Best May Festivals: A Traveler’s Guide to Spring Events

The best time to visit anywhere is Spring, usually from April to May. These months observe a massive number of tourists worldwide, primarily in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean. In addition to pleasant weather and fun activities, May is a month of celebration with many religious, cultural, and sports events happening around the globe. For those traveling this month, we present the Best May Festivals: A Traveler’s Guide to Spring Events.

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May Day

• Date: May 1
• Happening In: UK, Worldwide

We begin our list with May Day, which occurs on the first day of the month. There are two understandings of the day. One is the European festival, which marks the beginning of summer on May 1st. English people celebrate this day with various festivities, including gathering wildflowers, weaving floral garlands, and Maypole dancing. A May Queen is crowned who will walk or ride at the front of a parade. Some European regions also light bonfires.

Most people associate May Day with International Workers’ Day, which is also celebrated on May 1st. However, both celebrations are vastly different. While May Day celebrates seasonal change, Labour Day (International Workers’ Day) honors laborers and the working classes. Trade unionists and workers usually organize demonstrations and rallies in city areas. Countries like Nepal, Dominica, Ecuador, the USA, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Argentina give public holidays to celebrate this occasion.

International Harry Potter Day

• Date: May 2, 2025
• Happening In: UK, Worldwide
• Social Media: Official Facebook

Step inside the magical world of Harry Potter, where spells, witches, wizards, and goblins are all real. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you are likely familiar with the Battle of Hogwarts. It was the final conflict of the Second Wizarding War, where Harry defeated the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. International Harry Potter Day occurs on May 2 annually to celebrate Harry’s victory against Voldemort. Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron declared the day to honor Harry’s bravery and resilience in the face of adversity.

International Harry Potter Day also symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Fans worldwide celebrate this day by organizing Harry Potter parties, watching the films, enjoying Harry Potter-themed tours, and visiting various filming locations. Another good way to celebrate the day is by reading the original books; it allows readers to relive the magic of the novels and support the author simultaneously.

Tulip Time Festival

• Date: May 2 to 11, 2025
• Happening In: Holland, Michigan
• Admission Fee: Free entry to see tulips in Downtown Holland
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

May brings one of the most beautiful spring events, the Tulip Time Festival. It features hundreds of thousands of tulips in Holland, Michigan. However, the fest is more than tulips; it celebrates the Dutch culture and heritage. This annual event enters its 96th year in 2025. As such, different activities and events will be held for over ten days in May in multiple locations.

The 2025 Tulip Time Festival will hold Tulip Time VIP Tours, Historic Walking Tours, art exhibits, Tall Ship Dockside tours, Dutch dance lessons, artisan markets, and carnivals. These unique activities will ensure a delightful spring experience. The Netherlands also observes the Tulip Festival, usually for a month in April. Keukenhof Gardens in South Holland is the most popular attraction for seeing tulip blossoms in spring.

Highly-Rated Tulip Tours And Activities

Country of Tulips Tour

• Duration: 6 Days
• Price: $2,990~
• Ratings:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Free Cancellation

Embark on a week-long Country of Tulips Tour. It features two multilingual guides who will take a group of no more than fourteen participants on a six-day biking expedition. Visitors will see blooming fields of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, stay at three —or four-star hotels, and enjoy four superb dinners of three or four courses. This activity also provides a support van for those who get tired. It covers lunch, dinner, lodging, and transport.

Amsterdam: Tulip Farm Entry + Flower Parade VIP with Transport

• Duration: 7 hours
• Price: €139.50~
• Ratings:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Free Cancellation

Did you know the Netherlands hosts the Bollenstreek Flower Parade? This annual flower parade is the country’s biggest spring festival, which occurs when tulip fields bloom. This 7-hour activity covers entry and VIP seats at the Flower Parade. You will depart from Amsterdam to see this iconic flower parade and visit a tulip farm. You will also learn all the ins and outs about tulips. The tour also includes roundtrip transportation.

From Amsterdam: Tulip Fields of Holland Tour

• Duration: 5 hours
• Price: $175 per person
• Ratings:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Free Cancellation

Enjoy this Tulip Fields of Holland Tour. This half-day trip departs on a van from Amsterdam to Holland to see the beautiful tulip fields. As you stroll through the fields, you will see the full bloom of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. You will also learn about the history of tulips and fields, and how to cultivate them. This activity takes place in the countryside, where you will have many opportunities to take photos. It also includes a stop at the local coffee shop to try Dutch apple pie.

Tulip Festival Card

• Opening Hours: Amsterdam: Lovers Canal Cruise: 9 AM – 10 PM
• Price: €66~
• Ratings:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Save money with this Tulip Festival Card. It covers three must-do activities in Keukenhof, Lisse, and Amsterdam. First, you will admire over 7 million tulips at Keukenhof. While strolling through the garden, you will learn about the Tulip Festival from a digital guide. Then, you will ride an Amsterdam canal cruise and enjoy stunning views of the city’s landmarks. This activity also provides commentary on eighteen different locations in Lesse.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival

• Date: May 3 to 6, 2025
• Happening In: Hong Kong
• Social Media: Official Website

We can’t neglect Asian fests while discussing the best spring festivals. The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is an annual event on the island of Cheung Chau in Hong Kong. It occurs on the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, usually in early May. The fest also coincides with the local celebration of Buddha’s Birthday. While the island’s rural communities primarily celebrate this event, it has also gained prominence in Taiwan, Guangdong, Fujian, and Sichuan.

This annual festival features the sales of lucky Cheung Chau buns, white steamed rice flour buns with sweet fillings. They carry a red stamp bearing the Chinese characters ‘ping on,’ symbolizing good luck and safety. Another highlight of this Chinese spring festival is its multiple events where the public can participate. These include the Bun Scrambling Competition, where participants climb a giant bun-covered bamboo tower and try to grab as many buns as possible within a time limit. Furthermore, the Piu Sik Parade takes place, where children cosplay as deities or celebrities and are carried around the island on steel frames.

Best Things To Do In Cheung Chau

Cheung Chau Island: Walking Day Tour

• Duration: 1 Day
• Price: $102.79~
• Ratings:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• No Cancellation

Enjoy this private Cheung Chau Island Walking Day Tour. This one-day activity is ideal for visitors interested in exploring the natural environment through a walk and a hike. You will explore the island on foot for two hours, marveling at the scenic views and experiencing the local culture by observing shops, fishing boats, and village houses. You will also have lunch at the local restaurant, trying specialties like Big Fish Ball, Ping On Bun, and Mango Nuomi Dessert. This GetYourGuide offer covers a return ferry ticket from Central to Cheung Chau.

[A great place to go in summer] Cheung Chau Water Sports | Four hours of free play experience

• Duration: 4 hours
• Price: $10.31~
• Ratings:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• No Cancellation

Immerse yourself in Cheung Chau water sports. This kkday offer covers equipment rental for a stand-up board, a single-person canoe boat, a water bike, and a double canoe. Visitors can elevate their experience by purchasing a four-hour sports package, including a canoe, standup board, floating mat, and beach tennis. It is suitable for inexperienced people since internationally certified coaches are available to offer guidance and basic instruction. You can also purchase the Upright SUP certificate teaching course or the Wing foil small group teaching experience.

Cheung Chau Island Tour

• Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
• Price: $105.68 per person
• Free Cancellation

Finally, the Cheung Chau Island Tour is a half-day experience that teaches about the island’s cultural heritage. It also offers a perfect opportunity to explore Cheung Chau’s traditions, cultures, customs, natural beauty, and historical sites. You will visit the must-see local attractions, such as Tim Hau Temple Nam Tam Wan, Cheung Po Tsai Cave, Pak Tai Temple, and Tung Wan Beach. This activity also provides a dim-sum lunch at a local Chinese restaurant.

Cinco de Mayo

• Date: May 5, 2025
• Happening In: Mexico and USA
• Admission Fee: Usually free entry, with some venues charging small fees.

Get ready for a Mexican fiesta this spring. Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration on May 5 commemorating a significant victory of the Mexican army. It all happened in 1862 when Napoleon III deployed French troops to capture Puebla, a small town in east-central Mexico. Despite having a small fleet and less equipment, the Mexican army made the French retreat on May 5, 1862. This symbolic victory saw less than 100 Mexican soldiers die.

Today, Cinco de Mayo is primarily celebrated in Puebla to commemorate the Mexican army’s unlikely win in 1862. Mexican communities in the US celebrate this event with grandeur, considering it a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. The day-long event includes parades, mariachi music, parties, and folk dancing. This fest also features traditional Mexican dishes such as tacos, tamales, and mole poblano.

Feria de Abril

• Date: May 6 to 11, 2025
• Happening In: Seville, Spain
• Admission Fee: $50 (Regular tickets), $60 (Entrance cost)

You are likely familiar with Easter, which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon. Spanish cities usually host a week-long Semana Santa (Holy Week) before this grand Christian event. The festive spirit continues the following weeks, with the arrival of Easter and Feria de Abril. Also called the Seville Fair or Feria de Sevilla, it occurs two weeks after Holy Week. Although it’s considered an April event, the fair usually occurs in May, with the 2025 Feria de Abril falling from May 6 to 11.

Celebrations officially start at midnight between May 5 (Monday) and 6 (Tuesday) with people consuming traditional cena de pescaito (fried fish dinner) on the evening of Monday. The Seville Mayor will turn on the lights of the portada, the main gate of the fairgrounds. This is also called alumbrao, which includes illuminating the main entrance with over 22,000 light bulbs. The fair weekend features flamenco performances, songs, festivities, and bullfighting. It is a time for singing, dancing, partying, eating, and socializing.

Top-Rated Experiences in Seville

Seville Orientation Tour

• Duration: 121 minutes
• Price: $240 per group up to 15
• Ratings:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Free Cancellation

Are you a first-time visitor to Seville? Then, make the most of your trip with this Seville Orientation Tour. This private activity covers the city’s must-see attractions. You will begin with the Spanish Square in Maria Luisa’s park. Afterward, you will journey on foot to the Santa Cruz section, the most popular and crowded neighborhood. This tour also covers the Torre del Oro, Salvador Square, and Sierpes Street.

Cultural Walking Tour of Seville Monumental

• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: $6.72 per person
• Ratings:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Free Cancellation

Seville is known for its diverse history, rich culture, vibrant festivals, and stunning architecture. So, it’s only fitting for you to try this Cultural Walking Tour of Seville Monumental. This guided activity covers the Seville Cathedral, one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedrals. You will also check out the Torre Giralda, an iconic bell tower and a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Other stops include the General Archive of the Indies, Torre Del Oro, and Real Fabrica De Tabacos before ending at Plaza de Espana.

Seville Free Walking Tour

• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: Free
• Ratings:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Free Cancellation

Is there anything better than a free offer while traveling? This Seville Free Walking Tour offers a complimentary guided tour of the city’s hidden corners and cultural attractions. You will visit the renowned sites, including Seville Cathedral and the Royal Alcazar of Seville. Afterward, you will stroll through the historic street and admire Hotel Alfonso XIII and the Royal Tobacco Factory. Your final destination is Plaza de Espana, where you will learn about the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition.

Ultimate Seville Tapas, Wine & History Small Group Tour

• Duration: 4 hours
• Price: $88.69 per person
• Ratings:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Free Cancellation

A food tour is something you don’t want to miss out on while traveling to Seville at any time of the year. This Ultimate Seville Tapas, Wine, & History Small Group Tour offers at least ten tastes and five beverages. You will visit Santa Cruz’s top four bars and eat and drink your fill. This tour provides an insight into Seville’s vibrant tapas culture and allows participants to eat like locals. It also caters to vegetarian, dairy-free, and pescatarian dietary requirements.

Lightning in a Bottle

• Date: May 21 – 25, 2025
• Happening In: California, USA
• Admission Passes: $435 (3-day), $475 (5-day), $779 (3-day VIP pass), $869 (5-day VIP pass)
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Instagram, Official Facebook

Have you ever heard of Lightning in a Bottle? This annual festival is unlike anything you have ever seen before. It will occur from May 21 to 25, 2025, at the Buena Vista Lake in Kern County, California. This fest combines music, art, and community for a vibrant and eclectic experience. It is more like a community campout with music performances, visual and interactive art installations, guest speakers, yoga classes, and workshops.

The 2025 Lightning in a Bottle festival features seven unique worlds: Lightning, Thunder, Woogie, Stacks, Junkyard, Grand Artique, and The Compass. Each zone offers a new experience throughout the Memorial Day weekend in May. For instance, The Compass will host 150 talks and workshops from world-renowned visionaries, thinkers, and creators. Music performances are another highlight, featuring artists like John Summit, Jamie XX, Subtronics Underworld, Four Tet, DJ Karaba, The Blessed Madonna, and Claude VonStroke.

BottleRock Napa Valley

• Date: May 23-25, 2025
• Happening In: Napa Valley, California
• Admission Fee: $233 (1-day ticket), $456 (3-day ticket)
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

Catch one of the biggest May music fests in Napa Valley. The BottleRock Napa Valley is an annual music festival at the Napa Valley Expo. It began as a five-day fest in 2013, which was reduced to three days the following years. The event features a diverse lineup of artists. Since Napa Valley is renowned for its wine scene, the festival offers opportunities to try regional specialties.

The 2025 BottleRock Napa Valley will occur from May 23 to 25. The doors open at 11:30 AM and close at 10 PM. This year’s lineup features local and renowned global artists who are listed below:

Days	Headliners	Headliners	Artists
May 23 (Friday)	Green Day	Sublime	Kaskade, Sofi Tukker, Remi Wolf, Public Enemy, E-40
May 24 (Saturday)	Justin Timberlake	Benson Boone	Ice Cube, Lawrence, Rebelution, 4 Non Blondes
May 25 (Sunday)	Noah Kahan	Khruangbin	Cage the Elephant, Carin Leon, Flo Rida, Goose, Allen Stone, Drama

Overall, BottleRock Napa Valley is a perfect blend of good music, good food, and good beer, making it a must-visit for music and food lovers.

World’s Largest Brat Fest

• Date: May 23 to 25, 2025
• Happening In: Madison, Wisconsin
• Admission Fee: Free entry and parking
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

Have you ever heard of Brat Fest? If not, you are in for a treat. This annual event is a fundraiser that celebrates bratwurst, a German sausage made of pork, beef, or veal. It occurs on Memorial Day weekend on Willow Island at Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin. The event’s highlight is grilled bratwurst, available at affordable rates. This year’s food menu features Johnsonville Brat ($5), Impossible plant-based brat ($5), Buns, Pork & Beef Hot Dog ($5), Hot Butter Roasted Corn ($3), and Johnsonville Jalapeno Cheddar Chicken Brat ($4).

The World’s Largest Brat Fest organizes live music by renowned artists for fundraising. The 2025 lineup includes Ace Frehley, Steve Adler of Guns N’ Roses, Digital Underground, Madison County, Tyler Farr, MacKenzie Carpenter, Harper Grace, and Danny Gokey. The event also features Mr. Ed’s Magical Midway Carnival with over 35 attractions, including family-friendly and thrilling rides.

Kentucky Derby Festival

• Date: May 2 and 3, 2025
• Happening In: Louisville, Kentucky
• Admission Fee: $27.75 onwards
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

Let’s add sports events to our blog on the ‘Best May Festivals: A Traveler’s Guide to Spring Events.’ This month hosts the most anticipated event, the Kentucky Derby, a two-day horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. In case you don’t know, horse races are among the most-watched sports globally. It is especially popular in certain regions, including Louisville, whose folks are crazy about watching and betting on events.

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious horse race events, which began on May 17, 1875. It features three-year-old Thoroughbreds racing across 1+1⁄4 miles. Riders from all around the globe come to participate in the event and win the prize money. In addition to a live race, the event features parties, the Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade, a food festival, and live music. This Southern spring experience sells out fast, so get your tickets early.

Giro d’Italia

• Date: May 9 to June 1, 2025
• Happening In: Italy
• Admission Fee: Free to watch the race along the route
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

Next, the Giro d’Italia is a highly anticipated multiple-stage bicycle race in Italy. It will start on May 9 and run through June 1, 2025. The route is 3,413.3 km long and will have twenty-one stages. This annual bicycle event began in May 1909, when only Italian riders participated. Thanks to its century-long prestige, hundreds of riders from all over the globe currently compete in this cycling race. The most recent winner was Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar.

Let’s see the 2025 Giro d’Italia timetable below:

Stages	Date	Route
Stage 1	May 9, 2025	Durazzo (Durrës) – Tirana (Tiranë)
Stage 2	May 10	Tirana (Tiranë) – Tirana (Tiranë) TUDOR ITT
Stage 3	May 11	Valona (Vlorë) – Valona (Vlorë)
Stage 4	May 13	Alberobello (Pietramadre) – Lecce
Stage 5	May 14	Ceglie Messapica – Matera
Stage 6	May 15	Potenza – Napoli
Stage 7	May 16	Castel di Sangro – Tagliacozzo
Stage 8	May 17	Giulianova – Castelraimondo
Stage 9	May 18	Gubbio – Siena
Stage 10	May 20	Lucca – Pisa TUDOR ITT
Stage 11	May 21	Viareggio – Castelnovo ne’ Monti
Stage 12	May 22	Modena – Viadana (Oglio-Po)
Stage 13	May 23	Rovigo – Vicenza
Stage 14	May 24	Treviso – Nova Gorica/Gorizia
Stage 15	May 25	Fiume Veneto – Asiago
Stage 16	May 27	Piazzola sul Brenta – San Valentino (Brentonico)
Stage 17	May 28	San Michele all’Adige (Fondazione Edmund Mach) – Bormio
Stage 18	May 29	Morbegno – Cesano Maderno
Stage 19	May 30	Biella – Champoluc
Stage 20	May 31	Verrès – Sestrière (Vialattea)
Stage 21	June 1	Roma – Roma

Indianapolis 500

• Date: May 25, 2025
• Happening In: Indianapolis, Indiana
• Admission Fee: $50 (General Admission), $75 (Reserved Seats), $400 (Victory Celebration)
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

There is no other event like the Indianapolis 500. Known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” this legendary motorsport event is part of the IndyCar Series, an open-wheel car racing championship. It is the sixth event in the series, followed by the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on June 1. The 2025 Indianapolis 500 is the 109th running of the event, which will occur on May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. Thirty-four drivers, including eight former winners and four race rookies, will compete for the thirty-three starting spots.

Josef Newgarden, the two-time title defender, will compete in this year’s race. Scott McLaughlin, Kyle Larson, Alexander Rossi, and Takuma Sato are other drivers competing in the Indy 500. While the race day is May 25, events will start from May 13 onwards. The schedule includes practice races, qualifying sessions, ceremonies, the Miller Lite Carb Day Concert, an autograph session, a public drivers’ meeting, a parade, and car displays.

Cannes Film Festival

• Date: May 13 to 24, 2025
• Happening In: Cannes, France
• Admission Fee: €5,750 (Balcony Tickets), €7,750 (Orchestra/Corbeille Tickets), €5,750 (Afterparty Tickets), €7,500 (Chopard Love Party)
• Social Media: Official Website, Official Facebook, Official Instagram

You might be surprised to see a film festival on our list. However, the Cannes Film Festival deserves its spot as one of the biggest film festivals worldwide. Its seventy-eight years of presence alone speak volumes of its prestige. This event is reserved for film industry professionals and press who require accreditation to gain access to the festival area. However, cinema enthusiasts aged 18 to 28 can attend Cannes through the 3 Jours à Cannes – 3 Days in Cannes programme. They can attend the festival for three days of their choosing.

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival’s lineup features established directors and newcomers. This year’s competition features nineteen films, including The Phoenician Scheme (Wes Anderson), Alpha (Julie Ducournau), Nouvelle Vague (Richard Linklater), Leave One Day (Amelie Bonin), Eddignton (Ari Aster), Urchin (Harris Dickinson), The Mastermind (Kelly Reichardt), and My Father’s Shadow (Akinola Davies Jr). Furthermore, French actor Laurent Lafitte will host the opening and closing ceremonies this season. Robert De Niro will also receive the Honorary Palme d’Or in the opening ceremony.

Our blog on the ‘Best May Festivals: A Traveler’s Guide to Spring Events,’ compiles the most renowned fiestas in this month. However, these festivals only cover the surface of everything exciting happening in May. You will discover more local festivals once you decide where to travel. If you want any suggestions, TourTeller is your reliable travel website. It offers 550,000+ tours and activities from top travel sites.