75 Things to Do in May in Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley!

In this brand new Haute Happenings calendar, you’ll find things to do in May in Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley!

May Events in Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley

May 20 and May 21 at 6:30 pm. Auditions for Peter Pan with Maple Ave UMC Theatre.

May 23-June 1. Banks of the Wabash Festival. Featuring Luehrs’ Ideal Rides.

Thursday, May 23. Chick-fil-A storytime at 9:30 am.

Friday, May 24. Memorial Day Bike Party.

Saturday, May 25. Jr. Master Gardener’s Program hosted by District 6 Market. Explore plants, soil, insects, gardening, and nutrition for students completing grades 3-6.

Saturday, May 25. Goatflix “A Goofy Movie” at Old 40 Farm. Join the goats at Old 40 Farm to watch “A Goofy Movie”. Bring your lawn chair; they provide popcorn and bottled water.

Saturday, May 25. Sewer Lair Toys 8th Annual Parking Lot Sale. There will be toys, collectibles, video games, Pop Culture items, art, and an in-store raffle with drawing at 4pm.

Monday, May 27. Memorial Day Fun Run. Kick off Memorial Day with a run/walk around the flag-surrounded Indiana Mile at Memorial Stadium. Runners/walkers will then venture west on the Heritage Trail and check out the location of the proposed new water fountain. Then run/walk back to Memorial Stadium to watch (or participate in!) the Murph Challenge hosted by the Terre Haute Police Department at 9 a.m.

Tuesday, May 28. Tabletopia. Gaming with Terre Haute Tabletop. Ages 16 & Up: Whether you want to build your own zoo, trade resources to grow your settlement, or create beautiful mosaics, Tabletopia has the perfect game for you! Every month at Tabletopia, Terre Haute Tabletop will introduce new players to contemporary board games and provide skilled players with a regular gaming session, new challenges, and a connection to Terre Haute’s board game community.

Wednesday, May 29. Boho and Brushes Summer Mini Camp with Makers Studio 12 Points.

Thursday, May 30. Free showing of The Goonies at Terre Haute Moon Lite Drive-In Theater.

Thursday, May 30. Downtown Hoopsfest. To celebrate the Grand Opening of the Larry Bird Museum, everyone is invited to participate in the Downtown Hoopsfest. This free event will include: Live Music, Family-Friendly Activities, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament featuring local high school athletes, Food Trucks, Inflatables. Don’t miss this opportunity to see Larry Bird on stage and enjoy a day full of fun and festivities in Downtown Terre Haute. This free event promises to be a memorable celebration for basketball fans and families alike.

Friday, May 31. Paint Your Pet Night at the Exotic Feline Rescue Center.

Featured event! Friday, May 31. 

Kick off to summer reading with the Vigo County Public Library and Foam Homies!

Ages 0–15: Start the summer with a splash at the Summer Reading Kick-Off! Play in the blast from the Foam Homies’ foam cannon, toss around beach balls, and dance to the music, or learn more about the Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department. Before the party ends, sign up for Summer Reading 2024 and select a new book to take home.

Please wear quick-drying, comfortable clothes. The foam is hypoallergenic and dye-free. Toddlers age 3 and under will have a separate play area from older children.

Recurring events:

Tuesdays: Baby Lap Sit Storytime at the WEST branch of the Vigo County Public Library.

Tuesdays: Art Start at the Swope Art Museum.

Fridays: Music Makers Storytime at the WEST branch of the Vigo County Public Library.

We want to help you find things to do in Terre Haute with kids, but typos happen and event details change. Please confirm information with hosting organizations before making your plans. Haute Happenings does not approve or evaluate content or safety measures organizations do or do not take in the time of Covid-19. Please make wise and safe decisions for your family and our community! 

Looking for more local fun? Check out the Haute Happenings 2024 Summer Camp Guide homepage! 

The fun has ended for these great events:

Wednesday, May 1.Intro to Pickleball night for ages 7-17 with the Clay County YMCA.

Wednesday, May 1. Ages 10 & Up at the Vigo County Public Library. It’s all about speed in Splazi! Match the picture cards in your hand with clue cards to win each round or empty your hand to win the game. Do you think that’s too easy? Then try a game of Opposite Slapzi, Double Slapzi, or Twisted Slapzi to challenge your reflexes and creativity.

Wednesday, May 1. Lego Lab at the Vigo County Public Library. Ages 6–11: Challenge your child’s construction skills, teamwork abilities, and creativity at Lego® Lab! Your child can attempt the monthly challenge or build their own designs. At the end of the evening, spend a few minutes touring everyone’s designs and learn how others solved problems in their own builds. Your child’s design will be part of a month-long display in Youth Services.

Wednesday, May 1 and Thursday, May 2. The one and only Great Pages Circus experience is coming to Terre Haute April 30th – May 2nd.

Thursday, May 2. Libratory at the WEST branch of the Vigo County Public Library. Age 6–11: Do you have a budding artist or a mad scientist whose creativity is waiting to be unleashed? Stop by the Libratory and get ready to experiment! Libratory takes ideas from some of your children’s favorite stories and turns them into concepts that they can experience hands-on. Your child might draw their own ideas for a wind turbine, help create and implement a plan to harvest rainwater for West Branch Library’s garden, or make an Archimedes Screw! Each session is a chance to engineer, create, and play. Some projects may take place over multiple sessions.

Thursday, May 2.Star Wars Unlimited Weekly Play Tournament at Full Moon Games.

Thursday, May 2. Dixie Bee Elementary Presents: Willy Wonka Kids. FREE admission for two performances at 5:30 and 7pm.

Friday, May 3. 12 Points First Friday: Cinco De Mayo! 12 Points First Friday is 5-8pm FREE and open to the public. Family friendly, pet friendly (with leash). Come and shop from the local 12 Points businesses, artists, stores, restaurants, food vendors, and more!

Friday, May 3. RHIT Dance Company Spring Showcase. Join the Rose-Hulman Dance Company as they present their Spring Showcase. This event will feature styles ranging from classical and ballet to modern and hip-hop. You won’t want to miss this special evening of dance! This event is free and open to the public!

Friday, May 3. May Open Studio at Upstairs at the Gosnell. Our studios will be open and we would love to show you what we have been working on this spring!

Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4.Spring Plant Sale at the White Violet Center for Eco-Justice. The Plant Sale will be held on Friday, May 3 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the White Violet Center for Eco-Justice Greenhouse, located off Pomeroy Ave. at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Come early for the best selection.

Saturday, May 4. Besties on the Bridge. Brunch and live music on Irishman’s Bridge.  This event has been canceled.

Saturday, May 4. Terre Haute North Guard and Dance Clinic. Learn a routine and perform for families. No experience required! Ages 10-16.

Saturday, May 4. Car Show for Crusaders and Vendors Market.

Saturday, May 4. Butterfly Biome with Lowe’s. Your little scientist’s first butterfly biome is also a great gift for Mom! Just in time for Mother’s Day kids will create a gift that is sure to make your garden smile.

Saturday, May 4. May the Fourth Be with You canvas painting at The Mystery Lounge in Brazil.

Saturday, May 4. Experience Otter Creek with Markle Mill Park. What lives in the Otter Creek Watershed?

Saturday, May 4. Mother’s Day Copper Rose Class. Are you looking for a special homemade gift for your mom? Join us for our Copper Rose classes at the Fowler Park log barn! All participants will get to make their own Copper Rose to take home with them after the class.

Saturday, May 4. Baby Bonanza begins at Hobson Adventure Farm.

Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5. Civil War Days at Billie Creek Village in Rockville, IN.

May 3-May 5. Annual Book Sale at the Vigo County Public Library.

Sunday, May 5. Cinco De Mayo skate at Wigwam Skate Center.

Sunday, May 5. Mother’s Day Event for Kids at Anderson’s Plants and Produce. Join for a fun filled creative time! Decorate your own flower pot and plant some beautiful flowers just in time for Mother’s Day! All materials provided and only $5 per child! Make this Mother’s Day memorable! Don’t miss the chance to create lasting memories with your little ones. There will be a few other free activities and prizes available as well as a food truck!

Sunday, May 5.Rose Concert Band Spring Concert. Join the Rose-Hulman Concert Band and as they present their spring concert. With thrilling marches and toe-tapping tunes, you won’t want to miss out!
This event is free and open to the public!

Tuesday, May 7. Learn and play slapzi at Vigo County Public Library.

Wednesday, May 8. Paws-itively Stress Free Teens. Ages 12-18: Do you need a break after a stressful day at school? Spend an evening with the therapy dogs from Love on a Leash! These friendly, gentle dogs are trained to create an environment where you can relieve stress—whether you want to play with them, relax and pet them, or watch others interact with them. You won’t need to stay the entire evening; drop in and spend some time with Love on a Leash whenever you can while the dogs are at the Library.

May 8, 13, and 14. VCSC Physical Nights. $10. Get your physical for next year’s sports!

Thursday, May 9. Mother’s Day Paint Party at Water Tower. Includes 1 complimentary glass of wine.

Thursday, May 9. Sweet Reads Book Club: All the Sinners Bleed at Amosami Cheesecake Company.

Thursday, May 9. Wiggle Worm Storytime at the Vigo County Public Library. Ages 2–5: Start your toddler or preschooler on the path to a successful year in Kindergarten with Wiggle Worm Storytime. At Wiggle Worm Storytime, your child will build early learning skills through listening to, reading, and discussing stories; practicing the alphabet; and expanding their vocabulary. They will also develop fine motor skills by performing fingerplays and body movement-based activities. Each storytime ends with a half-hour session of free play for you and your child to socialize with others.

Thursday, May 9. Pixel Art with Perler Beads at the Vigo County Public Library. FREE but registration is limited. All Ages: Your child can explore their artistic abilities, hone their fine motor skills, and transform colorful beads into vibrant creations to take home at Pixel Art with Perler Beads.

Friday, May 10. Happiness Night Market. Join for another awesome Night Market! We are making this one about everything that makes us happy! We are all Rainbows, butterflies and sunshine around here! We are bringing you the best vendors in the area as well as a great collection of local food trucks and live music by Midnight Motive.

Friday, May 10-May 12. Mother’s Day Weekend Special at Wigwam Skate and Event Center. Moms and their children skate for free all weekend long.

Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11. Mother’s Day Event at the Farm & Co in BOWLING GREEN. Join us for a boot scootin’ Mother’s Day event at the Farm! Grab your Mama or gal pals and enjoy shopping the Storefront & outdoor vendors, eat at the food trucks, & snap some photos at the photos booths at the Farm!

Saturday, May 11. Mommy and Me Goat Yoga at Old 40 Farm. Mommies, bring your kiddos to enjoy a special yoga session to celebrate being a mommy.

Saturday, May 11. DIY Sip and Share at the Vigo County Public Library. Ages 19 & Up: Are you planting a garden this spring? Keep track of your sprouts with herb markers! Perfect for outdoor gardens or the pots on your windowsill, you will learn to create these easy-to-make, colorful markers out of polymer clay and stamp them with the names of your plants.

Saturday, May 11. Curious Kids at the Vigo County Public Library. FREE but registration is limited. Ages 7–12: How are crystals formed? Is slime a liquid or a solid? What is a tessellation—and how do you make your own? If your child has questions like these, then Curious Kids has answers! At each session, your child can get hands-on with experiments that will help them understand the science behind everyday phenomena, introduce them to new technology, or encourage them to explore the connections between science, math, art, and music in fun, new ways.

Saturday, May 11. Wabash Valley Herb Faire. Over 90 vendors, food trucks, and HERBS!

Saturday, May 11. “My Success Story” with Bruce Rosselli. Learn the background of Bruce Rosselli, Terre Haute native and Olympian! Bruce will tell his personal story of how he accomplished success in Terre Haute as well as world-wide. Though he is known for his triumphs in the Olympics, he has gained success in many aspects of business and sports and served in many notable local and international positions. This family program is one you won’t want to miss!

Saturday, May 11. Spring Open Barn at Aris Farm. Free admission and open to the public!
Meet and interact with our resident farm animals (alpacas, llamas, goats, mini donkeys, mini horse, chickens, turkey, duck, potbelly pigs, cats and our Livestock Guardian dog, Rose. Walk our self guided nature trail, pack a lunch and enjoy one of our picnic tables in the “Barnyard”! Walk an alpaca or llama on the trail for a $5 donation (tickets will be available the day of the event at our vendor booth, Joyful Things & Aris Farm Mercantile, next to the bathhouse). Kids activities and crafts will be ongoing as well as various fiber processing demos.

Sunday, May 12. 3rd annual Mother’s Day Brunch at Terre Haute Convention Center. Celebrate Mother’s Day with a delightful brunch at the Terre Haute Convention Center! Join us at 800 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, IN. for a special event dedicated to honoring all the amazing moms out there. Treat your mom to a mouthwatering spread of delectable dishes, including savory entrees, scrumptious desserts, and refreshing beverages. Indulge in a feast fit for a queen as you spend quality time with your loved ones. Let’s make this Mother’s Day a memorable one! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to show your appreciation for the incredible moms in your life.

Sunday, May 12. Mother’s Day Brunch at WaterTower Estates Winery. Join us Sunday, May 12th for a Mother’s Day Brunch, winery style! You’ll enjoy a delicious brunch spread catered by Federal Coffee & Fine Foods! Including L&A Farm Scrambled Eggs, buttermilk biscuits and local sausage gravy, local brown sugar bacon, breakfast potato hash, a charcuterie spread, breads, begals, and more!! Featuring the Bottomless Mimosa Wall! Bring your mom, bring your besties, bring your grandma…we’re celebrating all the special women in your life! Decor & table settings courtesy of The One Bridal Co.!
Tickets are $40 per person.

Sunday, May 12.Rose Jazz Ensemble and Chorus Spring Concert. Join the Rose Jazz Ensemble and Choir as they perform toe-tapping hits from various styles of jazz music and popular songs from the music of yesterday and today. You won’t want to miss this performance! This event is free and open to the public!

Monday, May 13. Read to Rover at the WEST Branch of the Vigo County Public Library. All Ages: Share a book with a furry friend from Love on a Leash. These good-natured therapy dogs are eager to listen to your child practice reading aloud in a stress-free setting, complete with cuddles, belly rubs, and ear scratches!

Wednesday, May 15. Hotel and Altitude Bar and Lounge Opening at the Terre Haute Casino.

Thursday, May 16. MagiKids at the Vigo County Public Library. Ages 8–18: Start your child on the journey to becoming a powerful wizard with Magic: The Gathering, a turn-based trading card game, and MagiKids! Developed to introduce young players to the concepts of Magic: The Gathering, MagiKids encourages participants to sort and build their own custom deck of spells, creatures, and artifacts before they challenge other players to a game that relies on skill just as much as luck and that encourages them to use critical thinking skills to overcome the pitfalls of random chance.

Friday, May 17. Westside Movie in the Park. School is almost out and to celebrate we are hosting a Movie in the Park at Lee Fields Park on May 17th! The movie will be after dark and will be a fun event for to kick off the summer. Glow items and concessions will be available for purchase while you watch Migration!

Friday, May 17. Going Topless for Pink. Power Wheels show for kids, duck hunt for kids, obstacle course for kids, food trucks, vendors, and more!

Featured event! Saturday, May 18. FREE vaccination clinic! No appointment needed. Free for everyone! Students who receive a vaccine will be entered to win a bike.

Saturday, May 18. Free Ninja Class at the Vigo County YMCA.

Saturday, May 18. First day of the outdoor summer market for the Terre Haute Farmers Market!

Saturday, May 18. Read to Rover at the Vigo County Public Library. All Ages: Share a book with a furry friend from Love on a Leash. These good-natured therapy dogs are eager to listen to your child practice reading aloud in a stress-free setting, complete with cuddles, belly rubs, and ear scratches!

Saturday, May 18. Summer in the Village at Fowler Park Pioneer Village. Join the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department at Fowler Park as we open our Pioneer Village for all to enjoy! Our cabin caretakers will open their cabins for you to explore and to demonstrate a variety of 19th century skills and crafts. New this year, each month will have a focus on a different craft or skill for you to learn. May’s focus will be on gardening for those interested in learning how to garden! All ages are welcome and admission is free!

Saturday, May 18. Blacksmithing Classes at Fowler Park Pioneer Village. Check out the blacksmithing classes at Fowler Park! Participants will learn how to operate a blacksmith forge, understand the parts of an anvil, and the uses of various hand tools in the blacksmith shop. They’ll also get to shape metal using learned techniques including forging a curve, a twist, a square, and more!

Saturday, May 18. Surviving the Color event. Be sure to dress in white and we’ll make sure you leave covered in color! Not a runner? That’s OK! We are all about having a fun time not setting records!
This run benefits the organization Team of Mercy whom offers assistance to those left behind after an attempted or completed suicide. Each year Surviving the Color will be dedicated in memory to those lost in our local community to suicide.

Saturday, May 18. Swing into Spring at the Parke County Fairgrounds. Vendor market with garden plants.

Saturday, May 18. Kickoff to Summer at Forest Park in BRAZIL, IN. Food, vendors, live music, and fun!

Saturday, May 18. Experience Virtual Reality at the Vigo County Public Library. Ages 12 & Up: Create intricate clockwork mechanisms, save a fantasy world, become a spy, or travel to distant planets with either the HTC Vive™ or the Meta Quest 2 VR headset.

Sunday, May 19. Cuddles and canvas at Old 40 Farm. Paint along with Katie and the goats as we create a farm themed painting in the barn at Old 40 Farm!

Sunday, May 19. Free showing of Hairspray at the Moon Lite Drive-in Theater.

Sunday, May 19. Springtime Tea and Luncheon at O’Shaughnessy Dining Room. This luncheon is perfect for the ladies in your life, or any lover of quaint etiquette and tradition who is looking to savor something out of the ordinary. Tea attire is warmly encouraged, but not required.