Things to do in May 2027 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 11 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.
Read on for some top picks of things to do in Perth each May and what to expect at the Festival.
What can you 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.
2027 events run from Thursday 20 May until Sunday 30 May, with our arts-packed programme offering 40+ events. We run events every evening in venues including Perth Theatre and Concert Hall, as well as weekday lunchtime concerts in St John’s Kirk.
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.
Do I need to buy a ticket?
Some events are ticketed and some are free admission and unticketed. Our Lunchtime Concert Series is free, as are our Art and Photography Exhibitions and our ‘Community Stages’ which run on Saturdays.
The full programme goes on sale in March 2027. Head over to our ticket page for more details.
Visit ArTay
Visit our stunning exhibition of contemporary Scottish Art - ArTay.
Running from Thu 20 - Sun 23 May 2027 in a large marquee in the grounds of Perth Concer Hall, ArTay exhibits the works of over 80 artists in Scotland. All artwork is for sale but the exhibition also attracts the curious browser as well as the serious collector.
Curated by Hugh Goring and his team, our expert staff are on hand to guide you through the artwork on display. Free entry.
Classical Concert Series
Check out our Classical Concert Series (announced by March 2027).
Classical music lovers can enjoy top choral music, glorious orchestral music and heart-rending opera in this year’s Festival.
Tickets for the Czech National Symphony Orchestra are already on sale. This thrilling concert features Tchaikovsky’s passionate and much-loved First Piano Concerto, Jerry Goldsmith’s film noir jazz piece from his music for the film Chinatown, Piazzolla’s ever popular Libertango and Tchaikovsky’s Romeo & Juliet.
The Best of British Folk Rock
Join us to celebrate the best of British folk rock music.
We're thrilled to be hosting the 60th Anniversary Concert (the only Scottish date!) with our friends at Fairport Convention on 24 May 2027.
The current line-up will be joined by special guests with a landmark performance celebrating six decades of musical innovation.
This celebratory concert promises a joyful reunion, timeless songs, and a tribute to the enduring spirit of British folk rock.
Family Friendly Events
Looking for new things to do with the family?
Our programme has lots of family-friendly events, especially at the weekend.
Children's Classic Concerts feature reguarly at the festival alongside free pop-up concerts by local children's choirs and dance groups as part of our Community Stages.
Our pop-up events and concerts are free, maximising accessiblity for all. Stay tuned for our full event line-up in March 2027.
Jazz in Perth
Jazz is back in 2027!
Following the success of last year's inaugural Jazz in Perth weekend, it's returning on 29-30 May to celebrate jazz music from across the UK and beyond.
From headline concerts with top jazz aritsts, to afternoon shows, talks and evening jazz sessions, we're expanding the jazz club vibe across various local venues.
Get the date in your diary now!
