Saturday, May 31st | 11-3 PM

We Can’t Do It Without You!

Interested in meeting other parents and want to give back? Join the fun behind the fun and volunteer at Rites of May. Sign up to help!

50+ Years of fun + friendship

Join the Lab community on the Historic Campus for the 56th annual Rites of May celebration THIS SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2025 FROM 11-3 PM.

Rites of May is a time for Lab families to gather to play, meet new friends, and connect with old ones. Hosted on Lab School’s Historic Campus, there’s endless fun—bounce houses, face painting, performances, food, treats, games, and more. Stop by the booths to learn more about different Lab Affinity groups, or engage with high schoolers as they share a passion with the younger kids.

Whether it’s your first year with Lab, or you’re a veteran - Rites of May is a can’t-miss event. We’re so excited you’re part of the Lab family and we look forward to celebrating our community with you soon!

Let’s Do Some Good!!

We’re excited to support HelloBaby, a local charity whose mission is to support, empower, and inspire families raising young children in Chicago. Their main family center is located blocks from Lab in the Woodlawn neighborhood.

Here’s the fun part - for each $25 purchase from the HelloBaby Amazon Wishlist you will earn $10 in food tickets to be used at this year’s Rites of May.

Present your receipt to the ticket food table in Lower Kovler to exchange for food tickets on May 31 (print out or mobile accepted).

Buy your Rites of May food tickets in advance this year to save some time at the event. We recommend 10 tickets per person who plans on eating. Hold onto your email and show it at one of the two food ticket booths at the event to exchange for paper tickets. Buy your tickets HERE.

100% Volunteer-Led

Rites of May is planned, supported, and staffed entirely by parent and student volunteers. The secret to a great event is you! There are many ways to volunteer this year, we hope you can help in some small way!

It’s T-Shirt Time

This year’s t-shirt design was created by the entire 5th grade class and will be available for $25 in-person ordering and pick-up at Rites of May on Saturday, May 31. Online orders available here: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/rites-of-may-2025/items

FAQs

  • 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 above). 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

  • 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 playground (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.

  • 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). 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. We will also be enforcing that some of the bouncehouses be for our smaller Labbies only.

  • Student service hours are currently closed. If you have an urgent need, please contact ritesofmay@ucls.uchicago.edu.