Kick off summer with cultural celebrations, live music and tasty cuisines with these seven events happening in May. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change. 

Panda Fest: The Asian food festival at Buffalo Bayou Park features more than 100 Asian street food vendors as well as panda merchandise and cultural performances. 

• May 10, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 
• $14 (general admission), $25 (VIP)
• 105-B Sabine St., Houston

Memorial Day Run: The 10K and 5K run along the Buffalo Bayou honors the men and women who gave their lives serving in the U.S. military.

• May 25, 7 a.m. 
• $25-$55 (per person)
• St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston

Baddlands Fest: Enjoy live DJ sets, house music, artwork, a vendor market and performances at the Sawyer Yards festival celebrating Houston’s creative community.

• May 30, 2-9 p.m.
• $30.78 (general admission)
• 2000 Edwards St., Houston

A new Graze HTX location is set to open May 5 along White Oak Drive in the Houston Heights. The brand creates handcrafted cheese and charcuterie boards, grazing tables and provides event catering.

What's different: The 660-square-foot space will be the first to introduce an expanded retail experience featuring wine, curated gift baskets and elevated grab-and-go offerings, according to an April 30 news release. Retail items will include handmade ceramic trays, locally grown flowers, Texas pecans and handcrafted cutting boards.

The celebration: To celebrate the opening, Graze officials will host a grand opening event May 9, featuring raffles, a pop-up for Her & Reese Charm Bar, popsicles and samples. 

• 3417 White Oak Drive, Houston

From the Houston Heights to Rice Village, check out these 10 places in Houston’s Inner Loop offering Cinco de Mayo specials. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change. 

Escalantes: Raise a glass to Cinco de Mayo with a $6 cinco shot, $6 sangria, mint watermelon margarita and other themed beverages at the Mexican restaurant. 

• May 5, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 
• $6 cinco shot, $6 sangria
• 4053 Westheimer Road, Houston; 590 Beechnut St., Houston

Traveler’s Table: The restaurant is hosting a Cinco de Mayo-themed dinner special with dishes such as oysters Oaxacafeller, snapper zarandeado and strawberry choco flan. 

• May 5, 5-9:30 p.m. 
• Prices vary
• 520 Westheimer Road, Houston

Monkey’s Tail: The restaurant is hosting a family-friendly celebration of Cinco de Mayo with brunch, mimosas and piñata painting.

• May 3, doors open at noon
• $45 (per family of four)
• 5802 Fulton St., Houston

Forty-four ZIP codes in the Greater Houston area have childcare deserts, with 28 of those ZIP codes designated as chronic childcare deserts, according to April 9 data released by the research and advocacy nonprofit Children at Risk.

The 2026 analysis shows childcare facilities tend to open in areas where it is already attainable, whereas more rural and low-income regions are overlooked.

Zooming in: An area is considered a childcare desert when the number of children under six years old with working parents surpasses the number of childcare providers by three times in a certain ZIP code, according to Children at Risk’s website. A ZIP code becomes chronic once it is listed as a childcare desert for three sequential years.

The bottom line: During the 2026 Children at Risk’s child care desert April 13 press conference, Santrice Jones-Hare, director of the Greater Houston Strong Start Alliance at Children at Risk, said Houston’s overall childcare quality has improved; however, families' ability to access that care remains an obstacle.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from April 27-May 1.

1. Conroe ISD decentralizing its special education program

2. Azalea District under construction in New Caney

3. The Woodlands Township considering new fees

4. Turquoise Wine Bar to open in Cypress

5. Mediterranean eatery Brassica opening in Sugar Land