May is always a transitional month here in Boston. The weather fluctuates between temperate spring days and hot previews of the summer to come. The city population shifts dramatically, with the end of the university school year sending most students home for a few months. And with the Memorial Day weekend kicking off summer, city locals clear out on the weekends, heading for beaches, lakes, and hiking trails.

 

If you're visiting Boston this month, you'll find a lot of music, food, and family get-togethers on the calendar – plus three separate festivals just for beer.

Here are my picks for the top 12 things to do in Boston this May.

1. Art Week Boston

May 1 through 10, various locations, admission ranges from FREE to $50, varying by event

Again sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation, the spring edition of Art Week Boston showcases art, culture, performance, and education for all. Pick and choose from more than 125 events over the course of the 10-day festival. (Yes, it's actually more than a week!) Check the Art Week events website for the most up-to-date listings of what's on around town.

2. MayFair Harvard Square

May 3, Harvard Square, Noon to 6 p.m., FREE

Live music, international food vendors, sidewalk sales, arts and crafts, and family-friendly activities fill Harvard Square for the 32nd annual MayFair Festival. Should the weather not cooperate, the rain date for the festival is May 17. 

3. Boston POPS By Popular Demand Arthur Fiedler concerts

May 7, 26, 29, and June 5; 8 p.m.; Symphony Hall, $24-$94

Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops are hosting a series of interactive concerts through May and early June, where audience members can weigh in live on which Broadway, classical, film, and rock songs the orchestra should play. Bring your smartphone or tablet to ensure your vote gets cast.

4. Power of Play Festival and Parent Play Night

May 8, 5 to 9 p.m.; May 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Boston Children's Museum, $15 (Parent Play Night), FREE with museum admission (Power of Play Festival)

The Boston Children's Museum and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt celebrate play for all ages with hands-on activities both outside on the waterfront and at all museum exhibits. Friday night's Parent Play Night is strictly 21+, featuring food and a cash bar. Saturday features activities for all ages, with all outdoor activities available free of charge and indoor festivities included in museum admission.

5. Sam Adams Summer Sizzler

May 9, 6 to 9 p.m., Sam Adams Boston Brewery, $30

The Sam Adams Brewery kicks off summer with an old-fashioned cookout and the return of its seasonal summer brew. A $30 ticket gets you admission, a Sam Adams Summer Ale, four additional beer tastings, food from b.good and Food Should Taste Good, and a pair of commemorative sunglasses.

6. Duckling Day Parade Boston Common

May 10, Boston Public Garden, $35 per family in advance, $40 day-of

 In what may be the most adorable event of the year, Duckling Day honors Robert McCloskey's beloved children's book, Make Way for Ducklings, with duckling-costumed kids marching in a parade through the Boston Common and Public Garden. There's also face painting, live music, and a puppet show.

7. Harpoonfest

May 15, Harpoon Brewery, 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; May 16, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; $20 each day

Harpoon Brewery in the Seaport District again hosts this spring's Harpoonfest, which celebrates summer's forthcoming arrival with live music and craft brews. The entry fee of $20 (cash only at the door) gets you a souvenir cup and one drink ticket; subsequent beers and food are also available for an additional fee. As there is no parking available at the festival, take the T to South Station and hop on a festival shuttle to get there.

8. Boston International Children's Film Festival

May 16 through 24, Museum of Fine Arts, $9 MFA members, $11 non-members

Co-presented with the New York International Children's Film Festival, the Boston International Children's Film Festival showcases short and feature-length children's films, both animated and live action, from international filmmakers. Belgian, Finnish, and French films are on the schedule this year, which runs from mid- to late May.

9. Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill

May 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., $35 advance purchase, $45 day-of

The 86th annual Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill self-guided tour returns for its annual showcase of 12 private gardens, each owned and maintained by a member of the Beacon Hill Garden Club. Several "ribbon gardens" (a.k.a. non-member gardens) are also part of the tour.  Tours take place rain or shine; complimentary coffee, tea, lemonade, and refreshments are served between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Church of the Advent.

10. Boston Calling

May 22 through 24, City Hall Plaza, $50 to $350

The wildly popular festival is back this May, with major acts such as Beck, the Pixies, St. Vincent, and TV on the Radio scheduled to perform on two stages at City Hall Plaza. Tickets start at $50 per person for a one-day Friday pass and range up to $350 for a VIP all-access weekend pass. The concerts will be held rain or shine.

11. Taste of Boston

May 28, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., $10 (super presale tickets), $15 (presale), $20 (general admission)

Formerly the Taste of Faneuil Hall, this year's Taste of Boston, the third annual, features plenty of food vendors, craft beer, and live music. Participants include local institutions such as Durgin Park, Ned Devine's, and Regina's Pizza, among others.

12. American Craft Beer Festival

May 29, Seaport World Trade Center, 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., $50

May 30, Seaport World Trade Center, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., $50 per session

Head to the Seaport World Trade Center the last weekend of May to sample the brews from more than 140 brewers (and pace yourself – there will be more than 640 beers to try and three separate sessions scheduled). The festival, sponsored by Harpoon Brewery and BeerAdvocate, costs $50 per session, with the fee covering admission, all beer tastings, a tasting cup, and a festival guide.

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