lifestyle

It's Gonna Be May: 18 Events You Should Check Out This Month

From music fests to makan markets, here's what's going down in May.

Cover image via @slay.maaa (Instagram) & Jameson (Provided to SAYS)

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1. KL Illustration Fair | 1 May – 4 May

Step into a visual wonderland as the KL Illustration Fair returns, bigger and bolder than ever. Happening at GMBB KL, this year's edition showcases the works of 160 artists across three entire floors — basically, an art buffet you'll want to feast your eyes on. 

Whether you're an aspiring illustrator, a brand hunting for collaborators, or just someone who appreciates a good artsy print, this is your chance to mingle, get inspired, and support local talent. Early birds get the best deals, so jangan tunggu lama-lama!

Date
1 May – 4 May

Venue
GMBB

Time
11am – 8pm

Admission fee
RM15 – RM58

Get tickets here.

2. Portuguese Wine & Cheese, Please! | 1 May

You'll wine, you'll cheese, you'll fall in love with Portugal — all in one afternoon. Portuguese Wine & Cheese, Please! is back on 1 May, this time at Cinderella Wine Bar. 

With five Portuguese wines paired perfectly with five indulgent European cheeses (including crowd favourites like Manchego and Bleu d'Auvergne), this event is basically a passport to flavour town. 

If you're a fromage fanatic or wine snob in training, this one's for you.

Date
1 May

Venue
Cinderella Wine Bar, KL

Time
3pm – 5pm

Admission fee
RM128

Get tickets here.

3. Slaymaa Vol. 2 | 2 May – 4 May

Slaymaa Vol. 2 is back with vibes, vendors, and VIP energy. Expect celeb vendors, fabulous finds, and a dress code that's all about colour-blocking with a touch of fur — because why not? It's gonna be a full-on style fiesta, so bring your best lewks and prepare to slay.

Date
2 May – 4 May

Venue
Jam PJ, behind Gasket Alley

Time
11am – 10pm
 
Admission fee
Free

4. Sunny Side Up Market Mother's Day edition | 3 May – 4 May

Make mum smile this 3 and 4 May at the Sunny Side Up Market's special Mother's Day edition. Held at Slate @ The Row KL, this 100% pet-friendly market has everything from handmade gifts to pressed flower jewellery workshops and even a lucky draw. 

Whether you're shopping with mum or for mum, it's a sweet way to spend the weekend.

Date
3 May – 4 May

Venue
Slate @ The Row

Time
12pm – 7pm

Admission fee
Free

5. That Show with Ming Yue & Jenhan | 3 May

That Show with Ming Yue and Jenhan is what happens when a podcast, a stand-up set, and a triple shot of espresso collide. 

It's unscripted, unfiltered, and gloriously unhinged — think rapid-fire riffs, wild commentary, and zero chill. No solo acts here, just two sharp-witted comedians bouncing off each other (and the audience) in real time.

The first show sold out fast, so this added performance is your second chance to catch the madness live. Bring your friends, your best laugh, and maybe a seatbelt. It's gonna be a ride.

Image via Cloudjoi

Date
3 May

Venue
Soulcity Hub

Time
- 8pm (sold out)
- 10.30pm

Admission fee
RM70

Get tickets here.

6. Yoga & Wine Evening @ My Gf's Place | 3 May

Yoga and wine is the self-care combo you didn't know you neededOn 3 May, My Gf's Place invites you to stretch it out and sip it down with their Yoga & Wine Evening. 

You'll do some chill yin yoga, learn a bit about breathing techniques, and then toast your zen achievement with wine and cheese. It's the ultimate 'winedown' Saturday.

Date
3 May

Venue
My Gf's Place, Bangsar South

Time
4pm – 7pm

Admission fee
RM135 (2 glasses of wine and cheese)

Drop them a message on Instagram to book your spot.

7. Cinco De Mayo at REXKL | 3 May

Viva la fiesta! On 3 May, REXKL is transforming into a vibrant street party to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Expect mouth-watering Mexican street food, live music, and cocktails featuring Paladar Tequila. It's the kind of Saturday where the vibe is loud, the food is spicy, and the tequila is flowing.

Date
3 May

Venue
REXKL

Time
12pm – late

Admission fee
Free

8. Sip & Paint at Mellow | 3 May, 10 May, 17 May, 24 May, 31 May

Sip & Paint at Mellow is the weekly unwind you deserve. Available every Saturday this May, their sessions are where creativity meets chill vibes. 

Whether you're a seasoned painter or just here for the wine and vibes, it's a fun way to try something new and take home a masterpiece — or at least a messy memory.

Date
3 May, 10 May, 17 May, 24 May, and 31 May

Venue
Mellow KL

Time
4pm

Admission fee
RM90 per person (Includes a glass of wine or mocktail)

Drop them a message on Instagram to book a slot! Booking must be made prior. No walk-ins allowed.

9. OFF THE TRACK 1.3 | 10 May

Born from frustration and driven by passion, Off the Track! is a musician-led gig series shaking up Kuala Lumpur's live scene. No sponsors, no rules — just pure, unfiltered artistry.

On 10 May, catch SHN, Adriel, and RESORT tearing up the stage from 3pm onwards. Expect plants, unpredictability, and the kind of energy that reminds you why live music matters.

Date
10 May

Venue
Corak & Pattern

Time
Doors open at 3pm

Admission fee
RM62.38

Get tickets here.

10. Gavin Yap Fork It: One Man's Journey Through Food & Memories | 8 May – 10 May

Stage favourite Gavin Yap returns with Fork It — a solo show that's part memoir, part comedy, and all heart.

Expect laugh-out-loud punchlines and deeply personal reflections, all tied together with a food-themed twist. If you missed its sold-out debut, now's your chance to grab a seat at the table.

Date
8 May – 10 May

Venue
Bobo

Time
8.30pm

Admission fee
RM125

11. Market Lane events | 9 May – 11 June

Mark your calendars for 9 to 11 June 'cause Market Lane at The Exchange TRX is launching with a weekend of curated retail, artsy fun, and live music. 

It's KL's newest cultural playground, blending food, fashion, and flair in one seriously Instagrammable space.

Date
9 May – 11 June

Venue
The Exchange TRX

Admission fee
Free

12. LEGO Botanicals Mother's Day Pop-Up | 9 May – 12 May

From 9 to 12 May at Sunway Pyramid, LEGO is celebrating mums with an adorable botanical-themed pop-up. 

Build your own floral bouquet, snag a free LEGO rose, and check out cool promos on Botanical sets. It's a great excuse to play with LEGO again — no kids required.

Date
9 May – 12 May

Venue
LEGO Certified Store, Sunway Pyramid

Admission fee
Free

13. GMBB workshop events | 4 May, 11 May, 12 May

If you're looking to get hands-on this May, GMBB has a series of creative workshops lined up: from Mengkuang weaving to painted portrait bags and Wesak Day gift pouches. 

Whether you're making something for mum or just flexing your creative muscles, there's something soulful about crafting with your own two hands.

Date
4 May, 11 May, and 12 May

Venue
GMBB

Time
4 May - 1pm to 3.30pm
11 May - 2pm to 4.30pm
12 May - 11am to 2.30pm

Admission fee
RM60 (inclusive of materials and light refreshments)

14. Jameson Distilled Sounds | 17 May

On 17 May, Jameson is taking over The Courtyard, Kantata, and Triptyk for a multi-venue party like no other. Expect indie, electronic, and soul grooves from heavy-hitters like Claudia, Talitha., Saint Kylo, Su San, NOTEP, and a Twilight Actiongirl B2B set, among others under the KL skyline.

There'll be Jameson cocktails crafted by top mixologists, vinyl giveaways, and even a surprise DJ Hijack Session to end the night on a high. First 200 guests get a free Jameson Ginger Ale & Lime — so come early and party late!

Date
17 May

Venue
The Zhongshan Building

Time
6pm – 12am

Admission fee
Free

Register for free here.

15. Pingmin Markets | 2 May – 4 May; 9 May – 11 May; 16 May – 18 May; 23 May – 25 May; 30 May – 31 May

Pingmin Markets are popping up across town, all month long. With weekend editions from 2 May through to the end of the month, you'll find everything from handmade crafts to snacks and knick-knacks. 

Check out the locations for each week below:

Date
2 May – 4 May
9 May – 11 May
16 May – 18 May
23 May – 25 May
30 May – 31 May

Venue
Pingmin Hub, Atwater, and Sunway 163 Mall

Time
12pm – 10pm

Admission fee
Free

16. Borneo Beatz | 25 May

On 25 May, Sukaseni teams up with the Borneo Native Festival for a night of music, movement, and cultural celebration. 

Featuring names like Alena Murang, At Adau, and Belle Sisoski, Borneo Beatz is more than just a concert — it's a full-bodied experience of East Malaysian pride and power.

Date
25 May

Venue
Central Market KL

Time
7.30pm

Admission fee
RM45

Get tickets here.

Aside from Borneo Beatz, Central Market will be hosting a slew of other events throughout May. Swipe through to check out the full list below:

17. Bored. Games Café events | 9, 10, 16, 25 May

Bored. Games Café is hosting several events in May. Here's the list:

9 May: Jom Main! Bored Supports Lokal
A game preview of Breaking Demon's Contract, made by local creator, Pek Fann. The café is supporting the local gaming scene and will feature different local game designers monthly to host open play sessions where guests can come play the game with other participants and meet the creators/designers themselves. There will also be game giveaways via lucky draws and special promotions for participants who wants to buy a copy of the game after the session.

10 May: Kuala Lumpur Boulder Club x Bored
Climb hard, chill harder. Hit the walls with KL Boulder Club, then head to Bored. for dinner, board games, and chill vibes.

16 May: Friday "Bored" Game Socials
A laid-back night of board games and good company. Newbie or pro, solo or squad — everyone's welcome.

25 May: Unbored & Unfiltered: Stand Up Comedy Pop Up x Russell Curtis, The Singing Comedian (of KL Comedy Corner)
Laugh it up with Russell Curtis, the singing comedian of KL Comedy Corner, plus a lineup of local acts. Expect jokes, music, and maybe a meeple meltdown. 

30 May: Unbored & Unhinged: Dinner & Quiz Night: Series #2 Marvel Universe
Suit up, supers. It's dinner, drinks, and dangerously competitive trivia — this time across the entire Marvel multiverse. From Wakanda to Knowhere, no stone (or shawarma) will be left unturned. Bring your brains. Bring your team. Bonus points if you show up in spandex.

Check out Bored.'s Instagram for more info!

18. KLoé Hotel Turns 5 | 17, 18, 24, 25 May

KLoé Hotel, KL's boutique hotel for creatives, turned 5 this year. To mark this exciting milestone, the hotel is hosting two weekends of workshops, talks, promos and more this month.

Some of the events are ticketed while others are complimentary and open to everyone.
There's also a social media giveaway, where one lucky winner will get the chance to experience a night in all five of KLoé's Artist Lofts.

Swipe through to see the list of events:

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