Salt Lake City May Events

Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival

Welcome spring and enjoy all the colors of the rainbow with nearly 100 different varieties of tulips during the annual Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival. Featuring 250,000 tulips spread throughout the 55-acre Thanksgiving Point Gardens, the Tulip Festival is an awe-inspiring sight that is redesigned each year to create a new display.

April 10-May 9, 2015 except Sundays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

3003 N. Thanksgiving Way in Lehi
801-768-2300

$15 adults, $12 children & seniors

SLC Summer Concerts

Music adds magic to a cool summer evening. Summer concert season brings more than 100 outdoor concerts to 15 great venues in the Salt Lake City area, many of them free. Concerts begin in May and continue through the end of September.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

People of all nationalities like to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, even if it's only to eat some delicious Mexican food and drink a margarita or two, and here are some of the best places to celebrate in SLC.

Mother's Day Events and Gift Ideas

Moms do so much for us, so it's only right to make Mother's Day special. Here's your complete guide to celebrating Mother's Day in Salt Lake City, with event, dining and gift ideas.

'Over the River and Through the Woods' at Hale Centre Theatre

Two very loud sets of New Jersey grandparents simply adore their 29-year-old grandson. He tells them he might take a work transfer to Seattle. Would a girl make him stay? They plan a surprise set-up. It bombs - or does it?

April 17, 2015 – May 23, 2015
Monday - Saturday 7:30 p.m.
Saturday Matinees at 12:30 and 4 p.m.

Adults $27-$30
Children $16
No children under five permitted.

3333 S. Decker Lake Dr. (2200 W.)
801-984-9000

Utah Symphony

The Utah Symphony features classical favorites and an all-star special concert in May:

• Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony: May 1-2, 8 p.m.
• The Music of Stravinsky: May 7, 8 p.m.
• All-Star Evening: May 19, 7 p.m.
• Mahler’s Symphony No. 4: May 22-23, 8 p.m.

Abravanel Hall
123 W. South Temple

801-355-ARTS (2787), 1-888-451-ARTS (2787)

Ticket prices vary by performance: $8-$67

'The Music Man' at Pioneer Memorial Theatre

Fast-talking Harold Hill sweeps into a sleepy Iowa town selling marching bands, despite the fact that he doesn’t know the difference between a treble clef and trumpet. Harold plans on skipping town with their cash before anyone’s the wiser, but he didn’t count on falling for Marian, the town’s librarian.

May 1-16, 2015

Mondays - Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.
Saturday matinees, 2 p.m.

Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre
300 S. 1400 E., 801-581-6961

Tickets $38-$54

'Into The Hoods' at the Desert Star Playhouse

'Into the Hoods: A Fractured Fairy Tale' is a riotous spin on Presidential elects, Comic-Con costumes, and the communication between parents and offspring. This musical parody combines Broadway musical theatrics with local Utah culture.

March 26 - June 6, see website for show dates and times

4861 S. State St. in Murray
801-266-2600

Tickets $10.95-$18.95

Pizza, appetizers, sandwiches, soft drinks and desserts available during the show.

The State Room

Here's the May lineup for The State Room, one of SLC's favorite small music venues.

• Jared and The Mill - Friday, May 2
• Steve Earle and The Dukes - May 4 and 5
• Nora Jane Struthers and The Party Line - May 8
• Bullets and Belles - May 9
• An Evening with Chris Robinson Brotherhood - May 12 and 13
• Ivan and Alyosha - May 15
• Fruition with Dave Brogan - May 20
• Los Lonely Boys and Lukas Nelson and P.O.T.R. - May 21
• Meg Myers - May 28

638 South State St.
800-501-2885

Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake continues its regular MLS season with one home games and three away games in April.

All games are on ESPN 700 radio. Most games televised on KMYU (Channel 2.2) and some games televised nationally as noted. All times MT.

• Friday, May 1, 8 p.m. vs. San Jose Earthquake (Univision Esp.)
• Wednesday, May 6, 7:30 p.m. vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (KMYU)
• Saturday, May 9, 1 p.m. @ Chicago Fire (KMYU)
• Saturday, May 16, time TBD @ Montreal Impact (KMYU)
• Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. vs. NYCFC (KMYU)
• Wednesday, May 27, 8:30 p.m. @ Los Angeles Galaxy (KMYU)
• Saturday, May 30, time TBD vs. Vancouver (KMYU)

Rio Tinto Stadium
9256 S. State St.
Sandy, UT
801-727-2700

Individual Game Tickets $25-$500; see website for promotions.

The Depot

The Depot, a live music venue in the historic Union Pacific building at The Gateway, hosts 10 shows this month:

• Dzeko and Torres - May 1
• Matt and Kim - May 4
• An Evening with They Might Be Giants - May 5
• James Bay - May 8
• Waka Flocka Flame - May 9
• Purity Ring - May 18
• The English Beat - May 21
• Chronixxx and the Zincfence Redemption - May 25
• Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters - May 27
• Tame Impala - May 29

13 N. 400 W.
801-456-2800

Salt Lake Bees

The Bees' schedule for the month of May includes home stands May 4-7, 8-11 and 21-28.

Spring Mobile Ballpark
77 West 1300 South
801-325-BASE (2273)

Tickets $9-$25; see website or call for promotions

Kingsbury Hall in May

Kingsbury Hall brings three shows to their stage this month.

• For King and Country - May 1, 7 p.m., $15-$25
• Performing Dance Company: The Little Mermaid - May 20-12, 6 p.m., $12.50
• Janet Gray Studios: Follow in Their Footsteps - May 28, 7 p.m., $15-$20

View the University of Utah Performing Arts calendar, including Kingsbury Hall, Libby Gardner Hall, Babcock Theatre, Studio 115 and Marriott Center for Dance

1395 E. Presidents Circle
801-581-7100

Winnie the Pooh at Utah Children's Theatre

Visit the Hundred Acre Wood and laugh alongside Winnie the Pooh and his friends Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Roo, Kanga, Owl, Rabbit and Christopher Robin as they have the silliest of adventures. Based on the beloved book by A.A.Milne.

May 2-30, 2015, various times

Utah Children's Theatre
3605 South State Street
801-532-6000

$14 for ages 3 and up, children under 3 not permitted

Salt Lake Acting Company presents 'Mr. Perfect'

SLAC's commitment to new plays continues with the World Premiere of a 'sort of' romantic comedy. 'Mr. Perfect' tells the story of a quirky flight attendant and romance novel junkie who thinks she's met Mr. Perfect. When it doesn't work out, she sets out to connect the random events that make up life, hoping to find the meaning of it all. 

April 8-May 3, 2015

Wednesdays-Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Salt Lake Acting Company
168 W 500 N
801-363-7522

Tickets $24-$42

Baby Animal Season at This is the Place Heritage Park

Enjoy a visit to This is the Place Heritage Park during Baby Animal. City kids will forever remember petting a lamb or holding a fluffy chick. This is the Place Heritage Park will have lots of baby animals to snuggle, nuzzle, and pet in the petting corral and the livery stable. The ponies are also waiting to take little cowboys and cowgirls for a ride.

April 2- May 24, 2015, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

2601 East Sunnyside Ave.
801-582-1847

Adults: $11, Seniors 55+ and Children 3-11 $8

Wiseguys Comedy Club

Wiseguys comedy clubs at Trolley Square, West Valley City and Ogden bring live comedy to Utah audiences Tuesday through Saturday. This month's special events include Dave Attell, Jessimae Peluso, Jon Reep, Carlos Mencia, and many more.

Wiseguys Trolley Square
505 S. 600 E.
801-532-5233

Wiseguys West Valley
2194 W. 3500 S.
801-463-2909

Wiseguys Ogden
269 Historic 25th Street in Ogden
801-622-5588

Free Movies

Movie lovers can find a huge variety of free film screenings in Salt Lake City, including major Hollywood productions, experimental films, classics, kids' movies, documentaries and more. This month's highlights include The Boxcar Children May 2 at the The City Library and The Breach May 19 also at The City Library.

SLC Free Movies

SLC Alternative Movie Theaters

'The Revengers' at the Off-Broadway Theatre

This musical comical parody tells the story of a group of American superheroes who fight mythological gods, and hopefully come out on top.

Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, May 1-June 6, 7:30 p.m.

272 S. Main St.
801-355-4628

Tickets $10-$16

The Utah Opera presents 'The Rake's Progress'

Tom Rakewell is determined to live by his wits and trust to luck, but he’s quickly deceived and led to a series of misadventures and a life of debauchery by the devil. Stravinsky’s beautiful and daring opera will come to life with David Hockney’s striking sets, and Thierry Fischer’s Utah Opera conducting debut.

May 9, 11, 13, 15, 7 p.m. and May 17, 2 p.m.

Tickets $10-$95

Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre
50 West 200 South

Gardening Classes

May is the time to plant tomatoes, squash, peppers and tender annuals, and you can find a huge variety of gardening classes this month in the Salt Lake area, at Red Butte Garden, Jordan Valley Conservation Garden Park, the Utah Botanical Center, Thanksgiving Point, and many more locations. Many of the classes are free.

Tracy Aviary: Urban Bird Festival

The Urban Bird Festival at Tracy Aviary introduces children to the fascinating life of birds with activities such as avian encounters, keeper talks, bird show programs, bird crafts and games, local bird identification and director's tours.

Saturday, May 9, 2015, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

589 E. 1300 S.
801-596-8500 ext. 100
801-536-8500

Special event pricing is $5 for ages 3 and up

Great Salt Lake Bird Festival

This year's Great Salt Lake Bird Festival features dozens of bird watching opportunities, plus a keynote address by renowned artist and author David Allen Sibley.

Thursday-Monday, May 14-18, 2015; see website for event schedule

Excursion costs vary; some events free

SLC Living Traditions Festival

The Salt Lake City Arts Council is proud to present its annual Living Traditions Festival, a celebration of authentic and traditional folk and ethnic arts. Living Traditions brings together people of all ages and backgrounds to honor cultural traditions and diversity. The Living Traditions Festival includes music, dance, arts, crafts, food, workshops, film and storytelling.

Friday, May 15, 2015, 5-10 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, Noon-10 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, Noon-7 p.m.

Washington Square, Salt Lake City & County Building, 450 South 200 East
801-596-5000

Free

Ballet West presents Innovations 2015

Ballet West presents Innovations 2015 in May. This program features works by up-and-coming American choreographers and exploration into cutting-edge artistic territory. 

May 15-23, 2015, various times

Jeanné Wagner Theatre
138 West 300 South

Tickets $49.50

Tastemakers Salt Lake City

Tastemakers Salt Lake City is a progressive food tasting event, highlighting food and beverages from some of downtown Salt Lake City's favorite restaurants. Stroll from one restaurant to the next, enjoying tastes at each stop and entertainment along the way. See the website for a list of participating restaurants. A portion of the proceeds goes to benefit Head Start Salt Lake.

Thursday and Friday, May 28-29, 2015, 5-10 p.m.

Passport is $30, good for both nights with one tasting at each restaurant. VIP passports $85.

Ed Sheeran

Catch Ed Sheeran live when he brings his tour to EnergySolutions Arena.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015, 7:30 p.m.

EnergySolutions Arena
301 West South Temple
801-355-SEAT

Tickets $53.50-$63.50

Baby Animal Birthday Party at Thanksgiving Point

Join in the birthday festivities at the annual Thanksgiving Point Baby Animal Birthday Party. Get up close with the baby animals, help name them, take a ride on the wagon or the back of a pony, and enjoy a slice of cake. 

Friday-Saturday, May 22-23, 2015

3003 N. Thanksgiving Way in Lehi
888-672-6040

$7 ages 3 and up

Memorial Day Events

Here are some of the special events planned in the Salt Lake area for the two weeks surrounding Memorial Day, May 25, 2015. Remember to fly the flag this Memorial Day, and take some time to remember the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families.

Station Park Cruise Nights

Bring your family down to Station Park in Farmington once a month and enjoy a free classic car show. Experience a blast from the past with great music and giveaways by celebrity Rock N' Roll DJ J.C Hackett.

Third Wednesday of each month, May 20-September 16, 2015

320 N. Station Parkway
Farmington
(801) 923-9111

Entrance for all cars and attendees is free.