Get out and enjoy the month of May, day by day

Outdoors is the place to be in May. You can figure that it won’t be too cold or too hot and that the bugs haven’t yet reached their buggiest.

So this month’s day-by-day list of things to do in the Kansas City area emphasizes getting outside to enjoy the fresh air and a variety of activities.

The Celebration at the Station on May 24 is perhaps the town’s most popular outdoor activity of the month. Of course, it’s also free. And there are fireworks.

Also on the horizon is the first of two Sprint Cup Series races this year at Kansas Speedway. This one is called the SpongeBob SquarePants 400, a classic in the making if ever there was one. Other sports events to consider attending are Royals and T-Bones baseball, Sporting Kansas City and FC Kansas City soccer.

Worlds of Fun launches its seven-days-a-week operation, and the Starlight Theatre’s summer schedule gets into full swing with plays and concerts.

Of course, there are some indoor events worth attending. In fact, May is a major month for the AARP-age music crowd, with Billy Joel (May 1), The Who (May 5) and Bob Dylan (May 10) all visiting indoor venues.

Cinco de Mayo Fiesta (through May 3): Get an early start celebrating the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, with three days of food, fun and music. The event will kick off Friday evening with a concert by Emilio Navaira. 5-11 p.m., Guadalupe Center, 1015 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez. Prices vary; guadalupecenters.org, 816-421-1015

Brookside Art Annual (May 1-3): More than 70,000 art enthusiasts are expected to attend the three-day event. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., 63rd between Wornall and Main. Free; brooksidekc.org/bba/art-annual, 816-523-5553

Kansas City Chihuahua Parade: Actually, all breeds of dogs are welcome for what is billed as “World’s Largest Costumed Dog Parade”; also live music and other festivities. Benefits Great Plains SPCA. 1 p.m., Barney Allis Plaza, 12th and Central. Free for humans, $5 entry fee for dogs; kcdogparade.com

“Welcome to Night Vale”: Podcast of make-believe radio show comes alive with surprise guests; also musical guest Mary Epworth. 8 p.m., Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts, Lawrence. $24: libertyhall.net, 785-749-1972

The Who: Fun fact: The Who’s first area concert was Nov. 17, 1967, at Shawnee Mission South High School. This crowd should be a bit bigger. 7:30 p.m., Sprint Center, 1407 Grand. $39.50-$139.50; sprintcenter.com, 816-949-7000

Primus and the Chocolate Factory: These guys aren’t exactly The Who, but they do dress funny. 8 p.m., Uptown, 3600 Broadway. $35-$99.25; uptowntheater.com, 816-753-8665

Shen Yun (also May 5-6): Classically trained Chinese dancers adorned in colorful costumes and accompanied by full orchestra will wow you. 7:30 p.m., Music Hall, 13th and Central. $50-$130.70; shenyun.com/kc, 913-735-0513

Lewis Black: Comedian’s rants about politics and social shortcomings will make you laugh — and think. 8 p.m. Midland, 1228 Main. $39.50-$59.50; midlandkc.com, 816-283-9921

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Watch out Indy 500, here comes the SpongeBob SquarePants 400 to challenge you for auto-racing supremacy. 6:30 p.m., Kansas Speedway, I-435 and I-70, Kansas City, Kan. $29-$139; kansasspeedway.com, 913-328-3300

Mother’s Day for Mother Earth: Performances inside and outside will include the Youth Symphony of Kansas City and StoneLion Puppets; also folk-tale storytimes and artist demonstrations. 1-4 p.m., Nelson-Atkins Museum, 4525 Oak. Free; nelson-atkins.org, 816-751-1278

Worlds of Fun: This is the first full week the park will be open this season, so chances are you can check out the new stuff and beat the crowds with a Monday visit. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 8000 NE Parvin. $34.99-$54.99; worldsoffun.com, 816-454-4545

Kansas City Symphony: Free Happy Hour Concert will feature a program of chamber music, Mendelssohn’s octet. 6 p.m., Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway. Free; kcsymphony.org, 816-471-0400

Plein Air Fest (through May 16): Artists from across the country will compete for cash prizes as they capture the beauty of Penn Valley Park. All day, Penn Valley Park, Memorial Drive, Kessler and Wyandotte. Free; pennvalleypark.org

FC Kansas City vs. Western New York: This will be the National Women’s Soccer League 2014 champion’s second game at its new home field. 7 p.m., Swope Park Soccer Village, 6310 Lewis. $11-$25; 855-452-462, fckansascity.com

Kansas City Ballet (May 8-10 and 15-17): Dancers will perform “Dances Daring (Then and Now).” 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway. $25-$109; kcballet.org, 816-931-2232

“Men Are From Mars — Women Are From Venus Live!”: You’ve read the book, now you can see the play. Peter Story will star. 8 p.m., Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th. $50; follytheater.org, 816-474-4444

Kansas City Royals vs. N.Y. Yankees (also May 15-16): If you’ve been a Royals fan from the start, the Yankees are the team you most love to beat. This will be their only visit to Kansas City this season — unless they return for the playoffs. 1:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium, 1 Royal Way. $16-$102; kansascity.royals.mlb.com, 816-921-8000

Spoon: Underrated rock band from Austin, Texas, will perform. Sweet Spirit will open. 8 p.m., Midland, 1228 Main. $25-$30; midlandkc.com, 816-283-9921

New Kids On The Block: These guys no longer live up to their name, but what the heck. Also performing will be TLC and Nelly. 7 p.m., Sprint Center, 1407 Grand. $29.50-$92.50; sprintcenter.com, 816-949-7000

Sporting Kansas City vs. New England: Home team will try to put down the Revolution. 7 p.m., Sporting Park, 1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, Kan. $20-$275; sportingkc.com, 913-387-3400

“Church Basement Ladies” (through June 28): Whimsical look at women who work in church kitchens and the songs they sing. 8 p.m., 234 N. Chestnut, Olathe. $22-$25; chestnutfinearts.com, 913-764-2121

Kansas City T-Bones vs. Lincoln (May 22-24): The area’s “other” professional baseball team will open its regular season against the mighty Saltdogs. 7:05 p.m., CommunityAmerica Ballpark, 1800 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan. $6.50-$17; tbonesbaseball.com, 913-328-2255

“Million Dollar Quartet” (May 22-24): The music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins will come alive. 8 p.m., Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road. $15-$142; kcstarlight.com, 816- 363-7827

Celebration at the Station: Performance by the Kansas City Symphony and huge fireworks display will cap a day that also will include a petting zoo and other entertainment. 3:30 p.m. (Symphony performance at 8 p.m.), Union Station, 30 W. Pershing. Free; kcsymphony.org, 816-471-0400

“Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame” (runs May 23-Sept. 6): No need to take a trip to Canton, Ohio, when more than 200 artifacts will be on display here, with a special tribute to the hometown Chiefs. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Union Station, 30 W. Pershing. $9.95-$14.95; unionstation.org/football, 816-460-2020

“Storyland: A Trip Through Childhood Favorites” (May 23-Sept. 7): If your kids love picture books, they will want to visit this exhibit that transforms seven books into a real-life play and learning experience. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Crown Center Shops, Level 1, 2450 Grand. Free; crowncenter.com, 816-274-8444

Mick Foley: Think of him not as a former professional wrestler but as a great big funny guy who has written best-selling books. His one-man show is called “Hardcore Legend: An Evening with Mick Foley.” 7 p.m., Kansas City Improv, 260 NW 87th. $25; improvkc.com, 816-759-5233

“The Full Monty” (through June 14): Unemployed steelworkers from Buffalo become male strippers. 7:30 p.m., Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, 3614 Main. $25-$38; metkc.org, 816-569-3226

Alabama Shakes: Unique blues/rock group will be joined by Father John Misty. 8 p.m., Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road. $35-$65; kcstarlight.com, 816- 363-7827

Rockfest: The music will start at noon and will last all day and night on two stages, with Rob Zombie and Anthrax as the final two acts. Just pray that it doesn’t rain. Noon, Liberty Memorial, 26th and Main. $47.50; rockfestkc.com

Festa Italiana (May 29-31): Music is the main draw of the three-day event, but Sunday will also have an outdoor Mass and a presentation by chef Chris Canzoneri. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Zona Rosa, 8640 N. Dixson. Free; unicokc.org

This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Get out and enjoy the month of May, day by day."