Saturday, May 9 | 4:00 PM | Magical Theatre Company, Barberton

Based on the #1 New York Times bestselling children's book, Dragons Love Tacos hits the stage in this funny production from Magical Theatre Company, and the fun doesn't stop when the curtain comes down. After the show, the whole family is invited to a FREE Street Fiesta complete with a piñata, salsa dancing, a chance to meet the dragons, and street tacos from El Tule available for purchase.

Written by Ernie Nolan and directed by Holly Barkdoll, this one is best for families with kids ages 4 and up. A solid excuse to get the little ones out on Saturday afternoon. Fair warning: you will leave craving tacos. Plan accordingly.

Saturday, May 9 | 7:30 PM | E.J. Thomas Hall

You know O Fortuna — that thundering, spine-tingling choral piece that makes every epic movie moment feel 40% more dramatic? This Saturday, the Akron Symphony Orchestra closes out its 72nd season by performing the full Carmina Burana live, with over 100 voices and a complete orchestra in the grand hall of E.J. Thomas. The evening also includes Ravel's Bolero and the world premiere of a new opening movement from composer Margaret Brouwer.

Tickets start at just $7, which is a pretty good deal for a full symphony night. If you've been meaning to get back to the symphony and keep putting it off, this is a fine one to finally make it happen. You'll leave buzzing.

Friday–Sunday, May 8–10 | Akron Civic Theatre

One of the country's more well-regarded youth performance competitions arrives at the Akron Civic Theatre this weekend, bringing hundreds of young dancers and performers from across the region to compete in front of judges. The Nexstar National Talent Competition has been running since 2002, and the talent on that stage is genuinely something to see.

You don't need a kid in the lineup to enjoy this. Walk in, find a seat, and watch young performers pour everything they've got into every routine — from ballet to contemporary to hip-hop. The energy in that building all weekend is going to be something.

Through May 17 | Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Greystone Hall

The year is WWII. The Oberon Play House's director and leading men have shipped off to war. Undeterred, the director's wife Maggie decides the show must go on — assembling an all-female cast to perform Shakespeare's Henriad with whatever talent, determination, and comic chaos she can pull together. What follows is one of OSF's warmest, funniest, and most genuinely moving productions: a love letter to art, community, and the kind of stubbornness that gets things done.

Ohio Shakespeare Festival has become one of the better professional theatre companies in the region, and this show is a good example of why. There's also a Sunday matinee on May 10 at 2:00 PM, making it a natural Mother's Day pick — equal parts funny and unexpectedly moving.

Elan Trotman: Pre-Mother's Day Smooth Jazz
Friday, May 8 | 8:00 PM | BLU Jazz+
Award-winning Barbados-born saxophonist Elan Trotman — a multi-time Jazz Artist of the Year — brings his blend of Caribbean rhythms and soulful horn textures.
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QS Jazz
Saturday, May 9 | 8:30 PM | Mustard Seed Highland Square
QS Jazz bring their “jazzed-up” style of jazz classics, rock, and blues.
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Mother's Day Brunch at Hoppin' Frog 🍺
Sunday, May 10 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Hoppin' Frog Brewery
Hoppin' Frog is doing a full Mother's Day Brunch with elevated brunch fare, craft beers, and handcrafted cocktails in the taproom.
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Mother's Day at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens 🌸
Sunday, May 10 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Moms get in free with a family member on Sunday, with timed entry windows running from 10am through 5pm.
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Mother's Day at the Akron Zoo 🦁
Sunday, May 10 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Akron Zoo
Moms and grandmothers get in free all day Sunday. Grab the kids, let Mom pick her favorite animals, and call it a morning well spent.
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