May is here and while it’s been a little chilly, there’s plenty of events taking place. May is all about Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. Summer is just around the corner and it looks like things my start to look more normal by then. In the meantime, there are several family friendly events taking place this May that you might enjoy.

Events in the Twin Cities this May

St Peter Street Walking Tour
When: May 7th, 2021
Where: Celeste of St Paul Hotel + Bar
26 Exchange Street
Saint Paul, MN

A colorful walking tour led by the inimitable know-it-all, Sr. Celeste. Learn how St. Paul went from it’s reputation as a Dead Tough Town to being the historically vital Capitol City it is today. A tour filled with both the sacred and the profane, and featuring inside stories and lore, as told by one of the city’s earliest residents! Sr. Celeste explains “what was and is and shall be” as she wends her way from the beautiful Celeste of St. Paul: Hotel + Bar (her former convent home) and along the length of St. Peter Street. The tour ends at the Hotel Bar where you are invited to enjoy a cozy drink near the fireplace. Drink comes with the price of the tour!

Notable sites include views of the Capitol and Cathedral, Mickey’s Diner, Assumption Church, St. Louis the King Church the ‘Dirty Thirties’ gangster hangout, the Green Lantern, the Fitzgerald Theatre, and best of all Celeste St. Paul Hotel!

St Paul Farmer’s Market
When: May 8th, 2021
Where: Lowertown
290 E 5th Street
Saint Paul, MN

You’ll find a truly wonderful selection of locally grown produce, plants, humanely raised meats, eggs, dairy, baked goods, honey, jelly, jams, spices and other specialty products from independent makers. Our Farmers’ Markets bridge the gap between local growers and the neighboring communities by providing access to healthy foods, and helping to sustain the lifestyle of small, independent farmers, local food makers, and their families. The SPFM allows only fresh, locally grown produce to be sold, directly from the grower to the consumer, making it unique among many farmers’ markets. The baked goods, artisan foods, confections and other products offered are produced locally as well. We have taken measures to keep people and foods safe. The State of MN strongly encourages you to wear a mask while at the Market. We will have a limited supply available at no charge, but please plan ahead and remember to bring your mask. We need all people to remain mindful and maintain a 6ft social distance. Hand sanitizer stations are set up throughout the Market, face coverings and sterile gloves available upon request. We hope you all are well. If you are feeling ill, please have a friend do your shopping and stay at home. We are encouraging our vendors to do the same.

Jazz Fest Live – Virtual Music Performance
When: May 13, 2021
Where: Online

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Katia was raised in a musical family on a diet of funk, soul and R&B. She grew up with an arts-centered education and moved to the Twin Cities to attend Macalester College in 2006. Since graduating, she has dedicated her life to the arts, working in various capacities with Pangea World Theater, Teatro del Pueblo, TigerLion Arts, St. Paul Public Schools Community Education, Minnesota Jewish Theater, Jazz Central Studios and the Twin Cities Cabaret Artists Network.   Katia is the Executive Director of Minnesota Jazz Education.

Performing an inspired and enticing variety of musical styles with the Twin Cities’ top players, Katia has been described as having “the pipes to get over an R&B tune, but also has the instincts and subtlety to handle jazz standards”(Rhythm & Grooves).

Katia Cardenas – vocals

Beth Varela – drums

Graydon Peterson – bass

Ted Godbout – keys

MWS Plant Fest
When: May 15, 2021
Where: Minnesota Waldorf School
70 County Road B East
St Paul, MN

Please join us for our first MWS Plant Fest! We are excited to invite the community to our campus and enjoy a beautiful spring day while picking up and shopping for plants! We will be offering pre-order for curbside or contactless pick up as well as day of shopping! We will be outside in the sunshine for this event. Masks will be required and social distancing protocols will be practiced.

May Markets at the Arboretum
When: May 15 & 16
Where: Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Drive
Chaska, MN

Join us for the inaugural Arb May Markets! We are hosting local craft and art vendors on May 1, 2, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. You won’t be disappointed with the quality of products available at the market, ranging from artisan foods and handmade jewelry to nature-inspired art and spa-worthy bath and body products.