Spring is in the air! We can’t wait to stash our winter coats and get outside to enjoy all that Boulder has to offer this May. We’ve rounded up a list of things we’ll be enjoying this month, and there’s certainly no shortage of fun events in town. Here are the ones we’re most looking forward to:
Boulder Farmer’s Market
When: Wednesday, May 4-October 5, 4-8 p.m.
The Boulder Farmers Market will be open Wednesday evenings from the first week in May through October 5. At the Wednesday markets, enjoy live music from 4-8 p.m., a rotating beer garden featuring a cast of local breweries, locally-grown produce, food vendors, and more. Weekend Boulder Farmers Markets take place on Saturdays from 8-2pm.
Boulder Derby Party
When: Saturday, May 7, 12:30-5:30 p.m.
Where: 1020 Mapleton Ave, Boulder, Colorado
Cheer on the 142nd Kentucky Derby at this festive celebration in the historic Mapleton Hill neighborhood. In its fourth year, this annual event serves up delicious Southern-inspired food and drinks (including Mint Juleps, a Kentucky Derby classic), yard games, and live music from Colorado-based The Drunken Hearts. Don’t forget your floppy hat (believed to bear good luck on race day) and spring colors! Purchase tickets and learn more.
Mother’s Day Brunch at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
When: Sunday, May 8
Where: 1770 13th Street Boulder, CO 80302
Walking into the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse feels like you’re entering another world. Its stunning royal blue ceiling, tables, stools, columns, and exterior ceramic panels were all hand-carved and hand-painted in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The brunch menu offers both traditional and exotic dishes (Persian Chickpea Kufteh, anyone?), and after your meal, you’ll be perfectly situated for a stroll along the surrounding Boulder Creek and Central Park…a great way to culminate a wonderful meal celebrating Mom.
Also that weekend, the University of Colorado Boulder’s spring commencement ceremony takes place Saturday, May 7 at 8:30am. Whether or not you’re celebrating a graduate, it’s the perfect opportunity to take advantage of brunch specials around town (here’s a list of some of our favorite post-ceremony brunch spots in Boulder).
Memorial Day Weekend Events
29th Annual Boulder Creek Festival
When: May 28-30, 2016
Where: Various locations throughout Boulder (view a map of event areas)
The Boulder Creek Festival is a fun way to celebrate Memorial Day weekend with friends, family, and neighbors. This weekend festival offers something for everyone, with a wide variety of events, activities, food, and entertainment, including 500 vendors and four stages of live music and performances.
Colorado’s Grateful Dead and Phish tribute band, Deadphish Orchestra, will kick off the festivities Friday night with a free concert at the Bandshell. On Saturday, May 28, stock up on fresh produce, fresh and dried flowers, local art, and more at the Boulder County Farmers’ Market (13th and Canyon) until 2pm. Rounding out the weekend on Monday is the festival’s signature event, the rubber duck race, where thousands will gather to watch nearly 10,000 rubber ducks rush down Boulder Creek to the finish line.
BolderBOULDER
When: May 30, 2016 (Memorial Day)
Where: The race starts at 30th and Walnut and ends at Folsom Field
With 120,000 runners and spectators, the BolderBOULDER is the world’s largest Memorial Day celebration and has become synonymous with Memorial Day weekend in Boulder. Race, run, jog, or walk the 10k course replete with live bands every quarter mile, food, cheering, craziness, costumes, and pre- and post-race expos with sponsors, samples, and swag.
Following the race, don’t miss the Memorial Day Tribute at noon at Folsom Field. The Mile-Hi Sky Diving Team will also perform their traditional exhibition sky dive. This is not to be missed!
May Concerts
We love an intimate indoor venue, but now that spring weather is upon us, we can’t wait to take advantage of outdoor shows at venues like Red Rocks. With more shows announced every day, it’s going to be a fun next couple of months. Enjoy!
- Brian Jonestown Massacre with Pale Sun on Tuesday, May 17
- Thievery Corporation on Friday, May 13
- The Flaming Lips with the Colorado Symphony on Thursday, May 26
- My Morning Jacket on Sunday, May 29
- The Infamous Stringdusters on Saturday, May 7
We’ve always appreciated springtime for its ability to bring the community out of the winter doldrums and get neighbors together, and this May is no exception. Tell us about your plans for the month in the comments below!