Things to Do in Chennai in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Chennai
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Pre-monsoon pricing means accommodation costs drop 25-40% compared to winter peak season - you'll find four-star hotels in Nungambakkam and T Nagar for ₹3,500-5,500 (USD 42-66) that would cost ₹7,000+ in January
- Marina Beach and Elliot's Beach are at their most usable in early mornings (5:30-8:00am) when temperatures sit around 28°C (82°F) - locals do their beach walks now, and you'll see the city's real morning rhythm without tourist crowds
- Mango season peaks in May, meaning you'll catch the best Banganapalli, Alphonso, and Malgova varieties at their sweetest - roadside vendors sell them for ₹60-120/kg (USD 0.72-1.44), and every restaurant has mango-based specials on their menu
- Indoor attractions like Government Museum, Kalakshetra Foundation performances, and DakshinaChitra are practically empty during weekday mornings - you'll have 2,000-year-old Chola bronzes almost to yourself, which never happens in cooler months
Considerations
- Heat is genuinely intense from 11am-4pm when temperatures hit 35-37°C (95-98°F) with 70% humidity - this isn't the dry heat you might be used to, it's the kind that makes a 10-minute walk to the nearest temple feel like serious effort
- Power cuts still happen occasionally during peak heat hours, typically lasting 30-60 minutes in residential areas (hotels usually have backup generators, but smaller guesthouses might not) - air conditioning becomes non-negotiable rather than a luxury
- The paradox of May rainfall: officially low at 0mm average, but when those 10 rainy days hit, they tend to bring sudden intense downpours that flood low-lying areas like Velachery and parts of Anna Nagar within 30-45 minutes, disrupting traffic completely
Best Activities in May
Early Morning Temple Circuit Walks
May mornings between 5:30-8:00am are actually perfect for visiting Mylapore's Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Triplicane's Parthasarathy Temple, and the smaller neighborhood kovils. Temperatures hover around 28°C (82°F), priests perform elaborate pujas with fewer crowds, and you'll see how locals actually worship rather than the tourist-packed scenes of winter. The heat forces you into the authentic rhythm - early start, witness real devotional practice, done before the sun gets serious.
Mahabalipuram Day Trips
The 56 km (35 mile) drive south to Mahabalipuram works brilliantly in May if you leave Chennai by 6:30am and return by 1:00pm. You'll beat both the heat and the weekend crowds at Shore Temple and Arjuna's Penance. The coastal breeze makes the 7th-century rock-cut monuments actually comfortable to explore until about noon. May also means clearer Bay of Bengal waters if you want to swim at the beach afterward - though watch for jellyfish after any rainfall.
Air-Conditioned Museum Afternoons
When the heat peaks between noon-4pm, Chennai's museums become strategic retreats. The Government Museum complex in Egmore houses the world's best Chola bronze collection in blissfully cool galleries - you can spend 2-3 hours with the Nataraja sculptures without fighting crowds. The contemporary Cholamandal Artists' Village in Injambakkam shows modern South Indian art in a garden setting with indoor galleries. May weekday afternoons mean you'll often have entire rooms to yourself.
Evening Food Market Explorations
May evenings from 6:00-9:00pm are when Chennai's food culture comes alive as temperatures drop to 30-32°C (86-90°F). Mylapore's Luz Corner, Besant Nagar's Elliot's Beach food stalls, and Sowcarpet's street food lanes serve everything from dosas to Burmese atho. The evening timing means you catch both the cooler air and the peak energy of locals eating out. May's mango season also means special mango lassis and mango kulfi everywhere.
Pulicat Lake Birdwatching Excursions
The 60 km (37 mile) drive north to Pulicat Lake, India's second-largest brackish water lagoon, works surprisingly well in May despite the heat. Migratory birds have mostly left, but resident species like painted storks, pelicans, and flamingos are active in early mornings (6:00-9:00am) when it's relatively cool. The May timing means far fewer visitors than winter peak season - you might have entire stretches of the lake to yourself. Boat rides through the backwaters offer some breeze relief.
Late Afternoon Beach Visits
Marina Beach and Elliot's Beach become manageable again after 5:00pm when the UV index drops and sea breezes pick up. You'll see Chennai's real beach culture - families, vendors selling murukku and sundal (spiced chickpeas), and impromptu cricket matches. The 13 km (8 mile) Marina Beach stretch is one of the world's longest urban beaches, and late afternoon light makes for excellent photography. May means warmer water (around 30°C/86°F) if you want to wade in, though swimming isn't officially allowed at Marina due to currents.
May Events & Festivals
Mango Festival Season
May is peak mango season across Tamil Nadu, and while there isn't one official festival, you'll find mango-themed events at hotels and cultural centers throughout the month. Koyambedu Market becomes a mango showcase with dozens of varieties - vendors will let you taste before buying. Restaurants run special mango menus featuring mango pachadi, mango rice, and mango payasam. This is when you experience why South Indians are obsessed with this fruit.