What's on across Australia in May 2025

WORDS Kirsty Thatcher PUBLISHED Fri, 16 May 2025 - 2:00 pm

May has arrived, bringing with it a vibrant mix of happenings right across Australia. With the last of the autumn leaves clinging to the trees and a refreshing chill settling in, it’s the ideal time to explore everything the season has to offer. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or looking for local inspiration, May is packed with possibilities. We've gathered the best things to see and do around the country – so get ready to wrap up warm and make the most of this beautifully brisk time of year.

NSW

Emerging Australian Artist, Cat Yenn will present her first solo exhibition, Double Bounce, at Rainbow Studios this month. You can get tickets to the opening night celebration on 22 May, here.

Pana Organic is teaming up with Cherie Lynden from Whole Green Bakery in Sydney to create a Limited-Edition Triple Chocolate Cookie. For one week only, starting on the 13th May, visit a Whole Green Bakery and purchase the delicious Pana Organic x Whole Green Bakery Triple Chocolate Cookie.

Tequila Mockingbird is officially relaunching as tqm, entering a vibrant new era with a bold new menu. The Paddington venue reopens on 8 May under the direction of new Executive Chef, Jose Garcia. Bookings here.

FRED Home is popping up in Woollahra at 76 Queen Street, bringing their curated homewares to Sydney for the first time. The pop up runs from 13th May – 24th May, 10am–5pm, and 25th May from 11am–4pm.

Barangaroo's Artisan Markets are back on Saturday 10 May. There will be over 70 stalls at this year's market, live music, entertainment and gourmet treats, just in time for Mother's Day.

Stacy Brewer Cakes is teaming up with Hermetica Flowers for a unique Mothers Day pop up on Saturday May 10. Visit the Hermetica Flowers Flagship Store at 250 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo from 9am, and enjoy sweet treats like Victoria sponge cake with home made jam and lemon curd, plus beautiful florals.

Tom Butterworth's upcoming solo exhibition 'Sediment', will open from 2nd May - 18th May at Hake House.

L’Hôtel opens its doors at the Foundry Theatre from May 24 to July 6, for a production combining cabaret, aerial artistry, and burlesque. Tickets are available here.

The Coravin World Wine Tour kicks off this May, with Love, Tilly Devine pouring wine using Coravin's innovative wine preservation tools all month long. Expect everything from the classics to the hard-to-find international drops. Bookings here.

VIC

The Melbourne Art Book Fair returns for its 11th year, as part of Melbourne Design Week. From 15 - 25 May, discover a wide-range of free and ticketed activities, including the highly-anticipated Stallholder fair from May 16 - 18.

From May 8, Peninsula Hot Springs ‘Bathe in Cinema’ will make its return to Thursday nights, where guests can unwind in the naturally heated geothermal pools while enjoying classic films like 10 Things I Hate About You, Little Miss Sunshine, Miss Congeniality and The Blind Side. See the full program here.

For the month of May only, Gigi’s Gelato is introducing pistachio paciugo to its menu, a dessert originating from Portofino which means ‘mess’ in Ligurian dialect. Try it yourself at 15 Anderson street, Yarraville.

Beetlejuice The Musical kicks off a three-month run on May 7, exclusively in Melbourne. Book your tickets here.

The YIRRAMBOI festival returns for its fifth iteration, bringing together 400+ First Nations creatives, across 180 performances and over 40 venues. THis year, the festival runs from 2 - 11 May, with more details available here.

QLD

Gracie Abrams is bringing her The Secret Of Us Tour to Brisbane's Entertainment Centre on May 6 and 7. Ticket are available here.

The Queensland Symphony Orchestra is celebrating Hans Zimmer with their performance of Art of the Score: The Music of Hans Zimmer. Performances will take place at QPAC's Concert Hall on May 23 and 24. Tickets here.

Paniyiri Greek Festival returns from 17 - 18 May, bringing market stalls, live performances and, of course, delicious Greek treats to Musgrave Park in South Brisbane.

North Stradbroke Island will host the Straddie Salute Festival on 17 and 18 May, with events including a road triathlon, an off-road triathlon, a kids race, an ocean swim and an adventure run.

NT

The Darwin Street Art Festival kicks off on May 24 - June 15, with more than 20 new murals by artists from across the globe set to be splashed across the city's walls. See the full program here.

The annual Top End Gin Festival returns on May 24, bringing over 20 gin distillers from across the country to the iconic Darwin Ski Club. With headlining act The Temper Trap, live activations, and plenty of gin, it's set to be a memorable day.

Darwin's Live Fire BBQ Festival is slated for May 30 - 31, with a community BBQ set amongst the Botanic Gardens. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy food by Darwin's best local BBQ masters, learn how to BBQ, and even buy your own set up.

WA

The Western Australia Margaret River Pro will bring the world's best surfers to Margret River for 10 days of competition. It's largely considered a mid-season decider, determining who advances to the second half of the world tour.

The HBF Run for a Reason returns on Sunday May 25, with a fundraising goal of over $1 million for charity. Find all event information here.

Maar Koodjal, Perth's Raine Square’s flagship cultural program, is back from May 27 - July 13, marking National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week from 27 May to 13 July. Find the full event schedule here.