Columbus in May

May weather, activities, events & insider tips

May Weather in Columbus

23°C (73°F) High Temp

11°C (51°F) Low Temp

104 mm (4.1 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is May Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect spring weather for outdoor festivals - Festival Latino runs all month with comfortable evening temperatures of 11-15°C (51-59°F) ideal for street food and live music
Peak tulip season at Franklin Park Conservatory - over 100 varieties bloom mid-May, with 6am-8am golden hour photography sessions before crowds arrive
Ohio State campus comes alive with graduation ceremonies and campus tours - Oval lawn events daily, plus easier parking as regular students leave
Short North Gallery Hop reaches spring peak - first Saturday draws 15,000+ visitors, but warm weather extends outdoor art installations throughout the month

Considerations

Unpredictable spring storms - 40% chance of severe weather with tornado watches, disrupting outdoor events with little warning
High pollen counts peak mid-May - tree pollen reaches 11.2 grains per cubic meter, making outdoor activities challenging for allergy sufferers
Hotel prices spike 35-50% during Ohio State graduation week (typically third week of May) with minimum 3-night stays required downtown

Best Activities in May

Columbus Food Hall and Market Tours

May brings peak farmers market season with 40+ vendors at North Market and new spring vegetables. Morning temperatures of 15-18°C (59-64°F) make walking tours comfortable before afternoon humidity peaks. Local asparagus, morel mushrooms, and ramp season creates unique tastings unavailable other months.

Booking Tip: Book food tours 2-3 weeks ahead for weekend slots. Weekday morning tours (9am-11am) avoid crowds and heat. Typically cost $45-75 per person. Look for tours that include North Market, German Village, and Short North areas. See current options in booking section below.

Scioto Mile River Walk and Biking

Perfect weather for the 5.5 km (3.4 mile) riverfront path with spring flowers blooming and fountain shows resuming daily operation. Morning temperatures stay comfortable until 11am, while evening walks from 6pm-sunset offer ideal 18-21°C (64-70°F) conditions. May marks peak bird migration along the Scioto River.

Booking Tip: Bike rentals cost $25-40 per day with hourly options $8-12. Reserve ahead for weekend mornings. E-bike tours run daily 9am and 2pm, typically $35-55 per person. Book through downtown bike shops or see current guided options in booking section below.

German Village Historic Walking Experiences

May transforms German Village with blooming gardens and perfect walking weather. Book Haus tours showcase private courtyards only open during spring garden tours. Cool mornings and warm afternoons let you explore 4-5 hours comfortably, covering the full 233-acre historic district.

Booking Tip: Self-guided tours cost $15-25, guided groups $30-50 per person. Weekend garden tours book out 2-4 weeks ahead. Weekday afternoon tours (1pm-4pm) offer smaller groups and better photo opportunities. See current tour options in booking section below.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Peak bloom season with outdoor gardens at full spring display plus comfortable greenhouse exploring when afternoon storms hit. May features special orchid exhibitions and butterfly releases. Indoor spaces provide perfect rainy day backup during Columbus' 10 typical May storm days.

Booking Tip: Admission $17-20 adults, parking $5. Book timed entries online 1-2 weeks ahead for weekends. Early morning (9am-11am) or late afternoon (3pm-5pm) slots offer best light and fewer crowds. Special exhibitions may require separate tickets $5-10 additional.

Brewery District and Craft Beer Tours

May launches outdoor beer garden season with 15+ breweries offering patio seating. Perfect temperatures for brewery hopping along the 2.4 km (1.5 mile) walkable district. Spring seasonal beers release throughout May, including local favorites with Ohio-grown hops.

Booking Tip: Walking brewery tours typically $55-85 including tastings and food. Book 1-2 weeks ahead for Saturday afternoon slots. Private group tours (6+ people) offer better value at $45-65 per person. See current brewery tour options in booking section below.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Day Trips

Perfect weather for the 234-hectare (580-acre) zoo with animals most active in mild May temperatures. Baby animal season peaks with new births on display. Morning visits avoid afternoon storms while comfortable walking weather lasts all day until 4pm typical storm time.

Booking Tip: Admission $20-25 adults, parking $10. Arrive at 9am opening for best animal viewing and smaller crowds. Combo tickets with Zoombezi Bay water park save $10-15 but water park doesn't fully open until Memorial Day weekend. Book timed entries online during busy graduation week.

May Events & Festivals

Mid to Late May (typically Memorial Day weekend)

Festival Latino

Columbus' largest Latino celebration with 3 stages of live music, 40+ food vendors, and cultural exhibitions. Free admission with perfect May evenings for outdoor dancing and authentic Mexican, Salvadoran, and Colombian street food. Draws 85,000+ visitors over the weekend.

First Saturday of May

Short North Gallery Hop

Monthly art walk featuring 50+ galleries, studios, and pop-up exhibitions along High Street. May features outdoor installations taking advantage of spring weather. Food trucks line the street and bars extend hours. First Saturday of every month draws largest crowds.

Mid-May (typically third week)

Ohio State University Spring Commencement

Major graduation ceremonies transform campus and downtown with family celebrations. Ohio Stadium ceremonies plus dozens of college-specific events throughout the week. Creates significant hotel demand but adds energy to campus area restaurants and attractions.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layering pieces for 12°C (22°F) temperature swings - light sweater for 11°C (51°F) mornings, t-shirt for 23°C (73°F) afternoons

Waterproof rain jacket with hood - not just umbrella, as spring storms bring wind gusts up to 48 km/h (30 mph)

SPF 50+ sunscreen - UV index hits 8 with limited shade on riverfront walks and outdoor festivals

Comfortable waterproof walking shoes - expect 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) daily on uneven brick streets in German Village

Allergy medication - tree pollen peaks mid-May with oak, maple, and hickory at highest counts

Portable phone charger - outdoor festivals and events drain batteries faster, limited charging stations

Light cardigan for air-conditioned indoor spaces - museums and conservatories keep temperatures at 18-20°C (64-68°F)

Small backpack or crossbody bag - hands-free for brewery tours and crowded festival areas

Cash in small bills - many food trucks and market vendors prefer cash, ATM lines get long at events

Insider Knowledge

Book hotels by April 1st to avoid Ohio State graduation week price surge - downtown rates jump from $120 to $200+ with 3-night minimums during commencement

Visit North Market before 10am on weekends - after that crowds make sampling and shopping nearly impossible, plus best bakery items sell out

Park at COSI lot ($8 all day) and walk across pedestrian bridge to avoid downtown parking nightmares during events - saves $15-25 and 20+ minutes of searching

Download the COTA bus app - free downtown circulator runs every 10 minutes and connects all major attractions, locals use it to avoid festival traffic

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating spring storm severity - tornado watches are common in May and can shut down outdoor events with 30 minutes notice

Scheduling only outdoor activities - have indoor backups for the 10 typical rainy days, especially museums and indoor markets

Not checking Ohio State academic calendar - graduation week transforms the city with massive crowds and limited availability