Nebraska
Nebraska City’s 150th Annual Arbor Day Celebration April 30 to May 2 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 until April 2022. 402.873.6654. —nebraskacity.com
Community Appreciation Day May 2 in Grand Island. Event goers can enjoy full day of events, free, at the Stuhr Museum. 308-385-5316. —stuhrmuseum.org
Lincoln Marathon and Half Marathon May 2 in Lincoln. This event includes three different races. Runners can participate in the full marathon, half marathon, or 1-mile race. Races start at 7 a.m. and end at Memorial Stadium. —lincolnmarathon.org
Flight Night May 8 at Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland. This after-hours event at the museum includes free simulator rides, guided aircraft tours, planetarium shows, and stargazing with the Omaha Astronomical Society. 402.944.3100. —sacmuseum.org
Toast Nebraska Wine Festival May 14-15 at Stinson Park in Aksarben. Celebrate the distinct flavors of the good life with Nebraska wines. This event includes interactive sessions, live music, and vendors. 402.405.1291. —toastwinefest.com
Helicopter Day May 22 at Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Spectators will be able to watch in wonder as commercial and private helicopters fly over the horizon and land right in front them This family-fun event includes a drone workshop, free balloon animals, a make-and-take project, and hands-on activities. 402-944-3100. —sacmuseum.org
Migratory Bird Day Celebration May 28-30 at the Lewis & Clark SRA in Crofton. This all day event includes a glow in the dark egg hunt, guided bird walks, and more. 402-388-4169 —outdoornebraska.gov
Nebraska Junkathon May 28-30 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 29-31 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
Art Walk May 1 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
Maifest May 1-2 at Amana Colonies. Normally held the first of May, this event is being held in late May this year due to the coronavirus. Dancers, food trucks, and a parade will bring German traditions to this celebration of Spring. 319-622-7622. Email info@amanacolnies.com for more information.
Girls Night Out May 6-8, 2021 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
Spring Garden Festival May 7-10 at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in Des Moines. This event celebrates everything garden, activities, workshops, and much more. 515-323-6290. —dmbotanicalgarden.com
Annual Square Fair & Arts Festival May 11 the Downtown Square in Garnett. An annual event, this free family fun affair brings many craft vendors for visitors to peruse. Live entertainment, food, and more. 785-448-6767. —garnettbpw.com
80th Annual Orange City Tulip Festival May 14-16 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
82nd Annual North Iowa Band Festival May 27-31 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, TBD at the Western Gateway Park in Des Moines. In its 18th 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 28-May 29 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
Boone River Valley Festival May 28-30 at the Boone Valley Brewery in Boone. Festival attendees can enjoy a weekend filled with music, crafts, and fun for the whole family. —boonerivervalleyfestival.com
KANSAS
Linwood Bluegrass Festival May 1 at Linwood Elementary School in Linwood. This festival has great live music, featuring one of America’s most sought-after young artists, Mo Pitney, along with Bluegrass award-winner Greg Blake, Chosen Road, and Po’ Anna. There will also be barbecue and food trucks, as well as a fundraising and awareness walk to combat human trafficking. —linwoodbluegrass.com
SecureWorld Kansas City 2021 May 6 at Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park. Attend the 8th annual SecureWorld Kansas City cybersecurity conference. Join InfoSec professionals for high-quality, affordable training and collaboration and learn from nationally recognized industry leaders. Attend featured keynotes, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and solution vendor displays—all while networking with local peers. 913.439.5382. —opconventioncenter.com
Big Kansas Road Trip May 6-9 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
58th Annual Hutchinson Art Fair May 8 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
Peony Festival May 15 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
US Weapons Collectors Gun & Knife Show May 22 at Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park. If you are a gun collector or are a hunting enthusiast, this gun show is a great place to spend some time. All federal, state and local firearm ordinances and laws must be obeyed. 913.439.5382. —opconventioncenter.com
MISSOURI
2021 Apple Blossom Parade Festival May 1 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 “Telling Our Stories.” 816-261-0422. —appleblossomparade.com
Gatsby Days May 1 in Excelsior Springs. Break out the beads, fringe, and zoot suits for this homage to the roaring ‘20s. Events include a fashion stroll, antique car parade, a Gin & Jazz party, vaudeville performances, and more. 816-630-6161. —esculturalguild.com
Artfest on Walnut May 2-3 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
Ozark Springfest 2021 May 8 at Ozark Community Center in Ozark. This annual community event, features a business expo, live music, and food trucks. There’s also free admission and activities for the whole family, with great prizes and giveaways. 415.581.6139. —ozarkempirefair.com
12th Annual Sikeston Jaycee Crawfish Boil & Music Festival May 22 at the Sikeston Rodeo Grounds in St. Joseph. Event goers can can enjoy music and family entertainment. This event includes a grand feast of fish 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 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
