India
Delhi in May
🔥 Pre-monsoon summerVery hot and mostly dry. Watch for hazy air and extreme heat risk.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · N95 mask for hazy days · sunglasses & hat
Why May scores 5.5What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort5.7
- !Very hot (41°C highs / 26°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 9.8°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~31 mm rain)
- Air quality2.5
- !Unhealthy (PM2.5 ~74 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards7.0
- !Extreme heat: Average daily high 41°C
- Safety baseline7.0
- ·Increased caution
| May | Sep | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 5.5 Fair | 7.3 Good |
| Season | 🔥 Pre-monsoon summer | 🌧️ Southwest monsoon |
| High / low | 41° / 26° | 34° / 24° |
| Rain | 31 mm | 106 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 10° | dew pt 22° |
| PM2.5 | 74 µg/m³ | 38 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: South Delhi weather-station normals. Rainfall: South Delhi weather-station normals (national met service).
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 DelhiEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyIndia's capital region, mixing Mughal monuments and the bazaars of Old Delhi with the wide avenues of New Delhi.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Independence DayEvery year15 August every year
The Prime Minister speaks at the Red Fort; kite flying fills the skies.
Why go: Security is tight in central areas.
Where: Red Fort
DiwaliDate variesHindu calendar — October or November
The festival of lights with lamps, sweets and fireworks.
Why go: Air quality is often very poor in this period.
Where: Citywide
Republic Day ParadeEvery year26 January every year
A large military and cultural parade.
Why go: Seats are ticketed and security is tight; rehearsals affect traffic in the preceding days.
Where: Kartavya Path
Red Fort
A massive Mughal fort of red sandstone in Old Delhi.
Humayun's Tomb
A garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Qutub Minar
A tall 12th-century minaret and surrounding ruins.
Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk
India's largest mosque and the crowded bazaars around it.
India Gate and Kartavya Path
A war memorial and ceremonial avenue in New Delhi.
Lodhi Garden
A park with 15th- and 16th-century tombs.
💡 Air pollution is often severe from November to January; check air quality before outdoor sightseeing.
Butter chicken
Chicken in a creamy tomato sauce, created in Delhi.
Chole bhature
Spicy chickpeas with puffed fried bread.
Parathas
Stuffed fried flatbreads.
💡 Paranthe Wali Gali in Chandni Chowk
Chaat
Tangy, spicy street snacks such as aloo tikki and papdi chaat.
Kebabs
Grilled and slow-cooked meat dishes.
💡 Lanes around Jama Masjid
Handicrafts
Crafts and textiles from different Indian states.
💡 Dilli Haat
Spices
Whole and ground spices.
💡 Khari Baoli spice market
Pashmina
Fine wool shawls; ask carefully about authenticity.
💡 Reputable shops and government emporiums
Khadi
Handspun cotton clothing.
💡 Khadi shops