The first weekend in May is PACKED with great local events in the Salem area!
Gallery Opening: Pacific Islanders: Navigators of the Sea
Salem Multicultural Institute and World Beat welcomes guests to the World Beat Gallery for the opening of its newest exhibit, Pacific Islanders: Navigators of the Sea. The exhibit explores the Pacific Islands through art, dance, music, and stories of settlement shared by people connected to this region. The exhibit will be open through July 31.
Date: May 1, 2026
Time: Gallery opening 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Regular hours 10 AM – 5 PM Tuesday – Friday
Location: Salem Multicultural Institute and World Beat // 390 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE
Spring 2026 Kids Consignment Sale
The Spring 2026 Kids Consignment Sale brings together gently used clothing, toys, home goods, sports items, swim gear, and outdoor play finds from more than 150 families. Browse deals through May 2, with many items offered at 60% to 90% off retail.
Date: Through May 2, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location: Kids Consignment Sale // 4500 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR 97302
Cost: FREE
Salem Free Comic Book Day!
Free Comic Book Day at Radar Toys will feature free comics, comic artists, the Nintendo car, raffles, free tattoos, cosplayers, and more! This celebration is open to comic fans of all ages, from longtime collectors to families looking for a fun Saturday stop.
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Radar Toys // 1440 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE
No Girl Left Behind – Female Empowerment Event
No Girl Left Behind brings girls and women ages 9 and up together at the Kroc Center Salem for hands-on workshops and seminars led by female leaders from around the world. Attendees will be grouped by age for sessions designed to encourage confidence, growth, and meaningful connection.
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Kroc Center Salem // 1865 Bill Frey Dr NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: $25 (view registration information)
Sheep to Shawl – 41st Annual WHC Event
Willamette Heritage Center’s 41st Annual Sheep to Shawl event celebrates wool, history, and hands-on fun. Guests can enjoy live animals, shearing demonstrations, living history activities, kids’ activities, live performances, lawn games, vendors, museum exhibits, and more.
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Willamette Heritage Center // 1313 Mill St SE, Ste 200, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE
Walk ALS – State Capitol
Walk ALS at the State Capitol gives the community a meaningful way to support people living with ALS and their loved ones across the Northwest. Funds raised help provide education, support groups, access to care, advocacy, and critical research for treatments and a cure.
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Oregon State Capitol // 900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE; fundraising and donations encouraged (view registration information)
LifeSource – Spring Food Fair 2026
Spring Food Fair and Plant Sale returns to LifeSource Natural Foods with a full day of seasonal fun and savings. From 11 AM to 3 PM, guests can enjoy a free veggie barbecue, live music, samples, prizes, vendors, the Wheel of Fun, and a plant sale featuring vegetable starts, tomatoes, and more.
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: LifeSource Natural Foods // 2649 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR 97302
Cost: FREE to attend; items for purchase
Mother’s Day at Salem Center!
Salem Center is getting ready for Mother’s Day with a family-friendly afternoon of shopping, crafts, photo opportunities, and thoughtful activities for mom. Pick up a passport, complete stops throughout the center, and turn it in for a free gift for mom (while supplies last).
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Salem Center // 401 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE to attend; items for purchase
Underground Market
Underground Market returns to Blast Off Vintage with an afternoon spotlighting local makers, artists, and skilled service providers. Browse handmade goods, meet Salem creatives, and support small local vendors.
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Blast Off Vintage // 860 High St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE to attend; items for purchase
STAR WARS PARTY, EPISODE II: THE FUNK STRIKES BACK
DTW Productions is bringing a full band to The BAD Space for a 21+ Star Wars-themed night, featuring live Star Wars and Cantina music. The evening will also include vintage games, a screening of the original “despecialized” theatrical release of Star Wars, themed cocktails, a costume contest, and Star Wars trivia.
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: The BAD Space // 2572 19th St SE, Salem, OR 97302
Cost: $16.50 (view ticket information)
Michael W. Smith Live in Concert – Beyond the Far Horizon Tour
Michael W. Smith brings his Beyond the Far Horizon Tour to the Elsinore Theatre in downtown Salem for a live concert. Fans can look forward to an evening of music from the award-winning Christian artist in one of Salem’s historic performance venues.
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Elsinore Theatre // 170 High St SE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: $31.48 – $85.15 (view ticket information)
LIVE MUSIC! Mbrascatu
Mbrascatu takes the stage at The Governor’s Cup Coffee Roasters for a FREE live music night. Led by Andrea Algieri, the band blends Southern Italian roots with rock, funk, jazz, folk, and global influences for a sound built around thoughtful lyrics, warm vocals, and danceable grooves. (21+)
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: The Governor’s Cup Coffee Roasters // 471 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Cost: FREE
Deepwood Spring Pop-Up Boutique!
Deepwood Museum & Gardens will host its Spring Pop-Up Boutique in the Solarium off the Victorian home’s front porch. Shoppers can browse teacups, jams, hankies, vintage pieces, earrings, and more, with a portion of proceeds supporting Deepwood’s preservation and programs.
Date: May 3 – 4, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Deepwood Museum & Gardens // 1116 Mission St SE, Salem, OR 97302
Cost: FREE
We hope you shop local, catch some live music, or enjoy a family outing in Salem this weekend!
