May weather: mild and already summery
| Berlin average | May |
|---|---|
| Average high | about 19°C |
| Average low | about 9°C |
| Rainy days | around ten |
| Rainfall | about 55 mm |
Orders of magnitude based on the 1991-2020 normals of the German Weather Service (DWD) for Berlin; evenings stay cool. The sun sets around 8:30 pm at the start of the month and around 9:15 pm at the end. For the whole season, see Berlin in spring.
Public holidays and closures in May 2027
Three dates matter in 2027: Saturday 1 May (Labour Day, a public holiday in Berlin), Thursday 6 May (Ascension) and Monday 17 May (Whit Monday, with Whit Sunday on 16 May). On these days most shops and supermarkets are closed; major museums and sights often open but with Sunday or holiday hours, to check on their websites. See also Berlin on Sundays. Ascension makes a long weekend: book rooms and trains early.
Crowds and prices in May
It is a busy month: the Carnival of Cultures weekend and the Ascension long weekend push hotel prices up and fill trains. On weekdays outside holidays, queues are manageable. To pick a neighbourhood, see where to stay in Berlin, and for costs the Berlin travel budget.
May 2027 events
1 May: Myfest and demonstrations
1 May is traditionally lively in Kreuzberg: a street festival (Myfest) and demonstrations. The mood is festive by day, but streets are closed and police are very visible; if you prefer calm, stay in other districts.
Gallery Weekend: until 2 May
Gallery Weekend Berlin is announced for 30 April to 2 May 2027: galleries open with openings. See our art galleries in Berlin.
Theatertreffen: 6 to 23 May
The Theatertreffen, a festival of the best German-language productions of the year, is announced for 6 to 23 May 2027. Performances are in German, often without English surtitles: check the language before buying.
Carnival of Cultures: Whitsun weekend
The Carnival of Cultures takes place every year over the Whitsun weekend in Kreuzberg: a parade on the Sunday and a street festival over several days. In 2027 Whit Sunday is 16 May, so the event falls around 14 to 17 May; the exact parade dates were not confirmed at the time of writing (a third-party site still lists the 2026 ones), so check the official carnival website.
What to wear in May
- Layers: a light jacket for the evening, summer clothes for the afternoon.
- A light raincoat: thunderstorms happen.
- Walking shoes and a hat or sunglasses.
- A water bottle, useful on long park walks.
The best things to do in May
- Mauerpark on Sunday: the Mauerpark flea market, with second-hand stalls, open-air karaoke and food trucks.
- Beer gardens: see our beer gardens for a beer under the chestnut trees.
- Lakes and water: the lakes around Berlin and the Spree cruise are pleasant from the first warm days.
- Parks: Tiergarten, Treptower Park and Tempelhofer Feld for picnics.
- A day trip: Potsdam and its palaces, or another idea in day trips from Berlin.
- Markets: see the markets of Berlin.
May 2027 at a glance
| Date | Event | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 30 April to 2 May | Gallery Weekend | Galleries open |
| Saturday 1 May | Labour Day, Myfest | Public holiday; streets closed in Kreuzberg |
| Thursday 6 May | Ascension | Public holiday, long weekend likely |
| 6 to 23 May | Theatertreffen | Performances in German |
| Around 14 to 17 May | Carnival of Cultures | Whit Sunday 16 May; exact dates to confirm |
| Monday 17 May | Whit Monday | Public holiday |
Going further
May follows what to do in Berlin in April and comes before what to do in Berlin in June. To compare every month, read the best time to visit Berlin, and for the whole year festivals and events in Berlin.
