12 Events To Enjoy This Month

It’s still spring, but these May happenings feature summer fun for everyone.

May has a way of getting everyone out of the house—and in Morris and Essex counties, the calendar fills up fast. From food festivals and live music to outdoor markets and family-friendly happenings, this is the month when everything starts to feel like summer again.

Whether you’re planning a weekend outing, a date night or something fun with the kids, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of it. Here’s a look at what’s coming up around our counties this month.

May 15

• Stop by Barn Theatre at 8 p.m. for opening night of Monty Python’s Spamalot, a tale about King Arthur’s legendary quest for the Holy Grail. Based on the 1975 classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the new musical at the Montville theater will be staged every weekend through June 6. Tickets and information are available online.

May 16

• Let imaginations run wild at Mt. Olive’s 17th annual Fairy and Pirate Festival. Dress up as your favorite pirate, fairy, mermaid or magical creature and head to Turkey Brook Park for the festivities, which include dance performances, pony ride, inflatable bounce houses, craft vendors, food, music and more. The fun takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free for all ages!
• Join the town of Randolph as it holds its annual Arts in the Park festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by Veterans Community Park for live performances, fine art, food, vendors and a preview of America’s 250th anniversary celebration.

May 16–17

• Check out the works from more than 90 artisans at the Rose Squared Art Show in Verona. The two-day event in Verona Park takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, featuring artisanal foods, ceramics, jewelry, digital art, furniture, paintings and more.

May 17

• If you’re looking for great crafts, delicious food and activities for kids, the Maplewood Street Fair & Craft Show (also known as MayFest) is for you! From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Springfield Avenue and Rutgers Street will feature all that plus live music, vendors and great community vibes.

May 21

• Stop by the Wellmont Theater in Montclair for A Bronx Tale, a one-man show starring Chazz Palminteri. The actor plays 18 characters in the story he wrote depicting his bruising childhood, which included witnessing a gangland killing when he was 9 years old. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the curtain goes up at 8. Tickets are available online.

May 23

• Everyone enjoys a parade, and the Morris Plains Memorial Day Parade is always one to remember. This year marks the event’s 40th anniversary, and it will kick off at 9:30 a.m. from the intersection of Glenbrook Road and Mountain Way.

May 25

• Kick off the holiday at the 105th annual Nutley Memorial Day Parade, which begins at the Nutley Park Oval at 10:30 a.m. During the program, parade watchers can donate non-perishable food to the Nutley Family Services Food Pantry. Members of Carts of Caring from the Franklin Reformed Church in Nutley will be marching in the parade, and viewers can place donations into carts as the group passes.

May 28

• Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn celebrates opening day of West Side Story, the classic tale of love and the clash between rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks. Performances are scheduled for 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., and additional shows take place Wednesdays through Sundays until June 28. Open-captioned and American Sign Language performances are set for June 27 and 28, respectively.

May 29–31

• Warm weather’s on the way, but the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown will be a winter wonderland as it presents Disney’s Frozen on stage. The musical is filled with magic, humor and a memorable score. Multiple shows are available, including a sensory-friendly performance at noon on May 31.

May 30

• Help commemorate the conclusion of AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Month during the AAPI New Jersey’s annual Lantern Festival. Visit Edgemont Park in Montclair from 6 to 9 p.m., when more than 1,000 lanterns will be lit to honor all those who lit the way forward. Visitors also can enjoy art installations, food trucks, family-friendly activities and informational booths and vendors.

May 30–31

• Explore the goods of more than 175 arts and crafts makers at the 27th annual Spring Chester Craft Show in historic downtown Chester. The event will allow visitors to discover works in apothecary, artisanal foods, ceramics, jewelry, woodcrafts, digital art and more. The event is held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

What fun events are you attending this summer? Share your favorite photos with us on Instagram @morrisandessexmag.