May sees Sydney fast marching toward winter, which begins next month. The days are shorter, temperatures drop, and it’s unlikely you will swim outdoors this month.
Visiting in May can be great value for money, with accommodation prices low for all but the last week of the month when they begin to rise with events like Vivid starting.
For locals May is the perfect time to explore regional NSW with a number of fun festivals taking place in the Central West.
This is a lovely time of year for walking, so check out some of our most popular walks, including The Rock’s self-guided walk and Cremorne Point on the lower north shore of Sydney Harbour.
Average Temperatures: 19.8 – 11.8 °C 54-67 °F
While each year varies the last May saw only one day of rain. This year we are expecting a little more.
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Major Annual Events in May
- Vivid Sydney – May- June 2025
- Sydney Writers Festival – 19–25 May 2025
- Australian Fashion Week – 12–16 May 2025
- Mother’s Day – Sunday 11 May 2025
Check out our guide to the best places to head for Mother’s Day dining
Sydney Writers Festival
With a range of free and ticketed events the Sydney Writers Festvial is accessible to all. With hundreds of writers appearing as part of the event you are bound to find something of interest.
The full program is available here.
When: 19–25 May 2025
Where: Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Opera House, Carriageworks and more
Vivid Sydney
Quite possibly the most popular event in Sydney. The Vivid Festival sees art installations and 3D projections light up the city’s landmarks.
Delight in the diversity of flavours at pop-up markets and dining events, celebrating our community’s cultural richness.
When: May – June 2025 (Dates to be confirmed)
Where: Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Opera House and more
Festivals, Fairs and community events
The Other Art Fair
The Other Art Fair challenging elitism and embraces diversity. Art breaks free from rules, and so should your experience. No VIP ropes here; everyone is welcome.
Discover a unique blend of affordable art, immersive installations, performances, DJs, and a vibrant bar. Go along and discover recent works by established and emerging artists.
When: TBC
Where: White Bay Cruise Terminal Rozelle
Cronulla Jazz and Blues Festival
Eleven stages, over 100 artists, and everything from Jazz, Blues, Funk Soul, Alt-Country & Americana. Head to Dunningham Park, Monro Park, street buskers, or one of the ticketed performances at local venues.
When: TBC
Where: Cronulla Street Cronulla l Cost: Most events are free
More: Check the official website for the schedule.
Markets
Woodstock Artisan Market
The perfect opportunity to find a unique gift from the heart for Mum as the pre-Mother’s Day Woodstock Artisans Market is always a very special event.
Filled with quality goods crafted by local makers and designers, there’s no reason you cannot find amazing handmade homewares, jewellery, body care products, gourmet food and wine, ceramics, fashion, art, curios, and much more.
When: TBC
Where: Woodstock Community Centre, 22 Church St, Burwood
Tickets: Free Entry.
Musicals and Theatre
Music, and Dance
Art & Exhibitions
World Press Photo Exhibition
One of the most popular exhibitions staged at the State Library each year the annual World Press Photo Contest is a globally acclaimed exhibition showcasing the pinnacle of photojournalism and documentary photography from the past year.
Celebrating excellence in storytelling through imagery, the spotlight shines brightly on two Australians making waves in the Southeast Asia and Oceania region: Eddie Jim, a standout in the Singles category, and Aletheia Casey, making her mark in the Open Format category.
When: TBC
Where: State Library NSW, Macquarie Street Sydney I Free
Comedy
Food and Drink Events
Pyrmont Food and Wine Festival
The Pyrmont Festival is a festival celebrating food, wine, and art, which includes the 2-Day food and wine event. A festival is a community-run event that fosters a strong connection with the country and the city.
When: TBC
Where: Pirrama Park Pyrmont l Free entry
Sports and Outdoors
The Mother’s Day Classic
Celebrate Mother’s Day and raise funds for breast cancer research. Choose to walk or run either the 4.8km or 7.5km course. The main Sydney event will start from the Domain. The Western Sydney event will start at Lizard Log, Western Sydney Parklands, Abbotsbury with slightly different course lengths on offer.
When: Sunday 11 May 2025
Where: The Domain
Million Paws Walk
The Million Paws Walk event is for fur parents and animal lovers. Whether your pet dog likes to strut, crawl or bolt, they will be more than welcome on this fun-filled day out.
When: tbc
Where: Various locations in NSW including Sydney
Yoga in the Park
Get fit and flexible every Sunday morning with FREE Yoga in The Park!
The focus on breathing, the concentration required to find balance in certain poses, the flow of the movements – it’s all an active meditation that can help clear the mind, quieten anxieties and strengthen your body.
When: 9:30am, every Sundays(All Year)
Where: Corner of Lower Fort St and George St at Dawes Point Park, right under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Tickets: FREE. More Info here
A-League Men Finals Series
When: TBC
Where: Semi-finals- Allianz Stadium/ Finals- Sydney at CommBank Stadium
NSW Regional Events
The first weekend in May is packed with fabulous regional festivals, so if you are considering an autumn getaway this is a great time to jump in the car and check out regional NSW.
Australian Celtic Festival
Each year at the Australia Celtic Festival they highlight a different area. The 2025 festival will celebrate Brittany, Cornwall & Wales.
When: 1-4 May 2025
Where: Australian Standing Stones, Glen Innes, NSW
Robertson Potato Festival
It’s time to head to Robertson and join this celebration of the humble potato at the now annual Robertson Potato Festival. While people joke about the town’s Big Potato, which let’s face it is not exactly a draw card, the town’s edible potatoes are something special.
There is plenty to see in the surrounding southern highlands towns, so why not stay a few days?
When: 4-5 May 2025
Where Robertson Showgrounds, 2315 Kangaloon Rd, Robertson
Tickets: Free
Narooma Oyster Festival
Narooma is the heart of Australia’s Oyster Coast, and the Narooma Oyster Festival has won three tourism awards, so you know it’s well worth the drive. Live music, local art and culture, fresh produce, and the world’s best oysters!
When: May 2 & 3, 2025
Where: Narooma NSW
Ironman Australia Port Macquarie
Australia’s oldest IRONMAN event takes place in the stunning town of Port Macquarie. At the home of the Oceania TriClub Championship, you’ll experience a truly unique swim in the calm water of the Hastings River, a spectacular ride alongside the Pacific Ocean and a high-energy run in the heart of Port Macquarie, with crowds cheering you all the way to the line.
When: 4 May 2025
Where: Port Macquarie
Sail Port Stephens
Sail Port Stephens is an annual yachting regatta held every April and May on the pristine waters of Port Stephens.
When: 2-4 May 2025
Where: Port Stephens
More info on their website.
Moree on a Plate
Producers from around the New England North-West Region will turn Moree into a food & wine lover’s delight when they gather in the most productive agricultural shire in Australia, Moree NSW. Come along and enjoy the tasty delights of the region at Moree on a Plate, a relaxed, social day out the whole family can enjoy.
When: Saturday, 10 May 2025
Where: Moree Secondary College Albert St, Moree
Cost: $2
Mudgee Classic Cycling
Set in New South Wales’ beautiful Mudgee wine region, the Mudgee Classic will surely be a bike ride to remember. Catering for all levels of cycling ability, the event offers four courses: 175km Maxi Classic, 125km Challenge Classic, 65km Rouleurs Classic, 55km Dirty Mudgee and the 35km Social Classic. More information
When: 3 – 4 May, 2025
Where: Mudgee
More info on their website.
Nooroo Garden Open Days
Nooroo Garden is one of Australia’s best-known gardens and showcases the beauty and spectacle of plant and flower species from around the world, as well as Australian native plants. Come along with your family and friends and admire the wonderful maples, forsythia, liquid amber, and many other rare plants in all their autumn splendour.
When: May 2025 (dates TBC)
Where: Church Lane, Mount Wilson, NSW, Australia
More info on their website.
Start planning how you will spend winter in Sydney – Check out the lists of June and July events.
Have you got questions about Sydney in May? Pop over to our Facebook group and we would be happy to help.
Main Image Credit: Spinifex Group via Destination NSW
Excited to go to that Wellness Festival, gonna tell my friends to join me. Thanks!