Mark your calendars: 10 must-do events in May

Here are the events you can’t miss this May – chronologically, so you can hit them all. See you out there, and don’t forget to show us what you’re doing via #cltagenda.

2nd Annual Largest Cinco de Mayo Party

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 5 | Hot Taco | 4 p.m.-2 a.m. | Free

Why you should go: The party will go throughout South End Station with an extension to the light rail, featuring outside bars and food stations. Expect drink specials at Hot Taco, All American Pub and Slate, too.

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27th Annual Derby Days hosted by the Young Affiliates of the Mint

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 6 | Mint Museum Randolph | 3-7 p.m. | $55

Why you should go: Celebrating “the most exciting 2 minutes in sports”. Derby Days features live music, lawn games, free beer and wine, 4 signature cocktails by Bob Peters, and a large screen viewing of the Kentucky Derby.

Kings Drive Art Walk

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 6-7 | Little Sugar Creek Greenway | Sat: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Free

Why you should go: This will be the perfect excuse to get outside on a perfect spring day. Expect arts, crafts, music and family entertainment at this festival.

Open Streets 704

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 7 | Throughout Charlotte | 1-5 p.m. | Free

Why you should go: Get ready to get active. Open Streets 704 shuts down streets throughout Charlotte so they can be filled with recreation, health, entertainment and environmental activities. Expect free bicycle cab rides and bike rentals so you can enjoy the entire 3-mile stretch.

North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival

Date | Location | Price: May 12-13 | Rural Hill | $16-$76

Why you should go: This beer and music festival will feature local breweries from throughout NC. There’ll be live music, food trucks, and the option to camp out for the entire weekend.

Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 13 | Symphony Park | 2-6 p.m. | $39+

Why you should go: Your admission gets you a glass for all-you-care-to-taste samples of beer and bourbon. Plus, some of the best BBQ vendors will be on-site if you get hungry while you’re enjoying the seminars in the tasting theater and live music.

South End Hops Festival

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 13 | 308 W. Carson Boulevard | 2 p.m. | $10 (DD), $35+ to drink

Why you should go: Get ready for 4 hours of unlimited craft beer tastings from 41 breweries paired with live music, five food trucks, a central beer garden for optimal chilling, and cooking demos with local beer. The festival will take place at the corner of Carson and Mint Street.

Cheerwine’s Centennial Celebration

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 20 | North Main Street, Salisbury | 12-8 p.m. | Free

Why you should go: Cheerwine’s outdoor Centennial Celebration will celebrate “all things Carolina” with a NC BBQ competition, local food, live bands and free Cheerwine (obviously). This will be well worth the trip to Salisbury’s super cute downtown.

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Circle K Speed Street presented by Coca-Cola and PNC Speed Street 5K

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 25-27 | Uptown | 12-11 p.m. | Varies

Why you should go: This will be a weekend-long party throughout Uptown, featuring live entertainment by Jake Owen, Billy Currington, DJ Jazzy Jeff and others; interactive displays; a twilight run and way more. Pro tip: don’t sleep on the Coca-Cola 600, which takes place at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28.

Memorial Day Celebration

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 28 | USNWC | 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Free

Why you should go: Enjoy the holiday weekend with friends and family during any of the seven activities USNWC is hosting: 5- and 8-mile trail races, yoga, film screenings, Deep Water Solo rock climbing, live music, and, of course, a fireworks display at dusk.

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Honorable Mentions

Crown Town Throw Down Cornhole Tournament

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 6 | OMB | 12-4 p.m. | $80/team

Why you should go: Find your perfect teammate for InReach’s 3rd Annual Crown Town Throwdown, Charlotte’s largest cornhole tournament, with craft beer, live music, and a raffle and silent auction. Each player will get 2 beer tickets, lunch, an event t-shirt and three guaranteed games.

Charlotte Symphony’s Pixar in Concert

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 6 | Belk Theater | 2:30 & 8 p.m. | $13+

Why you should go: Join Woody, Nemo, Lightning McQueen, and all of your favorite characters on this multimedia journey designed for an audience of all ages. Video montages will capture the most memorable moments from all 14 Pixar films and sync seamlessly with the symphony’s live musical soundtrack.

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Charlotte Food Fight

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 6 | Stumptown Park | 3-8 p.m. | Free

Why you should go: The Food Fight pits local food trucks against each other in a battle over the best dish. Expect 20+ food trucks, live music and D9 Brewing. You’ll be able to vote for your favorite truck after you sample food and 100% of the proceeds will go to local charities and initiatives.

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Montford Park Block Party

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 20 | Park Road and Mockingbird Lane | 4-9 p.m. | Free

Why you should go: Hang out in Montford for the day to eat and drink, learn about neighborhood businesses, jam out to live music, play cornhole, and race through the YWCA obstacle course. Expect local food and drinks to be for sale.

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Lost Hollow Music Fest

Date | Location | Time | Price: May 20-21 | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | 9 a.m. | $13+

Why you should go: Lost Hollow Music Fest will feature a range of musicians who have put their own spin on the blues. Expect food, drinks and activities while you’re jamming out.

Want more May events? See more here.

Cover photo via Circle K Speed Street presented by Coca-Cola and PNC Speed Street 5K.