Gateway to Summer: May’s Fun in the Fort

“At last came the golden month of the wild folk– honey-sweet May, when the birds come back, and the flowers come out, and the air is full of the sunrise scents and songs of the dawning year.”
– Samuel Scovill, Jr. Wild Folk

It’s May, the month of expectation. School is almost out, summer camps are about to begin, summer vacations are being planned. Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day make May a month to celebrate. As we are wont to do, we’ve gathered May’s best events and activities in Cowtown for you, so be sure to bookmark this page to refer to all month long!

Mayfest 2025
May 1-4
Trinity Park

The one. The only. It’s Mayfest! Come celebrate community in Trinity Park. Enjoy the rides, the food, the music, the shopping, the art, and the fun!

The Carter’s Family Workshop: Forms and Voids
May 3
Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Bring the whole family to the Carter to play, observe, and construct a project inspired by Beverly Pepper’s Curvae in Curvae. Children ages 6 through 12 are welcome. Adults must be accompanied by a responsible child.

151^st Kentucky Derby Party Benefitting the Southside Preservation Hall Building Restoration Fund
May 3
Atlas Cocktail Bar

Join the fun! Watch the 151^st Running of the Roses while enjoying a mint julep at Atlas Cocktail Bar AND support the Southside Preservation Hall while you’re at it. (Rumor has it there will be prizes for the best hat and best dressed.)

Sounds Modern Presents The Ear of the Whale
May 3
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

To celebrate the current exhibition, Alex da Corte: The Whale, Sounds Modern presents a program that shows us how things that we use to identify ourselves are ephemeral.

Cinco de Mayo in Fort Worth

• 2^nd Annual Fort Worth’s Cinco de Mayo Festival
• Cinco de Mayo at La Gran Plaza
• Cookies + Margs: Cinco de Mayo Cookie Decorating Class
• Funkytown Focus: Foto Folklorico! At Joe T. Garcia
• Banana de Mayo
• Five Days of Cinco de Mayo

Cowtown Comfort Cooking with Celestina Blok and Chef Jon Bonnell
May 6
Central Market

Newcomers to Fort Worth and lifelong Fort Worthians alike are invited to explore some of Fort Worth’s iconic recipes.

Attention Must Be Paid: An Experimental Workshop Led by Dana Schultes
May 6
Stage West

You’re invited to slow down and pay attention. Dana Schultes will guide you in the art of paying attention to the world around you, so put down your phone, wear your comfy clothes, and open your eyes and ears.

Billy Idol: It’s a Nice Day To… Tour Again!
May 7
Dickies Arena

Gen X, dig out your studded collar and your Chucks because Billy Idol AND Joan Jett are coming to Dickies!

Second Saturday – Sirens and Sinners: Exploring Weimar Cinema with Jordan Schonig
May 10
Kimbell Art Museum

TCU professor Jordan Schonig will explore the diversity of expression in Weimar Germany in conjunction with the special exhibition Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910–1945: Masterworks from the Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin.

MJ: The Musical
May 13-18
Bass Performance Hall

Go beyond the moonwalk into the creative mind of Michael Jackson. This jukebox musical focuses on Jackson’s creative process prior to the Dangerous World tour in 1992.

Mother’s Day in Cowtown

• Mom Cheri: A Toast to Your Favorite Lady
• Wandering Roots’ Mother’s Day Sip & Shop
• Fairmount’s Historic Home Tour
• Mother’s Day Dance
• Mother’s Day Brunch at Café Modern
• Mother’s Day Brunch at the Zoo
• I Love Mom Half Marathon & 5K
• Afternoon Tea: Celebrate with Mom

2025 Hidden Gardens Tour
May 16 and 18
Parkhill and University West

Explore six gorgeous gardens in the Parkhill and University West neighborhoods while supporting Historic Fort Worth Inc.

17^th Annual Beastro
May 16
Fort Worth Zoo

Enjoy foods from Fort Worth’s best restaurants and enjoy music from Fort Worth’s finest musicians while communing with the animals in the Zoo! Eat, drink, and be merry and support the Fort Worth Zoo’s  local and international wildlife conservation and education efforts.

Scotty McCreery
May 16
Billy Bob’s Texas

Scotty McCreery comes to Billy Bob’s to support his latest album, Rise & Fall.

Here’s to 20 Years & Here’s to 20 More!
May 17
Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.

Celebrate 20 years of Rahr with great beer, great music, and a whole lot of fun!

Stand-Up Comic Residency: Aparna Nancherla
May 22 & 23
Amphibian Stage

One of the first stand-up comics to perform in Amphibian Stage’s Stand-Up Comic Residency program, Aparna Nancherla returns with her existential and surreal humor. See this new material before the comedy special!

The Big Trail: 95^th Anniversary Celebration
May 22
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

Shot on location across the West, The Big Trail features John Wayne in his first leading role.

ZestFest 2025
May 23-25
Will Rogers Memorial Center

Do you like it hot? I mean REALLY hot? ZestFest 2025 is Fort Worth’s annual celebration of all things spicy. Enjoy cooking demonstrations, spicy food competitions, and interactive workshops, but don’t forget your antacid!

Make & Take: Cake Decorating Basics
May 30
Central Market

Perfect your cake decorating techniques with the instructors of Central Market Cooking School.