm- midnight Lantern Light Festival at Agricenter International Don’t miss the last weekend of the Lantern Light Festival! The Lantern Light festival is a six week celebration of Chinese culture featuring massive lanterns, inspiring performances, and incredible cuisine. Chinese Acrobats, fireworks, and mini golf are among the many attractions at the festival. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here. Adults/$20, Kids 3-12/$16, Kids under 3 are free. Military and Senior discounts are available. Runs Friday-Sunday.
May 5: 10:00 am-noon Spring Tram Tours at Memphis Botanic Garden Before you head to the beloved Big Backyard, take the kiddos on a tram tour of the gardens! Join docents from the Garden for a tram tour of the beautiful grounds of the Memphis Botanic Garden. The tram will leave from the east end of the Four Seasons Fountain area approximately every 20 minutes. Free to members or with regular Garden admission. No reservations necessary. Call 901-636-4100 for more information.
May 5: 6:30-10:00pm Movie Mania at Carriage Crossing Collierville: Moana Just try not to sing along at the free Movie Mania showing of Moana! Enjoy a family friendly night of a movie in Central Park, with pre-movie fun including music and giveaways. Bring your blankets and/or lawn chairs, and pick up dinner from one of the many restaurants at Carriage Crossing! In case of inclement weather, visit ShopCarriageCrossing.com for updates.
May 6: 9:00 am- noon All About Birds: Family Discovery Day at Lichterman Nature Center Birds of a feather, flock together! Come discover our feathered friends at Lichterman! Activity stations, demonstrations and special guests will include meeting live birds, hearing “calls from the wild”, a “Migration Station,” and a close-up investigation of bird adaptations. Explore bird calls, beaks, feathers, and coloration. Try birding with binoculars and learn all about the diversity of birds in the Mid-south. $7 per child/$4 per adult. For more information, click here.
May 6: 9:00 am-7:00 pm Dinosaurs UNLEASHED at Memphis Cook Convention Center Venture back to a time when the dinosaurs roamed the earth at Discover the Dinosaurs UNLEASHED! Experience up-close encounters with a lifelike Stegosaurus, Velociraptor and the king T-Rex in this thrilling walk-through exhibit. Kids can also meet a baby dinosaur, take a spin in the Jurassic Jeeps on the Dino Raceway and visit the Kids Adventure Zone filled with themed bouncy houses, crafts, face painting and more. Parents and kids can test their skills playing an all-new Mesozoic Mini Golf course, become junior paleontologists while completing the scavenger hunt, and dig for fossils in the Valley of the Bones. It’s family fun of prehistoric proportions! Tickets are $19 per person. To purchase advance tickets, click here.
May 6: 10:00 am- 1:00 pm Stroll with the Trolls at CMOM Stroll on over to CMOM for your chance to meet some of your favorite Trolls and take a keepsake photo (don’t forget your camera!). Take part in our fun festival with themed arts and crafts in our Doodle Bugs Arts & Craft Studio. Add clip on hair exentions to match the color of your favorite Troll. Enjoy face painting and balloon twisting from The Balloon Guy. Take photos in the Phancy Photo Booth. Then stroll on over to the Blue Party Room for some Edible Sand Art fun! Advanced reservation prices: members are $3 and non-members are $18 and includes a museum visit. At the door pricing day of the event based on availability: members are $5 and non-members are $20. Purchase tickets here.
May 6: 10:30 am- 11:30 am PB&J Picnic with Farmer Jason at GPAC Sing-alongs and good-time songs! Farmer Jason is the brainchild of rock music legend Jason Ringenberg of Jason and the Scorchers. Come imagine his real working farm in Tennessee as he brings it right to the stage! Jason’s catchy tunes and ever-cheerful stage persona truly entertain the very youngest fans and their folks while subtly educating about the amazing diversity of our natural world. Children can sing and dance to fan favorites including “Punk Rock Skunk”, “Ode to a Toad” and “The Forest Oh!” This concert will be held in the GPAC Grove. Picnic, blankets and chairs are encouraged. You can purchase tickets here.
May 6: 8:30 pm Park After Dark: Stargazing at Shelby Farms Park Get a closer look at the night sky with some help from our friends at the Memphis Astronomical Society (MAS)! MAS will provide telescopes to help visitors view various constellations, planets and star clusters. You can check out the moon, Jupiter, Bee Hive star cluster, Big Dipper, North Star and various other star clusters. This is a FREE program open to all ages. Meet at Greenline Gardens (6489 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, TN 38134).
May 7: 9:00 am- 7:00 pm Dinosaurs UNLEASHED at Memphis Cook Convention Center Venture back to a time when the dinosaurs roamed the earth at Discover the Dinosaurs UNLEASHED! Experience up-close encounters with a lifelike Stegosaurus, Velociraptor and the king T-Rex in this thrilling walk-through exhibit. Kids can also meet a baby dinosaur, take a spin in the Jurassic Jeeps on the Dino Raceway and visit the Kids Adventure Zone filled with themed bouncy houses, crafts, face painting and more. Parents and kids can test their skills playing an all-new Mesozoic Mini Golf course, become junior paleontologists while completing the scavenger hunt, and dig for fossils in the Valley of the Bones. It’s family fun of prehistoric proportions! Tickets are $19 per person. To purchase advance tickets, click here.
May 7: 10:00 am -2:00 pm Chalk the Courtyard in Overton Square with Art Project Memphis Thanks to April Showers, Chalk the Courtyard has moved to Ma 7. Help turn Overton Square into a work of art. Art Project Memphis is hosting fun filled afternoon of chalk drawing and Overton Square is the canvas. For more information, check out Chalk the Courtyard’s FB event page.
May 7: 3:00 pm GPAC Youth Symphony Spring Concert The GPAC Youth Symphony Program now in its 8th season will present a spring concert with students from the Mozart String Ensemble, Mendelssohn String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and GPAC Youth Symphony Orchestra. This concert will take the audience on an outer space adventure with selections from Galante’s Beyond the Horizon, Williams’ Star Wars Epic Part 2, and Holst’s Jupiter – The Bringer of Jollity. You can purchase tickets here.
May 7: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm Symphony in the Gardens at Dixon Gallery and Gardens Get ready to jump, jive, and wail at an evening of Big Band music performed by The Memphis Symphony Orchestra in the Dixon Gardens. Advance tickets for members: $15 for members, $7 for children, $20 for non-members and any tickets purchased the day of the event. Tickets for children 6 years & under are free. You can purchase tickets here.
All of May: Nature Connects: Art with Legos at Memphis Zoo Starting March 3, build a connection with nature through an all new, award-winning traveling exhibit featuring 15 giant LEGO brick sculptures. The sculpture, featuring more that 460,000 LEGO pieces, took over 4,000 hours to build by hand. Nature Connects is included with zoo admission and will run through July 29.
May 8-14
May 10: 5:00 pm-8:00 pm Memphis Botanic Garden Food Truck Party: Family Game Night Join in the party featuring live music, Movie Night, Play Zone, and food from the Memphis Food Truckers Alliance. $10/adult. $5/child. For more information call 901-636-4100
May 10: 5:30 pm-7:00 pm New Ballet Ensemble Family Night at Levitt Shell Family Night is an end of the year celebration featuring performances from each class level. Join us at the Levitt Shell to celebrate a great school year and all the hard work to complete it! Pack a picnic and enjoy! Food trucks will be on site.
May 12: 10:00 am – noon Spring Tram Tours at Memphis Botanic Garden Before you head to the beloved Big Backyard, take the kiddos on a tram tour of the gardens! Join docents from the Garden for a tram tour of the beautiful grounds of the Memphis Botanic Garden. The tram will leave from the east end of the Four Seasons Fountain area approximately every 20 minutes. Free to members or with regular Garden admission. No reservations necessary. Call 901-636-4100 for more information.
May 12: 11:00 am- 8:00 pm 59th Annual Greek Festival This annual festival shares the love for Greek heritage, food, music, and culture with the people of Mid-South. Festivities include live music from Kosta Kostanis and his band, dance performances by the Athenian Dance Troupe, children’s area, sanctuary tours, marketplace, food, and more. $3/adult. $1/child ages 6-11. Free for children 5 and under. For every can food donated, receive $1 off ticket price or bring 3 canned goods to earn free admission. Benefits the Mid-South Food Bank.
May 13: 8:00 am- 6:00 pm Memphis Air Show at Memphis-Millington Airport Come check out the aircrafts take the sky for an out-of-the-world performance. Highlights include U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Marine Corps C-130 “Fat Albert,” U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo, U.S. Navy Leap Frogs, and more. There will also be aircrafts on display. Performances take place from noon until 4:30 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance here– $25/adult, $15/child. Children 3 and under are free. Tickets at the gate will be $30/adult, $15/child.
May 13: 9:00 am- 4:00 pm The Latino Memphis Festival at Overton Park The Latino Memphis Festival joins Memphis in May in celebrating the country of Colombia in 2017. Features a Fiesta 5K, Salsa Making Championship, arts and crafts, kids tent, soccer demos, salsa dancing classes, Colombian cuisine, and more. For more information, please visit the website. Suggested $5 donation at the gate.
May 13: 10:00 am- 2:00 pm- race starts at noon Dog-A-Roo Festival and 4K Fun Run at Shelby Farms Park Bring your pup and head to the Outback Off-Leash Dog Park for Shelby Farms Park Conservancy’s most pawsome event: Dog-A-Roo! This pup-friendly festival offers a wide range of activities for your furry friend, including a talent + costume contest, rescue parades, the Four-legged 4K Fun Run, gourmet pet treats, pet specialist information sessions and more! Admission: $5 donation per car (proceeds benefit Shelby Farms Park Conservancy). Pre-registered Four-legged 4K participants park for free! Check out the schedule of events for Dog-A-Roo here.
May 13: 10:00 am- noon Touch a Truck at Germantown Community Library Join the Germantown Community Library and Germantown Parks & Recreation for our annual Touch-a-Truck event! Kids can get behind the wheel of their favorite vehicle at this free program. Touch, climb and take pictures alongside various vehicles and unique equipment. Concessions will be available for purchase.
May 13: 11:00 am -8:00 pm 2017 Midsouth Food Truck Festival Bring your family and your appetite and get ready to taste treats ranging from tacos, to gourmet popsicles, to ban mi’s, and of course BBQ. There will be over 30 (and the list is still growing) food trucks, live music, and corn hole! For more information and to purchase advance tickets, check out the festival website.
May 13: 11:00 am- 8:00 pm 59th Annual Greek Festival This annual festival shares the love for Greek heritage, food, music, and culture with the people of Mid-South. Festivities include live music from Kosta Kostanis and his band, dance performances by the Athenian Dance Troupe, children’s area, sanctuary tours, marketplace, food, and more. $3/adult. $1/child ages 6-11. Free for children 5 and under. For every can food donated, receive $1 off ticket price or bring 3 canned goods to earn free admission. Benefits the Mid-South Food Bank.
May 13: 2:00 pm- 3:30 pm Bicycle Storytime & How to Ride a Bike Class at Cossitt Library Revolutions and the Cossitt Library are partnering to get kids on bicycles! Join us Downtown for a bicycle-themed story-time. Then we’ll head outside to learn how to ride. Bring your kids, their bikes and helmets. You can remove the training wheels beforehand, or we’ll help you out. Younger siblings are welcome to bring balance bikes, trikes, strollers, etc. This event is geared towards K-2nd graders, but older kids who want to learn are welcome! For details, please visit the website.
May 14: 8:00 am- 6:00 pm Memphis Air Show at Memphis-Millington Airport Come check out the aircrafts take the sky for an out-of-the-world performance. Highlights include U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Marine Corps C-130 “Fat Albert,” U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo, U.S. Navy Leap Frogs, and more. There will also be aircrafts on display. Performances take place from noon until 4:30 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance here– $25/adult, $15/child. Children 3 and under are free. Tickets at the gate will be $30/adult, $15/child.
May 14: 10:30 and 12:30 seatings Mother’s Day Brunch at Memphis Botanic Garden Treat Mom to an unforgettable experience in the Japanese Garden at the Memphis Botanic Garden, featuring a catered buffet, live music and children’s craft, and outdoor family fun in the most scenic setting in town! To purchase tickets, please visit the MBG website or call 901-636-4131
May 14 2:00 pm-4:00 pm BLOOM: An Event for New and Expecting Moms We are thrilled to be bringing this fabulous event to Memphis! BLOOM is an event for new and expectant moms that we know you’re going to love. BLOOM is geared towards moms who are currently expecting a baby, had a baby within the last year, foster moms of infants, or are planning on growing their family soon. This event will include a Cravings Bar where we will have snacks, mocktails, educational resources and speakers, giveaways, and swag. We can’t wait to connect moms and families with relevant local resources, as well as with one another! For more information, please visit the BLOOM event FB page.
All of May: Nature Connects: Art with Legos at Memphis Zoo Starting March 3, build a connection with nature through an all new, award-winning traveling exhibit featuring 15 giant LEGO brick sculptures. The sculpture, featuring more that 460,000 LEGO pieces, took over 4,000 hours to build by hand. Nature Connects is included with zoo admission and will run through July 29.
May 15-21
May 19: 10:00 am- noon Spring Tram Tours at Memphis Botanic Garden Before you head to the beloved Big Backyard, take the kiddos on a tram tour of the gardens! Join docents from the Garden for a tram tour of the beautiful grounds of the Memphis Botanic Garden. The tram will leave from the east end of the Four Seasons Fountain area approximately every 20 minutes. Free to members or with regular Garden admission. No reservations necessary. Call 901-636-4100 for more information.
May 19-20: 6:00pm – 9:00 am (next day) Park + Pajamas Family Sleepover at Shelby Farms Park Have an overnight adventure with the whole family! Park + Pajamas includes a guided nocturnal nature hike, campfire cooking, breakfast with the buffalo, and more! BYO-Tent. All other supplies included. Click here to register.
May 19: 6:30 pm- 10:00 pm Movie Mania at Carriage Crossing: Finding Dory Look no further for your family’s Friday night entertainment! Enjoy a family friendly night of a movie in Central Park, with pre-movie fun including music and giveaways. Bring your blankets and/or lawn chairs, and pick up dinner from one of the many restaurants at Carriage Crossing! In case of inclement weather, visit ShopCarriageCrossing.com for updates.
May 20: 10:00 am- 2:00 pm Go For It! Family Day at Dixon Gallery and Gardens Challenge yourself and your friends during this FREE hands-on, minds-on Dixon family day. Test your abilities with physical and mental games, special activities and contests. Live music and refreshments will reenergize you! All ages are welcome!
May 20: 10:00 am- 3:00 pm Ruby Bridges Reading Festival at National Civil Rights Museum For the second year, the National Civil Rights Museum is proud to partner with civil rights activist Ruby Bridges to present the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival on Saturday, May 20, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Each child in grades pre-kindergarten through high school at the Festival not only has a chance to receive free books, but can also enjoy storytelling and entertainment. The event will feature fun activities including face painting, balloon animals, dance and musical performances and food truck treats. The event is free and open to the public.
May 20: 10:00 am- 4:00 pm F.I.R.E Family Fun Day at the Metal Museum Join us for the 3rd Annual Foundry Invitational and River Exhibition (F.I.R.E.) Family Fun Day. The day includes hands-on activities, a food truck and ending the afternoon with an iron pour. It will be a fun, educational day for all ages!
May 20: 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm How-To Festival at Germantown Community Library Do-It-Yourself (DIY) enthusiasts are invited to come enjoy an afternoon of discovery at the 5th annual How -To Festival. Activities include everything from raising backyard chickens to jewelry making, woodworking, yo-yo tricks, and more.
May 21: 2:00 pm- 5:00 pm Dog Day at Memphis Botanic Garden Dogs and their families are invited to come take part in this four-legged-friendly event. Enter to win prizes for best trick, most fitting name, and best costume. Keep cool all afternoon in the Hot Diggity Dog Kiddie Pool Area. Connect with experts for raising a happy. healthy pup at the Doggie Expo. Tickets are $5 MBG members/$10 non-members. Attendees will be asked to sign a release form upon entrance. For details and to print the release form, click here.
All of May: Nature Connects: Art with Legos at Memphis Zoo Starting March 3, build a connection with nature through an all new, award-winning traveling exhibit featuring 15 giant LEGO brick sculptures. The sculpture, featuring more that 460,000 LEGO pieces, took over 4,000 hours to build by hand. Nature Connects is included with zoo admission and will run through July 29.
May 22-28
May 24: 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm Tape Art Finale: Party on the Plaza at Brooks Museum of Art Join Brooks Museum in removing the mural created by the Rhode Island-based artist collective Tape Art. The public is invited to drop by to observe the progress of the work, to participate and to interact with the artists. Regardless of the time spent to create the mural, the installation will end with an invitation to the public to join in the removal process. Tape Art Finale: Party on the Plaza will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. with music, art making, food trucks and more.
May 25: 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm Zoom through the Zoo: 4 Mile and 1 Mile Fun Run at Memphis Zoo If you’ve ever wanted to run through the Memphis Zoo to see what the animals are up to at night, here’s your chance. Sign up for the annual four-mile race and one-mile fun run. Participants follow the course through the Zoo and Overton Park. What a great way to get active and support the Zoo! This race is part of the M-Town Race Series, which features the Harbor Town 5K, Gibson 5K and the Stars and Stripes 5K. Discounts available for early bird registrations. For more information and to sign up for the race or the series, click here.
May 25: 7:00 pm Orpheum High School Musical Theater Awards The Orpheum’s High School Musical Theatre Awards recognize achievements in all areas of high school musical theatre. This event is part of the Jimmy Awards, the National High School Musical Theatre Awards program which includes 30 programs from across the country. Enjoy performances and cheer on the best drama programs in the Mid-South. Tickets $15/$40. Call 901-525-3000 for more information.
May 26: 10:00 am- noon Spring Tram Tours at Memphis Botanic Garden Before you head to the beloved Big Backyard, take the kiddos on a tram tour of the gardens! Join docents from the Garden for a tram tour of the beautiful grounds of the Memphis Botanic Garden. The tram will leave from the east end of the Four Seasons Fountain area approximately every 20 minutes. Free to members or with regular Garden admission. No reservations necessary. Call 901-636-4100 for more information.
May 26: 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm The Memphis Children’s Theater Festival at Rhodes College Get ready for a one-of-a-kind family arts experience this Memorial Day weekend. Festival features over a dozen different performances, workshops, street performances, and arts activities galore. Pay what you can admission. For more information, please visit the website.
May 26: 7:00 pm- 9:30 pm Outdoor Summer Movie Kick Off at Morton Museum Kick-off summer at the Morton Museum’s annual outdoor movie night. This year’s feature is Hidden Figures. Guided star gazing will be offered during the film by The Memphis Astronomical Society. Free popcorn and drinks will be provided. Please bring a chair and/or blanket.
May 27: 9:30 am-5:00 pm The Memphis Children’s Theater Festival at Rhodes College Get ready for a one-of-a-kind family arts experience this Memorial Day weekend. Festival features over a dozen different performances, workshops, street performances, and arts activities galore. Pay what you can admission. For more information, please visit the website.
May 27: 10:00 am- noon International Blacksmith’s Day at the Metal Museum Try your hand at being a blacksmith! Work with our blacksmiths to forge a simple hook. See what it’s like to swing the hammer and move some metal. $20 FOR 30 MINUTES | AGES 10+ (17 and under must have adult present) Recommended ages vary. Please contact the Museum for more information and to register for a slot.
May 27: 5:30-7:30 pm Summer Symphony at the Live Garden at MBG Picnic under the stars and surround yourself with beautiful gardens, family and friends, while listening to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Usher in summer, Saturday May 27th, Memorial Day weekend with “Summer Symphony at the Live Garden”, Memphis Botanic Garden with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Kids Zone with moon bounce, video game truck, face painting and more! Tickets start at $20 (lawn seating) per person, adult or child. To purchase tickets, please click here.
All of May: Nature Connects: Art with Legos at Memphis Zoo Starting March 3, build a connection with nature through an all new, award-winning traveling exhibit featuring 15 giant LEGO brick sculptures. The sculpture, featuring more that 460,000 LEGO pieces, took over 4,000 hours to build by hand. Nature Connects is included with zoo admission and will run through July 29.
May 29-31
May 29: 4:00 pm Pixar’s Cars (2D) at the CTI Giant Theater Head to the Pink Palace to catch your favorite animated racers on the giant 3 story screen. Adults $9/Children $7, Members receive a $1 discount. For more information and movie schedule, click here.
All of May: Nature Connects: Art with Legos at Memphis Zoo Starting March 3, build a connection with nature through an all new, award-winning traveling exhibit featuring 15 giant LEGO brick sculptures. The sculpture, featuring more that 460,000 LEGO pieces, took over 4,000 hours to build by hand. Nature Connects is included with zoo admission and will run through July 29.
If we missed your family’s favorite local May activity, festival, or event, let us know! You can keep up with all things Memphis and Mom on the MMB website and FB page.
