May
Things to do
Pink, small, and punctual,
Aromatic, low,
Covert in April,
Candid in May,
Dear to the moss,
Known by the knoll,
Next to the robin
In every human soul.
Bold little beauty,
Bedecked with thee,
Nature forswears
Antiquity.
Emily Dickinson
I love the start of every month. It’s like a mini reset. Reflecting on the past month and planning the next is my favourite thing to do. So I thought I’d make a list of ideas to do in May and things I’m looking forward to!
What to do in May
Host a BBQ
May is definitely the start of BBQ season. Last year I went to three in May, this year I’m going to one and hosting one. I love a BBQ and they can be done pot luck style to save money!
Host a Eurovision party!
Now this is something I’ve never done but always wanted to! I’m just always busy at this time. I don’t think I’ve ever actually watched Eurovision so will try to do that this year!
Paint and Sip
I absolutely love a paint and sip. Host one, go to one, have a paint and sip date night. Can easily be done with non-alcoholic drinks! If painting isn’t your thing I have seen ‘Brick and Sips’ which are a similar idea but instead of painting a picture you build Lego! There is one in Edinburgh on the 31st of May!
Picnic
M&S have recently released a picnic collection so if that isn’t a sign to go on one I don’t know what is. I know I have three picnic blankets and two picnic hampers. I have never been on a picnic as an adult so that is really something I want to do this month!
Farmers’ Market
I’d go to a farmers market every weekend if I could. I love spending a ridiculous amount of money on a loaf of bread and some cheese. My favourite one near me is Bowhouse Market which happens one weekend a month (9th and 10th of May). Although most places have a farmers’ markets regularly!
Go to a workshop
I’m going candle making this month!! I’m so excited. But there are loads of little workshops around Edinburgh I want to do! I know I want to do The Islander Workshop Experience where you can make your own bag. I also keep seeing the Bao Bun Workshop and I am desperate to do that!
Go for drinks with your friends
Not exactly the most original one I admit. I think I just wanted to talk about the fact I’m going to a Shrek themed cocktail experience at Somewhere by Nico. They have two locations (Glasgow and Edinburgh) and the ‘Happily Ever After’ menu is runnng 6th May-14th June.
Go see a show
Again hardly groundbreaking but it is always fun to see a show. I’m going to the Dropout Improv tour this month and I can’t wait. Some of my friends are also going to see Waitress and I am jealous! Another show my friend mentioned to me this week is ‘A Play, a Pie and a Pint’. This is such a fun concept where there is a new play every week and you get a pie and pint when you go! They are based in Glasgow but they have shows all over Scotland.
Go for a walk
I know it looks like I’m running out of ideas but May is National Walking Month! I can safely say I’ve let my New Year’s resolution of walking more slip. So I want to take advantage of the lighter nights and warmer weather and go for more walks.
Go to food/drink festival
There are so many food/ drink festivals and they start popping up in May! I’m going to The Neighbourgood Market this month. But I know Portyfest , Grassmarket Craft Beer Festival and Dunfermline Gin Festival are happening this month. I follow Alice Cruickshank and she always has good recommendations for what is happening in Edinburgh!
While not a food festival, there is also the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival this month!
Films to watch
Release Date- 01.05.26
Do I feel this film was necessary? No. Will I go see it? Yes.
Release Date: 08.05.26
I am seeing weirdly very popular reviews for this. Like this currently has a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. I might have to go see it!
Release Date: 22.05.26
I really want to go see this! It looks so fun!
TV shows to watch
Streaming Service- Disney Plus
Release Date- 15.05.26
RIP Jilly Cooper. I loved Season 1 so I am very excited for Season 2!
Streaming Service- Disney Plus
Release Date- Already Out (Episodes weekly on Wednesdays)
I am really loving The Testaments! If you haven’t watched it and you enjoyed the Handmaids Tale I really do recommend it! The most recent episode gave me that panicked, uncomfortable feeling I got from early Handmaids Tale.
Streaming Service- Dropout
Release Date- 18.05.26
Dropout is a really good streaming service and Game Changer is my favourite. The premise is that the game changes every episode. It is so fun!
Books to read
Romance
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore
Release date- 05.05.26
Sixth book in the dream harbour series.
The Works have a special edition which is pretty.
Fever Dream by Elsie Silver
Release Date- 19.05.26
New Elsie Silver series- Emerald Lake.
Rivals to lovers.
Thriller
The Divorce by Freida McFadden
Release date- 26.05.26
Ex-wife becomes obsessed with husband’s new girlfriend.
Magical Realism
Before I knew I loved you by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, translated by Geoffrey Trousselot
Release Date- 21.05.26
Book six in the ‘Before the coffee gets cold’ series
The Midnight Train by Matt Haig
Release Date- 26.05.26
Same author as The Midnight Library. The midnight train gives passengers the chance to relive memories.
Mythological Retellings
Andromeda by E.S McLeod
Release Date- 14.05.26
Greek Mythology
Science Fiction
Radiant Star by Ann Leckie
Release Date- 12.06.26
Space Opera
Horror
Honey by Imani Thompson
Release Date- 05.05.26
Graduate student kills bad men
Historical Fiction
The Repentants by Kate Foster
Release Date- 28.05.26
Set in St Monans in Fife and Iceland in 1790. Two woman forced to repent in church publicly and become friends.
Cookbooks
Release Date- 14.05.26
Based on the menu of the cafe with the same name in London
New editions
The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman
Release date- 07.05.26
Fifth book in the Thursday Murder Club series.
New to paperback!
The Martian by Andy Weir
Release Date- 26.05.26
I bought this for my husbands birthday! They also have a special edition of project Hail Mary coming out in December.
The Long Shoe by Bob Mortimer
Release Date- 21.05.26
New to paperback!
Games to play
Release Date- 25.05.26
Life Simulator
As a fan of the sims I’ve been aware of Paralives for ages! I’m very excited (plus if it’s good the Sims may need to step up their game a bit)
Release Date- 07.05.26
Follows three friends on their last day of high school
Release Date- 14.05.26
Build your own cosy home on wheels!
Release Date- 15.05.26
Drive car(s) in Japan
Release Date- 19.05.26
Batman but Lego
Release Date- 27.05.26
James Bond game. Lana del rey did the song. People are excited for it.
I only know about most of these games because of my husband’s website Fantasy Steam. It’s kind of like fantasy football but for Steam games!
Music to listen to
Here are some albums coming out this month
Kacey Musgraves - Middle of Nowhere
Release Date- 01.05.26
Kneecap - FENIAN
Release Date- 01.05.26
Maisie Peters - Floroscence
Release Date- 22.05.26
Treats to have
Starbucks have announced their new Cloud Frappuccinos are coming this May. I spend a LOT of time in cafes for work so I am quite buzzing for this! (I would much rather go to independant places but they aren’t always available)
Dates for the Diary
As I’ve said May is National Walking Month but it is also Local and Community History month, Skin Cancer Awareness month, Outdoor Play month and Tourette’s Awareness month.
Hedgehog awareness week, Deaf awareness week and Foster Care fortnight also take place in May.
I thought I would look up a ‘day’ for every date in May.
Space Day
World Tuna Day
World Press Freedom Day
Star Wars Day
African World Heritage Day and World Asthma Day
International no diet day
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
VE Day
Europe Day and World Fair Trade Day
International Day of Argania
National Technology Day
International Nurse Day
International Hummus Day
Bond with your Dog Day
International Day of Families
Endangered Species Day
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
International Museum Day
Malcolm X Day
World Bee Day
Shavuot
Shavuot
Shavuot
Elmer day
World Football Day
World Redhead Day
World Otter Day
Menstrual Hygiene Day
National Biscuit Day
International Day of the Potato
World No Tobacco Day
I hope that gave some ideas of things to do in May!
What are you planning to do in May?