Things to do this May at Perth Festival
May is the perfect month for a festival! Spring is in the air as Perth city gears up to host one of the gems in Scotland’s cultural calendar, Perth Festival of the Arts.
For 10 days this May, we’ll take over the cultural venues and other fab spaces in the city to bring an arts-packed programme with something for everyone.
What you can expect at the Festival
From comedy, family events and classical music, to rock/ pop, theatre, art exhibitions and much more, our Festival programme offers events for all ages, tastes and budgets.
2025 events run from Thursday 22 May until Saturday 31 May, with a bonus live music event - Scotland Trending - on Saturday 7 June.
We run events every evening in venues including Perth Theatre and Concert Hall, as well as weekday lunchtime concerts in St John’s Kirk.
Do I need to buy a ticket?
Some events are ticketed and some are free admission and unticketed. Our lunchtime concert series if free, as are our Art and Photography Exhibitions and our ‘Community Stages’ which run on Saturdays.
For ticketed events, buy tickets online or at the box office at Perth Theatre (01738 621031, open Tues-Sat 10am-6pm).
Can I spend a whole day at the festival?
Yes! Our weekends have different events running day and night, meaning you can make a full day (or weekend!) of it! Perth is spoiled for quality restaurants. The café quarter beside St John’s Kirk offers much to choose from and you can find pre-theatre menus in a few restaurants.
Looking for places to stay? Check out some ideas on our Where to Dine and Stay page.
Perth has an incredible amount of culture on offer, as well as the Festival. Enjoy highlights such as Perth Museum and Perth Art Gallery while you’re visiting the city.
Looking for ideas?
Here are some top tips to get you started!
- Visit our two stunning free exhibitions of contemporary Scottish art and photography. Our expert volunteers and staff are on hand to guide you through the artwork on display.
- Check out our Classical Concert Series. Classical music lovers can enjoy top choral music, glorious orchestral music, heart-rending opera and the rising stars of classical music in this year’s Festival.
- Fancy a fun night out with Friends? We’d recommend a fantastic night out with stand-up comedy and chat at An Evening with Sir Lenny Henry hosted by Perth’s very own Fred MacAulay. Perth Cocktail Week 2025 coincides with the Festival this year, meaning you can enjoy special cocktails in Perth Theatre during the day and before shows.
- Looking for new things to do with the family? Our programme has lots of family-friendly events, especially at the weekend. Kids can try out musical instruments at St Matthew’s Church, enjoy free pop up concerts by local children’s choirs and dance groups, or watch Children’s Classic Concerts performing the much-loved Peter and the Wolf on Saturday 24 May at Perth Theatre.
- Push your boundaries! We believe that Festivals offer a great chance to try out new arts experiences. Our Scotland Trending Words event offers an immersive, multi-arts experience where you can enjoy live music and live poetry in the stunning surrounds of Perth Art Gallery. And did we mention, it’s free!