May is a wonderful time to be in Texas, with its warm weather, lively culture, and vibrant festivals. Whether you're a local or a tourist, there's always something to do and see in this great state. To help you plan your May events itinerary, Texas Shuttle is proud to present this guide to the best music, food, and cultural festivals in Texas.
As the premier shuttle service in Texas, Texas Shuttle can take you to any of these festivals in comfort and style. We offer shuttle services in Texas to all major airports and destinations, including popular May events such as:
Houston Greek Fest
May 14-16, 2021: This three-day festival celebrates Greek culture with food, drinks, music, and dancing. Book our affordable shuttle services in Texas to get you to this event in Houston.6 Houston Greek Fest travel Houston airport travel guide
Austin Food + Wine Festival
May 22-23, 2021: This annual festival showcases the best of Texas food and wine, with celebrity chefs, local restaurants, and wine tastings. Take the Texas shuttle to Austin and indulge in the culinary delights.
San Antonio Folk Dance Festival
May 21-23, 2021: This festival brings together folk dance enthusiasts from around the world for workshops, performances, and parties. Catch the shuttle service from Dallas to Houston and enjoy this lively event.
Galveston Island Beach Revue
May 15, 2021: This retro-inspired festival features vintage cars, live music, and a classic bathing suit contest. Take the Texas airport shuttle transportation to Galveston and enjoy a day at the beach.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
May 1-2, 2021: This festival in downtown San Antonio celebrates Mexican culture with food, music, and dancing. Book our shuttle services in Texas to take you to this colorful event.
No matter which festival you choose, Texas Shuttle can provide shuttle services in Texas to get you there safely and on time. Our shuttle buses are comfortable and affordable, making them the perfect way to travel to May events in Texas. Book your shuttle service from Dallas to Houston or any other destination in Texas today and get ready to enjoy the best of Texas music, food, and culture this May!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of music can I expect at the Houston Greek Fest?
You can enjoy traditional Greek music and dancing at Houston Greek Fest.
Are there any celebrity chefs participating in Austin Food + Wine Festival?
Yes, celebrity chefs are part of Austin Food + Wine Festival showcasing Texas cuisine.
When is the Galveston Island Beach Revue and what does it feature?
Galveston Island Beach Revue on May 15 features vintage cars, live music, and a classic bathing suit contest.
What cultural elements are celebrated at Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in San Antonio?
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta celebrates Mexican culture with food, music, and dancing.
What Is the Weather Like in Texas in May?
May in Texas is warm and sunny, making it one of the best months of the year to explore the Lone Star State outdoors. Early in the month, average high temperatures range from the 70s to the 80s Fahrenheit (20–27 degrees Celsius), while overnight lows typically range from the 50s to 60s Fahrenheit (10–20 degrees Celsius). By late May, things warm up further: highs can reach the 80s to 90s Fahrenheit (27–32 degrees Celsius), and lows generally range from the 60s to 70s Fahrenheit (15–25 degrees Celsius).
Rainfall varies widely depending on where you travel. The northern and western parts of Texas, including cities like Amarillo and El Paso, tend to have lower average rainfall amounts, often ranging from around 1 to 2 inches (25–51 mm) or less. East and Central Texas, including the Houston, Austin, and San Antonio corridors, typically see average rainfall of around 2 to 4 inches (51–102 mm) in these areas. Pack layers, bring sunscreen, and keep a light rain jacket handy — especially if you're attending an outdoor festival.
May Events in Texas at a Glance
Use this quick comparison to match each May event and attraction with the city it's in and how you'd get there. Always confirm exact dates and details on each event's official website before you book, since schedules change from year to year.
| Event / Attraction | City | What to Expect | Getting There |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinco de Mayo Fiesta | San Antonio | Mexican food, music, and dancing downtown | I-35 South from Austin, or I-10 |
| Galveston Island Beach Revue | Galveston | 1920s and 1930s glamour on the island's historic beachfront | I-45 South from Houston |
| Houston Greek Fest | Houston | Traditional Greek food, music, and dancing | I-45 or US-59 into the city |
| Austin Food + Wine Festival | Austin | Celebrity chefs, local restaurants, wine tastings | I-35, or TX-71 from Houston |
| Bluebonnet Trail | Ennis | Wildflower drives along mapped country roads | I-45 South from Dallas |
| Fort Worth Stockyards | Fort Worth | Cowboy heritage, cattle drives, historic stockyards district | I-30 West from Dallas |
Explore the Beauty of the Bluebonnet Trail in Ennis
May is the tail end of Texas wildflower season, and Ennis — about 35 miles south of Dallas down I-45 — is one of the state's best-known wildflower destinations. The Ennis Bluebonnet Trail covers roughly 40 miles of mapped country roads lined with bluebonnets and other spring blooms, and the Ennis welcome center provides route maps each spring. Even if peak bloom has passed by May, the surrounding fields and driving trails still make a relaxed outdoor day trip, and you can pair it with a stroll around Ennis's historic downtown. If you're flying into Dallas and heading this way, our airport shuttle guides cover how shuttle transportation works across the state.
Explore the Fort Worth Stockyards: Must-Do Things in Texas in May
For a taste of authentic cowboy heritage, nothing beats the Fort Worth Stockyards. This historic district on the north side of Fort Worth celebrates the city's cattle-driving past with brick streets, livestock pens, saloons, and western shops, plus the twice-daily cattle drives along Exchange Avenue that the Stockyards are famous for. May's warm mornings are ideal for walking the district before the afternoon heat sets in. The Stockyards pair perfectly with a Fort Worth stay, and since the district is just off I-30 west of Dallas, it's an easy add-on to any North Texas itinerary built around Dallas events.
Explore the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Spread across 66 acres along the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a stunning collection of gardens and seasonal displays. May is a gorgeous month to visit: spring plantings are at their fullest, and the lakeside setting offers some of the best skyline views in Dallas. Shaded pathways, water features, and seasonal exhibits make it a comfortable outing even as temperatures climb toward the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit. Budget at least half a day to explore the garden properly, and bring a camera — this is one of the most photographed outdoor attractions in North Texas.
Visit the San Antonio Botanical Garden and Catch the Culinaria Wine and Food Festival
San Antonio packs plenty into May. The San Antonio Botanical Garden offers 38 acres of themed gardens, conservatory displays, and Texas-native landscapes just north of Mahncke Park, a short drive from the Alamo and the River Walk. It's a peaceful outdoor escape between festival events.
Food lovers should also look into the Culinaria Wine and Food Festival in San Antonio, a May tradition that spotlights Texas wine and food through tastings, dinners, and chef events held at venues around the city. Dates and programming change annually, so check the festival's official website for the current lineup. If you're planning your trip around the Botanical Garden and Culinaria together, book an airport shuttle to San Antonio so you can enjoy the wine tastings worry-free.
Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin
Named for the former First Lady who championed America's native landscapes, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in southwest Austin is a must for garden lovers visiting in May. The center showcases Texas native plants in demonstration gardens, meadows, and family-friendly outdoor spaces, and its central courtyard and tower offer sweeping views of the Hill Country. It sits near the intersection of US-290 and TX-45 Southwest, making it an easy detour if you're driving between Austin and Fredericksburg. Pair it with the Austin Food + Wine Festival for a weekend that blends wildflowers with world-class food.
Attend the Houston Ballet's Spring Season
Not every great May experience in Texas is outdoors. The Houston Ballet, based at the Wortham Theater Center downtown, typically stages its spring season in late spring, giving visitors a chance to see one of the country's top ballet companies perform classic and contemporary works. Performance schedules vary by year, so check the Houston Ballet's official website for exact dates. An evening at the ballet is a smart counterpoint to Houston's bigger outdoor festivals, especially if afternoon thunderstorms roll through — remember, the Houston area averages 2 to 4 inches of rain in May.
Attend the Old Town Spring Crawfish Festival
Just north of Houston, the historic town of Spring hosts a popular crawfish festival each spring in its walkable Old Town district. Expect boiled crawfish, live music on outdoor stages, craft vendors, and a family-friendly street-fair atmosphere. Old Town Spring sits off I-45 north of Houston, so it's an easy trip for anyone staying in the city or flying into George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Wear clothes you don't mind getting a little Cajun seasoning on, and come hungry — crawfish season runs through late spring.
Take a Trip to South Padre Island
May is one of the best times to visit South Padre Island, the barrier island at the southern tip of Texas. The spring break crowds are gone, the water is warming, and the weather is ideal for beach days, fishing charters, dolphin-watching tours, and time on the sand near the Port Isabel causeway (reachable via TX-100 off US-77/US-83). Overnight lows in the 70s Fahrenheit mean comfortable evenings on the beach. If Corpus Christi is on your route instead, the coastal drive north along Padre Island's national seashore makes for a memorable outdoor road trip with plenty of stops.
A Day Trip to Fredericksburg and the Hill Country
For wine and heritage in one stop, head west from Austin on US-290 to Fredericksburg, the heart of Texas Wine Country. This historic German-founded town along Enchanted Rock's doorstep is surrounded by dozens of wineries along Highway 290, plus a charming Main Street full of shops, bakeries, and museums. May weather in the Hill Country — highs in the 80s to 90s, lows in the 60s to 70s — is ideal for patio tastings. If your travels extend into summer, note that nearby Kerrville hosts the Symphony of the Hills at 910 Main St. and other Hill Country events, and San Antonio's Market Street district at 210 W Market Street anchors major cultural celebrations like Selena Forever: Siempre Selena. Always confirm event dates on official websites before planning.
Getting Around Texas for May Events
Texas is huge, and May's best events are spread from Ennis to South Padre Island. Flying into one city and driving yourself to several others means navigating I-45, I-35, and I-10 traffic on your own — plus parking headaches at every festival. A pre-booked shuttle simplifies everything. Texas Shuttle provides airport shuttle transportation across the state, including Houston airport transfers covered in our Houston airport travel guide, Dallas-to-Houston service, and Austin and San Antonio routes. Reserve your ride before your trip so your transportation is locked in for every festival, garden, and beach day on your May itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions About May Events in Texas
What are the best things to do in Texas in May?
The best May activities include the Ennis Bluebonnet Trail, the Fort Worth Stockyards, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, South Padre Island, and festivals like the Houston Greek Fest, Austin Food + Wine Festival, and Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in San Antonio.
Is May a good month to visit Texas?
Yes. May is warm and sunny before peak summer heat, with average highs ranging from the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit early in the month to the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit by late May, making it ideal for both outdoor attractions and festivals.
Where can I see bluebonnets in Texas in May?
Ennis, south of Dallas along I-45, is one of the state's most famous bluebonnet destinations, with roughly 40 miles of mapped driving trails. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin is another excellent spot for native wildflowers.
What should I pack for a May trip to Texas?
Pack light, breathable clothing for highs in the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit, a light layer for evenings in the 60s and 70s, sunscreen, and a rain jacket — eastern and Central Texas typically receive 2 to 4 inches of rain in May.
How do I travel between Texas cities for May festivals?
Major festivals are spread across Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, and the coast. The easiest option is flying into one hub airport and booking shuttle service between cities, which avoids festival parking and long drives after evening events.
What food festivals happen in Texas in May?
Highlights include the Austin Food + Wine Festival, the Culinaria Wine and Food Festival in San Antonio, the Old Town Spring Crawfish Festival near Houston, and the food-focused celebrations at the Houston Greek Fest and Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.
