Calendar of Events
By Catharine Hadley, Arts and Entertainment Editor, catharinehadley@gmail.com
The theme of this column is "trying new things." I'm happy to be starting this new project of writing the entertainment column for Leisure Living Magazine! I've done all I could to make the entertainment listing complete and varied, so there should be something for everyone. Although I've done my best to make sure all the information is accurate, please go online or call ahead to confirm your plans.
Any suggestions and details of your upcoming events can be sent to me at catharinehadley@gmail.com.
After some truly weird weather over the past few months, it's time to enjoy nature!
Biggest Week in
American Birding
The Biggest Week in American Birding is May 8 through 17. Each year in May, migratory birds and the migratory birders who love them flock to the shores of the western basin of Lake Erie.
The birds rest and feed before continuing their northward journey across the lake. The birders take advantage of the good visibility and convenience of Magee Marsh and the surrounding areas. There are plenty of Wings Over Lake Erie events at Erie MetroParks, lectures on birding at Lakeside, and other activities including van trips, workshops, and presentations
Many of those are at Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center, where you can register in person. Visit the Black Swamp Bird Observatory website for online registration and details.
On a related note, the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge has Wildlife Drives every day through May 29.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Earlier this year, when the weather was much colder, I got a taste of the tropics when I visited the Cleveland Botanical Garden for the annual orchid show. I might schedule another trip very soon, because this is the time of year for newly emerged butterflies in the Costa Rica biome. It might be a perfect rainy-day activity!
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
Toledo's newest celebrity is Eugene, the baby giraffe with the awesome hair. Toledo Zoo & Aquarium "twilight evenings" begin the end of May. Admission is half price between 4 and 8 p.m. The zoo closes at 9 p.m.
Ohio Bike Week
Downtown Sandusky is the center of Ohio Bike Week May 29 through June 6. As always, the downtown block party is the focus of the fun each night. Expect to see thousands of riders over the nine-day event.
To submit an event, email it to catharinehadley@gmail.com by May 9.
May
Through May 17 - "The Outsiders," Connor Palace, Playhouse Square, Cleveland
Through May 30 - Ottawa County Celebrates America's 250 Years of Freedom traveling exhibit, Liberty Aviation Museum, Port Clinton
Through June 1 - "From Imagination to Creation: The Artwork of Cary Ferguson" exhibit presented by Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, The Arts Garage, Port Clinton
Through June 30 - Spring Into Summer Art Show presented by Main Street Vermilion
5 - Cinco de Mayo celebration, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
8 - Gloria Estefan tribute performance, Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
8 - Tequila and Tapas, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
8-9 - "Fiddler on the Roof" presented by the Bellevue Society for the Arts, Bellevue
8-9 - Night Market in the Garden, Toledo Botanical Garden
8-10 and 15-17 - "Clue" presented by Fremont Community Theatre, Fremont
9 - West Sister Island Sunset Birding Cruise, benefiting Friends of Ottawa County National Wildlife Refuge, Port Clinton
9 - Mother's Day tea, Culinary Vegetable Institute, Huron
9 - Nautical Market at the Museum, Maritime Museum of Sandusky
9 - Oak Harbor Fireworks Fund reverse raffle, Ottawa County Fairgrounds, Oak Harbor
9 - Cedar Point opening day
9 - Spring Bloom event, Quarry Hill Orchards, Berlin Heights
9 - EcoFest Toledo, Market Hall at Glass City Metropark, Toledo
9 - Vegas McGraw, Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
9 - Tribute to Led Zeppelin presented by the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, Toledo
9 - Orchid Show plant sale, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
9 - Toledo Opera Gala 250, Millbury Classic Cars & Trucks Museum, Millbury
9 - Maker's Mart Spring 2026, Handmade Toledo
9-10 - Flea Market, Sandusky County Fairgrounds Fremont
10-Aug. 23 - "France in the Time of Manet and Morisot" special exhibit, Cleveland Museum of Art
10-Oct. 18 - "Provenance: Journeys of Korean Art" exhibit, Cleveland Museum of Art
12 - Frederick Douglass living history presenter, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Fremont
12 - Blessing of the Fleet, Put-in-Bay
12 - Farmers' market, Elmore Historical Society, Elmore
14 - Jam City 2026 benefitting Food for Thought, One SeaGate, Toledo
15 - Opening of "Paul McCartney and Wings" exhibit Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland
15 - Entre Amigos, Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center, Toledo
16 - Island-Wide Garage Sale, Put-in-Bay
16 - Spring into Summer Craft Show, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, Fremont
16 - Wigging Out Spring Scavenger Hunt, Fremont
16 - Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass & Other Delights presented by the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, Toledo
16 - International Museum Day, Merry-Go-Round Museum, Sandusky
16-17 - Spring into Summer Craft Show, Fremont Speedway
17 - Thrift and Sip downtown Toledo flea market, Maumee Bay Brewing Company, Toledo
18-June 12 - "Dogs of War and Peace" exhibit of works by Ohio artist James Mellick, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
21 - Beer and wine tasting with Chris Redfern of Rocky Point Winery, Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, Elmore
21 - Third Thursday Music, Flowers, and a Sunset, downtown Vermilion
21-25 - Walleye Festival, Water Works Park, Port Clinton
22 - The Drowsy Lands, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
22 - Bruce Springsteen & E Street: Land of Hopes & Dreams American Tour, Rocket Arena, Cleveland
22 - The Lovin' Spoonful, The Hollies, and Gary Lewis & The Playboys perform, Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
22 - Alison Krauss performs at Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
23 - Bevy of Blooms Plant Sale, Lakeside Schoolhouse, Lakeside
23 - "A Celebration of Motown & Soul," Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
23 - Artasia and Bookie Nights: A Night Market Experience, The Ribbon at Glass City Metropark
23 - Dolly Parton tribute, Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
23-24 - Grand Tactical 1812 Re-Enactment, Fort Meigs State Memorial, Perrysburg
23-25 - Flower Day Weekend, Toledo Farmers' Market
26-31 - "The Wiz," Stranahan Theatre, Toledo
26-Aug. 21 - "Video Space: Lucy Raven" exhibit, Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College
28 through June 1 - Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, Lakeside
29 - "100 Years of Broadway," Valentine Theater, Toledo
29 - "Honky Tonk Angels" performed by Rachel Brown & The Beatnik Playboys, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
29 - Party in the Park season opener, Promenade Park, Toledo
29-30 - Put-in-Bay Dog Bowl DockDogs Showcase McCann's Field, Put-in-Bay
29-30 - "An American in Paris" presented by the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, Toledo
30 - Bob Dylan Birthday Bash, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
30 - Sandusky Witches Walk Improvised Musical Comedy Fundraiser, The Emporium at West Market Street, Sandusky
30-31 - Maple and Main Art & Music Festival, Olander Park, Sylvania
31-Nov. 15 - "The Plum Scenery Studio: Wu Hufan and His Circle in Modern Shanghai" exhibit, Cleveland Museum of Art
June
1-July 1 - 1776 Patriotic Home Decorating Contest, Village of Green Springs
2 - "Songs of Correspondence" performed by Kira McGirr with Anthena String Quartet, Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside
3 - Bike Week Dice Run, Kelleys Island
4 - Darius Rucker performs, Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
4-29 - "Storytelling, Art by Hope Burger" exhibit presented by the Greater Port Clinton Area Arts Council, The Arts Garage, Port Clinton
updated 05.04.26 CAE
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