Month guide · Memphis · United States
Memphis in May
What May is really like in Memphis: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Memphis. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 17°C (63°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Warm and lively, with the month-long Memphis in May festival and its barbecue contest.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Memphis: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 23°C (73°F), and nights fall to about 17°C (63°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with April (23°C (73°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:56
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:57
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
Spring (March–May). Mild, blooming and festive, with Memphis in May and the barbecue contest, though spring storms can be strong.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is May at 4) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in May). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Memphis in May International Festival (throughout May)
- World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest (usually mid-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.
Museum · Soulsville
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Drive or take a rideshare to Soulsville and combine the museum with a soul-food lunch nearby.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · Downtown and Beale Street
Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
Developed with the Smithsonian Institution, this museum tells how sharecroppers' music from the Delta became rock 'n' roll and soul, using audio guides that let you listen to more than a hundred songs along the way.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · South Main Arts District
Blues Hall of Fame Museum
Combine it with the National Civil Rights Museum across the street on South Main.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Gallery · East Memphis
Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Set in a former private estate, the Dixon displays French and American Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, including works by Monet, Renoir and Degas, plus a large collection of decorative porcelain.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Couples
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 28°C, lows near 17°C and 10 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Memphis?
One of the best months to visit Memphis, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are April and October–November. Compare every month.
Memphis in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Memphis?
It is one of the best months to visit Memphis. Warm and lively, with the month-long Memphis in May festival and its barbecue contest.
+How warm is Memphis in May?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Memphis in May?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.