United States
Phoenix in May
🔥 Hot seasonHot and mostly dry.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · sunglasses & hat
Why May scores 8.9What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort8.7
- !Hot (35°C highs / 21°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 0.6°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~3 mm rain)
- Air quality8.8
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~12 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline7.5
- ·Increased caution
| May | Mar | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.9 Excellent | 9.4 Excellent |
| Season | 🔥 Hot season | ☀️ Warm dry season |
| High / low | 35° / 21° | 26° / 13° |
| Rain | 3 mm | 21 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 1° | dew pt 1° |
| PM2.5 | 12 µg/m³ | 12 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Phoenix Sky Harbor weather-station normals. Rainfall: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Memorial Day 29–31 May · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore PhoenixEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyThe capital of Arizona in the Sonoran Desert, known for desert hiking, saguaro landscapes, golf, spring training baseball and Native American art.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Las Noches de las LuminariasDate variesUsually late November and December, select nights
Thousands of candle-lit paper bags line the garden paths with live music.
Why go: Tickets sell out; book early.
Where: Desert Botanical Garden
WM Phoenix OpenDate variesUsually early February
A PGA Tour golf event known for huge, rowdy crowds at the 16th hole.
Why go: One of the best-attended golf tournaments in the world.
Where: TPC Scottsdale
Cactus League spring trainingDate variesUsually late February to late March
Major League Baseball teams hold spring training games in the area.
Why go: Tickets are cheaper than regular season and stadiums are small.
Where: Ballparks across the metro area
Desert Botanical Garden
Gardens of desert plants from around the world, including saguaros, in Papago Park.
Camelback Mountain
A steep, popular summit hike in the middle of the metro area.
💡 Start at dawn and carry plenty of water; trails can close in extreme heat.
Heard Museum
A museum of American Indian art and culture.
Musical Instrument Museum
A museum displaying instruments from nearly every country in the world.
South Mountain Park
One of the largest city parks in the US, with desert trails and city views.
Taliesin West
Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and studio in Scottsdale.
Sonoran hot dog
A bacon-wrapped hot dog with beans, onions, tomatoes and salsa.
Sonoran-style Mexican food
Carne asada, flour tortillas and burritos in the style of neighbouring Sonora.
Fry bread
Puffed fried dough eaten sweet or topped as a Navajo taco.
Prickly pear
Cactus fruit made into syrups, lemonades, margaritas and candy.
Native American jewellery
Silver and turquoise jewellery by Native artists.
💡 Heard Museum shop and reputable galleries
Prickly pear products
Candy, jelly and syrup made from cactus fruit.
Salsa and chiles
Locally made salsas and chile products.