May means the end of school and the start of summer: festivals, outdoor movies, Touch a Trucks, Memorial Day and more! Even better — this month brings lots of opportunities to do all of the aforementioned fun activities, for free! That’s right: free!
We perused our Online Calendar and compiled the following list of 25 free things to do in Cincinnati this May. Ready, set, summer!
Bad Kitty Celebration
May 1 at 4 p.m. the Wyoming Branch
Kick off Children’s Book Week with Bad Kitty themed stories and activities and a visit from Bad
Kitty!
Wild World Records
May 2 at 4 p.m. at the Montfort Heights Branch
How long is the world’s longest beard? How many post-its did someone put on their face in only one minute? Come learn about some wacky but true world records and experiment with a few for yourself! For students currently in the 5th grade. Registration required.
Constructing Engineering Minds Family STEAM Event
May 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Springfield Township Arts Department
Come and explore the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Agriculture, and Math or STEA2M with your family! Enjoy an exciting evening of hands-on learning activities and games, as you become engineers to tackle difficult real-world problems. Experience how engineering meets art in an event unlike any other!
Star Wars Princess Leia Buns Hairband Craft
May 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hyde Park Branch
It is May the Fourth Be With You Day! What better way to celebrate than to make your very own Hair Bun Headband! Princess Leia will be proud. Vader will be jealous. Ages 10-up. FREE.
Mini BB-8
May 4 at 5 p.m. at the Montfort Heights Branch
Celebrate Star Wars Day and make a mini BB-8 to take home! For teens in grades 6-12. Registration required. FREE.
Cincy-Cinco
May 5-7 at Fountain Square
Enjoy dance, culture, kids’ activities – and lots of authentic Latin American cuisine.
Free Junior Clinic
May 6 at 1 p.m. at Winton Woods
This free, one-hour introduction to golf teaches basic safety, etiquette and full swing fundamentals to junior golfers ages 7−17. It is also a great preparation for Junior Golf I classes that begin on 5/13.
Free Comic Book Day
May 6 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Clifton Branch
Celebrate Free Comic Book Day by visiting the Clifton Library and choosing two free comics, while supplies last!
Flying Pig Story Time
May 7 at 1 p.m. at the New Blue Manatee store
Celebrate Flying Pig weekend with stories and songs at blue manatee! All Flying Pig participants receive 10% off all purchases when they show their race bib!
Historic Cabin & School Opening Day
May 7 at 2 p.m. at Shawnee Lookout
Join us for the season opening of the 1795 log cabin and historic stone school building. These buildings will be open from 2–5 p.m. on Sundays, May through September.
Yoga for Kids
May 9 at 4 p.m. at the Hyde Park Branch
Yoga for kids presented by a kid! Come and meet Vivienne Konz who is certified to teach yoga. She would love to introduce you to the world of yoga.
Made Local Marketplace
May 13 from 12-6 p.m. in the Kenwood Towne Centre parking lot on the Montgomery Road side
Kenwood Towne Centre is proud to announce that this Mother’s Day weekend they will be hosting Simply Vague’s first Made LOCAL Marketplace in Cincinnati! The event will consist of almost 40 local vendors (vendor list here) and will also feature local Food Trucks such as Harvest Mobile Cuisine and Rhino’s Frozen Yogurt & Soft Serve; Cornhole, Giant Checkers, Giant Jenga and more; a Kids activity areas including craft tables and sidewalk chalk gardens; and Cincinnati Reds mascots!
Asian Food Fest
May 13 and 14 at Washington Park
This vibrant community festival celebrates culture and cuisine from Asian countries including Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, China, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia. While food is definitely the heart of this festival, this year will also feature live entertainment, local craft and Asian beer, fun family activities, and more. Admission to the festival is free, and vendors will be offering a mouthwatering tour of Asian foods, in the form of small plates priced from $2-$6.
Kinderballet Presents Alice in Wonderland
May 13 at the Blue Ash Nature Park Amphitheatre
Cincinnati Kinderballet presents Alice in Wonderland at 11 a.m. at the Blue Ash Nature Park Tom Stone Amphitheatre. Recommended for all ages.
Art Club: William Wegman Critters
May 15, 3-4 p.m. at the Reading Branch Library
Create fun critters using photos and your imagination in the style of William Wegman. Ages 6-12.
Story Time at IKEA
Tuesdays at 1 p.m. in the Restaurant at IKEA West Chester
Join us for story time in our Restaurant. Kids can enjoy classic tales of adventure and craft time after the story. Parent must be present with child. Afterwards, take advantage of IKEA’s Tuesday Kids Eat Free promotion!
The City Flea
May 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Washington Park
The City Flea is Cincinnati’s original curated, urban flea market that takes place once a month at Washington Park and various other locations through out the year. Since its conception in 2011 The Flea has seen dozens of vendors grow from hobby to full time business and it is with much pride that we consider ourselves not only a monthly market, but a small business incubator, community organization, and city advocate. The Flea is a place to keep your dollars local, support small business and experience YOUR city in a unique and engaging way.
Wild Art Funday
May 21 from 1-4 at the Taft Museum
Take a walk on the wild side this Funday! Explore the animal life in the Taft collection, create your own geometric animal, and learn more about animals in art at the Art Cart. Get your face painted, and stop by our Meet the Zoo Animals station from 2-3 p.m. for a close encounter with a few visitors from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. FREE. No reservations required.
Blue Ash Touch a Truck
May 24 at Summit Park
Celebrate Public Works Week with some of Blue Ash’s best trucks! Free.
Karate for Self Defense
May 25, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the St. Bernard Branch
Join Mr. Uchiyama from the Japan America Society as he instructs children in the ancient art of Karate for self defense.
Frog Week
May 26 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Kick off our summer series of nature weeks with Frog Week! See and learn about some of Ohio’s favorite frogs and toads. There will be live animals, activities and a craft for kids.
Taste of Cincinnati
May 27-29 at Fountain Square
Taste of Cincinnati is held every Memorial Day weekend in downtown Cincinnati by the Corporate and Community Events division of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Started in 1979, it is now the nation’s longest running culinary arts festival.
Memorial Day Celebration
May 28 from 2-4 at Winton Woods Harbor
Come celebrate the beginning of summer! This festive open house includes activities sure to please all outdoor lovers and will showcase an artist’s corner and a few unique surprises of the live animal variety.
Memorial Day Concert
May 29 from 6-8 p.m. at Blue Ash Towne Square
The Blue Ash/Montgomery Symphony Orchestra Memorial Day Concert will begin at 6 p.m. at Towne Square. The concert’s theme is “American Memories,” and will include the works of Antonio Vivaldi, Aaron Copland, Modest Mussorgsky and will feature mandolin players Evan Marshall and Brian Oblerlin.
Summer Cinema
May 31 at dusk at Washington Park (Wednesdays through Aug. 30)
Summer Cinema features a free movie screening every Wednesday at the Park! Dust off those lawn chairs, grab a picnic basket, and join us for a fun, relaxing evening over on our civic lawn. The series kicks off with Breaking Away on May 31st!
