10 Great Events For May

Summer on the Hudson: IAC NYC 15th Annual Irish Dance Festival in Riverside Park

May 1 [All Ages] Sample some of New York’s famous Irish traditions with this annual festival put on by the Irish Arts Center. Enjoy some high-stepping with traditional Irish music and cultural workshops that the whole family will love. Free to attend; 1-7pm. Pier 1, Riverside Park South at West 70th Street. Call 311 for information, nycgovparks.org (Photo by Darial R. Sneed; via IAC Facebook page.)

"Bianco" at Brooklyn Bridge Park

May 3-May 29 [All Ages] The circus is coming to Brooklyn Bridge Park! St. Ann’s Warehouse is joining forces with NoFit State for "Bianco," a one-of-a-kind circus experience. Instead of taking place in front of a static audience, the circus performs above, behind, and on all sides of you. Head to Brooklyn Bridge Plaza to explore “the magic of human balance and counter balance” in aerial performances and more! Tickets start at $35; Tuesdays-Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 6:30pm, Sundays at 2pm & 8:30pm. Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, 334 Furman Street, Brooklyn, brooklynbridgepark.org

Mother's Day Garden Party at NYBG

May 7-8 [All ages] Celebrate Mother’s Day in a beautiful natural setting at the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Mother’s Day Garden Party. Enjoy live music, games, picnicking, crafts, a delicious brunch or supper (tickets sold separately) and more. All-Garden Pass: Adults, $30; Students w/ ID, $27; Children (2-12), $15; Members & Children under 2, Free; Brunch & supper tickets $55-85. 10am-6pm. 2900 Southern Boulevard, the Bronx, 718-817-8700, nybg.org

"Where the Wild Things Are" at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts

May 5-8 [Recommended for ages 5-7] See one of the most beloved modern children’s stories brought to life as you sail along with Max to the land of the Wild Things! Adapted from the classic children’s book by Maurice Sendak," Where the Wild Things Are" comes to the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing arts as an intimate, interactive live performance. Visit Max’s bedroom and join him as he explores the land of the Wild Things. Your kids will be enthralled as Max’s bedroom is transformed in to a rolling ocean or a leafy forest, and you will have the chance to help the Wild Things bring Max safely home! Plus, the show is perfect for little attention spans at just one hour in length. $25, showtimes vary. Presentation House Theater at NYU Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia Place, 212-992-8484, nyuskirball.org

DUMBO Boulders Grand Opening

May 7 [All Ages] Celebrate the opening of North America’s largest outdoor bouldering facility at Brooklyn Bridge Park! Climbers of all ages are invited, from novices to professionals. There will be instructional workshops and tons of kids' programming, as well as a (friendly) bouldering challenge that anyone can take part in. Free to attend, 9am–10pm. Under the Manhattan Bridge in Brooklyn Bridge Park, 718-222-9939, brooklynbridgepark.org

Spring Fling at Lincoln Center

May 14 [All Ages] Celebrate the coming of spring at one ofNew York’s most famous arts centers with fun-filled day of music and activities. Attend performances from different musical orchestras based out of Lincoln Center, including the String Quartet from the Chamber Music Society and Jazzmeia Horn, and the Verve Pipe, who will perform as the day's finale.. Younger children will love making art with Lincoln Center Kids Chalk Drawing, and there will even be instrument tryouts with the New York Philharmonic. Get a big dose of classical music fun that even includes short films courtesy of the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Free to attend; 11am –2pm. Lincoln Center, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, 212-875-5456, lincolncenter.org

The New York Baby Show at Pier 92 NYC

May 14-15 [All ages] Come to the biggest baby show in the country, which New York Family is proud to produce! Everyone is invited, from expecting parents to whole families to grandparents looking for a gift to give. Test out strollers on our famous stroller test rack, see all sorts of companies that serve families and this year’s keynote speaker, Jamie Grayson aka the BabyGuy will speak about the best baby products and answer all of the most pressing questions you are facing today. Win some fun prizes, everything from a stroller and car seat combo from Rachel Zoe to a stay at the Boca Raton Resort and Club for the perfect babymoon! $30 for families, $20 for individuals; 10am – 4pm both days. Pier 92, 711 12th Avenue, 212-268-3086, newyorkbabyshow.com

Spring Family Day at Carnegie Hall

May 21 [Ages 3-10] Carnegie Hall will celebrate families during its upcoming Spring Family Day! During this fun-filled afternoon, kids can participate in songwriting workshops, create and play their own instruments, listen to musical stories, explore a digital musical playground, and more. There will also be performances by Sonia de los Santos, Elena Moon Park, and The Itty Biddies! Free to attend but you must RSVP (RSVPs open May 5).12-4pm. Resnick Education Wing at Carnegie Hall, 154 West 57th street, 212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org

10th Annual Dance Parade and Festival

May 21 [All Ages] Boogie down and celebrate the rich tradition of dance! This annual parade shakes, twists and slides through NYC streets as they go from more traditional forms of dance all the way to modern and contemporary. Starting at east 21st and Broadway, the parade will go down University Place to 8th street, where a turn east will bring them to the final destination, Tompkins Square Park. Join the myriad of dance groups, styles and companies that will be in the parade, or come watch and cheer from the sidelines. Careful though, Dance Police will ticket you if you’re not dancing along! This year’s Grand Marshalls include street dancers Kwikstep and Rokafella and Tony and Olivier award winner Garth Fagen. Register to participate or watch from the side, $35-100 for grandstand seats; 1 PM – 4 PM. Parade begins at 21st and Broadway and culminates in Tompkins Square Park, 267-350-9213, danceparade.org

"Crocs: Ancient Predators in a Modern World" at AMNH

Opens May 28 [All Ages] Come to the world-famous American Museum of Natural History for this special exhibit all about crocodilians (not just crocodiles!). The exhibit has live animals, including a Siamese crocodile and American alligator hatchlings. Learn all about these ferocious animals that look like dinosaurs, but live right alongside humans. Discover what makes their biology special and how they have evolved over millions of years. Tickets range from $22-$35 for adults, $12.50-$22 for kids, $17-$22 for seniors and students; open during regular Museum hours. American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, 212-769-5100, amnh.org (Image via amnh.org)