May In Beacon: What Not To Miss
The Outdoor Season Is Finally Here
The east end of Beacon’s Main Street last May.
April’s showers delivered and Beacon is blooming in more ways than one. From lively weekends to “just one more thing” weekday plans, there’s no shortage of reasons to get out and about in May.
And although we’re still a week away, consider this a nudge (or gentle push) to start making plans. Here’s what to bookmark for the month ahead.
Bannerman Island opens for the season
Bannerman Castle in the Hudson Highlands.
Where: Estuary Steward boat leaves from Beacon’s waterfront (Red Flynn Drive)
When: From Friday, May 1st
Bannerman Castle is an enigmatic ruin on an island in the middle of the Hudson that comes into view when passing between Beacon and Cold Spring on Route 9D or the Metro North train. A guided tour courtesy of the Bannerman Island Trust leaves from Beacon’s waterfront on weekends from May through October and sometimes beyond if the weather permits. The views of the Hudson Highlands are worth the trip alone, and that’s before you even get to this magical, otherworldly destination.
Careful planners can visit the island for a tour and catch an outdoor movie or theatrical performance while there. “Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade” kicks off the outdoor movie night events on Saturday, May 9th. Find out more here.
Pete Seeger’s Birthday Circle Of Song
Where: Beacon Sloop Club (2 Red Flynn Drive)
When: Saturday, May 2nd, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Join the Beacon Sloop Club’s annual tradition of celebrating the birthday of its founder—iconic folk music hero Pete Seeger. This is an open invitation to bring an instrument or show up ready to sing and join their circle of song in the tradition of Seeger himself.
Celebrate Cinco De Mayo In Beacon
Where: La Barbirria (389 Main Street)
When: Tuesday, May 5th, all day.
Join the popular Mexican restaurant La Barbirria for live music, drinks, and food to celebrate the anniversary of Mexico’s defeat of France in the 1862 Battle of Puebla.
Enjoy Mother’s Day In Beacon
Where: Across Beacon
When: Sunday, May 9th
Choose from the weekend’s event lineup, more than 90 eateries, and more than 90 shops to treat mom and get full credit for acing Mother’s Day.
Depression Glass Club Show And Sale
Where: Veterans Memorial Building (413 Main Street)
When: Sunday, May 9th
Lovers of vintage Depression and 20th century glass, pottery, china, and accessories will want to stop by the Hudson Valley Depression Glass Club’s spring sale and show to find something beautifully crafted and collectible. Plus, there’s free glass identification and appraisal (limited to three items) if you’re a collector and curious to know more about an item you have. There will also be books for sale. $5 entry on the door.
Dance And Music Nights Out
Get Your Dancing Shoes On For The Green Mambo
Where: Lucky Dog (333 Fishkill Avenue)
When: Saturday, May 2nd
This performance promises to be one of the most upbeat and fun nights of May. The Green Mambo are bringing their magic to Beacon’s newest live music venue with old-school Perez Prado-era Latin Mambos, Rockambos, and Boleros. Get tickets while you can here.
May’s Ecstatic Dance Beacon
Where: St Andrew & St Luke Church (15 South Avenue)
When: Saturday, May 9th, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Join Ecstatic Dance Beacon for a sober evening of movement, music, and connection with DJ aGa and Yuj Archetype. It’s a judgement-free way to connect with others through the universal language of movement. No phones or cameras, just you in the moment.
Glenn Jones Brings Primitive Guitar To Beacon
Where: The Yard (4 Hanna Lane)
When: Friday, May 22nd, 7:00 PM 10:00 PM
Glenn Jones, who led the post-rock ensemble Cul de Sac, is a master of American Primitive Guitar, a style invented in the late 1950s by John Fahey. Jones creates personal compositions that are lyrical, emotive and elegant. Tickets here.
Chamber Music At The Howland
Where: Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street)
When: Sunday, May 3rd, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
The Howland Chamber Music Circle presents Brandon Patrick George on the flute and Plínio Fernandes on guitar playing J.S. Bach, Tōru Takemitsu, Astor Piazzolla, and more. Brandon Patrick George is a GRAMMY®-winning flutist while Plínio Fernandes fuses the tradition of classical guitar with Brazilian folk music. Tickets.
May’s Storytelling And Theatrical Performances
The Artichoke Presents Maggie Crane’s “Side By Side”
Side By Side coming to the Howland Cultural Center on May 9th.
Where: Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street)
When: Saturday, May 9th, 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Maggie Crane’s “Side by Side” is part solo show, part stand-up special about her relationship with her older brother Aiden. Aiden was blind, in a wheelchair, and developmentally disabled. But this never stopped the wild jealousy, intense sibling rivalry, and unique bond between the two siblings. This darkly funny story is set during the early 2000s in Western Massachusetts is Crane’s autobiographical account of growing up amid disability, death, and Dunkin Donuts. Hosted by Jamie Mulligan. Tickets.
“Velvet Confessional: An Intimate Vaudeville”
Where: Savage Wonder Arts Center (139 Main Street)
When: Every Saturday in May, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
As always, you never quite know what to expect from our friends at Savage Wonder—apart from knowing it’s going to captivate.
“Velvet Confessional: An Intimate Vaudeville” consists of a music comedy circus with a series of 10-minute plays. Imagine an atmospheric midnight cabaret with five veteran authored comedies that emerge from the shadows and dissolve back into them, sharing the space, performers, and confession. In true Savage Wonder style, there will be late night bites and craft cocktails created by The Grape Rebellion included. Tickets.
“A One-Man Rock Show” | Hamell On Trial
Hamell comes to Lucky Dog, 333 Fishkill Avenue in May.
Where: Lucky Dog (333 Fishkill Avenue)
When: Friday, May 29th, doors at 7:30 PM, show at 8:00 PM
Rolling Stone magazine once called Hamell “bald, bold, and superbad,” while Henry Rollins describes him as a “one-man rock show.” Hamell’s caustic wit and devil-may-care attitude has long been a favorite of anti-establishment icons.
He has been described as "Bill Hicks, Hunter S. Thompson, and Joe Strummer all rolled into one" by Philadelphia Weekly and a "one man Tarantino flick: loud, vicious, luridly hilarious, gleefully and deeply offensive" by the Village Voice. His performances invoke thoughts of the great, rebellious satirists and social commentators of the past: Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor, and Bill Hicks.
If this piques your interest (as it does us!) then be sure to grab some tickets to catch him for one night only at Lucky Dog. Tickets.
Galas & Fundraisers
Beacon Historical Society’s Third Annual Movie Night | Nobody's Fool
Where: University Settlement Camp Theater (18 Camp Loop Road)
When: Tuesday, May 12th, 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Join the Beacon Historical Society for its Third Annual Movie Night Fundraiser on Tuesday, May 12th, featuring “Nobody’s Fool”—Robert Benton’s 1994 small town comedy drama starring Paul Newman, Bruce Willis, Jessica Tandy, and Melanie Griffith. If you didn’t know, much of “Nobody’s Fool” was shot in and around Beacon in winter 1993 and 1994. So, not only is this is a terrific film, it’s also a lot of fun spotting Beacon locations and how they looked more than 30 years ago.
There’s a cocktail reception at 6:30 PM and the movie starts at 7:30 PM. Email beaconhistorical@gmail.com for more information and to make reservations.
Howland Cultural Center 47th Anniversary Gala
Where: The Roundhouse Waterfall Room (2 East Main Street)
When: Thursday, May 14th, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
The Howland Cultural Center celebrates its 47th Anniversary Gala at the stunning Roundhouse Waterfall Room. The creative team behind Hudson Beacon Glass (162 Main Street) will be honored during the evening for their support of the arts and historic preservation.
It’ll be an evening of cocktails, buffet, and entertainment for a good cause. Join more than two hundred friends and leaders from the region’s arts, cultural, civic, and business sectors to celebrate and raise funds for Beacon’s “jewel,” the Howland Cultural Center. Tickets.
Savage Wonder's One Year Anniversary Benefit
Where: Savage Wonder Arts Center (139 Main Street)
When: Friday, May 15th, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
The Savage Wonder team has packed so much creativity into 12 short months that it’s hard to believe they are celebrating only their first year in Beacon, NY. Join them for a 1920s “bank-themed benefit” to celebrate the arts center’s one year anniversary at the iconic Mechanics Savings Bank building. There’ll be live music inspired by the 1920s, culinary moments, and plenty of surprises along the way. Tickets.
ARF 5K Run And Walk With The Dogs 2026
Where: Memorial Park (Robert Cahill Drive)
When: Sunday, May 17th, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Join ARF Beacon as it celebrates 40 years of its lifesaving work for cats and dogs and its 11th increasingly popular 5K Run And Walk With The Dogs in Memorial Park. Sign up to be a runner (or walker) or save the date and come to cheer everyone along at this fun, feelgood event.
Whether you’re a competitive solo runner, you’re in a team, or just want a scenic stroll with your pup, every registration supports the rescue and care of animals in need, and 100% of event proceeds go directly to ARF. Plus, we’d be remiss not to mention that The Beacon Beacon is a proud in-kind sponsor of this event. Register to run here.
Memorial Day Weekend: 160th Commemoration of Memorial Day
Where: Across Beacon
When: Monday, May 25th, all day
Beacon’s Veteran Groups will commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice with a service near the East Main Street Bridge, followed by the 160th Commemoration of Memorial Day at the Veterans Memorial Building (413 Main Street). There’s more news to come on this soon, so we’ll update this feature as it’s announced.
These are our highlights for the month, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. If you didn’t find something to tickle your fancy, or you’re just plain curious to find out more, head to our Events Guide and Events Hub on WhatsApp for the complete picture of things to do in Beacon, NY this May. The guide is updated daily so be sure to check back often.
And explore our directories for everywhere to shop, to eat and drink, and stay.
Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡
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