Concerts & comedians take the stage
The first show of the season kicks off at Hayden Homes Amphitheater on Saturday, May 16, with comedian John Mulaney and special guests Fred Armisen and Mike Birbiglia. So far, nearly 50 different headliners are scheduled into October, some of them performing multiple nights. Six of the performers are comedians, including Jim Gaffigan, Trevor Noah, Matt Rife, Weird Al Yankovic and Nikki Glaser. Other May shows include Brandi Carlile, in Bend for two nights May 20 and 21, Claypool Gold on May 22 and Yellowcard on May 23.
Time for the baseball
The first Bend Elks baseball game is against the Springfield Drifters on May 1 which is when tickets go on sale. Vince Genna Stadium recently earned a DarkSky certification with a new lighting system that will reduce glare and light pollution while improving visibility on the field. Before this upgrade, the lighting system dated back to the 1970s with nearly 15% of the light fixtures no longer working and glare from lights affecting surrounding neighborhoods. Cracked, wooden light poles also posed safety concerns.
Artisans, music and more
You know it’s officially summer if it’s already time for the Bend Summer Festival, which has moved to new dates this year on May 29-31. Downtown Bond Street will be filled with fine art, crafts and other vendors, as well as live music, food and a kid zone. Daytime performers include Lava City Cirque, while High Desert Fire Artists light up the night with flaming hoops, poi and swords.
This article appears in the Source April 30, 2026.
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