From blossoming tulips in Canada to roaring engines in Monaco, May is packed with events that span every taste and continent. Whether you’re drawn to elite sports, cutting-edge design, independent cinema, or cultural deep dives, this month’s global calendar offers an array of experiences to inspire, delight, and ignite your wanderlust. Spin the globe, mark your map, and make May your most memorable month yet.
Kentucky Derby
Louisville, Kentucky, USA:
Step into Southern tradition and adrenaline-fueled spectacle at the Kentucky Derby, a cornerstone of American sports culture. Billed as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” the race is as much about the people-watching as it is about the horses. Flamboyant hats, tailored suits, and mint juleps flow as freely as the betting slips.
But the Derby is also a celebration of Kentucky’s proudest export—bourbon. With headline sponsor Woodford Reserve on hand, even the drinks are an event in themselves. Whether you’re in the grandstand or tailgating with locals, this storied race weekend is a masterclass in pageantry and tradition.
Mediterranean Yacht Show
Nafplio, Greece:
Luxury takes to the water in the sun-soaked port of Nafplio as the Mediterranean Yacht Show (MEDYS) returns for its 10th edition. This is the playground of charter brokers, superyacht owners, and crew from around the globe, all here to showcase and survey the finest floating mansions over five dazzling days.
Last year’s event drew over 760 professionals from 30 countries, each one ready to inspect vessels 24 meters and longer. Expect champagne toasts at sunset, sleek design innovations, and plenty of maritime inspiration in this charming Greek coastal town.
IndieLisboa
Lisbon, Portugal:
Ahead of Cannes, Lisbon takes center stage with IndieLisboa, a celebration of storytelling that proves big ideas thrive outside the studio system. With over 230 films spanning shorts, documentaries, drama, and animation, the festival champions voices from around the globe.
What sets IndieLisboa apart is its intimate vibe and city-wide spread—screenings pop up in cultural centers, historic theaters, and under open skies. For cinephiles seeking fresh perspectives and daring artistry, Lisbon in May is the reel deal.
Canadian Tulip Festival
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada:
Each spring, Ottawa bursts into bloom with more than one million tulips in 100 vibrant varieties. This dazzling floral display honors Canada’s long-standing friendship with the Netherlands, dating back to World War II. Gardens across the capital and neighboring Gatineau become a living canvas of color and form.
The festival goes beyond beauty. Visitors can take guided tours, attend horticultural talks, view themed films, and shop for rare bulbs. It’s a sensory celebration of history, nature, and human resilience—all rooted in the simple tulip.
Kyotographie
Kyoto, Japan:
Kyoto’s cherry blossoms may be fading, but its photographic artistry is just coming into full bloom. Now in its twelfth year, Kyotographie transforms Japan’s former imperial capital into a citywide gallery, showcasing contemporary and classic photography in atmospheric locations—think temples, old machiya townhouses, and modern museums.
With a strong focus on global issues, identity, and innovation, this festival invites visitors to explore visual storytelling from new angles. For culture seekers, it’s an unmissable intersection of tradition and creativity.
Melbourne Design Week
Melbourne, Australia:
Design takes over the world’s southern creative capital in May, with Melbourne Design Week offering ten days of exhibitions, workshops, talks, and tours. The Melbourne School of Design, Federation Square, and other city landmarks buzz with ideas that span architecture, graphic design, sustainability, and urban planning.
Nearby Ballarat adds a rustic touch, with its quietly thriving scene of artisans and craftspeople. Whether you’re a professional or a curious observer, this is a chance to see innovation at work in one of the world’s most design-forward cities.
World Whisky Day
Global:
Raise a glass to World Whisky Day, the annual global celebration of one of the world’s most beloved spirits. From Tokyo to Tennessee, distilleries and drinkers mark the day with tastings, tours, and toasts.
For collectors and connoisseurs, Glenrothes in Scotland has upped the ante with a release of only 100 bottles of its 51-year-old single malt—encased in Jesmonite shells that must be broken to be opened. Buyers can have the shattered remains transformed by a kintsugi artist into a golden-repaired work of art. Aged whisky meets age-old artistry in a toast to time itself.
PGA Championship
Charlotte, North Carolina:
All eyes in the golf world turn to Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club for the 107th PGA Championship. Known for its strategic course and Southern hospitality, this event will welcome approximately 200,000 fans to witness the sport’s top talents vie for glory.
Following his Masters victory, Rory McIlroy headlines a stacked roster including Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, and Viktor Hovland. For golf enthusiasts, it’s a prime opportunity to see the best in the game up close on one of America’s most scenic courses.
Biennale Architettura
Venice, Italy:
For six months starting in May, Venice becomes the epicenter of architectural thought and imagination. Under the curatorship of Carlo Ratti, the 2025 Biennale explores the theme Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective., promising a visionary look at the future of design and its impact on society.
With installations spread across the Arsenale, Giardini, and historic palazzos, the Biennale invites both professionals and the curious to engage with provocative ideas in an equally provocative setting. Come for the architecture, stay for the eternal allure of Venice in spring.
Monaco Grand Prix
Monte Carlo, Monaco:
Few sporting events match the glamour and adrenaline of the Monaco Grand Prix. As Formula 1 engines echo through Monte Carlo’s tight city streets, the 2025 edition brings added drama with eight rookie drivers and the much-anticipated Ferrari debut of Lewis Hamilton.
The harbor fills with superyachts, the air with champagne mist, and the grandstands with glittering spectators. Monaco isn’t just a race—it’s a once-a-year spectacle where speed, wealth, and spectacle collide on the Riviera’s most iconic curve.
Ready for takeoff?
From garden paths to pit lanes, May 2025 is bursting with opportunity for those willing to explore. So pick your passion—be it photography, golf, flowers, or fast cars—and let the world surprise you. After all, the best memories often start with a well-marked calendar.
