Late spring · Weather & things to do
Nashville in May
Nashville warms up: highs climb to 78°F (25°C), from 70°F in April, with lows of 59°F (15°C) and about 5.1 in (129 mm) of rain.
It scores 72/100 for comfort, 6th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 78°F (25°C)
- Avg low
- 59°F (15°C)
- Rain
- 5.1 in (129 mm)
- Humidity
- 80%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 55 min
- Comfort score
- 72/100 · Good
What May feels like
Highs settle around 78°F (25°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Lows average 59°F (15°C).
With 80% average humidity, it feels muggy.
Expect regular rain: about 5.1 in (129 mm) falls in the month.
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April and September & October).
- Humidity season begins: 80% on average, up from 80% in April.
- Comfort slips from 81/100 in April to 72/100.
- Our Nashville & Franklin route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — May falls outside it.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes78°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Quick-dry fabrics80% average humidity
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Nashville in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Lower Broadway
Strip of neon-lit honky-tonks with live bands playing from late morning until late at night, no cover at most bars.
Gaylord Opryland Resort
Huge glass-roofed resort whose indoor gardens are strung with lights for A Country Christmas, with the ICE sculpture exhibit.
Ryman Auditorium
1892 tabernacle known as the Mother Church of Country Music, hosting Christmas concerts and New Year's Eve shows.
Robert's Western World
Classic Broadway honky-tonk with traditional country bands, cold beer and a fried bologna sandwich.
Belmont Mansion
1850s Italianate villa on the Belmont University campus, decorated in period style for the Christmas season.
Nearby in May
- Franklin in May~17 mi · highs 77°F, 5.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Bardstown in May~135 mi · highs 75°F, 5.4 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Louisville in May~155 mi · highs 75°F, 5.3 in rain · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Knoxville in May~160 mi · highs 78°F, 4.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
These averages also cover Downtown Nashville, East Nashville, Lower Broadway and The Gulch.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Nashville in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Nashville?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 72/100 against a best of 86 in April and September & October. Expect highs of 78°F (25°C) and 5.1 in (129 mm) of rain.
How hot is Nashville in May?
Average highs are 78°F (25°C) and average lows 59°F (15°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Nashville in May?
Yes: about 5.1 in (129 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 53.1 in (1350 mm).
What should I pack for Nashville in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (78°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), quick-dry fabrics (80% average humidity), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Nashville
Planning Nashville in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.