6 Festivals in May 2024

Travel Begins at 40 rounds up the best festivals in May 2022 from Cuba to Australia, including cheese rolling and the Cannes Festival.

Americas, Culture & History, Europe, Oceania
 

Travel Begins at 40 rounds up the best festivals in May 2024 from around the Globe, from Cuba to Australia, so wherever you are join in the celebrations.

Cultural Festivals in May

Romerias de Mayo, Holguin, Cuba – 3-8 May

One of the biggest cultural festivals in Cuba,Romerias de Mayo is a week of colourful parades and musical acts. Sample music ranging from Cuban to traditional, classical, jazz and acoustic. Participate in workshops or watch dance and art performances. But most of all enjoy the brightly coloured street processions.

Vivid Sydney, Australia – 24 May to 15 June

Festivals in May
Vivid Sydney

One of the biggest light, music and ideas festivals in the South, Vivid Sydney will light up the city’s opera house and surrounding harbour area. This year the festival, which is divided into three segments: Vivid Light, Vivid Ideas and Vivid Music.

Food Festivals in May

Alresford Watercress Festival, UK – 19 May

Alresford Eating Competition
Contestants taking part in the annual watercress eating competition

Food fans shouldn’t miss one of Travel Begins at 40’s favourite festivals, the Alresford Watercress Festival held in New Alresford, Hampshire. Dubbed the ‘capital of watercress’, the town will see food demonstrations, more than 100 food stalls displaying local produce as well as the World Watercress Eating Competition.

Film Festivals in May

Cannes Film Festival, France – 14-25 May

The red carpet will be rolled out in the South of France once more for the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May. In addition to the Official Selection films competing for the Palme d’or.

Flower Festivals in May

Chelsea Flower Show
Judi Dench poses at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show © Luke MacGregor

Chelsea Flower Show, London, UK – 21-25 May

Spring may be in the air, but it is also in west London for the annual Chelsea Flower Show, the most famous horticultural show in the world. Originally called the Great Spring Show, it is now held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London. See the best spring flower displays in the world.

And Now For Something Completely Different …

Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling, UK – 27 May

The UK is full of quirky traditions, but few can compare with the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling held each year in Gloucestershire. A round of Double Gloucester cheese weighing 3 to 4 kilos is rolled down Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, pursued by competitors aiming is to catch the cheese, which can reach a speed of 70mph.


More Festivals in May 2024

For a full list of May festivals around the World, visit our Events and Festival page.

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Travel Begins at 40

Travel Begins at 40 Editor

Travel articles, news, special offers, festivals and events from the Travel Begins at 40 Editorial team and our global network of travel industry contributors.

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