May signals the much-anticipated arrival of blooming landscapes along with a return to the outdoor event season. There’s so much more going on this May, so be sure to check out our Weekly Event Guides for more things to do all month long. And don’t miss our music coverage for all the details about signature spring festivals like Pittonkatonk and the Millvale Music Festival. Here are 10 of our favorite things to do in May. “Left Alone Rhapsody” film still courtesy of JFilm. 1. JFilm Festival at Carnegie Music Hall of Oakland, Oaks Theater and CMU: May 2-12 The region’s largest Jewish cultural event returns with independent cinema that will feed your soul, mind and heart. The 16 films are augmented by Q&As with filmmakers, a Mother’s Day event and discussions. Don’t miss opening night for the Pittsburgh premiere of “Left Alone Rhapsody: The Musical Memoir of Pianist John Bayless” at the newly restored Carnegie Music Hall. The film follows a Leonard Bernstein protégé who continued playing with his left hand after a debilitating stroke. The event includes a Q&A, dessert reception and performance by Bayless. “The Catskills” provides a nostalgic look at the golden era of Upstate NY’s Borscht Belt, while “999: The Forgotten Girls” is a riveting story about the first prisoners to arrive at Auschwitz — teenage girls. Schedule and tickets.  DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. Photo courtesy of P3R. 2. Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend: May 3-5 What takes 154,000 safety pins, 33,600 bananas, 4,000 volunteers, 1,500 traffic cones and 700 port-o-johns? If you guessed the marathon, you’re a winner. Kicking off on Liberty Avenue, the marathon welcomes 42,000 participants from 50 states and 24 countries — with participants ages 5 months to 87. With a full and half marathon, relay, 5K, kids marathon, toddler trot, pet walk and Health & Fitness Expo, there’s a way to get everyone moving. If running is your favorite spectator sport, form a motivational cheer group, enjoy entertainment along the course and join the Finish Line Festival in Point State Park. Register. Yinzer Backstage Pass goes behind the scenes. Photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. 3. Cinco de Mayo Celebrations with the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and more: May 3 & 5 Join a networking celebration honoring the businesses run by Mexican and Latin American entrepreneurs. Taking place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Whiteford Taylor & Preston law firm at 11 Stanwix St., Downtown, the festivities include music, appetizers, drinks and a margarita toast. We join the chamber in encouraging everyone to support Mexican and Latinx-owned businesses (some ideas: Las Palmas, Bea Taco Town, Panadería Jazmin, Edgars Best Tacos, Totopo and Patron). Tickets. Over in Brookline on May 5, Antonio’s Pizzeria hosts the Cinco de Mayo Vegan Mexican Fusion Brunch Party, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Mexican music. Then head to Kingfly Spirits on May 5 for the launch of the distillery’s new tequila created in partnership with a producer from Mexico’s Jalisco region. The Tequila Fiesta includes food truck fare from La Palapa and music by Hugo Cruz and Caminos. Phipps May Market. Photo by Paul g. Wiegman. 4. Summer Flower Show: Under the Sea and May Market at Phipps: May 4, 10 & 11 Flowers are not only blooming on terra firma, they’re also under the sea. Dive into summer at Phipps, where a magical underworld awaits. Opening May 4, the aquatic adventure highlights ocean life via whimsical displays. Encounter a colossal octopus, an animatronic shark and a whale swimming through bright blue blooms. Stroll among sea turtles and glowing jellyfish and topiary seahorses, and peer into a glowing treasure chest. Tickets. Return to Phipps May 10-11 to kick off the gardening season. A one-stop shop for green thumbers, the iconic May Market bursts with native and tropical plants, lawn decor, herbs, seedlings, landscaping supplies, botanical art and more. Horticulturists will be on hand to share advice. Tickets and hours. Photo courtesy of TacoMania. 5. TacoMania at SouthSide Works: May 5 Hold the pierogies, Pittsburgh is a bona fide taco town. Tacos, trumpets and wrestling will converge for this Cinco de Mayo celebration. Beers of the Burgh teams up with Enjoy Wrestling to present a winning combination of street food fair and spring block party from 2 to 8 p.m. For one delicious day, 12 top taco spots serve up their finest offerings in one central location. The mouth-watering lineup features Dos Reyes, La Palapa, Los Gallitos, Taqueria El Pastorcito, Tocayo Taqueria and Vaya Mexican Street Food. Quench that thirst with Don Julio margaritas and Burgh brews. In between bites, cheer on your favorite wrestlers. Adding flair to the outdoor festivities will be music from DJ Breis and the Eagleburger Band. Tickets. OpenStreetsPGH. Photo courtesy of BikePGH. 6. OpenStreetsPGH from Downtown to the South Side: May 11 There are so many ways to experience our city — on foot, by bike and even from the incline or a floating tiki bar. One thing’s certain: The best days to get unparalleled views are during OpenStreetsPGH events. Take a four-hour, car-free adventure from Downtown to the South Side when BikePGH kicks off the new season. The 2-mile route highlights two of Pittsburgh’s defining features – an iconic tunnel and bridge. Trek from Market Square through the historic Armstrong Tunnel, across the 10th Street Bridge to East Carson Street. Activity Hubs are great places to join fitness classes, participate in art activities and relax at a cooling station. Information. Poet Danielle Obisie-Orlu reads in the Poetry Tent at the 2023 event. Photo courtesy of the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books. 7. Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary: May 11 The third chapter of the Festival of Books will transform the seminary’s East Liberty campus into a literary hub. The free festival is packed with author talks, panel discussions, poetry readings, book signings, storytimes and workshops – plus food trucks and exhibitors offering “bookish” fare. The impressive roster of 70 writers is genre-spanning — from romance and mystery to nonfiction, fantasy and horror. Featured writers include Ross Gay, Eloisa James, Benjamin Herold and Sebastian Junger. A lot is new this year, including a genre-specific festival guide and programming focused on local stories by hometown authors. During hands-on activities, youth can make their own zines, digital comics and friendship bracelets and attend panels with YA authors. Register. Photo courtesy of The Neighborhood Flea. 8. The Neighborhood Flea at SouthSide Works: May 12 The Neighborhood Flea is not only celebrating its milestone 10th anniversary, it’s taking the treasures on the road to a brand-new HQ. Relocating from the Strip District to South 27th and Sidney streets from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the juried market showcases 100 vendors. The new site allows The Flea to expand its footprint, introduce music and offer workshops. Information. Photo courtesy of the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. 9. Park ’til Dark & Pour at the Park at South Park: May 18 Party from sunrise to sunset while supporting vital work to improve, conserve and restore Allegheny County’s nine parks. There’s so much to do with free registration, starting off with sunrise yoga and tai chi. Recreational activities include a beginner mountain bike clinic for adults and dek hockey lessons for kids. Don’t miss the tree planting activities, forest bathing walk and sessions with master gardeners. Ease into magic hour with the Pour at the Park benefit bash. Enjoy pairings highlighting local bites and libations, be treated to music by Bindley Hardware Company and bid on raffle baskets. Evening family activities will be led by Coach Dave’s Kids Camp. Tickets. Erik Greenawalt, aka “The Chalking Dad,” at the Riverwalk & Chalk Fest. Photo courtesy of Riverlife. 10. Chalk Fest on the North Shore: May 25 & 26 Chalk art is not just for neighborhood sidewalks. The art form is elevated to eye-popping heights when Pittsburgh’s most colorful festival transforms Isabella Street and Allegheny Landing into an open-air canvas. Chalk might not be permanent, but it will make a powerful statement when 25 artists from nine states make their mark. New this year is an up-and-coming category featuring 13-year-old artist Becket Lemieux participating alongside the pros. The free event includes food vendors, a Shorty’s Pins x Pints Chalk-tail Bar and entertainment. Attendees can also partake in the Pittsburgh Pirates Block Party and Family Fun Day festivities along Federal Street. Artists welcome onlookers as they start working on May 24. Schedule and information. Find more things to do in Pittsburgh, including outdoor recreation, music, shopping, festivals and family activities. The post 10 things to do in May, from the Chalk Fest to TacoMania appeared first on NEXTpittsburgh.