Month guide · Manchester · United Kingdom
Manchester in May
What May is really like in Manchester: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: habiloid, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Manchester. Expect average highs of 16°C (61°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 15.9 hours of daylight. One of the more pleasant months, with mild weather for canal walks and day trips to the Peak District.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 16°C (61°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 15.9 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Manchester: days average 16°C (61°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with April (13°C (55°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:08
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 21:02
- Daylight
- About 15.9 hours
Spring (March–May). Lengthening days and milder weather, with blossom in the parks and frequent showers; May is often the most pleasant month.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in May
- Great Manchester Run (usually May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Gallery · University
The Whitworth
Have lunch in the glass-walled café overlooking the park, then explore the textile galleries.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
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Experience · Trafford
Old Trafford stadium tour
Manchester United's stadium, nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams, holds about 74,000 fans.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Kids
- Rainy day
Experience · Eastlands
Etihad Stadium tour
Take the Metrolink to Etihad Campus; the stop is right beside the stadium.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Museum · City Centre
National Football Museum
Inside the sloping glass Urbis building beside Cathedral Gardens, England's national football museum covers the game's history from medieval village matches to the modern Premier League, with shirts, trophies and interactive penalty and skills challenges.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
What to pack
For highs near 16°C, lows near 8°C and 11 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Manchester?
One of the best months to visit Manchester, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are June–September. Compare every month.
Manchester in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Manchester?
It is one of the best months to visit Manchester. One of the more pleasant months, with mild weather for canal walks and day trips to the Peak District.
+How warm is Manchester in May?
Average highs are around 16°C (61°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Manchester in May?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.