May in Texas is warm and sunny, making it an ideal time to explore the Lone Star State, and with fewer crowds.
May’s weather is ideal, and there are fewer crowds because the kids are still in school until the end of the month. So, fun things to do in Texas in May will be full of weekend outdoor activities, events, and Mother’s Day specials. The spring flowers are still blooming, and several annual events are happening.
May is a great time to plan some fun in Texas. If you’re lucky, the wildflowers will still be out.
Fun Things To Do in Texas in May
Spring is still the season, with many wildflowers blooming and beautiful scenic drives everywhere. We may get some rain, but that never stops a party! Plus, outdoor events and festivals, including Cinco de Mayo, are sprouting up everywhere.
However, if you plan to visit Texas in May for fewer crowds, consider doing so before the Memorial Day weekend. That’s when everything changes in May, and crowds start to appear.
Things To Do In Texas In May In North Texas
Fort Worth Mayfest at Trinity Park
May 1-4, 2025
The annual Fort Worth Mayfest 2025 is on its way.
Black Heritage Celebration at the Dallas Arboretum
May 3-4, 2025 – https://www.dallasarboretum.org/events-activities/black-heritage-celebration/
Asian American Heritage Festival – Garland, TX
May 10, 2025 – https://www.visitgarlandtx.com/events/2025/asian-american-heritage-festival
Cinco de Mayo – Grand Prairie, TX
May 3rd, 10 am –
Denton Redbud Festival
May 4, 2025, from 11 am to 5 pm
Denton Civic Center & Quakertown Park – 321 E. McKinney St.
Paluxy Music Festival – Glen Rose, TX
May 30-31, 2025
Expect food, fun, and live country music at the 2-day event.
Country Kick-off at The Star
May 6-7, 2025, 5 to 11 pm
Beer garden, food trucks, live music, and more.
Gaylord Texan Presents “Universe of Light” DC Lantern Show
May 23 through September 1, 2025
See it all here, plus how to use the coupon code TRAVELING – Universe of Light.
South Texas
The best time to visit South Texas is usually in May, because the scorching heat has not arrived yet. However, May can get hot the further south you travel.
Watermelon Festival and Cookoff
May 10th in Alamo, TX
Check out the Watermelon Festival in Alamo, TX on Facebook.
MXLAN
May 9-11, 2025, in McAllen
Loteria: Game On
May 3 through June 1, 2025, in San Antonio
Gulf Coast
The beaches are starting to swarm with tourists towards the end of May. Why not combine Cinco de Mayo and the beach for one big vacation? Think Galveston and Freeport.
Buc Days Festival – Corpus Christi
May 1-11, 2025
It is a Pirate-themed festival that everyone in the family will enjoy. You’re sure to have a great time with various family activities, carnivals, parades, and the BBB on the Bay competition. Buc Days.
Festival De Cine Latino Americano – Corpus Christi
May 10-12 – https://filmfreeway.com/FDCLACorpusChristi
This new event showcases the finest international Latino and Latin American content and Latino filmmakers. Look it up at the Performing Arts Center.
More things to do in Corpus Christi.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration – Freeport, Texas
May 4th
Food trucks, live entertainment, and cultural activities at Freeport Historical Museum.
El Campo in May
Crawfish Cookoff and Car Show from May 3rd to 5th
May 10-12 – Lost Logoon Anniversary and Mother’s Day Celebration
May 24-26 – Memorial Day Weekend
Historic Home Tour – Galveston, TX
May 4-5 & May 11-12
Memorial Day Fireworks – South Padre Island
May 26th
Check out the restaurants and bars in the Entertainment District for the best fireworks viewing.
Galveston Historic Home Tours
May 4-5, 11-12
Central Texas / Texas Hill Country
Pecan Street Spring Arts Festival – Austin, TX
May 4-5
The oldest and largest art festival in Central Texas. Family-friendly with music, food, vendors, artists, and craftspeople – all on Sixth Street.
ATX Television Festival – Austin, TX
May 30-June 3
The first festival devoted to television’s history and future.
Waco Surf – Waco, TX
Hot Luck Festival in Austin
May 22-25, 2025
Noting the soul, sweat, and diversity of the food and music world. Check out the Hot Luck Festival and get ready to get your fingers dirty. It’s okay, Mom!
May In Bandera, TX
Lots happening in Bandera this month – from market days to cowboy breakfasts and much more.
Market Day the 4th
May 5, 12, 19, and 26 – Morning Ride with Cowboy Breakfast
Thursday Cowboy Camp on May 16th
Memorial Day Weekend Stampede Rodeo and Parade
Things To Do In May In Boerne, TX
Boerne is rockin’ with plenty to do for the whole family in May.
A Handmade Market on the 3rd & 4th
Bluegrass Jam at the Agricultural on May 11th
Memorial Day Tribute: The Woodwind Winds in Concert – Cave Without A Name
Fredericksburg Trade Days
May 17-19
This is where I’d be! I love good trade days, and this one is it!
Crawfish Festival – Fredericksburg, TX
May 24-26
Memorial Day weekend, you can indulge in Cajun food, live music, carnival, and more at the Markplatz.
Things To Do In May In Kerrville, TX
You’d better prepare for loads of fun in Kerrville in May—family-friendly stuff! I spent a few days in town in October, when all the fall decorations were out. We visited the most fun place in the city, the Market at The Ridge. The whole place was decorated in Halloween and fall decor. I can only imagine what it will look like in spring. Read everything we did here: How to Spend A Perfect Weekend in Kerrville, TX.
You’ll want to bring the entire family out for a 5K run and walk, youth orchestra concerts, market days, art shows, folk festivals, Shakespeare in the Park, and more. Look up the Visiting Bureau there.
East Texas
Piney Woods Wine Trail Festival
May 9-10, 2025
Host town Lindale, TX, can hardly wait to bring the Piney Woods Wine Trail Festival to its town again. The hometown of Miranda Lambert is undoubtedly going to live up to country style.
Big As Texas Festival – Conroe, TX
May 10-12
This new outdoor celebration will feature a world-class music lineup, vendors, artisans, exhibits, games, & fire-grilled food. Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bentley, and Dwight Yoakam, to name a few.
Historical Pilgrimage Home Tours of Jefferson
May 1-4, 2025
Come out to see four of Jefferson’s historical homes open their doors and gardens. See Jefferson Pilgrimage 2025.
Red Brick Bluegrass Festival – Nacogdoches, TX
May 3, 2025 – Free
This is a family-friendly festival featuring bluegrass bands. Look up Red Brick Bluegrass (formerly known as Blueberry Bluegrass Concert in the Park). Featuring The Purple Hulls.
Things To Do In May In Palestine, TX
Palestine, TX, is whipping up fun things in May
Through May 31st – see the Fairy Garden Trail at the Davey Dogwood Park
Through May 31st – ride the Piney Woods Vintage Train
May 23-26 Gospel Bluegrass Festival
Brenham Maifest
May 1-2, 2025
See the schedule for Brenham Maifest.
Chappell Hill’s Art Walk
May 24, 2025, 10 am
The Chappell Hill Annual Art Walk is an annual event where artists from Washington County and beyond can display and sell their work. The Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce presents the event. Visitors can expect to see artists at work, meet the creators, and potentially purchase their artwork. The Art Walk is located in downtown Chappell Hill, including Main Street, the Historical Society Museum, and other select locations.
Things To Do In May in West Texas
Cinco de Mayo Celebration – Alpine, Texas
A local tradition featuring a themed downtown parade, music, dancing, and a car show on historic Murphy Street. Check it all out at Visit Alpine, Texas.
You might find some wonderful things to do under Texas Wine Festivals and Events.
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