May 2025 North Shore Milwaukee Events

Pollinator Palooza is one of the North Shore family-friendly events in May

May is packed with a variety of family-friendly events that blend culture, nature, and community spirit across our North Shore. From lively celebrations to hands-on workshops and outdoor adventures, here’s a guide to help you plan your month—from early May through Memorial Day.

Shorewood

Estabrook Beer Garden Opening Weekend – Friday to Sunday, May 2–4 at 4600 Estabrook Drive
Celebrate the official kickoff of the 2025 Estabrook Beer Garden season with three full days of beer, music, food, and festivities in the park. The fun begins Friday, May 2 at 6 pm with an opening ceremony, keg tapping, and live music. On Sunday, May 4 starting at noon, join Third Space Brewing to tap a keg of their Happy Place Midwest Pale Ale—complete with free beer (while it lasts), live music from The Squeezettes, and stein-holding contests. Come for the changing lineup of craft beers, stay for the high spirits and community vibes that make Estabrook Beer Garden a true North Shore favorite.

Pollinator Palooza – Saturday, May 18, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM at Estabrook Park (picnic area #8). A free eco-themed event featuring hands-on activities about pollinators and native plants​. Families can celebrate bees, butterflies, and gardening with the Shorewood Conservation Committee and other local partners in a fun outdoor setting​.

Memorial Day Program – Sunday of Memorial Day weekend (afternoon) at Atwater Park, Shorewood. A community ceremony honoring veterans with patriotic music by the Shorewood High School band, a 21-gun salute, and keynote speakers​. Attendees typically bring lawn chairs or blankets to this free event overlooking Lake Michigan​. After the program, the local American Legion post often hosts a casual community cookout open to all.

Free Summerfest Ticket Promo at Metro Market - through May 13 at Metro Market, 4075 N Oakland Ave, Shorewood. Spend $50+ in one transaction with your Metro Market (Kroger) Rewards Card between April 23 and May 13, 2025, and receive 4 FREE Summerfest tickets valid on Throwback Thursday, June 26 (12 pm–6 pm)

Whitefish Bay

Green Day in the Bay – Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Klode Park (morning into afternoon). An eco-friendly festival packed with family activities. The day starts with the “Run the Bay” 5K run, followed by a Recycle Day drop-off at Dominican High School, and then an Eco-Fair in the park​.

Whitefish Bay Public Library Book Sale – Saturday, May 3 (9:30 am–3 pm) & Sunday, May 4 (12–3 pm) at 5420 N. Marlborough Drive
The Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library host their popular semi-annual book sale the first weekend in May, featuring a wide selection of gently-used books, DVDs, and CDs. On Friday, May 2 from 5–7 pm, Friends members get early access (join at the door for just $15). Saturday offers full browsing hours, and Sunday wraps up with the $7 bag sale—fill a provided bag with as many items as you can! Proceeds support library programs, technology, and community events. All purchases welcome by card, check, or cash. A treasure hunt for readers of all ages!

Memorial Day Ceremony – Monday, May 26, 2025, 11:00 AM at Armory Park (Henry Clay St. & Ardmore Ave.). A solemn Memorial Day observance honoring those who served. The ceremony is held at Whitefish Bay’s Veterans Monument and Memorial Garden and features local dignitaries and veterans groups​.

Families gather to hear patriotic speeches and music in the late morning, and the first rows are often filled with scouts, veterans, and neighbors paying respects. This free event is an important tradition in Whitefish Bay, offering a chance for even the youngest attendees to learn about the significance of Memorial Day​

Glendale

Music Bingo at Sprecher Brewery – Every Friday evening in May, 6:00–8:00 PM at Sprecher Brewery (Glendale). A weekly family-friendly bingo night with a musical twist​. Participants of all ages can play bingo for free while enjoying Sprecher’s craft sodas and food (the brewery is famous for its root beer). The atmosphere is casual and fun – a great indoor option if spring weather doesn’t cooperate. Prizes are often awarded to bingo winners, and kids are welcome with parents (the venue is a brewery restaurant). No registration required; just show up Friday nights to join the music-themed bingo competition​

Fox Point & River Hills

Doctors Park Invasive Plant Removal – Saturday, May 3 from 9 am to 12 pm at Doctors Park (1870 E. Fox Ln, Fox Point)

Join the Friends of Doctors Park for a hands-on morning of community service to help remove invasive plants and protect the park’s natural beauty. Volunteers of all ages and experience levels are welcome—no sign-up needed. Training, tools, and snacks will be provided. Come dressed in long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes, and bring gloves if you have them. Stay for an hour or the whole morning—every bit helps!

Lynden Sculpture Garden – Dog Days – Third Saturday of May, 10 AM–4 PM at Lynden Sculpture Garden, River Hills. On “Dog Day,” families are invited to bring along their canine companions for a day of exploring the sculpture garden’s grounds​. Lynden’s 40-acre art park is also open to those without dogs, and Dog Days provides a lively, friendly environment to enjoy the spring scenery.

Bayside

Art + Photo Sale – Saturday, May 3 from 9 am to 7 pm at 9065 N. Rexleigh Drive, Bayside. Enjoy 50% off all art and photography during this spring cleaning sale in Bayside. While you shop, grab fresh-baked cookies from Good Land Cookie Bakery between 10 am and noon. Make it a full day—just a block away, the Bayside Beer Garden will be open from 3:30 to 9 pm for a perfect end to your local adventure.

Nature Day with Mom – Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 11, 2025), 10–11:30 AM at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Bayside. A special guided nature hike designed for families to celebrate Mother’s Day​. A naturalist leads parents and kids on a walk in search of “nature treasures,” and each family gets a photo taken to decorate a keepsake frame with materials they find on the trail. Registration is required (covers up to 6 people); cost is about $35 per family for Audubon members and $50 for non-members. Portions of the program are indoors for crafts and outdoors on easy trails. It’s a memorable way for moms, dads, and kids to connect with nature and each other.

Word with a Bird – Raptor Meet & Greet – Sunday, May 25, 2025, 1:00–2:00 PM at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. An educational wildlife program where visitors of all ages can meet one of the center’s resident birds of prey up close​. Audubon staff will showcase a hawk, owl, or other raptor, highlighting the bird’s unique skills and adaptations. This drop-in program is free for members or included with general admission to the nature center​. It’s stroller-friendly and wheelchair accessible, taking place in the Visitor Center’s great hall. Kids often sit right up front, eyes wide as they learn about eagles and owls – a true hands-on (eyes-on!) experience that is as entertaining as it is educational.

Mequon & Thiensville

Kick off baseball season early at the Lakeshore Chinooks Community Block Party on Sunday, May 4, from 11 am–1 pm at Kohler Credit Union, 11357 N. Port Washington Rd, Mequon. Come for free lunch (while supplies last), meet mascot Gill, enjoy games and giveaways, and be among the first 100 guests to score a free 2025 ticket voucher plus a mystery bobblehead. It’s also the first opportunity for Gill’s Minnows Kids Club members to pick up their season packets.

Meet Gill of the Lakeshore Chinooks

Redbud Festival — Saturday, May 10 from noon to 5 pm at Mequon City Hall. This family-friendly event honors the Redbud Project with live music, local food vendors, plein air artists, kids’ crafts, garden demonstrations, and a redbud tree planting ceremony at 1 pm. Don’t miss the chance to create a Mother’s Day bouquet, explore local art, and enjoy the beauty of Mequon’s blooming Riverwalk.

Mequon-Thiensville Memorial Day Observance – Monday, May 26, 2025, 10:00 AM at Mequon City Hall (11333 N. Cedarburg Rd.). A free annual ceremony jointly hosted by the City of Mequon and Village of Thiensville to honor fallen heroes​. The observance includes a formal flag-raising, patriotic speeches by local officials, and music by the Homestead High School band playing Americana classics​. The event is held on the City Hall lawn; note that a portion of Mequon Road is typically closed during the ceremony for safety​. Attendees often bring flags or wear red, white, and blue. After the roughly 30-minute program, families are invited to a complimentary lunch at the Howard J. Schroeder American Legion Post in Thiensville.

Guided Birding Hike at Mequon Nature Preserve – Mid-May (check specific dates, often early morning around 7:00 AM) at Mequon Nature Preserve. A free family-friendly nature hike focusing on spring wildlife​. In May, the preserve often offers guided bird-watching walks led by naturalists, timed with the peak of migratory bird season. Bring your binoculars and join other nature enthusiasts to spot warblers, sandhill cranes, or even deer along the 2+ miles of easy trails. It’s an early start, but kids who are budding birders or explorers will enjoy the adventure of a morning in the woods. These hikes typically require free RSVP online and start at the preserve’s Education Center. They highlight Mequon’s commitment to outdoor education and are a great way to get the family out in nature to cap off the spring season.