India
Chennai in May
🔥 Hot dry seasonVery hot, humid and some showers. Watch for tropical cyclone & extreme heat risk.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · quick-dry fabrics · sunglasses & hat
Why May scores 6.8What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.5
- !Very hot (36°C highs / 27.7°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 23.7°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~56 mm rain)
- Air quality7.4
- ✓Moderate (PM2.5 ~22 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards7.0
- !Tropical cyclone: Peak of the North Indian Ocean cyclone season
- !Extreme heat: Average daily high 36°C
- Safety baseline7.0
- ·Increased caution
| May | Jan | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.8 Good | 8.4 Very good |
| Season | 🔥 Hot dry season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 36° / 28° | 28° / 21° |
| Rain | 56 mm | 28 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 24° | dew pt 20° |
| PM2.5 | 22 µg/m³ | 31 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Eid al-Adha 15–17 May · 3 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Buddha Purnima (20 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore ChennaiEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyThe capital of Tamil Nadu on India's southeast coast, a centre of Carnatic music, Dravidian temples and South Indian food.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
DeepavaliDate variesHindu calendar — October or November
The festival of lights, celebrated with fireworks and sweets.
Why go: Fireworks continue late; air quality can drop.
Where: Citywide
Chennai Music Season (Margazhi)Date variesUsually mid-December to mid-January
Hundreds of Carnatic music and classical dance performances.
Why go: Many concerts are free or low-cost; famous artists sell out.
Where: Sabhas (concert halls) across the city
PongalDate variesUsually 14 or 15 January, over several days
Tamil Nadu's harvest festival, with kolam designs and sweet pongal.
Why go: Many businesses close and transport is busy.
Where: Across Tamil Nadu
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
A colourful Dravidian-style Shiva temple in Mylapore.
Marina Beach
A very long urban beach, busy in the evenings.
💡 Swimming is unsafe because of strong currents.
San Thome Basilica
A white neo-Gothic church built over the tomb traditionally said to be St Thomas the Apostle's.
Fort St. George
The first English fortress in India, now with a museum.
Government Museum
A large museum known for its collection of Chola bronzes.
Mahabalipuram
UNESCO-listed shore temple and rock carvings, a day trip south along the coast.
Idli, dosa and vada
Classic South Indian breakfast dishes served with sambar and chutney.
Filter coffee
Strong coffee with milk, poured between cups to froth it.
Chettinad chicken
A spicy dish from the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu.
Meals on a banana leaf
Rice with a series of curries, served on a banana leaf.
Pongal
Rice and lentils cooked with ghee and pepper, eaten at breakfast.
Kanchipuram silk
Rich silk saris from the nearby town of Kanchipuram.
💡 Silk shops in T. Nagar
Tanjore paintings
Traditional paintings with gold leaf.
💡 Craft emporiums
Bronze figures
Cast bronze statues in the Chola tradition.
💡 Craft emporiums
Filter coffee powder
Coffee and chicory blends for South Indian coffee.
💡 Coffee shops and markets