15 Things to Do in St. Louis This May

Spring brings endless activities to the Gateway City. If you’re looking for things to do in St. Louis this May, we’ve got awe-inspiring exhibitions, powerful performances, tasty traditions and festivals galore.

St. Louis is also the ultimate sports city. If you’re a fan, snag tickets to see one of our professional sports teams play in rip-roaring competitions in between these events.

Riverdance: The New Generation

May 2 to 4

Part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, Riverdance will jig across the stage of The Fabulous Fox. Since Riverdance emerged onto the world stage, its fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions. With Grammy Award-winning music, mesmerizing choreography and breathtaking performances full of infectious energy, Riverdance leaves audiences in awe. Its upcoming tour will feature a rejuvenated show with innovative choreography, brilliant costumes, state-of-the-art lighting and a new generation of performers who weren’t born when Riverdance began 30 years ago.

St. Louis Battlehawks

May 2, 17 and 23

Commence your ka-kaws! In the United Football League (UFL), the St. Louis Battlehawks are the most watched team, and this month, fans have three opportunities to see them play at The Dome at America’s Center!

In Search of America: Photography and the Road Trip

May 2 to November 2

Intertwined since the very beginning, the camera and the car revolutionized modern life in America. This photography exhibition at the Saint Louis Art Museum displays artistic work shaped primarily by car travel in the 20th century, exploring how the automobile and the road mediated what the photographers discovered. Themes include Depression-era documentary work, roadside culture, utopian impulses of escape and fascination with the desert Southwest. Significant figures include Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, Robert Frank and Lee Friedlander. Vernacular photographs as well as books will also be on view, and the exhibition will include a significant display of work by Emil Otto Hoppé, whose 1926 travels generated the first comprehensive survey of the American landscape.

Cinco de Mayo Festival

May 3

Over the years, the Cinco de Mayo Festival on Cherokee Street has evolved into one of the largest and most diverse festivals in the St. Louis region, bringing together more than 30,000 attendees to celebrate the rich, multicultural, spirited and eclectic community within the Cherokee Street neighborhood and surrounding area. Expect six blocks of festivities, including two stages and a lucha libre wrestling ring!

Bubbles & Blooms

May 4 and 11

Experience the timeless tradition of afternoon tea with a playful twist when The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis hosts Bubbles & Blooms on its beautiful, sun-soaked Solarium Rooftop Terrace this spring! Guests can enjoy a carefully curated selection of seasonal and classic tea sandwiches, housemade pastries and premium teas. Between bites and sips, they can also build their own bouquet. The experience comes with complimentary self-parking, and there will be sparkling wine and specialty cocktails for purchase.

Laumeier Art Fair

May 9 to 11

Over Mother’s Day weekend, you can shop for one-of-a-kind artwork, savor tasty food and drinks, enjoy live music and entertainment and get creative with hands-on activities at one of the most unique attractions in St. Louis. Laumeier Sculpture Park is one of the first and largest dedicated sculpture parks in the U.S. – and the perfect setting for this exciting event. Attracting more than 17,000 patrons annually, the Laumeier Art Fair showcases 150 juried artists from across the country, who exhibit work in 10 media categories: ceramics, fiber/textiles, glass, jewelry, 2D mixed media, painting, photography/digital, printmaking/drawing, sculpture and wood.

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations

May 9 to 11

Ain’t Too Proud follows The Temptations’ electrifying and extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With their signature dance moves and silky-smooth harmonies, the quintet rose to the top of the charts, creating 42 top ten hits with 14 reaching number one. This unforgettable story of brotherhood and betrayal, as well as personal and political conflicts that threatened to tear The Temptations apart during a decade of civil unrest in the U.S., is set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” Ain’t Too Proud takes the stage at The Fabulous Fox from May 9 to 11.

Verve

May 9 to 11

Verve features COCA’s Pre-Professional Division dance companies, COCAdance and Ballet Eclectica. The production is the culmination of their work across the season, highlighting their versatility as they present 12 dance works across three different programs. In preparation for the concert, COCA pre-professional artists experience creative development residencies with renowned guest artists from around the world. These professional artists mount new works and collaborate with COCA’s production team to fully realize each piece. This performance weekend is also a celebration for COCA’s graduating class. On opening night, Fri., May 9, graduating seniors will perform solo pieces and share their senior statements, including their college or post-secondary training plans.

St. Louis Microfest

May 10

Join your fellow beer lovers at the annual St. Louis Microfest, where you can sip suds from local, national and international craft breweries. The spring festival also includes tasty food and live music.

Post Malone Presents: The BIG ASS Stadium Tour

May 13

American rapper and singer Post Malone is set to play Busch Stadium this month – but he’s gonna need some help. Jelly Roll will join him on The BIG ASS Stadium Tour, and the duo promises to perform “Losers” for your listening pleasure.

Taste of Maplewood

May 16 and 17

Taste of Maplewood spotlights the neighborhood’s renowned restaurants, delightful libations, beloved boutiques and specialty stores. In its 17th year, the festival’s vibe is distinct and unmistakable, radiating the culture and character of the local businesses. In addition to food and drinks, visitors can enjoy live entertainment on two stages.

Pointfest

May 17

The Urge, Toadies, Finger Eleven, Ludo, Sick Puppies, Alien Ant Farm, Post Sex Nachos and Oxymorrons – these artists and more will play during Pointfest at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis.

& Juliet

May 20 to June 1

Flipping the script on the greatest love story ever told, & Juliet asks: What would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love – her way. A playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name – think “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling” – brings Juliet’s story to life, and now, the only tragedy would be missing it. See & Juliet at The Fabulous Fox this month.

St. Louis African Arts Festival

May 24 to 26

The St. Louis African Arts Festival aims to increase awareness of the global contributions that African people and people of African descent have made through artistic, cultural and educational programs. In its 34th year, the festival is held at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park, drawing locals and visitors together to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of African and African American people. Attendees can enjoy the African marketplace with arts and crafts, clothing and jewelry, alongside cultural demonstrations, traditional foods and African films.

Shakespeare in the Park: Hamlet

May 28 to June 22

To mark its 25th production in Forest Park’s Shakespeare Glen, the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival turns to the masterpiece Hamlet. Expect a bold, modern take on the dark, complex family drama from renowned Shakespeare director Michael Sexton. As one of the world’s largest outdoor Shakespeare productions, the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival is “free forever to everyone always.” No reservations required.

We can’t wait for these events, but there are more than 15 things to do in St. Louis this May. For more inspiration, check our events calendar.