May is a great month for apartment communities to host outdoor events, recognize important holidays, and kick off summer fun. With warm weather arriving in most parts of the country, residents are more likely to participate in activities that get them outside, interacting with neighbors, and enjoying shared amenities.
These apartment resident event ideas for May 2025 are easy to plan, offer wide appeal, and support building a stronger sense of community. From honoring moms and veterans to hosting laid-back outdoor events, here are this month’s top picks:
1. Mother’s Day Brunch (May 11th, 2025)
Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 11th in 2025, making it an ideal weekend to plan a brunch for residents. Consider hosting it in a common room, leasing office, or outdoor courtyard area. Light bites like muffins, fruit trays, and pastries pair well with juice, coffee, and tea.
To make it more special, hand out small floral bouquets, scented candles, or chocolates to mothers as a token of appreciation. You could also set up a photo booth with fun signs so moms can take pictures with their families.
2. Cinco de Mayo Taco Night (May 5th, 2025)
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo by hosting a taco night for your residents. Partner with a local food truck or taco vendor to provide fresh tacos or set up a DIY taco bar in your community room. Offer toppings like lettuce, cheese, salsa, and guacamole to let residents build their own plates.
For beverages, consider non-alcoholic margaritas or agua frescas. If your community allows it, invite a mariachi band or create a fun playlist to set the mood.
3. Outdoor Movie Night: Summer Kickoff
With the days getting longer and evenings warming up, May is perfect for an outdoor movie night. Choose a family-friendly film or recent blockbuster, and set up a projector in a common outdoor space like a lawn or parking lot.
Provide popcorn, drinks, and lawn chairs or encourage residents to bring their own blankets. This event is an easy way to bring people together and kick off a summer calendar of outdoor fun.
4. Memorial Day Cookout (May 26th, 2025)
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and is a day to honor fallen service members. Hosting a cookout or BBQ on Memorial Day is a great way to give residents a fun way to celebrate and connect.
Grill hamburgers and hot dogs, offer chips and drinks, and decorate with red, white, and blue flags or tablecloths. You can also include a moment of silence or a memorial table to honor those who served.
5. Flower Pot Decorating for Kids
May is also a great month to get creative with spring crafts. Set up a flower pot decorating station where kids can paint and personalize small terracotta pots. Once the paint dries, let them plant flowers or herbs to take home.
This is a low-cost, family-friendly activity that can be hosted in a common room or outside on a nice afternoon. It’s also a good opportunity to highlight any gardening or landscaping features around the property.
6. Community Yard Sale Weekend
Help residents declutter this spring by organizing a community yard sale. Choose a weekend day in mid-to-late May and invite residents to set up tables in a designated area like the parking lot or community green space.
Promote the event on local Facebook groups or neighborhood apps to bring in outside buyers. You could also partner with a local thrift store to collect any unsold items residents don’t want to take back inside.
7. Pet Ice Cream Social for National Pet Month
May is National Pet Month, making it the perfect time to host a resident event focused on pets. One fun idea is a pet ice cream social. Offer frozen dog treats and small cups of pet-friendly ice cream while residents enjoy regular ice cream or popsicles.
Create a designated space where pets can mingle and owners can chat. Add a photo booth or costume contest for added fun. Be sure to have trash bags, waste bins, and water bowls available.
8. Bike Tune-Up Station for National Bike Month
May is also National Bike Month. If your apartment community has a high number of cyclists, offer a free or low-cost bike tune-up station. Partner with a local bike shop or mobile repair service to offer basic maintenance like tire checks, brake inspections, and chain lubrication.
You can also distribute a map of local bike trails or offer small giveaways like bike lights or helmets.
9. Farmer’s Market Pop-Up
Bring the farmer’s market to your community with a pop-up featuring local vendors. Invite small businesses or local farmers to set up tables with items like produce, flowers, baked goods, and handmade crafts.
This event gives residents a chance to shop locally without leaving the property and supports nearby entrepreneurs. Schedule it on a Saturday morning and provide reusable shopping bags for an added touch.
10. Mental Health Awareness Walk (May is Mental Health Awareness Month)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which makes it a good time to promote wellness-focused events. Host a community walk around the property or a nearby park. Keep it low-pressure and open to all ages and fitness levels.
You can also set up a hydration station with water bottles and fruit or distribute wellness resources like local counseling hotlines or stress relief tips. Consider partnering with a local nonprofit or health center to co-host the event.
11. Ice Cream Float Bar
As the weather heats up, an ice cream float bar is an easy and fun way to cool down your residents. Set up a table with vanilla ice cream and sodas like root beer, cola, or orange soda. Let residents build their own floats and enjoy them in the sunshine.
You can also offer lactose-free or dairy-free options to make the event inclusive for everyone. Pair it with some upbeat music or sidewalk chalk games for the kids.
12. Community Garden Planting Day
If your apartment complex has a community garden or shared green space, May is a good time to start planting. Invite residents to participate in a planting day where they can help install vegetables, herbs, or flowers.
Offer gloves, tools, and refreshments for volunteers. Label each section with signs or tags and post regular updates about what’s growing on your community bulletin board or social media.
13. May Birthday Celebration
Recognize residents with May birthdays by hosting a group celebration. Offer cupcakes or a cake in the common room along with drinks, decorations, and a birthday card for each participant.
This is a simple way to show appreciation for your residents and make them feel seen. Consider pairing this with another event like game night or bingo for a double feature.
14. Spring Cleaning Closet Swap
Encourage spring cleaning by hosting a closet swap. Ask residents to bring gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories to donate or exchange. Set up a room where people can browse through the items and take what they need.
Anything left over can be donated to a local shelter or charity. This event promotes sustainability and gives residents a low-cost way to refresh their wardrobes.
Final Thoughts
Planning apartment resident events in May gives property managers a great opportunity to engage with residents, celebrate important dates, and prepare for the busy summer months ahead. Whether you’re hosting a taco night, organizing a yard sale, or handing out flowers on Mother’s Day, small touches can go a long way toward building stronger community bonds.
Looking for more resident event ideas and property management insights? Visit Property Manager Insider for industry tips, news, and tools to help you grow your community.
