Nebraska

Nebraska City’s 150th Annual Arbor Day Celebration May 1 in Nebraska City. Originally proposed in 1872 as a day to focus on tree planting, Arbor Day is now celebrated in all 50 states and in many countries around the world. While this celebration kicks off the 150th Arbor Day, festivities of 150 years of Arbor Day will continue into May 2022. 402.873.6654. —gonebraskacity.com

Lincoln Marathon and Half Marathon May 1 in Lincoln. This event includes three different races. Runners can participate in the full marathon or half marathon. Races start at 7 a.m. and end at Memorial Stadium. —lincolnmarathon.org

10th Annual Junkstock at Sycamore Farms May 1, May 6-8 in Waterloo. Event includes over 200 vendors, more than 23 food trucks, and various bands on the Junstock Stage. Cash recommended and pets are welcome. 402.765.8651.
—junkstock.com

Sip Nebraska May 6-7 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. Wine, craft beer, and spirit tastings supplemented by live music, outdoor games, and trolley tours through the scenic state park. 402.944.2523.
—blurparties.com/sip-spring

Spring Dazzle Craft and Vendor Show May 7 at Fonner Park in Grand Island. Artisans and vendors gather from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. to delight visitors with unique, hand-crafted wares in the Fonner Park Concourse. 308.382.4400. —visitgrandisland.com

Helicopter Day and Memorial Day Concert May 21 at Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Spectators will be thrilled by commercial and private helicopters whirring over the horizon and landing at their feet. The museum will also be hosting an early Memorial Day Concert on the same date. The two events combine for a full day of family entertainment. 402.944.3100. —sacmuseum.org

Nebraska Kennel Club Dog Show May 21-22 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln. The Nebraska Kennel Club shows off their top canine competitors in a variety of events, from obedience to rally trials. —nebraskakennelclub.com 

Eighth Annual Migratory Bird Day May 28 at Indian Cave State Park. Kicking off at 3 p.m., the event includes a car show, bird-themed crafts and games, a glow in the dark egg hunt, and more. 402.883.2575 — outdoornebraska.gov

Nebraska Junkathon May 27-29 in Sargent. Vendors come together for a festival of antiques, food, and more. 308.750.9435. —facebook.com/junkathonfleamarket 

Annual Brownville Spring Flea Market May 28-30 in Brownville. Hundreds of vendors bring their wares to this annual tradition, including recycled and up-cycled products, food, and antiques. 402.825.6001.
—brownvillehistoricalsociety.org

Iowa

Maifest May 1 at Amana Colonies. Dancers, food trucks, and a parade will bring German traditions to this celebration of Spring. 319.622.7622. Email [email protected] for more information.

Girls Night Out May 5, 2022 in Cedar Falls. Enjoy a fun evening of shopping, dining and making memories the first Thursday in May and October from 5-9 pm. 319.277.0213.
—cedarfallstourism.org

Art Walk May 7 at Kohlmann Park in Waverly. This fine arts walk includes over 40 artists for goers to look at. Open to the public. 319.352.4526.
—waverlychamber.com 

Spring Garden Festival May 7 at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in Des Moines. This event celebrates everything garden: activities, workshops, and much more. 515.323.6290.
—dmbotanicalgarden.com

Valley Junction Arts Festival 2022 May 15 in Des Moines. Discover and buy paintings, sculptures, furniture, and more from Iowa’s finest artists and artisans while strolling the historic Valley Junction, described as the “heart and soul” of West Des Moines. 515.222.3642. —valleyjunction.com

 801st Annual Orange City Tulip Festival May 19-21 in Orange City. This event, which began in 1936, celebrates Dutch heritage and consists of beautiful tulips, dances performed in traditional Dutch clothing, daily parades, old-country foods, and more. 712.707.4510. —octulipfestival.com

83rd Annual North Iowa Band Festival  May 26-30 in Mason City. Seventy-six trombones (or more) will parade through the streets of this Iowa town, where Music Man composer Meredith Wilson lived. Along with marching bands, this festival includes a carnival, food, games, and live entertainment. 641.423.5724.
—nibandfest.com

CelebrAsian May 27 at the Western Gateway Park in Des Moines. In its 19th year, Celebrasian will be a celebration and appreciation of Asian culture, uniting the Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander communities in Des Moines. Guests can enjoy live performances, authentic food, and educational activities. 515.770.1026.
—iowaasianalliance.com

Annual Tivoli Fest May 27-28 in Elk Horn. Celebrate all things Danish at this annual spring festival, which includes Danish food, dances, live entertainment, fireworks, and more. 712.764.7001.
—danishmuseum.org/visit/events/tivoli-fest

Okoboji Flea Market Weekend May 29-31 at Treasure Village in Okoboji. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free parking and admission. Over 60 vendors present wares ranging from antiques, jewelry, collectibles, and more. 712.337.3730
—treasurevillage.org

Kansas

Big Kansas Road Trip May 5-8 in Brown, Doniphan, and Nemaha Counties. The Big Kansas Road Trip was created as a fun, interactive way to bring people together and make an economic and social difference in these counties. Go at your own pace, in your own vehicle trying out the local cafes, shopping local, seeing the attractions, and attending events. 785.296.2009.
—travelks.com

60th Annual Hutchinson Art Fair May 7 at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson. This event will include fine art for sale by local and regional artists, a kids crafts station, live music, and more. 620.663.1081. —hutchinsonartcenter.net 

Lawrence Busker Festival 2022 May 27-30 in Lawrence. The area’s largest gathering of “freaks, geeks, artists, and musicians” around, visitors are sure to be charmed by the festival’s medley of street performers. 913.634.1711
—lawrencebuskerfest.com 

Peony Festival May 28 at Stockton Area Chamber of Commerce in Stockton. The annual Peony Festival will feature peony displays around the city. The event includes a parade, craft vendors, and more. 785.425.6703.
—stocktonks.com

Missouri

Kansas City BBQ Festival May 6-8 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Over 30,000 pounds of BBQ will be smoked by award-winning pitmasters from across the country. Free entry and live music with choice meat cuts and ice-cold beer available for purchase.
—kcbbqfest.com

Harry’s Hay Days May 6-7 in Grandview. Starting 7 p.m. at the Grandview Amphitheater on Friday with a free concert, then a parade and festival 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Main St. on Saturday, Harry’s Hay Days is a celebration of President Harry Truman’s legacy and his connection to the Grandview community. —grandviewharryhaydays.com

2022 Apple Blossom Parade Festival  May 7 in St. Joseph. The parade has been in existence for over 90 years, and it has expanded into a festival with a Kansas City BBQ Society-sanctioned barbecue contest. The event runs in conjunction with Discover Downtown, which features live music, food vendors, and kids activities. The pageant will not be taking place this round. This year’s theme is “Garden Party: Room to Bloom.” 816.261.0422. —appleblossomparade.com

Artfest on Walnut May 7-8 in Springfield. Over 100 artists will be on display at this celebration of art, with performances, food, and activities for the whole family. 417.831.6200. —springfieldarts.org

14th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Crawfish Boil & Music Festival May 14 at the Sikeston Rodeo Grounds in Sikeston. Event goers can can enjoy music and family entertainment. This event includes a grand feast of fish and Louisiana crawfish. 573.471.2498. —sikeston.net 

Event times and details may change. 

Visit omahamagazine.com for complete listings. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

This article originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.