Rites of May will be held on the Historic Campus with the large bulk of activities hosted on Kenwood Mall. As we all know from drop off and pick up, it can get very congested and parking will fill up quickly. If you can, we encourage you to walk or bike. There are bike racks available AND the UCPD will be present and ready to register bikes too!

Rites of May will be canceled in the event of heavy rain. The Planning Committee is keeping a careful (and hopeful) eye on the weather and will send out a message by 8 AM Saturday morning if the event will be canceled for weather.

Admission is FREE this year. We recommend you bring your appetite and either cash, card, or tap-to-pay to take advantage of the delicious food offerings (menu below). Other items we recommend:

-Sunscreen

-Refillable water bottles - we will have a water truck to cut down on plastic waste this year

-Picnic blanket - seating may be limited at tables, but there will be space outside to sit in the grass

-Packable bag - we have more booths than ever this year and they will be giving away all sorts of crafts and goodies

T-shirts are for sale at ESH and Blaine Hall Monday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 8 at drop-off and pick-up. If you pre-ordered your shirt, you can pick it up and pay for it at ESH only during this window. T-shirts are $25 each.

We will have several members of our safety and security team at the event keeping an eye on things. Additionally, we will have volunteers roaming to help.

If you are separated from your child, we will have a child reunification point at our Information Desk near the stage (see map below). In addition to child reunification, the Information Desk will also be our first aid station.

Gates on the North and South ends of Kenwood Mall and the gate by Gordon Parks Arts Hall will be open and you do not need your badge to get in.

Never! If you’d like to volunteer with this year’s event, or get involved for next year, please reach out to ritesofmay@ucls.uchicago.edu.

Rites of May is a ton of fun but it can be overwhelming for toddlers (and their parents). Inside Lower Kovler Gym, we will have a quiet corner with some books and there will be tables available to have some food and a recharge. Outside, by Gordon Parks Arts Hall, we will have bubbles and chalk and encourage families to bring picnic blankets to relax and let little ones play on the grass. The hills make for excellent (and safe) rolling fun as an alternative to the rowdier bouncehouses.

Yes! Students in need of service hours can earn up to 8 hours helping to support Rites of May. To volunteer, students must fill out this form.