Discover the Best Things to Do in Burlington This May
Looking for the best things to do in Burlington this May 2026? You are in the right place. This guide highlights the top Burlington and surrounding community events, making it easy to plan your weekends and family outings.
Explore Events Across Burlington and Surrounding Communities
Across Hamilton, Ancaster, Oakville, and Waterdown, May is filled with exciting local events. You will find spring festivals, live theatre, outdoor markets, and hands-on activities for all ages. Whether you want a fun day with the kids or a unique cultural experience, there is something happening every week.
Enjoy seasonal favourites like Mother’s Day brunch at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Explore hidden landmarks during Doors Open Hamilton. Discover local vendors, artists, and performers across the region.
Spring is one of the best times to experience Burlington events. The weather is warmer, the communities are active, and the event calendar is full.
If you are searching for things to do in Burlington in May 2026, this list will help you find the best events, plan ahead, and make the most of the season.
Beltane Witches Market
Date: May 1st & 2nd, 2026 – starts around 7:00 PM (opening night)
Location: Ancaster Fairgrounds, 630 Trinity Road South, Ancaster
Join mystical folks for workshops, an outdoor market and pell‑crafting and community bonding. The conference kicks off the Beltane celebration with 65+ vendors, potion bars and a “witches’ sanctuary,” so families can explore an enchanting world together.
Doors Open Hamilton
Date: May 2-3, 2026 – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Hamilton Craft Studios & Workers Arts and Heritage Centre
Explore buildings that are usually closed to the public. Families can step inside historic churches, factories and cultural sites to learn how the city was built and meet the people who keep these places alive. Pack a camera and curious spirit as you tour additional sites and enjoy family‑friendly activities at each stop.
Ancaster Crafters Stash Swap & Sale
Date: Sun May 3, 2026 – 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Location: Ancaster Fairgrounds, 630 Trinity Road South, Ancaster
A crafter’s dream! Get ready for the ultimate crafting event of the season! Join in for a one-day-only Craft Supply Sale where you’ll find everything you need to spark your creativity at unbeatable prices. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting your DIY journey there will be a wide selection of craft supplies!
Grease – Musical at Hamilton Theatre
Date: May 8 – 23rd 2026 – 2:00 PM matinee & 7pm Evening
Location: Hamilton Theatre Inc., 140 MacNab Street North, Hamilton
Bring the family to this high‑energy stage version of the classic 1950s love story. Sing along to “You’re the One That I Want” and “Summer Nights” as the Pink Ladies and T‑Birds light up the stage.
Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival
Date: May 9, 2026 – 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre – Family Lobby, 440 Locust Street, Burlington
Celebrate spring and Japanese culture! Watch Taiko drummers thunder, see martial artists perform kendo and karate, learn origami and calligraphy and savour tea ceremonies. Children can make crafts and join the dance floor.
Mother’s Day Brunch at Royal Botanical Gardens
Date: Sat May 9 and Sun May 10, 2026 – seatings at 9:30 AM and 1:00 PM
Location: RBG Centre, 680 Plains Road W., Burlington
Treat mom to a garden‑view brunch. Enjoy seasonal dishes, carving stations, decadent desserts and strolls in RBG’s blooming gardens. Children love the chocolate fountain and interactive food stations.
Shoppers Run for Women
Date: Sat May 23, 2026 – race starts at 9:45 AM
Location: Bronte Creek Provincial Park, Oakville
Walk or run a 5‑kilometre course through forested trails to support women’s mental health programs at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Registrants receive a race shirt, bracelets and post‑race snacks.
Waterdown Farmers’ Market Opening Day
Date: Sat May 23, 2026 – 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 551, 79 Hamilton Street North, Waterdown
Kick off market season with fresh produce, artisanal breads, preserves and blooms. Kids can enjoy live music and face painting while parents pick up spring greens and baked goods.
Touch-A-Truck
Date: Saturday May 23rd, 11am-2pm
Location: Nelson Park, Burlington
Get an up-close look at City vehicles, including a Burlington Transit bus, street sweeper, snowplow, fire truck, zamboni, and more.
Les Fleurs du Mal – Queen Elizabeth Park Exhibition (through May 24, 2026)
Date: Ongoing until May 24, 2026 – Tue–Sat 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Gairloch Gardens, 1306 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville & Centennial Square, 120 Navy Street, Oakville
Visit the companion exhibition at QEP’s indoor gallery. Installations and paintings explore mourning and gardens of remembrance, inviting kids and adults to reflect on how flowers carry our memories. This exhibition brings together works that explore flowers, gardens and the acts of mourning and remembrance. Grappling with the complexities of loss and the thresholds between life and death, the works in the exhibition consider memorialization, materiality and embodiment.
Eat Make Share: A Taste of Immigration
Date: Running through September 5 (Tue–Sat 10 AM – 4 PM)
Location: Joseph Brant Museum, Burlington.
Explore the culinary traditions that new Canadians brought with them. This immersive exhibit features recipes, artifacts and stories celebrating food and culture.
Myriad Ensemble – Spellbound
Date: Sat May 30, 2026 at 7:00pm
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Immerse yourself in a performance where choral music and light collide to explore the human experience. With the support of multimedia, lighting, string quartet and percussion, this program moves through themes of ritual, rest, and renewal, inviting us to share in a collective moment of reflection and rejuvenation.
