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100+ Ways to Play in May Around Alamance & N Orange

Check out all the fun around Burlington-Elon-Graham-Saxapahaw-Haw River-Mebane-Efland-Hillsborough

By Samantha Earnhardt, Macaroni KID Burlington-Hillsborough Publisher & Family Fun Enthusiast May 1, 2023

Well April has certainly showered this year , so bring on the May flowers!   And, as the school year winds down while summer plans wind up, let's slow ourselves down, take a deep breath of springtime air, and enjoy the moments as they come because ... it's not summer just yet! We still have 1 full month of spring in full bloom and Macaroni KID Burlington-Hillsborough has tracked down TONS of great events for you & the fam to enjoy over the coming weeks... Check out all the fun BELOW!   


  Did you know that it's Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month?  

May is choc full of other Special Days & Celebrations observed around the country, too! To learn more check out our article about 10 May Events & Observances Not To Miss.


First... here are some events that happen weekly - so you have several chances to catch them this month!

Teen To Teen Video & Theatre at Thataways Youth Center, Burlington   

Pick up a Craft Kit at Alamance Arts! at Alamance Arts, Graham   

Under Construction (3rd - 5th) Series at the Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough   Registration required

Grow It! Growing Food, Bodies, & Friendship at Spring Forest, Hillsborough   

BMX New Rider Orientation at Burlington BMX      


Family Skating Night! at Roll A Bout Skating Center, Burlington   

Amusement Park Open! at Burlington City Park (Fridays 3-8pm)   

Cosmic Bowling at Buffaloe Lanes Mebane Family Bowling Center, Mebane   

Music 2 Dine 2 Series in Downtown Elon   

Musical Chairs Outdoor Concert Series rotating weekly around Burlington, Graham, & Mebane   

Disaster! Jukebox Musical (May 5-7, 12-14, & 19-21) at Studio 1, Burlington   


Amusement Park Open! at Burlington City Park (Saturdays 10am-8pm)   

Gibsonville Garden Railroad Running! downtown Gibsonville   

Parent & Me Paint Class (rotating themes) at Painted Grape, Burlington & Mebane Locations    

Saturdays in Saxapahaw (kicks off with the Haw River Festival on Sat, 5/6!) in downtown Saxapahaw   

Cosmic Bowling at Buffaloe Lanes Mebane Family Bowling Center, Mebane   

Disaster! Jukebox Musical (May 5-7, 12-14, & 19-21) at Studio 1, Burlington   


Amusement Park Open! at Burlington City Park (Sundays 1-8pm)   

Sunday Makebreak with weekly themes at Michael's stores    

Parent & Me Paint Class (rotating themes) at Painted Grape, Burlington & Mebane Locations    

Disaster! Jukebox Musical (May 5-7, 12-14, & 19-21) at Studio 1, Burlington   


     Looking for Weekly Storytimes for little ones? Head to our Guide to Baby & Toddler Storytimes Across Alamance & N Orange!    


Next... here's a DAILY guide of some of the unique family-friendly events happening this month across the area!


Tues, May 2

LEGO® Buddies Book Club (VIRTUAL) by the Alamance County Public Library

Teen Art Collective: LGBTQIA+ at Orange County Arts Commission, Hillsborough

Get Hiking! Series at Saxapahaw Island Park

Special Populations Prom 2023: Masquerade at Mebane Arts & Community Center


Thurs, May 4

STEM Time - STAR WARS at North Park Library, Burlington

Kids Explore... Celebrate Japan's Children's Day! (K-2) at the Orange County Public Library

Jumping Genres Book Group (3rd-5th) at May Memorial Library, Burlington

Central Carolina Festival at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex


Fri, May 5

Fun Fridays – Cinco De Mayo at the Children's Museum of Alamance County, Graham

Sister Act Jr at the Paramount Theater, Burlington

Music 2 Dine 2 - Four Up Front (Jazz) in downtown Elon

Musical Chairs - Kimber & Kompany (R&B/Pop) at Bill Cooke Park, Graham

Movies in the Park! (Raya and the Last Dragon) at Mebane Community Park


Sat, May 6

Monthly Kids DIY Workshop  - Flower Planter - at Home Depot in Burlington Hillsborough

Burlington Carousel Festival at Burlington City Park

Celebrate Free Comic Book Day with events at:

LEGO® Fun! at May Memorial Library

Saturday Slowdown at RambleRill Farm, Hillsborough

Spring Open House at the FARM! at Deez and Beez Boutique, Graham

Tea for Two at Beth Schmidt Park, Elon

Printing Party Art Workshop (2 Age-specific sessions) at Orange County Central Recreation Center

Raptor Insights at Piedmont Feed & Garden Center on NC 54 in Chapel Hill

Haw River Festival in downtown Saxapahaw

Parent & Me Paint Class - Falling Blossoms at Painted Grape, Mebane

Parent & Me Paint Class - Dragonfly at Painted Grape, Burlington

Sister Act Jr at the Paramount Theater, Burlington

May Day Movie in the Park - Encanto at Efland-Cheeks Community Park, Efland


Sun, May 7

Farm Tour at Fickle Creek Farm, Efland

Sunday Makebreak: I Love You Mom Canvas at Michael's, Burlington

National Lemonade Day & World Laughter Day at TECpark

Sister Act Jr at the Paramount Theater, Burlington

Ponyo (2008) (G) (3pm & 7pm) at Elon's Turner Theater

Graham Food Truck Rodeo in downtown Graham

Parent & Me Paint Class - Seahorse at Painted Grape, Burlington

Parent & Me Paint Class - Superhero at Painted Grape, Mebane


Mon, May 8

Teen Advisory Group (T.A.G.) at Mebane Public Library


Tues, May 9

Little Explorers: Pond Exploration at Beth Schmidt Park, Elon

Tween Time - Hedgie the Hedgehog & join us for a Park Scavenger Hunt at Beth Schmidt Park, Elon

Paws for Reading at Mebane Public Library

Book Begins Book Group (3rd-5th) at Graham Public Library

Sunset Paddle at Guilford-Mackintosh Park & Marina, Whitsett

Christian Music Skate Night at Roll A Bout Skating Center Burlington


Wed, May 10

Musical Storytime at Slade Park -  BIKE SAFETY MONTH at Lawrence Slade Park, Elon


Thurs, May 11

Summer Fruit Tour at 4-H's Buster Sykes Demonstration Farm, Mebane

Touch-a-Truck and Safe Kids Info Fair at Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough

Chill & Play at Graham Public Library


Fri, May 12

Fun Fridays – Mother’s Day at the Children's Museum of Alamance County, Graham

Music 2 Dine 2 - Impulsive Tattoo (Mix) in downtown Elon

Musical Chairs - New Creation, Dr Ron Bigelow & the Interdenominational Choir, Sir Jerry Sadler & SOP at North Park, Burlington

Movies in the Park! (How to Train Your Dragon) at Mebane Community Park


Sat, May 13

Youth Fishing Day at Graham-Mebane Lake

Mebane Train Display Open! at the Mebane Historical Museum

Family Make & Takes at May Memorial Library Burlington

Free Craft for Kids & Extra Savings for Parents (May = Mother's Day Bouquet) at JC Penney, Burlington

Culture Fest 2023 in downtown Gibsonville

The Arts Matrix at Balanced ComPosition Performing Arts, Burlington

Mother/Daughter Tea Party at TECpark

Parent & Me Paint Class - Lovely Llamas at Painted Grape, Burlington 

Parent & Me Paint Class - You Are My Sunshine 🌞 at Painted Grape, Mebane 


Sun, May 14

Sunday Makebreak: Mother's Day Floral Frame at Michael's Burlington

Parent & Me Paint Class - MOTHER'S DAY - Lovely Llamas at Painted Grape, Mebane 

Parent & Me Paint Class - MOTHER'S DAY - You Are My Sunshine 🌞 at Painted Grape, Burlington 


Mon, May 15

Kids BINGO at Lawrence Slade Park, Elon

Art Attack! (3rd - 5th) at Graham Public Library

Paws for Reading at May Memorial Library

Book Buddies K-2 Book Group! at Mebane Public Library

Special Needs Family Free Play! at Everyday Kids Community Center


Tues, May 16

Morning Meet-Up Paddles at Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina

Little Explorers: Pond Exploration (Special Guest Stormwater SMART for Alamance Creek Week!) at Beth Schmidt Park, Elon

Kids Karaoke at the Children's Museum of Alamance County, Graham

Family LEGO Time! at Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough

Get Hiking! Series at Guilford County Farm, Elon


Wed, May 17

Awesome Readers Book Club (3rd-5th) at Mebane Public Library

Frozen: The Hit Broadway Musical (5/17 - 6/4) OPENING NIGHT at the Steven Tanger for the Performing Arts

❄️❄️❄️Enter our Ticket Giveaway HERE!❄️❄️❄️




Thurs, May 18

Building Buddies (K-2) at Orange County Public Library


Fri, May 19

Homeschool Martial Arts Day Camp at Isaac's Martial Arts

Fun Fridays – World Turtle Day at the Children's Museum of Alamance County, Graham

Mother and Son Dance! at the Chairman's Retreat, Burlington

Musical Chairs - She Bop in downtown Mebane

Disaster! (Multiple Weekend Performances) at Studio 1


Sat, May 20

Summer Fruit Tour at 4-H's Buster Sykes Demonstration Farm

Alamance Battleground Living History at Alamance Battleground State Historic Site, Burlington

Homegrown in the Park: A Celebration to Showcase Alamance Agriculture at Hawfields Community Park, Mebane

VIRTUAL Family Fun Crafts with Alamance Arts

Monthly Kids DIY Workshop - Spring Popup Flower Box - at Lowe's Hardware Mebane & Burlington locations 

2023 Plaid Day Festival at Alamance Lutheran Church

Family Storytime at May Memorial Library

Paws for Reading at May Memorial Library

Paws4ever's Annual Kitten Shower at Paws4ever, Mebane

Dungeons & Dragons: Dragon of Icespire Peak at Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough

Parent & Me Paint Class - Dragonfly at Painted Grape, Mebane 

Parent & Me Paint Class - Otters at Painted Grape, Burlington 

Food Truck Festival at Green Level Municipal Park


Sun, May 21

Kitten & Cat Yoga! (1pm, 2pm, & 3pm) at Burlington Animal Services

Sunday Makebreak: Painted Garden Rocks at Michael's Stores

Parent & Me Paint Class - Falling Blossoms at Painted Grape, Burlington 

Parent & Me Paint Class - Seahorse at Painted Grape, Mebane 


Moon, May 22

Paws for Reading at May Memorial Library

AniMebane Anime Club (VIRTUAL) 6th-12th by Alamance County Public Libraries


Tues, May 23

Little Explorers: Pond Exploration at Beth Schmidt Park, Elon

Move to the Music at Mebane Public Library!

BrainSTEM (3rd-5th) at Graham Public Library

Sunset Paddle at Stoney Creek Marina


Wed, May 24

Musical Storytime at Slade Park -  BIKE SAFETY MONTH at Lawrence Slade Park, Elon

Kids’ Crafternoon at the Mebane Public Library

Haw River Mushrooms Farm Tour at Haw River Mushrooms, Saxapahaw


Thurs, May 25

Eclectic Coloring at Graham Public Library

Kids Explore... Chocolate! (K-2) at Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough

Teen Wonder Space: Rice Toss Art! (6th-12th) at May Memorial Library

Thursdays at Seven Concert Series - The Holiday Band in downtown Graham


Fri, May 26

Fun Fridays – National Photography Month at the Children's Museum of Alamance County, Graham

First Responder Friday at Graham Regional Park

Hillsborough's Last Fridays & the Art Walk in downtown Hillsborough

Musical Chairs - Old Man Noize at downtown Depot, Burlington


Sat, May 27

Family Make & Takes at May Memorial Library

Smash Bros. Tourney  at Orange County Public Library, Hillsborough

Bad Art Club at Orange County Arts Commission, Hillsborough

Parent & Me Paint Class - Campfire at Painted Grape, Burlington

Parent & Me Paint Class - Otters at Painted Grape, Mebane 

Community Movie Night: Wakanda Forever at Green Level Municipal Park


Sun, May 28

Sunday Makebreak: Red White and Blue Clay Pots at Michael's Stores

Parent & Me Paint Class - Firefly Jar at Painted Grape, Burlington

Parent & Me Paint Class - Campfire at Painted Grape, Mebane 


Mon, May 29   MEMORIAL DAY   


Tues, May 30

Meet-Up Paddles at Guilford-Mackintosh Park & Marina

Get Hiking! Series at Great Bend Park, Burlington


Wed, May 31

Meet-Up Paddles at Guilford-Mackintosh Park & Marina

Get Hiking! Series at Great Bend Park, Burlington


Looking for more family-friendly fun around the Burlington-Hillsborough, NC area? Check out our Full event Calendar!

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