Get ready to celebrate the extraordinary women who shape our lives, because Mother’s Day is just around the corner! A day dedicated to honoring the incredible influence of moms and mother-like figures, from the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome to the bustling streets of modern-day Tallahassee.
Festivals dating back to ancient times were held to honor mother goddesses, which helped pave the way for the well-known celebration of Mother’s Day we know today. Fast forward to 1914 in the U.S. when Mother’s Day was officially recognized as a holiday through the pioneering work of Anna Jarvis, who was inspired by her own mother’s unwavering love and sacrifices. Now the day is a testament to the universal appreciation for mothers everywhere.
But why stick to tradition when you can spice things up with a dash of adventure? This year, consider treating the leading lady in your life to an unforgettable 2024 Mother’s Day experience right in the heart of Florida’s capital, Tallahassee.
Whether she’s a connoisseur of cuisine, a crafty DIY enthusiast, or a green-thumbed gardener, Tally offers a treasure trove of unique and exciting activities to make her day truly special. From scenic parks to mouth-watering brunch spots and farmers markets, there’s no shortage of activities to make this Mother’s Day unforgettable. We’ve even gone so far to provide you with events throughout the whole weekend! So, buckle in as we explore all the amazing ways you can celebrate Mother’s Day in Tallahassee by breaking down events and the best brunch spots to ensure your mother or mother-figure has an unforgettable Mother’s Day!
Tallahassee Events for Mother’s Day Weekend
This May, Tallahassee has a ton of Spring events going on! Whether you’re scheduled to celebrate your mom on the 12th or another day, Tally has you covered with all these great mom-approved events from May 10th – 12th:
Southern Shakespeare Festival – If your mom is a fan of the arts, surprise her with a weekend full of FREE performances in the park! Southern Shakespeare Company has hosted an annual downtown festival highlighting the works of Shakespeare since 2015! Held in Cascades Park each Mother’s Day weekend, the main stage will have a performance Thursday-Sunday at 7:30pm. Each day you can witness Shakespeare’s comedy The Winter’s Tale. Make sure you don’t miss junior acting troupe “The Bardlings” who are presenting an abridged version of The Tempest. The four-day festival will also host food trucks, merchandise, and provide educational booths on theatre practices.
Address: Adderley Amphitheater, 1001 S Gadsden St, Tallahassee FL 32301
Hours: May 9th – 12th 5:30pm – 9:30pm
Blues Concert at Legacy at the Riverfront – Even though Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, why not start the fun early? If your mom or mother figure is a music lover, take her to a Friday evening filled with “the emotion of blues and the power of rock!” Tallahassee’s bar and music venue, Legacy at the Riverfront, hosts a ton of great live music events nestled into the greenery along the river. This event is no different—with singer/songwriter Alex Lopez performing captivating blues music with his 3-piece band! Doors are at 6pm with the show set to start at 7pm. Tickets are available online between $10-15.
Address: 9330 West Tennessee Street Tallahassee, FL 32304
Hours: May 10th 7:00pm – 10pm
Tallahassee Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty – Does your mom appreciate the beauty and elegance of ballet? Each year, the Tallahassee Ballet hosts a spring performance to merge classics and original works into a breathtaking live show. In previous years, the Ballet has hosted their own spin on Cinderella, Peter Pan, Snow White, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This year the story of Sleepy Beauty is being brought to life by Ivan Vsevolozhsky, with music by Ilyich Tchaikovsky. You’ll recognize familiar characters like Princess Aurora and the handsome prince, along with other fairytale creatures who make their appearances during the show. Hosted at the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, there will be three different showtimes across Mother’s Day weekend that you won’t want to miss! Tickets are available online, ranging between $55-$75.
Address: College of Music @ FSU, 222 S Copeland St, Tallahassee FL 32304
Hours: May 11th at 10:30am (abbreviated children’s version) & 7:30pm, May 12th at 2:30pm
Boxes and Blooms Mother’s Day Workshop – Really want to “wow” mom this Mother’s Day? Why not treat her to a hands-on workshop where you both can create a centerpiece box as stunning as she is! AR’s workshop is hosting a special Mother’s Day workshop where you can create, design, and personalize your own 16” box of flowers. This is a 3-hour DIY experience to get you and your mom into the Spring spirit. The workshop will provide all the tools, paint, and flowers. All you’ve gotta to do is show up with mom ready to create a springtime masterpiece! Tickets are available online for $ Can’t make this event? No worries, AR Workshop is hosting two more exciting events the same day: A 2-hour Candle Pouring & Scent Mixology and an Advanced Wood Workshop.
Tallahassee Farmers Market – Celebrate Mother’s Day a day early with a picturesque stroll through Tally’s weekly Saturday Farmers’ Market! The year-round event sells goodies like fresh produce, baked breads, spring flowers, and so much more. They often have live music so there’s entertainment for everyone! The market is completely FREE to attend, so you can save more on getting your mom the perfect Mother’s Day gift!
Address: 2904 Kerry Forest Pkwy, Tallahassee
Hours: May 11th 8am – 12pm
PYRAMIDPALOOZA 2024 – Looking for a way to celebrate mom while promoting a noble cause? Check out the 3rd annual Pyramid Palooza Festival at the American Legion Hall on Lake Ella. Pyramid is an organization to promote the arts, community activities, education, and behavioral assistance for adults with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. Now with more than 700 students, Pyramid has hosted performance across Florida and recently began an annual music event in the heart of Tally! This year’s event will offer an art show with hand-crafted jewelry and art prints. Then from 5:30pm-8:00pm, get your dance on with mom while grooving to the sounds of the Lil’ Grizzly Boogie Band and The Electric People. Tickets are available for $10 per person, which can be purchased in person or by contacting Pyramid Studios at (850) 513-1733 or smiles@pyramidinc.org.
Address: 229 Lake Ella Drive, Tallahassee FL 32303
Hours: May 11th 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Open House and Plant Sale – Flowers are always a promising idea for Mother’s Day. If you can’t decide which flowers best suit the #1 woman in your life, take her to the Leon County Extension Open House and Plant Sale! This event is perfect for the moms out there with a green thumb. This year, the UF/IFAS Extension agents have over 3,000 plants for sale! Choose between roselle, native milkweeds, fruits and vegetable plants, or landscape plants. Whether your mom is a planting expert or just getting started with a green hobby, the event will have “Master Garden Volunteers” to answer any gardening questions you may have. You can also find out about local programs and events offered like the Capital City Garden Club, Tallahassee Garden Club, the Rose Society and Bonsai Society. There will even be a silent auction and bouquet sale—making this the largest fundraising event of the year. The best part? It’s FREE to attend! Reserve your spots online here.
Address: 615 Paul Russell Road Tallahassee, FL 32301
Hours: May 11th, 9:00am-12:00pm
Mother’s Day Tea Party – For the moms of young children looking for a family-friendly event, check out the Mother’s Day Tea Party being held at Gentle Hands. Tally’s beloved hangout for little ones to play, attend classes, and host birthday parties is giving back to the moms by hosting a tea party celebration. The event will include play time, a tea party with food and drinks, and a keepsake project where you and your kids can pant a ceramic teacup with a planted flower inside! Each ticket includes entrance for the parent and one child, with free entry for children under 12 months. Tickets are available for purchase online from $30.
Address: 6615 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee FL 32308
Hours: May 12th, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Mother’s Day Paint & Sip – The Fuzzy Pineapple is one of Tally’s favorite small businesses, known for hosting crafty events throughout the year. This Mother’s Day is no different. If you’d prefer to celebrate your mom with some paint and wine, bring her to the Paint & Sip class being held on Mother’s Day! They’ll provide all the supplies to create your masterpiece, and you’re allowed to BYOB (butno food permitted!). With each of their Sip & Paint classes, the subject of the painting is a surprise until you get there! Plus, there’s usually extra goodies like glitter, sparkle, or giveaways during the event. Tickets are available online for $35.
Address: 1205 S Adams St, Tallahassee FL 32301
Hours: May 12th 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Best Sunday Brunch Menus for Mother’s Day
Trying to plan the perfect Mother’s Day brunch? This year we found two Mother’s Day Brunch Specials you do not want to miss:
Bricks and Brass – The Mother’s Day ‘hostess with most’ may be Bricks and Brass with their incredible brunch lineup. If you want to start the celebrations with a delicious meal, look no further. The Mother’s Day brunch will feature Spring Charcuterie cups, shrimp and grits, prime rib, chocolate bundt cakes, and more! They’ll have hand-crafted mimosas with different flavor options and fresh fruit, too. And to top it off? DIY floral bouquets that you can make at the table with your mom! Tickets can be purchased online and are $50 per adult and $25 per child.
Address: 316 West Tennessee Street, Tallahassee FL 32301
Hours: May 12th 11:00am – 2:00pm
Eve on Adams – One of our favorite rooftops in Tallahassee is easily Eve on Adams. Known for its picturesque view, tasty food, and delicious cocktails, the rooftop is holding a brunch event extra special for all the moms out there. The Mother’s Day Brunch will feature next-level brunch plates, cocktails, live music, and more! Balcony seating requires a reservation, which you can do here. Walk-ins will also be welcome on a first-come, first-serve basis. There’s really no better view to celebrate your mom than overlooking the heart of Tallahassee.
Address: 316 West Tennessee Street, Tallahassee FL 32301
Hours: May 12th, 11:00am – 2:30pm
With limited tickets and reservations for the Mother’s Day brunch specials, consider checking out more great options for brunch in Tallahassee:
AZU Lucy Ho’s – Every Sunday from 10:30-2pm, AZU Lucy Ho’s hosts a Sunday Brunch Buffet with over 17 diff entrees, six different sushi rolls, two kinds of nigiri, plus so much more! For just $19.95 per person, you and your mom can fill up on all your sushi favorites. Holiday prices/selections may differ.
Liberty Bar & Restaurant – This upscale Tally favorite serves Sunday Brunch from 10:30am-3pm every weekend, with $5 and $7 brunch drink specials! Dine on brunch favorites like shakshuka and the brunch burger while washing it down with a Bloody Mary or mimosa. Your mom will thank you for making a reservation.
Address:1307 N Monroe St, Tallahassee FL 32303
Brunch Hours:Sat-Sun 10:30am – 3:00pm
Food Glorious Food – When your glorious mom deserves glorious food, look no further! Food Glorious Food offers a brunch menu on the weekend with a variety of handhelds and entrees, plus three distinct types of Bloody Mary’s! Not a fan of the Bloody Mary’s? No worries! They’ve also got bubbles and cocktails available.
Bare Naked Kitchen – It’s healthy, its hip, and it’s got swinging chairs: It’s perfect for mom! Skip the long brunch lines and still fill up on a delicious meal at Bare Naked Kitchen. They’ve got a casual menu with hearty and healthy plates, bowls, and pizzas! All made with deliciously fresh ingredients. And don’t forget to grab that picture-perfect moment with mom on the swinging chairs!
Address:609 W Tennessee St, Tallahassee FL 32304
Hours:Daily 11am-9pm
Searching for more things to do around Tallahassee? Check out Tally Student Survival’s Calendar to stay up to date with the capital city’s ongoing events.