If May had a personality, it would be “booked and busy”. Culture lovers are spoiled for choice, the longer days have us outdoors and there’s plenty for the kids too. It all adds up to a calendar that’s stacked with one-night-only theatre happenings, major anniversary celebrations, exhibitions, opera and offbeat events. Here’s what deserves a spot in your diary.

ON STAGE

Community action and friendship are the name of the game for three of this month’s big stage plays. The Citizens Theatre in Glasgow leads the charge with Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Sweat (2 to 16 May), a hard-hitting portrait of friendship and fracture in a working-class American town, while Stand & Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In at the Tron Theatre (until 9 May) revisits a landmark Scottish workplace protest.

Black diamonds and blue brazil — Photograph: Jessica Shurte, poster artwork Jed Berry

And there’s heartwarming community feels (and a soundtrack by Ricky Ross, to boot) with Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil at Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre (8 to 23 May), a warm, funny look at football, belonging and community.

High Life — Photograph: Tommy Ga Ken Wan

When it comes to musicals there are two absolute not-to-be-missed performances: Inverness, Dundee and Glasgow (until 23 May) pay attention – your dose of The High Life musical, complete with its original cast is making a riotous return to the 90s.

And in Aberdeen, Dame Maureen Lipman is on stage at His Majesty’s Theatre in Allegra (26 to 30 May), a heartwarming new musical comedy about imagination, music and everyday magic – her first touring performance for 20 years.

If opera is more your bag, you’ll already have Ellen Kent’s touring Carmen (1 May) and Madama Butterfly (2 May) in the diary. Scottish Opera’s The Marriage of Figaro (2 to 31 May, various venues including Glasgow and Edinburgh) is another to bookmark, blending wit and chaos in Mozart’s classic comedy of manners.

You’ll find glamour, Gershwin and Hollywood’s Golden Age in spades as Scottish Ballet opens the month with Starstruck in Aberdeen (1 May) and Edinburgh (2 May).

As ever, we’re just scratching the surface! Check out our full lowdown of what’s on stage.

ART

It might be sunny out, but there’s plenty to tempt you indoors when it comes to art this month.

Dundee Contemporary Arts opens Francis Dosoo: Portrait of Dorothy Gale (from 16 May to 2 August), a striking new installation inspired by The Wiz that explores memory, film and the space between images.

In Edinburgh, National Galleries Scotland: Portrait open their exhibition of the work of photographer Wendy McMurdo (30 May to 25 October), while Jean F. Watson: An Artistic Legacy runs from 16 May to 4 October at Edinburgh City Art Centre, celebrating one of the city’s most important art benefactors.

Over at Jupiter Artland, Extraction runs until 26 July, bringing together major contemporary artists to examine how energy systems shape land, identity and belief, all set against the sculpture park’s own layered landscape.

Fashion and design lovers are spoiled for choice. The Biba Story continues at Dovecote Studios until 27 June, while Curtain Call: Costumes from Stage and Screen at The McManus in Dundee runs until 15 November, packed with iconic pieces from film and television.

Get our full guide to what’s on here.

COMEDY

Need a laugh? There’s plenty of big names bringing the giggles to Scotland this month. Fatiha El-Ghorri brings her sharp, observational humour to Glasgow with Cockney Stacking Doll on 27 May, while Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness lands at the O2 Academy Glasgow on 22 May with Hot & Healed, blending comedy, storytelling and candid life reflections.

Josh Widdicombe is on stage in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness (in that order!) between 1 and 4 May with Not My Cup of Tea. Nick Mohammed arrives in full alter ego as Mr Swallow with Show Pony at Aberdeen’s Music Hall (4 May) and Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre (5 May).

Pierre Novellie takes over The Stand in Glasgow on 16 May with his dry wit, while Ivo Graham closes the month at Aberdeen’s Lemon Tree and Eden Court in Inverness with Orange Crush (29 and 30 May).

OUTDOORS

Nature lovers can catch a guided experience of the Dawn Chorus at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond on 2 May or if you prefer your lie-ins the Loch Lomond Faerie Trail continues until 26 June, offering a magical woodland wander for all ages.

Picking up the wildlife theme, head to St Andrews Botanic Garden for Bioblitz on 16 May, for a hands-on, race-against-the-clock take on a wildlife discovery day.

In Glasgow, Mayday Manoeuvres on 4 May brings circus energy and family fun to Queen’s Park.

Or if you prefer your outdoor exploits minus the sound of excited children and glass of fizz in hand, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is where you need to head – The Deck opens this month for late evenings across summer, perfect for charcuterie and cheese boards with epic Edinburgh skyline views.

MUSIC

Classical fans can catch Nicola Benedetti performing Elgar with the RSNO at Caird Hall in Dundee (14 May), Usher Hall in Edinburgh (15 May) and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (16 May).

Folk and traditional music takes centre stage at the May Fèis Weekend (8 to 10 May) at Feis Phaislig, celebrating Scotland’s rich musical heritage.

On the pop front, it’s big hitters all the way. Tame Impala plays Glasgow’s OVO Hydro (11 May), ZAYN arrives on 16 May with his latest tour, and Editors frontman Tom Smith marks the release of his debut solo album, There Is Nothing In The Dark Which Isn’t There In The Light with shows at Edinburgh’s Tollcross Central Hall on 9 May.

FESTIVALS

In Edinburgh, Mayday on 1 May is a one-night, multi-artform response to the times we’re living in, bringing together theatre, music, poetry and dance.

Culture Night Stirling (1 May) is a nighttime showcase of the best of Stirling’s music, dance, comedy, art, crafts and literature. Events will pop up all over the city as a celebration of its creativity, diversity and welcome. Meanwhile, over in Glasgow, Yardworks Festival (2 to 3 May) celebrates graffiti and street culture.

The Pitlochry Festival Theatre 75th Anniversary Weekend (9 to 10 May) is packed with performances, exhibitions and behind-the-scenes access, celebrating one of Scotland’s most beloved cultural institutions. Music and arts lovers should also head to Knockengorroch Festival in Galloway from 21 to 24 May for a vibrant mix of roots music, dance, theatre and visual art in a stunning rural setting. Book lovers are covered too this month with the Boswell Book Festival (8 to 10 May).

It’s going to be a mad summer of brilliant sport. The city-wide Glasgow 2026 Festival kicks off on 23 May, running right through to 9 August.

KIDS

Plenty to keep little ones entertained this month. Creative kids will love the Kids Illustrator Workshop with Cara Rooney (2 May) at The Mitchell Library in Glasgow, a hands-on session blending art and poetry.

For high-energy fun, the Hot Wheels Stunt Show races into Glasgow (2 to 3 May), while Big Kid Circus will be in Motherwell until 4 May with dinosaurs, acrobatics and big top spectacle.

Falkirk Science Festival runs from 2 to 16 May, a fortnight of free, family-friendly fun, hands-on STEM adventures, live demos and interactive workshops. There’s a full programme making it an easy, entertaining way to get the whole family thinking like scientists.

BIG lands at the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen on 9 May, following Super and Dino as they get ready for their first day at BIG school – an exciting milestone that feels just a little bit scary too. Created especially for children starting Primary 1, this funny and engaging show from Dirliebane Theatre Company captures the mix of excitement and nerves that comes with new beginnings.

On 2 to 4 May, Kelburn Castle and Estate May Day Magic in the Glen is a feel-good spring fest serving up maypole dancing and flower crowns for a gloriously wholesome day out – with free entry and plenty of pay-as-you-go fun. And at the opposite end of the month (22 to 25 May) little adventurers can dive into a brilliantly bonkers Bank Holiday quest – Kelburn Explorers and the Search for Indiana Bones – packed with puzzles, live characters and jungle-worthy drama. Expect Indiana Jones vibes (with extra giggles), as kids track clues through the Secret Forest on this immersive £10.50 expedition.

Got a LEGO obsessive in your house? Edinbrick (9 to 10 May) is a showcase of incredible LEGO creations. And there’s lots of stories and book-related goodness at the Boswell Children’s Festival (9 to 10 May).

And scraping in at the end of the month is the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival (30 May to 7 June) with a fantastic programme of creative and entertaining theatre, dance and performance for the kids.

A-May-zing! Our highlights of what’s on around Scotland this month

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