Visit Beloit in May for Summer Kickoff Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – APRIL 28, 2025

May marks the start of summer fun in Beloit and the Stateline Area!

BELOIT, Wis. – As May arrives, so does the start of the summer event season in the Greater Beloit Area. Mark your calendar for a lineup of annual favorites returning for the warmer months. With something for both families and adults, find events to enjoy throughout May and beyond.

“With events like the Downtown Beloit Outdoor Farmers’ Market, Sky Carp games, live music at local festivals, and historical tours at Beckman Mill, May is a month full of fun with a chance to get outdoors,” says Savannah Schindler, Public Relations Specialist with Visit Beloit. Along with these popular May events, don’t forget to visit our website for additional details on other exciting community happenings throughout the year.

The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church | See showtimes below | Elizabeth Reinholz Theatre

Join for an engaging and humorous play where the Charitable Sisterhood gathers in the basement of Second Trinity Victory Church to organize a relief effort for homeless Guatemalans. As they sort through community donations, they uncover unexpected mysteries while navigating the challenges of their mission. Remaining showtimes: May 1, 2, 3 at 7:30 p.m., and May 3 at 3 p.m. at the Elizabeth Reinholz Theatre. Purchase tickets online or at the door.

First Friday Opening Reception | May 2, 5-7 p.m. | Beloit Art Center

Support Beloit’s local and regional artists at the Beloit Art Center on the first Friday of each month. Meet the featured artists during introductions, which begin at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, with refreshments available. Each month, new artists are showcased, and their works are on display.

Downtown Beloit Farmers’ Market | Every Saturday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., May – October | Downtown Beloit (State Street & Grand Avenue)

The Downtown Beloit Farmers’ Market returns outdoors on May 3, kicking off its 50^th anniversary year! With more than 130 vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, and so much more, it’s the second-largest farmers’ market in Wisconsin, drawing more than 4,000 visitors each week. In addition to shopping, enjoy live music, food trucks, family-friendly activities, and explore the downtown businesses.

Rockton May Day Faerie Festival | May 3, 10 am. – 4 p.m. | Settlers Park

Celebrate the arrival of spring with a European tradition that has existed for more than 1,000 years. Dress up in your favorite fantasy, Renaissance, or mystical creature costume and enjoy a full day of festivities, including maypole dancing, a fairy scavenger hunt, crafts, music, fairy parades, a costume contest, storytelling, a labyrinth walk, a wishing tree, and vendors.

Opening Day of the Season | May 3, 12-4 p.m. | Beckman Mill Park

Beckman Mill, a 50-acre park with a restored 1868 grist mill, dam, mill pond, and more, opens for the season on May 3 with a celebratory event. Enjoy corn grinding demonstrations, blacksmith workshops, live polka music, tours, and more. Guided tours are available every weekend from 1-4 p.m., May through October, with additional demonstrations on the first Saturday of each month.

Beloit Sky Carp Minor League Baseball Games | May – September | ABC Supply Stadium

The Beloit Sky Carp, Beloit’s minor league baseball team, offers major league fun at minor league prices, with a full lineup of activities throughout the 2025 season. May’s theme nights include a Supper Clubbers Takeover during every Friday night homestand game, and a Post Game Drone Show on May 24. Visit Beloit is also hosting a ticket giveaway all season long – just snap a photo next to the Beloit letters on the concourse, tag @VisitBeloit, and use hashtag #VisitBeloit on social media for a chance to win a pair of tickets.

Cruise Night at the Museum | May 14, 5-8 p.m. | Historic Attractions

For family fun during the week, stop by Historic Attractions to see a showcase of antique and vintage cars, enjoy live music, and grab dinner from the food vendor. This free event also includes discounted admission to the museum and is the kickoff of a monthly series happening the second week of each month through September.

Rockton Pelican Fest | May 17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Downtown Rockton & Nygren Wetland Preserve

Fly over to the Rockton Pelican Fest, happening in Downtown Rockton. Celebrate the annual return of the American White Pelicans and other migrating birds to the Rock River. Enjoy a free shuttle to Nygren Wetland Preserve for a tour, along with family-friendly activities, shopping, food and beverages, and the culture of the historic Village of Rockton.

Documentary Screening: Born Innocent, The Red Kross Story | May 17, 7-11 p.m. | The Castle at 501 Prospect

Visit The Castle for a special documentary screening highlighting the impact of American rock band, Red Kross, across genres like punk, grunge, indie, and more – featuring appearances of iconic bands such as Pearl Jam, Sonic Youth, The Go-Go’s, and others. Hosted by Beloit native, Barb Orr, the event includes a Q&A session with the director and a post-screening party with music videos, drinks, and more at 5BAR in downtown Beloit. Purchase tickets for the event online.

Rockton River Market | Every Wednesday, 5-8 p.m., May – August | Settlers Park

Come for the shopping and stay for the music at the Rockton River Market. Each week features performances by regional bands from the Stateline Area, playing everything from rock and country to pop and more. The market includes a variety of food and craft vendors. Bring your lawn chair, blanket, and even your dog to downtown Rockton every Wednesday for this free concert series.

Fridays in the Park | Every Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., May – August | First National Bank & Trust Plaza

Start the weekend with Fridays in the Park, an annual summer lunchtime concert series held every Friday in downtown Beloit. Hosted by the Downtown Beloit Association for more than three decades, the event features live music from local bands and a $10 lunch special from rotating restaurants each week.

United Veterans Memorial Day Parade | May 26, 9-11:30 a.m. | South Beloit & Downtown Beloit

The Memorial Day Parade route will begin in South Beloit and travel north along Blackhawk Boulevard into Beloit on State Street, making a right turn onto East Grand Avenue. The parade will end just before Horace White Park. Bring the kids for family fun!th vendors, including florists, hair and makeup artists, DJs, photographers, bakeries, and more. Attendees can also tour the Beloit Club and enjoy special raffle items. While the event is free to attend, an RSVP is required online.

###

About Visit Beloit
Visit Beloit’s mission is to be Greater Beloit’s tourism champion, using our expertise to generate positive economic impact and to create a vibrant community for residents and visitors. For more information, please visit www.visitbeloit.com.

PLACES TO STAY

Win a Getaway to Beloit

Get More Travel Ideas