May in Las Vegas: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

May is the time of the year in Las Vegas when you start feeling the temperature rise and you realize that summer is just around the corner. Although it's getting warmer, the May heat in Vegas is comfortable, especially when compared to the city's scorching midsummer temperatures. However, you may need a sweater at nighttime if you can't tolerate the crispness of the desert air. For the most part, May weather is about as perfect as the Las Vegas climate gets.

Las Vegas Weather in May

May is when Las Vegas weather really begins to heat up. You're not likely to come across triple-digit days like in the summer, but it is a possibility, especially in the latter part of the month. However, it's common in the desert for the day temperatures to be drastically different from night temperatures, so make sure you're prepared for an evening chill once the sun goes down.

• Average High Temperature: 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius)
• Average Low Temperature: 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius)

May and June are the least rainy months of the year in a city that already gets very little rain. May's average rainfall is 0.12 inches for the month. Likewise, the humidity is low in Vegas, so this really is a great month to spend a lot of time outdoors. The mid-afternoon sun and high temperatures can be dehydrating, so make sure you're drinking plenty of water to stay replenished.

What to Pack

Since temperatures drop quickly at night, make sure to pack layers. The mornings and evenings might be brisk if you are walking along the Strip, so a long-sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, or hoodie will be good to have. You will be fine with T-shirts, shorts, and sandals or sneakers during the day, and don't forget a swimsuit to take advantage of the Las Vegas pool parties. Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must to protect your skin and eyes, and some chapstick to carry around is good since the arid climate is likely to dry out your lips.

Many nightclubs and upscale restaurants enforce a dress code, so pack at least one nice outfit if you plan on going out.

May Events in Las Vegas

As if all the neat attractions at each of the hotels weren't enough, Las Vegas offers food events, dance festivals, and a few cultural celebrations to look forward to in May.

• Electric Daisy Carnival: Commonly known as EDC, this annual electronic dance music festival is held annually in May at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It is the flagship location with others cropping up in other cities. On average, the three-day festival attracts 400,000 people per year.
• Cinco de Mayo Celebration: Festivities take place on May 5 at the Fremont Street Experience and you can find special events and menus at Mexican restaurants and bars throughout the city.
• Las Vegas Days: This annual cowboy-themed event celebrates Las Vegas’ tribute to the Wild West with a rodeo and parade in mid-May. (Las Vegas Days was postponed to November 10–13, 2021.)

May Travel Tips

• For the best deals, try to visit earlier in the month when it's still considered low season. As college students wrap up their school year, the crowds start to grow throughout the month, culminating with Memorial Day weekend when the city is packed.
• For a spectacular view at sunset, go to the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.
• If you were thinking of combining a trip to the Grand Canyon with your Las Vegas trip, May is a great time to see the park before the summer crowds arrive and the weather gets too hot.
• When May starts to bring the heat, the pools in Las Vegas start filling up. You can expect the party atmosphere to build up throughout the month with the true start of the pool season taking place on Memorial Day weekend.