All about Mom: Local Mother’s Day events

You love Mom way too much to just send her a card this Mother's Day. Treat her to a day or night out in style. From tea to concerts, there's an event for every kind of mom.

Moms well versed in fashion can take a breather from shopping at a few area malls this week. Special for Mother's Day, shoppers can indulge in treats, giveaways and more from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 at the Montgomery Mall (Elevator Court, 230 Montgomery Mall, North Wales) and on Friday, May 8 at the Oxford Valley Mall (Upper level, JCPenney Court, 2300 E. Lincoln Highway, Langhorne).

Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square) is honoring the occasion with extended hours on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10. Open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., the weekend holds activities like performances in the conservatory, a special menu at the gardens' restaurant, 1906, and prime viewing for the outdoor gardens' spring blooms.

Mother's Day isn't just for humans! Throughout the day on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, Adventure Aquarium (1 Riverside Dr., Camden) biologists will bring out young penguin Goblin and his mom, Diane. The aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Mom's had to deal with hearing you whine for years, now treat her to another kind at Heritage Vineyards (480 Mullica Hill Road, Mullica Hill). On both Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, enjoy two wine tastings: a dry wine and cheese pairing and a dry or sweet wine tasting set to live music. Buy tickets for one of two time slots available both days: noon and 2:30 p.m.

If that wasn't enough, Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike) is hosting its own tasting series on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10. Every hour from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, you'll be set up with five mini cupcakes and five wines to match like Pinot Grigio with a lemon raspberry cupcake. Sweet!

Imagine Mom's joy when she watches her kids bake her a cake. This family-friendly cake-baking activity at Wanye Art Center (413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne) should hit the spot. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, chefs will lead children through the baking of a treat for their mothers.

Explore Philadelphia artist Shelley Spector's textile and sculpture-based exhibit in the Perelman Building of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (2525 Pennsylvania Ave.) with Spector and her own mother on Saturday, May 9. Hear from Spector firsthand about her inspirations and the role her mother played in the project during the tour, starting at 2 p.m. Afterward, sip on some tea at a traditional tea party.

Betsy Ross, mother of the first American Flag, hosts moms and their kids for a tea in her humble abode on Saturday, May 9. Beginning at 4 p.m. at the Betsy Ross House (239 Arch St.), settle in for a fancy tea party with food provided by City Tavern.

If Mom's into something a little more soulful, the Isley Brothers, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Fantasia and Eric Benet will be performing at Boardwalk Hall (2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City) on Saturday, May 9. The Mother's Day Music Festival starts at 7 p.m. with doors opening an hour earlier.

A Mother's Day staple for 25 years, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K Run/Walk makes its philanthropic return on Sunday, May 10. With funds raised benefiting breast cancer research and local initiatives, this year's race features entertainment from singer Matt Goss, The Mark Stinger Band, the University of Delaware's MelUDees, Locks of Love haircuts, free zumba and more. The 5K run begins at 8:15 a.m. at Philadelphia Museum of Art (2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway) while the 5K walk and 1-mile fun walk is set to start at 8:25 a.m.

It's all about the matriarchs at Camden Children's Garden (2 Riverside Dr., Camden) on Sunday, May 10, when from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. they'll ride for free on all garden features.

Afternoon tea gets meta at Morey's Piers Mariner's Pier (3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood) on Sunday, May 10. Moms and their kids can have tea in the Tea Cup ride (it'll be stationary) from noon to 2 p.m. Moms can also ride for free from noon to 4 p.m. Children can decorate sugar cookies for their number one lady next to the Tea Cup attraction as well.

Take in the culture of Japan without leaving city limits. The Shofuso Japanese House and Garden (Horticultural and Lansdowne Drives) hosts two Mother's Day Tea Ceremonies on Sunday, May 10. At either the 1 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. sessions, visitors will learn the history behind the tradition and get to taste Japanese tea and sweets.

Make it a double dose of live performance when Marvin Sapp, Shirley Caesar, Jonathan Butler, Deitrick Haddon, and Anthony Brown and Group Therapy play at a another Mother's Day show at the Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St.) at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 10.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.