Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes a lot of great live events in May. From the big hats and fast horses at the Kentucky Derby to the fabulous fashion at the Met Gala, May is packed with events that only a lucky few can attend.
While you may not be able to be at these star-studded spectacles, you can certainly tune in from the comfort of your couch.
Read on for the top live events you won’t want to miss this month, and where you can watch them in May.
The Kentucky Derby (May 3)
Whoa, there! It’s horses and hats galore at the fashionable racing event. Grab a mint julep and head (virtually, of course) to Churchill Downs for the 151st Kentucky Derby. You can marvel at the strange names they give horses (this year’s leading favorite is a bay colt named Journalism, for some reason) and the stunning feats of athleticism.
Whether you’re a derby devotee or a first-time viewer, it’s a great time to tune in to the country’s most famous horse race. It’s also a great time to spot stars on the sidelines — last year’s attendees included Travis Kelce, Jimmy Fallon and Martha Stewart.
See the Stars Who Have Worn Head-Turning Hats to the Kentucky Derby
Watch The Kentucky Derby on Peacock on May 3.
The Met Gala (May 5)
Chris Appleton, stylist to stars like Kim Kardashian and Nicole Kidman, referred to the Met Gala as “the ultimate storytelling in fashion and beauty.” This year’s theme is “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” which means the looks will be inspired by Black menswear and the phenomenon of Black dandyism.
The gala will be hosted by A$AP Rocky, Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, Pharrell Williams and (of course) Anna Wintour. LeBron James is also an honorary chair for the fashion spectacular.
Past style icons of the Met Gala have included Kim and her fellow Kardashians, Zendaya and Lady Gaga. This year’s designs are sure to dazzle and amaze you, so rather than waiting to see who reposts their favorite looks on social media, why not watch it live?
You can stream the red carpet coverage of the Met Gala on Peacock on May 5.
‘Beckham + Friends’ (May 6)
David Beckham retired from soccer (or football, as he’d call it) in 2013, but has remained an influential voice in the sport ever since. This year, he’s curating a new viewing experience with Beckham + Friends, a “watch party” altcast where he and fellow sports industry icons will watch the UEFA Championships together.
The guest list hasn’t yet been announced, but when he announced the project, he showed the studio to fellow retired football stars Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards. Beckham told CBS Sports that he wants the show to have a casual, friendly feeling like when he watches at home with his family. “Talking about the game and not sometimes talking about the game,” he explained.
Watch Beckham + Friends on Paramount+ starting May 6.
25 Pop Culture Events to Look Forward to in 2025
Eurovision Song Contest 2025 (May 13-17)
In a time of global conflict and discord, it’s a comfort to know that music can still bring the world together. During the Eurovision Song Contest, countries are invited to submit a song that is emblematic of their nation in a competition that will be watched by millions. This year’s competition will be held in Sweden (last year’s winner) and has 36 countries participating. Tiny nations like Montenegro will face off against superpowers like the United Kingdom. Even nations embroiled in conflict, like Ukraine and Israel, will participate.
It’s a big, colorful celebration of art and culture that often gets forgotten in the United States. Don’t miss it this year.
Watch Eurovision Song Contest 2025 on Peacock.
Netflix’s Tudum (May 31)
“Netflix’s biggest fan party” will be live-streaming from Los Angeles. It’s sort of like Comic-Con, but just for Netflix properties, so fans can expect the scoop on their favorite Netflix shows like the final season of Stranger Things and upcoming movies Guillermo Del Toro‘s Frankenstein. There will be trailer reveals, exclusive cast interviews and other behind-the-scenes content.
What’s New on Netflix in May 2025
The Tudum trailer teases info about hits like One Piece, Bridgerton, Wednesday, Happy Gilmore 2 and much, much more.
Watch Tudum live on May 31 on, of course, Netflix.
