Spring is in full swing here in Dutchess County, and it is simply beautiful. The flowers are blooming, the leaves are sprouting, and the weather is absolutely gorgeous — as are the views of the Hudson River and the surrounding highlands. There is so much to see and do here in the heart of the Hudson Valley. From outdoor excursions to world-famous cuisine and everything in between, Dutchess has it all.
Here is a list of the Top 10 Dutchess Events in May, a small sampling of the many fun and memorable experiences that await. You’re going to love it here! Come and explore — and keep that camera handy. Feel free to share your photos here and tag @DestinationDutchess on social media.
May 3–11 at multiple locations
Raise a glass and toast to New York State's burgeoning cider industry, which is bolstered by numerous producers right here in Dutchess County. Check out these Cider Week events here in Dutchess and taste the quality of our local products:
• Hardcore Grand Spring Cider Tasting (at Boutique Wines, Spirits & Ciders, Fishkill), Saturday, May 3, 12 p.m.
• Sip n' Stretch Yoga (at Treasury Cider, Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction), Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.
• Portrait & Pizza (at Treasury Cider, Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction), Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m.
Friday through Sunday, May 2–4, at multiple locations
The New Deal Creative Arts Center presents this second annual festival featuring three days of performances throughout the region, including many right here in Dutchess County. Last year's inaugural festival was a resounding success, and this year's event promises to be even bigger! Among the participating venues in Dutchess are the Staatsburg Library; the Hyde Park Library; the River Valley Arts Center, Norma's Cafe, Obercreek Farm and Edge Hill Estate in Wappingers Falls; and the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, the Oakwood Friends School and the Boardman Road Library in Poughkeepsie. Click here to see the schedule and reserve tickets. Individual tickets and weekend passes are available, so make a weekend out of it! Click here to check out hotels and bed-and-breakfasts as you plan your itinerary.
Related content: Spend Memorial Day Weekend in Dutchess
Saturday, May 3, 1–8 p.m. at the Family Partnership Center, Poughkeepsie
Organized and produced by the talented and determined youngsters of the Poughkeepsie Board of Artistic Youth, the PKX Festival aims to use public art initiatives to foster creative expression and civic engagement and build youth voices within community leadership. This year's festival begins at Mansion Square Park in Poughkeepsie with opening remarks, a public art unveiling and live performances beginning at 1 p.m. At 4:45 p.m., participants will march to the Family Partnership Center for the PKX Art Exhibition reception, to be followed at 6 p.m. by the PKX Film Festival and Awards Ceremony, which includes a special debut screening of a new Spark Studios film. Click here to learn more.
Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4, at the Brinckerhoff House Historic Site, Hopewell Junction
The East Fishkill Historical Society hosts this fourth-annual event featuring living history demonstrations all weekend long. Witness tactics and weapons demonstrations, including muskets and a cannon. Learn about camp cooking, listen to period music and see historic artifacts. It's the perfect opportunity to tour the Brinckerhoff House Historic Site's grounds, farmhouse, ice house, school house, barn and blacksmith shop.
Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at multiple locations
It might be dirty, noisy and chaotic, but this self-guided tour of working art studios will certainly not be dull! The ArtEast May Studios Tour features a group of working artists in eastern Dutchess who will open their studio doors for two days and allow you to visit while they work. You'll have the opportunity to meet the artists, ask questions and learn about their techniques and inspirations. Click here for a list of artists, their art, and their locations and contact information.
Sunday, May 4 at the Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie
Enjoy the exhilaration of running a race while admiring the awe-inspiring views of the Hudson River and the surrounding countryside at this Boston Marathon qualifier. This event features races of various lengths for all ages and abilities. The marathon and half-marathon courses are both USATF-certified. There is also a 10k race, a 5k race and a 1-mile race. All the races start and finish on the Highland side of the Walkway Over the Hudson and include trips back and forth across “The World’s Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge,” which stretches 1.28 miles across and rises 212 feet above the mighty Hudson. Click here to register and see a course map, and check out the Hudson Valley Marathon Facebook group here.
Wednesday, May 7, 5 p.m. in the Village of Rhinebeck
Taste all the best of what Rhinebeck has to offer at this culinary extravaganza! Sample delicious flavors from the village’s assortment of roughly two dozen fine restaurants, specialty food vendors and spirit shops. There is sure to be something to satisfy every appetite, and you will not go home hungry. For your shopping enjoyment, you're welcome to browse select shops and retailers. Click here to purchase tickets.
Friday, May 9, 7 p.m., at the McCann Center, Marist College, Poughkeepsie
Marist College’s talented senior Fashion Design students take center stage with their amazing garments and creations at this annual event. The title and theme of this year’s 39th annual show is "P3RS9ECTIVE," and it aims to show how "There is no single way to view the world, only the perspective you choose to embrace." To purchase tickets, click here.
Thursday, May 15, 7 p.m. at the Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon
The famous Towne Crier Cafe presents a special concert featuring world-renowned banjo players Michael J. Miles and Tony Trischka, who had decades-long relationships with Pete Seeger. They will share their music and their stories of personal encounters with the late Seeger, the iconic folk singer and environmental activist whose efforts to clean up the Hudson River more than 50 years ago are still making a difference. Enjoy amazing banjo music along with stories about Seeger, including some of his testimony before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee. The concert will benefit the organization Pete and Toshi Seeger founded in 1966 to protect the Hudson from pollution. Their ship, the Hudson River Sloop "Clearwater," was launched in 1969 and still serves as "America's Environmental Flagship" to this day. Click here to purchase tickets online and save.
Related: Memorial Day festivities in Hyde Park will once again feature a World War II bivouac on the Great Lawn in front of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Learn more here.
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Saturday, May 17, 6 p.m., at the Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie
Kick off Pride Season in the Hudson Valley with this second-annual Pride Night on the Walkway Over the Hudson! Last year's inaugural Pride in the Sky Festival welcomed thousands of participants and hundreds of volunteers to the Walkway. This year's festival is sure to be another blockbuster event, featuring two of the world's largest Pride flags, the Proud Pet Paw-Rade, and sails from Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie aboard the Hudson River Sloop "Clearwater" (a.k.a. "Queerwater"). Shuttle buses will be available on both sides of the Hudson River from 4–10 p.m. to the Walkway from additional parking lots in Poughkeepsie and Highland, as well as the Poughkeepsie Metro-North train station. A handicap accessible bus will also be available from Poughkeepsie. Click here for updates.
Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1, 10 a.m., at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck
Shop 'til you drop at this popular annual show, with more than 150 vendors and makers offering original fashions, accessories, jewelry, home decor, furniture, and all sorts of artwork. Plus, enjoy gourmet specialties, tastings from local distilleries, craft demonstrations and family-friendly activities!
