May gives the UK two bank holiday weekends, and both are packed with events. The early May bank holiday (the first Monday in May) and the late May bank holiday (the last Monday in May, coinciding with the school half-term) are prime time for festivals, outdoor events, country fairs, and all manner of celebrations taking advantage of the longer days and (hopefully) warmer weather.
Early May bank holiday events
May Day celebrations
The first of May is traditionally celebrated across the UK with May Day customs that date back centuries. Maypole dancing, Morris dancing, and the crowning of a May Queen take place in villages across England. Padstow in Cornwall holds its famous 'Obby 'Oss festival on 1 May, where two hobby horses dance through the town's streets accompanied by drums and singing. It is one of the oldest surviving May Day customs in the UK and draws large crowds to this small Cornish harbour town.
Hastings holds its Jack in the Green festival over the early May bank holiday weekend. The festival features a procession led by a figure covered in a framework of greenery, accompanied by Morris dancers and musicians through the Old Town. The celebrations culminate on the East Hill with the "slaying" of the Jack and the release of summer. It is free to attend and thoroughly entertaining.
Festivals and music events
The early May bank holiday marks the start of the UK festival season. Several notable festivals use this weekend as their slot:
- The Great Escape -- Brighton's new music festival takes place across multiple venues in the city centre. It showcases emerging artists from the UK and beyond, with hundreds of acts playing in venues ranging from large clubs to tiny pubs. It is considered the UK's leading festival for new music discovery.
- Beltane Fire Festival -- Edinburgh's Beltane Fire Festival on Calton Hill is a dramatic celebration of the Celtic fire festival marking the beginning of summer. Performers, fire dancers, and musicians create a spectacular event against the backdrop of Edinburgh at dusk. Tickets are required and sell out quickly.
- Cheese Rolling at Cooper's Hill -- While technically unofficial and not sanctioned by any organiser, the annual cheese rolling event near Brockworth in Gloucestershire usually takes place on the late May bank holiday (though dates vary). Participants chase a round of Double Gloucester cheese down an extremely steep hill. It is gloriously absurd and entirely free to watch.
Late May bank holiday and half-term events
The late May bank holiday weekend coincides with the school half-term holiday, making it one of the most popular weekends for family events and larger festivals.
Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London is one of the most prestigious flower shows in the world. It runs from Tuesday to Saturday, typically ending on the Saturday of the late May bank holiday weekend. Tickets are required and sell out quickly, particularly for the opening days. Even if you cannot get a ticket, the show gardens are widely covered in the media and inspire garden visits across the country for the rest of the season.
Hay Festival
The Hay Festival of Literature and Arts in Hay-on-Wye, on the Welsh border, runs across the late May bank holiday and into June. It brings together writers, thinkers, politicians, and performers for talks, readings, debates, and concerts. The festival has a family-friendly programme alongside its main events. The small town of Hay-on-Wye, famous for its secondhand bookshops, provides a charming setting. Tickets for individual events are priced separately, and the most popular speakers sell out quickly.
Food and drink festivals
May bank holidays are prime time for food festivals across the UK:
- Ludlow Spring Festival -- Ludlow in Shropshire, already renowned for its food scene, hosts a spring food festival in the grounds of Ludlow Castle. Local producers, cooking demonstrations, and tastings make it a highlight for food lovers.
- Foodies Festival -- This touring food festival visits multiple UK cities, with Brighton, Edinburgh, and Oxford among its regular stops over the May bank holidays. Celebrity chef demonstrations, street food, and drink tastings are the main draws.
- Meatopia -- London's celebration of fire-cooked food usually has events around this period, featuring top chefs cooking over live fire alongside craft beer and cocktails.
Country shows and agricultural events
The spring bank holiday weekend sees the start of the country show season. The Devon County Show, the Royal Bath and West Show (which runs in early June), and the Suffolk Show are among the agricultural events kicking off around this time. These combine livestock competitions, farm machinery demonstrations, food halls, and entertainment rings. They offer a genuine window into rural life alongside a fun family day out.
For anyone running events over the bank holiday weekends, setting up your ticketing properly is crucial for managing the increased demand these popular weekends bring.
Outdoor activities for the bank holidays
If organised events are not your thing, the May bank holidays are ideal for outdoor pursuits:
- Coastal walks -- The South West Coast Path, Pembrokeshire Coast Path, and Northumberland Coast Path are all at their best in late May, with wildflowers in bloom and seabird colonies nesting on the cliffs.
- Cycling -- The UK's network of traffic-free cycle routes, many following former railway lines, make for excellent bank holiday rides. National Cycle Network routes through the Peak District, Lake District, and Forest of Dean are particularly scenic.
- Open gardens -- The National Garden Scheme sees thousands of private gardens open to the public throughout May and June, with proceeds going to charity. Check the NGS website for gardens opening near you.
Planning tips for May bank holidays
- Book accommodation well ahead -- Popular destinations fill up quickly for bank holiday weekends. The Cotswolds, Lake District, Cornwall, and coastal towns all see premium pricing and limited availability.
- Check road conditions -- Bank holiday traffic on major routes (the M5 towards the south-west, the A303 past Stonehenge, the M6 towards the Lakes) can be very heavy. Leaving early or late helps avoid the worst congestion.
- Have a wet-weather backup -- May weather is unpredictable. Having an indoor alternative planned means a washout does not ruin the weekend.
- Buy festival tickets early -- Events like The Great Escape, Hay Festival, and Chelsea Flower Show all sell out. Early-bird prices, where available, offer savings too.
The May bank holidays signal that summer is properly on its way. Whether you prefer a literary festival, a village green celebration, or a long walk along the coast, there is no shortage of ways to spend these precious long weekends. Browse upcoming events on Tickts to find what is happening near you, and check our guide to the best summer outdoor events for even more warm-weather inspiration.
