Chicago in May

May is when Chicago wakes up. The patios reopen, Buckingham Fountain starts running again, the farmers markets set up their tents, and Cubs fans fill the bars around Wrigley on game days. You get most of what people love about a Chicago summer, with shorter lines at places like the Willis Tower Skydeck and without July's heat. The trade-off is weather that can't make up its mind.

Weather: warm days, cold lake, a lot of rain

By the official 1991-2020 normals, which the National Weather Service measures at O'Hare, May averages a high of 70.5°F and a low of 50.6°F. That's a big jump from April's 59°F. It's also the wettest month of the year, with about 4.5 inches of rain, so expect at least a couple of gray, drizzly days on a week-long trip.

Averages hide the swings. You can get an 85-degree day that feels like July followed by a raw, windy 50-degree one. And the lake matters more in May than almost any other month. Lake Michigan is still cold, so when the wind comes off the water, Streeterville, Navy Pier and the beaches can sit well below the official high while the West Loop feels like summer. If the forecast says 75, bring a layer for the lakefront anyway. The full monthly numbers are on our Chicago weather page, and for the week you're here, use the free forecast from NWS Chicago.

Crowds and hotel prices

May sits between the cheap, empty winter and the expensive, packed summer. Most weeks you'll have an easier time getting a hotel room and a dinner reservation than you would in June or July. Two things change that.

The first is Memorial Day weekend, the last weekend of the month, which is the unofficial start of summer here. The Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest takes over Lakeview, the city holds its downtown parade, and the beaches open. Plenty of locals leave town that weekend, so it's not as bad as it sounds, but flights on the Friday and Monday cost more. Our Memorial Day in Chicago page has the details.

The second is conventions. The National Restaurant Association Show fills McCormick Place every May, and a show that size can push up downtown hotel rates while it's on. Check the dates before you book, and if they overlap, look at neighborhoods away from the Loop. Our guide to where to stay in Chicago can help.

Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday of May. If you're taking your mom to brunch, book well ahead, because every brunch spot in the city is full that morning.

What to pack

Layers. A T-shirt, a sweater or fleece, and a light waterproof jacket will cover most May days. Add an umbrella that won't turn inside out in the wind, and sunglasses, because when the sun does come out, you'll be outside all afternoon. Comfortable shoes that can handle a wet sidewalk beat sandals this early in the season. If you're planning on the beach over Memorial Day weekend, pack a swimsuit, but know the water will be cold. More ideas in what to wear in Chicago in spring.

What's going on

This is the month the outdoor city switches back on. Buckingham Fountain usually starts its season in early May. The farmers markets open, Navy Pier starts its summer fireworks on Memorial Day weekend, and the first neighborhood street festivals of the year kick off. If a cold front rolls through, the museums are right there. We've put the events, seasonal activities and rainy-day backups on a separate page, things to do in Chicago in May.

For the bigger picture, see Chicago in spring, our neighborhood festivals guide, and going to a Cubs game. Coming a little later? Here's Chicago in June.

Photo by Ray_from_LA