Vintage Torque Fest
Friday & Saturday, May 2-3
Friday, 12 PM- Midnight; Saturday, 9 AM-10 PM @ Dubuque County Fairgrounds
A weekend of hot rods, motorcycles, music and more. Celebrating a range of hot rod culture, Vintage Torque Fest also features a swap meet, a model car contest, hot laps and races, hot rod-themed art and vendors, and a contest for pinup girls. This is a fundraiser for kids with congenital heart defects. Visit VintageTorqueFest.com.
First Fridays
Friday, May 2
@ Various Locations in Dubuque
First Fridays is Downtown Dubuque’s monthly visual art series, hosted by galleries, museums, and venues, celebrating Dubuque’s great visual arts scene. Visit FirstFridayDubuque.org.
Dubuque Farmers Market
Saturdays, May 3 through October 25
7 AM-12 PM @ Iowa Street at 11th through 13th Streets
Rain or shine, the market stretches over three city blocks. October operating hours will be 8 AM-12 PM. Visit DubuqueFarmersMarket.org.
Early Explorers: P is for Paddlefish
Tuesday & Saturday, May 3 & 6
10-11 AM @ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Early Explorers is open to children ages 2-5 along with a parent or caregiver. Programs include a variety of hands-on and active activities, including a craft and a game. A parent and/or caregiver can attend the program for free with the toddler. Visit RiverMuseum.org.
Live Music & Events Featuring Various Artists
May 3-31 @ O So Good Winery, 2093 20th Ave., SE (Dyersville, IA)
Come for live music, food, and events throughout the month. Gather with friends and have a fun evening with a favorite glass of wine or try something new. Checkout the website for all upcoming events. Visit OSoGoodWinery.com.
Reza Edge of Illusion
Saturday, May 3
7:30 PM @ Five Flags Theater
Reza has taken the art of illusion to a new level, delivering a rock-concert-style magic show to audiences across the globe. The show has garnered a world-wide buzz with grand-scale illusions such as making motorcycles and helicopters materialize out of thin air. Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
DSO & Heartland Ballet Present Swan Lake
Saturday & Sunday, May 3-4
7:30 PM, Saturday; 2 PM, Sunday @ John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of one of the most beloved ballets of all time. Themes of love, betrayal, and redemption resonate with audiences across generations, making Swan Lake a perennial favorite in the ballet repertoire. Visit DubuqueSymphony.org.
Tea Party + Potting + Food
Sunday, May 4
11 AM-1 PM @ Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Tea tasting + planting in a decorative teapot. Tea available for purchase. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Mommy & Me: Pressed Flowers
Sunday, May 4
2-4 PM @ Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Workshop:Create. Bond. Have fun together. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Wild West Wednesdays
Wednesday, May 7, 14, 21 & 28
7-11 PM @ Dubuque County Fairgrounds
Come for country dance music and fun. All ages. Visit DBQFair.com.
Shinrin-Yoku: The Art of Forest Bathing
Thursday, May 8
6-7 PM @ Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Educational session. Discover Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese practice of forest bathing. This session includes breathing exercises, sensory awareness, and practical techniques to deepen your connection with nature. Registration required. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Bird Friendly Iowa
Thursday, May 8
7-8 PM @ EB Lyons Interpretive Center
Dan Cohen will give a presentation on the Bird Friendly Iowa (BFI) program. Cohen retired about a year ago from the Buchanan County Conservation Board after 38 years working in the field as a naturalist and the executive director. Through BFI, communities apply to be designated as Bird Friendly. Visit AudubonDubuque.org.
Turn to Stone: A Tribute to ELO
Friday, May 9
7 PM @ Five Flags Theater
Come for an unforgettable evening of Electric Light Orchestra’s biggest hits. Relive the magic of a legendary rock band as Turn to Stone captures the essence of a 1970’s ELO performance with a live string section, an electrifying light show, and authentic ’70s attire. Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
104 Years of Broadway
Friday, May 9
7:30 PM @ John and Alice Butler Hall, University of Dubuque
Direct from New York and featuring Dubuque native Rita Harvey, producer/pianist/composer Neil Berg returns with a sequel to his hit Broadway revue with a cast of stars from Broadways greatest musicals. Neil shares the songs and stories behind the music that changed the world. 104 Years of Broadway recreates the greatest moments from the finest shows of the past century. Visit Dbq.edu/NewsEvents.
Excursion: Birding
Saturday, May 10
7 AM @ Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
She Unites Pickleball Fundraiser
Saturday, May 10
9 AM-2 PM @ Veterans Memorial Park
Join She Unites for the 3rd Annual Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser. Battle it out on the court in this exclusive women’s-only tournament. Recreational and Competitive divisions. Visit SheUnitesIowa.com/Events.
Afternoon Tea: Hats Off to You!
Sunday, May 11
1-3 PM @ Mathias Ham Historic Site
Learn about various hat fashions throughout the years. If you have one, wear your best hat. Attendees will also decorate hats to take home. After the program, enjoy an assortment of finger sandwiches, treats, and a variety of teas or lemonade. The program is open to all ages and space is limited. Visit RiverMuseum.org.
Riverdance: The Next Generation
Tuesday, May 13
7 PM @ Five Flags Center
Featuring a talented new cast, innovative lighting designs, and updated staging, this reimagined version retains the timeless Irish music and high-energy step dancing that have mesmerized audiences worldwide. Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
Bees in the (Legacy) Trees
Thursday, May 15
6-7 PM @ Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Educational session. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Joe Hott & The Short Mountain Boys
Saturday, May 17
7 PM @ Ohnward Fine Arts Center (Maquoketa, IA)
Striding confidently onto the Nashville music scene, Joe Hott is poised to become a “must see” new face and voice for a broad scope of new listeners. Hott blends retro-bluegrass, traditional country, gospel music, and Appalachian Mountain music. Go back in time with songs from Ralph Stanley and Hank Williams Sr., along with new original songs written by Hott that have that same traditional feel. Visit OhnwardFineArtsCenter.com.
She Unites
Wednesday, May 21
6:30-7:30 PM @ The Innovation Lab, 210 Jones St.
Come together for an evening of socialization and education. She Unites features rotating speakers, talking about anything and everything pertaining to women in a chill environment. Make a new friend, have authentic conversations, and leave with powerful inspiration. Visit SheUnitesIowa.com/Events.
Honey Tasting + Bee-utiful Cookie Decorating Class
Thursday, May 22
6-8 PM @ Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
Come for this dual learning experience. full Sensory Honey-Tasting and
Cookie Decorating. Visit DubuqueArboretum.net.
Royal Bliss
Saturday, May 24
7 PM @ Five Flags Theater
Hailing from Salt Lake City, the band has spent over two decades carving out a place in the rock scene with their powerful blend of hard-hitting riffs. With influences ranging from classic rock to modern alternative, Royal Bliss has earned a reputation for delivering high-energy performances that leave crowds wanting more. Visit FiveFlagsCenter.com.
Native Plant Sale
Tuesday, May 27
5-7 PM @ National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Choose from a variety of native plant species grown on the River Museum campus in the Glab Family Greenhouse. Plus, local native plant growers will be there with even more options to help you create a thriving, eco-friendly garden. All proceeds support conservation efforts. Visit RiverMuseum.org.
Launch into Summer
Thursday, May 29
3:30–6 PM @ Dubuque Food Pantry
On the last day of school, the Dubuque Food Pantry invites parents and children to enjoy food and games together and remind families that the food pantry is there for them. Free activities include carnival games, water games, face painting, music, plus free hot dogs, chips, drink, and ice cream. Each month during 2024, more than 2,200 individuals were served at the Dubuque Food Pantry. Visit DbqFoodPantry.com.
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