Festivals and Travel to Exotic Places in May

May weather should be good in:
Argentina, Bhutan, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Madagascar, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Syria, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe

Exotic Heritage Festivals | Destination Finder

Explore can take you hundreds of colourful destinations and festivals. Visit Explore Tours, Request a Brochure or check their new Festival Holidays list.

For good weather and festivals, early May:

Hong Kong [Cheung Chau Island] Bun Festival [spirit-placing ritual], 4 days

Indonesia [Borobudur, Java] Waisak [celebrating the Buddha's life], full moon day, 1 day. Indonesia Pictures.

Israel [Meiron, Galilee], Lag B'Omer, Spring feast, Apr/May, 1 day. Israel Pictures

For good weather and festivals, late May:

Tibet [Gyangzê] Tamang [Horse Racing Festival], May/June, 4 days. Tibet Pictures

Japan [Nikko] Tosho-gu Festival [mask parade] 17-18 May. Japan Pictures

Korea [Kangnung & Nationwide] Tano Festival [parade, wrestling, fireworks, floating lanterns, etc.], May/ June, 20 days
[Chonju] P'ungnam Festival [dance, folk arts, games and sports], May/June, 1 day

Bolivia [La Paz] Feast Day of Gran Poder [cultural fiesta, folk dances, costume parade, etc.], moving date in late-May/early-June

Philippines [Pulilan/San isidro/Angono] Carabao [water buffalo], 14-15th, 2 days
[Obando] Fertility Rites, 3rd week, 1 day

Or go for festivals only, not the weather! i.e. this is not the best season:

India [Thrissur] Pooram, Elephants, fireworks etc. April/May, 1 day. [Madurai] Chitra Fest. Divine marriage at Meenakshi temple. April/May, 10 days.
[Bodhgaya and Sarnath] Buddha Jayanti. Full moon day in Apr/May.
[Manali] Hadimba Temple, Dhungri Forest Festival. India Pictures

Mexico [Aguascalientes] Feria de San Marcos [national fair], mid Apr/early May, 22 days
[Puebla] Cinco De Mayo [parties, dances], May 5th, [Papantla de Olarte, Veracruz] Fiesta De Corpus Cristi [strange rituals, dancing] May/Early-June. Mexico Pictures

Thailand [Yasothon/Ubon/Nong Khai] Bun Bang Fai [Rocket Festival] Full moon, 2 days. Thailand Pictures

Laos, [nationwide] Bun Bang Fai [Rocket Festival], Full moon, 2 days. Laos Pictures

China [Nanning] Dragon Boat Regatta, 1 day. China Pictures

Malaysia, [Kota Belud, Sabah, Borneo] Tamu Besar, market & tribal gathering. May/June, 1 day
[Sarawak] Gawai Dayak [tribal gathering. Late-May/June. Malaysia Pictures