Festivals in May

10 of the world's notable festivals fall in May, spanning Europe, Asia, North America and Oceania. Biggest draws include Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival, Kanda Matsuri, Sanja Matsuri.

1
Bun Bang Fai Rocket Festival
A weekend in May · Yasothon
Isan's rocket festival firing huge homemade rockets to summon the rains.
Kanda Matsuri
2
Kanda Matsuri
Mid-May (odd years) · Tokyo
One of Tokyo's three great Shinto festivals, with a huge shrine procession.
Sanja Matsuri
3
Sanja Matsuri
Third weekend of May · Tokyo
Asakusa's wild three-day festival with around a hundred mikoshi shrines.
Aoi Matsuri
4
Aoi Matsuri
15 May · Kyoto
Kyoto's elegant Heian-era procession in aristocratic costume.
Vivid Sydney
5
Vivid Sydney
May–Jun · Sydney
Festival of light, music and ideas illuminating Sydney.
Cannes Film Festival
6
Cannes Film Festival
May · Cannes
The world's most prestigious film festival on the Riviera.
Vesak
7
Vesak
May (full moon) · Sri Lanka
Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death, marked with lanterns.
Venice Biennale
8
Venice Biennale
May–Nov (odd years) · Venice
Major international contemporary art and architecture exhibition.
Lotus Lantern Festival (Yeondeunghoe)
9
Lotus Lantern Festival (Yeondeunghoe)
May (Buddha's Birthday) · Seoul
UNESCO-listed Buddhist lantern parade through Seoul.
Kentucky Derby
10
Kentucky Derby
First Saturday of May · Louisville
'The most exciting two minutes in sports' with hats and juleps.