Things to Do in Penang in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
May Weather in Penang
Long-run averages for May
88°F (31°C)
High Temp
75°F (24°C)
Low Temp
8.0 inches (203 mm)
Rainfall
88%
Humidity
14
Rainy Days
12
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Heavy rainfall expected: carry rain gear daily
⚠ Very high humidity: stay hydrated and pace yourself
⚠ Very high UV on sunny days: use sunscreen and seek shade at midday
What's On in Penang in May
May in Penang brings several public holidays and observances. Labor Day falls on Saturday 1 May 2027. Hari Raya Aidiladha — Festival of Sacrifice takes place on 17 May 2027. Vesak Day is observed on 20 May 2027.
May Climate Compared
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | 31°C | 24°C | 221 mm |
| May | 31°C | 24°C | 203 mm |
| June | 31°C | 23°C | 178 mm |
May is about as warm as April; drier than April (203 mm vs 221 mm); about as warm as June; wetter than June (203 mm vs 178 mm).
Long-run monthly averages. Source: Wikipedia.
Daylight in May
Day length: 12 h 18 min on 1 May, 12 h 22 min on 15 May (+8 min compared with mid-April).
Computed from the city's coordinates (sunrise to sunset, standard solar geometry).
Public Holidays and Long Weekends
- Labor Day: Saturday 1 May 2027
- Eid al-Adha: Sunday 16 May 2027
- Eid al-Adha: Monday 17 May 2027 (3-day weekend (Sat–Mon))
- Vesak Day: Thursday 20 May 2027 (possible 4-day weekend if Friday is taken off)
Holiday dates: Nager.Date. Long-weekend notes are computed from the weekday.
Notable Places to Visit
Kek Lok Si
Buddhist temple situated in Air Itam in Penang
Hours (OSM): Mo-Su 08:30-18:30
OSM · Wikidata
Places within 8 km, ordered by Wikipedia coverage. Opening hours as mapped in OpenStreetMap (fetched 2026-10-16); check before you go. Data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); descriptions from Wikidata (CC0).
Quick Answers
How much rain does Penang get in May?
On average 203 mm in May, wetter than June (203 mm vs 178 mm).
How warm is Penang in May?
Average highs are 31°C and average lows 24°C.
How long are the days in Penang in May?
About 12 h 22 min of daylight on 15 May.
Are there public holidays in Penang in May?
Yes: Labor Day on Saturday 1 May 2027; Eid al-Adha on Sunday 16 May 2027; Eid al-Adha on Monday 17 May 2027; Vesak Day on Thursday 20 May 2027. 2 of them create a long weekend.
What are some notable places to visit in Penang?
Penang Bridge, Kek Lok Si, the Cenotaph, Kapitan Keling Mosque (from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata).
Where to Stay in Penang in May
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for May travellers.
Public Holidays in May
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Labor Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Eid al-Adha
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. This date depends on observation rather than a fixed calendar, so confirm it locally closer to the time. Date not yet confirmed.
Eid al-Adha
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Granted in lieu when the holiday falls at a weekend. This date depends on observation rather than a fixed calendar, so confirm it locally closer to the time. Date not yet confirmed.
Vesak Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. This date depends on observation rather than a fixed calendar, so confirm it locally closer to the time. Date not yet confirmed.
Labor Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. Date calculated from the national holiday calendar.
Eid al-Adha
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. This date depends on observation rather than a fixed calendar, so confirm it locally closer to the time. Date not yet confirmed.
Vesak Day
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. This date depends on observation rather than a fixed calendar, so confirm it locally closer to the time. Date not yet confirmed.
Islamic New Year
Observed nationwide as a public holiday. This date depends on observation rather than a fixed calendar, so confirm it locally closer to the time. Date not yet confirmed.
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