April was a revival of all the seasons, so here’s hoping May sticks to spring because there’s a lot going on and much of it is in the great outdoors. Memorial Day fun is on the way, as are plenty of live performances, spring markets, Bike to Work Day, America 250 celebrations and celebrating mom. Whatever you do, don’t forget Mother’s Day.
MoCA on the Move: Celebrating Spring Family Fun Series
The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington family-friendly spring classes are back at Met Park on Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., through June 14. In addition to live music and lawn games, local artists will be there to guide budding Picassos of all ages. For instance, Andrew Barco will demo flower pounding on fabric May 24. 1330 S. Fair St., Arlington (National Landing)
McLean Project for the Arts 2026 Spring Solo Exhibitions
Get a look at three exhibits that will run through June 13. They are Dream a Better World, a series of paintings by Sabine Carlson depicting humans and water birds interacting;Â Ancestral Iconography, fantasy spaces based on American folklore by Zsudayka Nzinga; and Heirlooms: Garden Beauty, a combo of heirloom fabrics and paper representing the work of Black mothers by Darlene Taylor. 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean
Jazz @ Met
The free outdoor concert series is back at Met Park 5-7 p.m. every other Thursday through June 18. The JoGo Project will kick things off, followed by Joe Brotherton on May 21, the Eric Boyd Trio on June 4 and José Luiz Martins on June 18. Bring your own blanket and pick up a bite from Taqueria Xochi or a cone from Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream to enjoy with the show. New this year is an onsite arts activity, curated by resident artists from MoCA’s Innovation Studio, during each performance. 1330 S. Fair St., Arlington (National Landing)
Music By the Metro
The Clarendon Alliance’s concert series returns to Clarendon Metro Park on May 21 and 28 at 6 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair and jam out to tunes by local musicians. Free. 3100 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Pippin at Signature Theatre
Pippin, the heir of King Charlemagne, enters into feats of war, passion and murder in his quest for purpose. The famous play will include iconic songs such as Corner of the Sky and Morning Glow. Performance times vary May 12-July 26. Tickets begin at $47. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Little Women: The Musical at The Creative Cauldron
Louisa May Alcott’s Civil War-era story of Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March comes to life on the stage as the sisters navigate adolescence and ways to achieve their goals. Tickets are $40 or $50; $25 for students. See website for times May 14-June 7. 127 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Bike to Work Day
BikeArlington is hosting three pit stops on Bike to Work Day (May 15). From 7-9 a.m., put your kickstand down in Ballston’s Welburn Square, Columbia Pike at Penrose Square or Rosslyn Gateway Park to get a free T-shirt. National Landing’s Water Park is another pit stop, where Call Your Mother will hand out free coffee and bites. Welburn Square, 909 N. Taylor St., Arlington (Ballston); Penrose Square, 2503 Columbia Pike, Arlington; Rosslyn Gateway Park, 1300 Langston Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn); and Water Park, 1601 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)Â
McLean Day
A community festival since 1915, the party will take place May 15, 3-9 p.m., and May 16, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Lewinsville Park, with carnival rides, live performances and all-ages fun. Admission is free, but ride tickets will be available for purchase. 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
28th Lucketts Spring Market
See if you get lucky making something old new again at this uber popular vintage market. Spanning the Clarke County Fairgrounds from May 15-17, it’s worth the drive to Berryville to browse items from more than 200 vendors. Vendors include Ekster Antiques, Naked Goat Soap and JBS Mercantile. An extension of the beloved 19th-century Lucketts store in Leesburg, this event has varying start and end times throughout the weekend, so check the website. Tickets start at $23 for anyone older than 12. 890 W. Main St., Berryville, Virginia
Community Book Fair with Danica McKellar
A star of The West Wing and the original The Wonder Years series will read from her book Goodnight, Numbers as part of this event May 16, 10 a.m.-noon. While you’re there, shop the book fair, make crafts and eat treats from Best of Arlington 2026 winner Toby’s Homemade Ice Cream. Met Park, 1330 S. Fair St., Arlington (National Landing)
Taste of Tysons
On May 16, spend an hour—noon-1 p.m.—sampling the best dishes from more than 40 restaurants. Pick up a passport and collect stamps for a chance to win gift cards to places including Barrel & Bushel and Eddie V’s. From 1-2 p.m., chefs will hold live demos on PenFed Plaza, and then Risky Shenanigans will take the stage 2-3 p.m. Tickets are $30 and cover one adult beverage and the food. 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons (Tysons Corner Center)
Spring Pierogi Festival at Settle Down Easy Brewing
When the ad specifies in all caps, “We will have lots of butter and onions,” things are about to get real. The restaurant is hosting its third annual pierogi festival with multiple pierogi stations, a topping bar and a partnership with Stachowski’s Market kielbasa, sliced and served on a skewer. The potato party has a $5 cover fee and you get six pierogi for $12 on May 16, noon-5 p.m. 2822 Fallfax Drive, Falls Church
Arlington Palooza
A free, family-friendly festival, Arlington Palooza on May 16, 1-6 p.m., will have live music, local vendors, hands-on activities and food trucks. Chat with author Melissa Avstreih, author of Goodnight Menopause and now Seashells of Delmarva, get some bling from District Bangle and Jewelry, and chow down on food from Colony Grill. Lubber Run Community Center and Park, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington
Lyon Park Spring Fair
The Arlington neighborhood has hosted this fair on the third Saturday in May since 1924. This year that’s May 16, and from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., the whole family can enjoy vintage games, pony rides, a toddler zone, and bake and plant sales organized by the Lyon Park Woman’s Club. 414 N. Fillmore St., Arlington (Lyon Park)
Rosé All Day Party at Screwtop Wine Bar
Screwtop Wine Bar and Bakeshop are teaming up to offer 22 rosé tastings and a cupcake bar on May 16, 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $69.99 for the general public or $54.99 for Wine Club members. 1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington
Eat, Sip & Salsa at Westpost
Lean into Latin culture May 16, 4-7 p.m., at an event packed with free music and salsa lessons. Salsa with Silvia will teach you all you need to know starting at 5 p.m., and Westpost restaurants will offer bites and drinks as part of the area’s Sip & Stroll program. 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
Salon Arlington
Get to know musician Lisa Culp-Neikirk, painters Joyce McCarten and Ginya Truitt Nakata, and potter Viki Walchak at the next informal forum for artists. Open to anyone 21 and older, the event takes place at Village Sweet bakery on May 16, 6:30-9:30 p.m. 5872 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)
Festival of Speed and Style
The self-described premier automotive showcase on the East Coast, the festival returns to Old Town Alexandria on May 17, 10 a.m.-3:15 p.m. After an opening ceremony, enjoy live music as you ogle 100-plus rare and exotic vehicles from around the world. Stick around to find out which ones judges deemed the best at an awards ceremony at 12:45 p.m. 200-500 blocks of King Street, Alexandria, and surrounding areas in Old Town
Summer Stomp at Harvey’s
Gather at Harvey’s for an evening of fun, food and connection May 21, 5-8:30 p.m., in support of OSG, a nonprofit that helps adults with developmental disabilities. Almost 24 organizations, including Clay Cafe, Creative Cauldron and the Mary Riley Styles Public Library will be there to talk about their role in the Little City community, and the restaurant will donate 10% of all proceeds from the day to OSG. 513 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Arlington Public Library Community Read: All the President’s Men
Jeremy Mayer, a professor at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, will lead a community reading and discussion of the book by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, the reporters who famously broke the Watergate story. The library has unlimited eAudiobook copies of this work available ahead of the event, which will be May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Central Library. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Sting 3.0 at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap
Sting, the Grammy-winning Englishman and former frontman of The Police, will bring his smooth pop-rock sounds to this Vienna venue. Tickets begin at $65.50 for the shows on May 21-23, 8 p.m. 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
Misil Stereo Tributo A Soda Stereo & Gustavo Cerati
Tribute band Zip Code pays homage to Soda Stereo, among the most influential Spanish rock bands of the 1980s and ’90s, and its lead singer, Gustavo Cerati of Argentina. Plan to sing and dance along with Spanish-language rock classics. Tickets for the May 22, 8:30 p.m., show are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Argentine Festival USA
Celebrate Argentine culture on May 23, 3:30 p.m., with tango, folklore, soccer games and, of course, food. Local vendors will sell traditional Argentine cuisine, including asado, empanadas and pastries. The theme will be “Road to 40” in honor of the festival’s milestone anniversary. Admission costs $25-$35. Kenmore Auditorium, 200 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington
Crawfish Boil at Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery
Chef David Guas is channeling his New Orleans roots with an annual crawfish boil May 23 and June 13, 2:30-5 p.m. Tickets cost $65 for adults and include 2 pounds of Louisiana crawfish (flown in live the night before), potatoes, corn, cornbread, a Muff-a-lotta Wedge, and Camellia Red Beans and Rice. Kids can eat for $20, which gets them a hot dog, grilled cheese, or turkey or ham melt, plus chips, a cookie and a drink. Can’t make it either date? Pick up a Boil in a Bucket To-Geaux. Feed four for $240 and get 8 pounds of crawfish, plus the sides and beignets. 1515 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington (Courthouse)
Ahmed Ahmed at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse
The Egyptian-American actor with a name so nice, he uses it twice will be at the Arlington Drafthouse on May 29 and 30, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. both nights. He has appeared in many blockbuster and cult hits, including Swingers, Iron Man and You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, plus popular TV shows, such as Roseanne. 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Dare to Dream Jr. at Encore Stage & Studio
This Disney musical follows trainees headed to their first day at the Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. It’s got songs from The Princess and the Frog, Coco, Encanto and Frozen II and is best for children 4 and older. Check the website for times on May 29-June 7. Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington (Arlington Heights Historic District)
The Music Man at Capital One Hall
The town librarian is no match for a smooth-talking salesman. As he scams River City residents into buying instruments and uniforms for a fake boys’ band, she steals his heart. Showtimes May 29-31 and ticket prices vary. 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Astro Beer Hall x Casa Rosario Studio Floral Workshop
Astro Beer Hall and Casa Rosario Studio, a floral design firm, are teaming up for a floral arranging workshop May 30, 1-3 p.m. Make your own arrangement with step-by-step guidance for $70 and nosh on brunch fare like chicken and waffles for an extra fee. Sip a seasonal Limoncello Spritz or the Astro Bloody Mary featuring a house-made mix and Tito’s topped with bacon, a mini doughnut and a chicken tender. 4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Armed Forces Cycling Classic
The two-day sporting event runs May 30-31 and starts with a closed-course Challenge Ride, which includes the Pride Ride. That 12.5-mile race, open to cyclists of all experience levels, happens May 30, 7 a.m., starting and finishing at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., and weaving through Arlington. Both days will see the Pro/Am races featuring top national teams, including the Clarendon Cup. Kids 9 and younger can participate in free Kids Bike Races. See website for details and locations.