From Bike to Work Day and musical performances to spring markets and city celebrations, May is brimming with fun ways to go out and play.
Music by the Metro
The Clarendon Alliance will host a free outdoor concert series with performances by reggae band Zedicus & Abyssinia, blues band Mama Moon and the Rump Shakers, rockabilly artist Kiti Gartner & The Drifting Valentines, and jazz group Veronneau. Performances are at 6 p.m. on Thursdays through May 22. // Clarendon Metro Park, 3140 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Create Your Own Pottery Workshop
Flex your creative muscles at Trade Roots Coffee & Wine Bar on May 9, 6:30-9 p.m., by crafting a ceramic piece from start to finish. You’ll learn the basics of hand-building and under-glazing at workshops designed for beginners. Tickets to both events cost $85 each. // Westover Taco, 5849 Washington Blvd.; Trade Roots, 5852 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)
Bike to Work Day 2025
Coming on the heels of Earth Day last month, this regional celebration May 15 finds more than 100 pit stops across the DMV. Register here to participate for free. For those inclined to keep it local, BikeArlington will have three pit stops—in Ballston, Rosslyn and Shirlington—with refreshments and giveaways. Register for this free activity here. Don’t have a bike? No sweat. Borrow one from Capital Bikeshare.
Arlington Career Center Student Show
Titled Fable, this student-produced exhibition showcases multimedia works by ACC student artists, with 30% of gallery proceeds going to the Arlington Career Center art department. The show runs May 15-June 29 with an opening reception May 15, 5-7 p.m. // 2700 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Rosslyn Cinema
Gather on the lawn at Central Place Plaza on May 15 and 22, 6-9:30 p.m., to catch screenings of Twisters and the Wizard of Oz, respectively. Lawn seating and the bar open at 6 p.m.; movies start at sundown. // 1800 N. Lynn St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Miguel Mateos
The Argentine rock star will take the stage at State Theatre on May 15, 8:30 p.m. “This concert promises to be a journey through time, where Miguel Mateos will take us by the hand through the most emblematic moments of his career,” according to the website. Tickets start at $68. // 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church
27th Lucketts Spring Market
Give your home a refresh with vintage finds from vendors such as Loudoun Market, Vintage Marshall and Hip and Humble when this popular spring market takes over the Clarke County Fairgrounds in Berryville, Virginia, on May 16-18. The event also includes a beer garden hosted by Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, sips from Walsh Family Wine, live bands, food trucks and a play area for kiddos. Daily tickets are $20; $50 gets you access for the entire weekend, including early buyer shopping hours on May 16, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. before the fairgrounds open to the general public. Children under 12 get in free. // Clarke County Fairgrounds, 890 W. Main St., Berryville, Virginia
Arlington Palooza
The Department of Parks & Recreation is hosting a party May 17, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., that is all things Arlington. The street fair outside the Lubber Run Community Center will feature an outdoor stage for live performances, along with food trucks, moon bounces, games and community vendors. Inside, experience family-friendly activities such as animal encounters, story time, crafts, an immersive light show and dance lessons for all ages. For a basic introduction to calligraphy, get a basic tutorial from Arlington hand lettering artist Felecia Brice McFail and fill in your own family tree using a template designed by Arlington artists Melanie Kehoss and Christiann MacAuley. // 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington (Buckingham)
McLean Day Festival
Celebrate the 110th birthday of this cherished community event featuring rockin’ music, a beer and wine garden, food trucks, a petting zoo and magician, plus carnival rides and more. Be one of the 10,000-plus people there May 17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. // Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
Pet-Palooza & URBNmarket Pop-Up
Bring your four-legged pal out for a weekend of shopping, socializing, live music and spring-centric activities May 17 and 18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Crossing Clarendon. // 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Spring Renaissance Festival
Travel back in time at Shipgarten on May 17, 1-6 p.m. with events including stein-hoisting competitions, apple bobbing and stein-to-stein water pours. Catch live music from 3:30-7:30 p.m., sample brews from local breweries and take pics in the photo booth. The event is kid- and dog-friendly and free to attend. // 7581 Colshire Drive, Tysons
Old Town Festival of Speed & Style
Hit the brakes on other plans and zoom over to Old Town Alexandria May 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for this sixth annual event, which is expected to draw about 40,000 spectators to lower King Street and around Market Square. Ogle exotic supercars (think Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and Cobra), vintage motorcycles, and rare Jaguar road cars and sports cars from the 1950s through the 1980s. Proceeds benefit ALIVE!, Community Lodgings and the National Breast Center Foundation. // 200-500 blocks of King Street and the 100 blocks of North and South Fairfax streets; North and South Royal streets; and North and South Pitt streets
The Rainbow
Bravo at The Boro
Love Summer House on Bravo? Watch the season finale with fellow fans on May 21, 8-11 p.m., under the stars at this Tysons destination. Enjoy a free Loverboy hard tea or spritz from the Loverboy & Lies Cocktail Station, or get a mocktail from Soft Bar. Get in the full spirit with Summer House Scandals Tarot Readings, glitter tattoos and other party accessories. The 21-and-up event is free to attend. // 8350 Broad St., Tysons
Crochet 101
Feeling crafty? Upside on Moore will host a beginner crochet class May 24, 2-4 p.m., with Onni Oxenfree of Out 2 Slaughterr. Learn the fundamental skills and techniques necessary to keep working on your own. Tickets are $35 each. // 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
The Wizard of Oz
Kids theater troupe Encore Stage & Studio presents the classic musical at the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre from May 30-June 8. Performances are at 3 and/or 7 p.m., depending on the day. Tickets are $15 per adult and $12 for children, students, military members and seniors. For the May 31 show, add on the “Somewhere Over the Rainbow Scavenger Hunt Pre-Show Experience” for $8. // 125 S. Old Glebe Road, Arlington (Arlington Heights Historic District)
Chicago: The Musical
Packed with show-stopping tunes and dance numbers, this Grammy- and six-time Tony Award-winning musical chronicles the sensational story of night club dancer Roxie Hart, who murders her on-the-side lover. Tickets start at $34 for the show, which runs May 30-June 1. // Capital One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons
Virginia Wine Festival
Close out the month by raising a glass at this event May 31, 4-9 p.m., and June 1, noon-5 p.m., at Lerner Town Square in Tysons. Sample 200-plus wines from more than 30 Virginia wineries, listen to live music and enjoy gourmet food. Tickets start at $55 per day and include a tasting glass and unlimited wine samples. // 8025 Galleria Drive, Tysons
Armed Forces Cycling Classic
National Bike Month culminates in a weekend of fun things to do on two wheels. It starts May 31 with the Amazon Armed Forces Cycling Classic’s Challenge Ride, a 13-mile closed course open to all skill levels that starts and ends by the Capitol in D.C. New this year is the Pride Ride, a category of the Challenge Ride and part of the WorldPride DC 2025 Capital Cup. On June 1, the 27th edition of the Clarendon Cup Pro/Am bike races will start and end near the Clarendon Metro station. There is also a free Kids Race each day for riders 9 and younger.
Bull Run Wine Festival
Learn about and try wines from various vintners on May 31 and June 1, noon-5 p.m., at the Winery at Bull Run. The $45 ticket includes tastings, plus live entertainment, a vendor market and eats from food trucks (at an additional cost). A percentage of the net proceeds will go to a local charity. // 15950 Lee Highway, Centreville