From theater and movie screenings to foodie fundraisers and family-friendly activities, here’s our short-ish list of things to do in May.
by Addie Ladner

It’s Tea Time!

Dearest readers: Have you planned something special for Mother’s Day? If not, you might consider scheduling a Bridgerton-worthy high-tea experience with your mother or maternal figure. Each of these lovely locations offers a selection of teas, tiny sandwiches and treats with its own beautiful presentation. Heights House Hotel specializes in Rishi teas served in vintage teacups alongside delicacies from lucettegrace to enjoy inside its immaculately appointed library or drawing room (by reservation on select afternoons; 308 S. Boylan Avenue; heightshousenc.com). In The Umstead Hotel and Spa’s sophisticated lounge, enjoy house-made scones and champagne to the sounds of a harpist nearby (100 Woodland Pond Drive, Cary; ​​Wednesdays – Sundays; 2 – 3:30 p.m.; theumstead.com). On Mother’s Day itself, the North Carolina Museum of Art’s cafe will offer a personalized tea experience including both sweet and savory spring-inspired canapés (May 10 & 11; 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; ncartmuseum.org). Each location offers walkable options to enjoy art and nature afterwards to round out your afternoon.  Also this month, soak up the outdoors at live theatre, movie screenings, outdoor festivals and more to soak up May. Read out list of must-dos below.

See Arts Access Gallery’s Kaleidoscope Exhibition

Experience the point of view of talented artists with autism at an eye-opening exhibition at Arts Access Gallery, a gallery and nonprofit that provides resources and platforms to artists living with disabilities. Kaleidoscope: Multifaceted Perspectives of Autistic Artists will showcase creative work from a range of North Carolinians such as Pittsboro-based multimedia artist Nina Scott, origami artist Alexander Roa from Durham and Amelia Collins, an art student from Leland. Collins says art has been vital for her: “I have autism and ADHD, and while the diagnoses are recent, the effect these conditions have had on my life is not. Art was the only thing I could ever really do — it’s my path to freedom and independence as an adult.” On May 10, Roa will be in the gallery speaking about his piece A Dozen Lotuses V1 for an artist talk.
All month | Various times; Free; 444 S. Blount Street, Suite 115B; artsaccessinc.org

Head to NCMA for The Time is Always Now

The North Carolina Museum of Art is currently presenting a stunning traveling exhibition from London that’s been displayed at the National Portrait Gallery, The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure. The collection showcases and uplifts the Black figure in the arts community from the perspectives of Black artists. More than 20 figure and portrait artists have pieces in this incredible body of work, including Amy Sherald, whose career took off after painting Michelle Obama’s official White House portrait, and Kenyan-British artist Michael Armitage.
All month | Various times; From $17; 2110 Blue Ridge Road; ncartmuseum.org

Jam Out at the Midtown Beach Music Series

North Hills’ Midtown Beach Music Series is back this year with its Thursday night summer concerts in the amphitheater. Grab food from nearby restaurants, like burgers and fries from Five Guys or tapas from Las Ramblas, before unfolding your lawn chair or blankets to hear the music. May’s lineup includes a mix of genres, including jam cover band The Tonez (May 1), soul and funk specialists The Chairmen of the Board (May 15) and North Carolina ensemble Jim Quick & Coastline (May 29).
Thursdays | 6 – 9 p.m.; Free; 4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street; visitnorthhills.com

Hear Hiss Golden Messenger at The Rialto

Me Fine Foundation helps families experiencing unexpected medical crises by providing emotional and financial support. Hiss Golden Messenger frontman M.C. Taylor, who’s known for his Americana sounds, is hosting a charity concert at The Rialto to raise money for the Durham nonprofit. Expect to hear favorites like “Saturday’s Song” and “Sanctuary” at this intimate show, with all proceeds going towards Me Fine Foundation.
May 3 | 7 p.m.; From $82; 1620 Glenwood Avenue; therialto.com

Bring the Kids to Marbles Food Fest

The Creative Kitchen is a company out of New York City that hosts youth classes and festivals to get kids excited about food, how it nourishes our bodies and ways to cook with it. This month, they’re coming to Raleigh to partner with Marbles Kids Museum to host a daylong food fest for aspiring chefs or nutritionists. Enjoy a museum-wide scavenger hunt, demonstrations from James Beard Award-winning and -nominated chefs, and, of course, lots of things to eat!
May 3 – 4 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Free admission; 201 E. Hargett Street; marbleskidsmuseum.org

Support Brighter Futures Through Music

Since 1994, Raleigh-based nonprofit Community Music School has worked to make sure all children have access to affordable, quality music lessons, from flute to guitar to saxophone; the organization provides lessons for as little as one dollar a week. This month the group is putting on its fundraiser, Brighter Futures Through Music: An Evening of Impact and Philanthropy, at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. Actor and director Ira David Wood III will be the host of the musical night, and John Brown, Duke University’s vice provost for the arts and director of the jazz program, will be giving a special keynote speech and musical performance along with students of the nonprofit. Prior to the performances, attendees can enjoy a live art auction, light hors d’oeuvres and beverages. The event is a tribute to the late Tom McGuire, a philanthropist who dedicated his life to the well-being of children, especially through musical enrichment.
May 7 | 6 – 8 p.m.; From $100; 2 E. South Street; cmsraleigh.org

Take Advantage of All the Music Shows this Season

This warmer weather is here to stay! This means it’s time to kick off Raleigh’s extended season of easy-to-experience live music. From bluegrass jam sessions at Transfer Co. to the North Carolina Symphony’s Summerfest at Koka Booth to Midtown’s lively beach music shows, there are a variety of music series coming up over the next couple of months to enjoy a range of genres of varied settings. Save this list to keep the jams flowing!

Join us for an Evening with Joy Callaway!

Join WALTER as we host Joy Callaway, internationally bestselling author of What the Mountains Remember, All the Pretty Places, The Grand Design, Secret Sisters and The Fifth Avenue Artists Society. Callaway will be in conversation with fellow author Kristy Woodson Harvey to talk about her newest books, The Star of Camp Greene and Sing Me Home to Carolina. Your ticket includes cocktail hour, dinner, unlimited wine, a book talk and a signing opportunity with both authors at Maywood Hall. From May 14 | 6 – 9 p.m.;$40; 622 Maywood Avenue; waltermagazine.com

Enjoy An Evening with Ken Burns

Award-winning documentarian Ken Burns is coming to Raleigh for one evening only! Burns will be facilitating a private screening of his forthcoming documentary series The American Revolution, which comes out this fall, in partnership with PBS North Carolina. After the preview, Burns will be accompanied by fellow historians Warren Milteer, Jr. and Kathleen DuVal to discuss our state’s role in this historic time of upheaval.
May 15 | 7 p.m.; From $70; 2 E. South Street; martinmariettacenter.com

Spend a Day at the Got to be NC Festival

Did you miss the NC State Fair this year? Don’t worry, you’ll have a chance to celebrate all things North Carolina at the Got to Be NC Festival, a free event hosted by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. The event has something for everyone, including the NC Craft Beer and Craft Cocktail gardens, the Pig Jig for BBQ, carnival rides for kids and farm demonstrations aplenty.
May 16 – 18 | 12 – 10 p.m.; Free admission; 4285 Trinity Road; ncagr.gov

Head Downtown for Artsplosure

Raleigh’s longest-running and largest festival of the arts returns! Artsplosure is a free, two-day event centered on Fayetteville Street that celebrates art in all forms, from glass-making to singing to dancing to drawing. Enjoy site-specific art installations as well as the art market, which showcases makers from all over the United States, the Kids’ Zone (which always has the coolest crafts) and local musicians of various genres on two stages.
May 17 & 18 | Various times; Free admission; downtown Raleigh; artsplosure.org

At Fred Fletcher Park, Enjoy Shakespeare in the Parks: Othello

Independent theater production company Switch Theatre Co., in partnership with the City of Raleigh, is hosting a series of outdoor productions of the famed Shakespeare play Othello across the Triangle this summer. In May, catch the performance on Fred Fletcher Park’s lush grounds, where you can watch the classic, tragic story of Othello’s intense paranoia, jealousy and rage unfold under the stars.
May 17 | 1 – 4 p.m.; Free; 820 Clay Street; raleighnc.gov

Support Frankie Lemmon School at Gettin’ Piggy With It

Sixty years ago, the Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center was created to provide early childhood education and resources for children living with and without disabilities. The teams behind Trophy Brewing and Lawrence BBQ have teamed up for the third year in a row to host their Gettin’ Piggy With It benefit party. Chefs, brewers and food purveyors from across the state will convene at Maywood Hall for food and family fun. Look forward to (ish) delicatessen’s Matt Fern serving up scrumptious sandwiches, Locals Seafood offering fish-forward bites, Matt Register’s signature whole-hog barbecue and, true to the name, live music. Children 11 and under get in free.
May 18 | 1 – 5 p.m. From $150; 622 Maywood Avenue; frankielemmonfoundation.org

Celebrate Irregardless through the Decades at a Special Dinner

To celebrate 50 years in business, Irregardless restaurant is hosting a series of special fixed-price dinners celebrating each decade it has been in existence. This month’s dinner will harken back to the 1980s, with a three-course meal of baked oysters with nduja, herb-crusted lamb, acorn squash soup, baked polenta and a creamy almond bavarois — all inspired by items from the restaurant’s 1985 menu. While you’re dining, expect the comfortable atmosphere and live jazz in the background that locals have come to love over the years.
May 21 | 6:30 p.m. $75; 901 W. Morgan Street; irregardless.com

Take a Stab at Needlepoint

Want to jump on the needlepoint craft trend? Brick and mortar retail store Needlepoint.com offers a basics class this month for new stitchers to familiarize themselves with the hobby’s foundations, from the first sketch to adding the finishing threads. All supplies will be provided except cutting utensils and magnifying glasses for seeing your work in progress up close.
May 22 | 4 – 6 p.m.; $55; 3811 Hillsborough Street; needlepoint.com

See Moana 2 Outside at Downtown Cary Park

How far will you go to see Moana 2 under the stars? The Town of Cary will be screening the film in Downtown Cary Park in honor of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and in partnership with The Cary Theater. Arrive early for the showing to enjoy themed activities with the kids and bring your comfiest lawn chair or picnic blanket to stretch out for the film. Want a bite before the show? Try nearby SAAP for Laotian food, Pro’s Epicurean for Italian or Hank’s Downtown Dive for fried chicken.
May 23 | 6 – 10 p.m.; Free; 327 S. Academy Street; downtowncarypark.com

Enjoy Both BBQ & Bubbly at Fenton

Barbecue washed down with champagne? Why not! Head to the Fenton retail and entertainment development to sample BBQ from 10 area pitmasters, including Longleaf Swine and Corner Boys BBQ, alongside more than 20 variations of sparkling wine from purveyors like Dram & Draught and Raleigh Wine Shop. It’s the first-ever BBQ & Bubbly event, and kids are welcome to tag along to enjoy lawn games, giveaways and a DJ. A portion of funds generated from this event will go towards CureSearch, a nonprofit funding research to end childhood cancer.
May 31 | 12 – 4 p.m.; From $55; 21 Fenton Main Street, Cary; fentonnc.com

Bring the Kids to the Symphony’s Carnival of the Animals

French composer Camille Saint-Saëns wrote Carnival of the Animals in 1886 inspired by wildlife he saw on a visit to Australia. Each of 14 scores within the work represents a different animal species or family, from chickens to kangaroos to an aquarium full of fish. This month, the North Carolina Symphony will perform this family-friendly piece in partnership with Raleigh Dance Theatre, the performance training company of The Raleigh School of Ballet. “Carnival of the Animals has a playful and imaginative nature that’s cherished by the young and the young at heart,” says Emma Wall, assistant VP of marketing at the symphony.
May 31 | 1 & 4 p.m.; From $26; 2 E. South Street; ncsymphony.org 

This article originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of WALTER magazine.