Spring in the UK is a season of renewal, and the events calendar reflects that energy. From the first daffodils in March through to the long evenings of late May, the country shakes off winter with an increasingly busy programme of festivals, garden openings, sporting events, and outdoor celebrations. Here is our guide to the best spring events across the UK.
March events
St David's Day (1 March)
Wales celebrates its patron saint with events across the country. Cardiff stages a parade through the city centre, and the Wales Millennium Centre and other venues programme concerts and cultural events. Daffodils, leeks, and Welsh flags are everywhere, and many Welsh people wear traditional costume or a daffodil on their lapel. Community events including eisteddfodau (cultural festivals of music, poetry, and art) take place in towns and villages across Wales.
Six Nations Rugby
The Six Nations championship runs from late January through to mid-March, and match days at Twickenham, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, and Murrayfield in Edinburgh are among the most atmospheric sporting occasions of the year. Even without a ticket, the atmosphere in the host cities on match days is electric, with pubs and fan zones showing the games on big screens.
Crufts
Crufts, the world's largest dog show, takes place at the NEC in Birmingham over four days in March. If you love dogs, it is unmissable. The show features breed judging, agility competitions, flyball, heelwork to music, and the Best in Show finale. Tickets are available for individual days and tend to sell well, so booking in advance is recommended.
April events
London Marathon
The London Marathon on a Sunday in April is one of the UK's greatest sporting spectacles. Even if you are not running, the atmosphere along the 26.2-mile route from Greenwich to The Mall is incredible. Spectators line the streets to cheer on everyone from elite athletes to fun runners in fancy dress raising money for charity. The best viewing spots include Cutty Sark in Greenwich, Tower Bridge, and The Mall near the finish line. Spectating is free.
Shakespeare's Birthday (23 April)
Stratford-upon-Avon celebrates Shakespeare's birthday with a programme of events including a procession through the town, performances, and activities at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust properties. The town is a charming spring destination in its own right, with the RSC theatres offering world-class productions year-round. For theatre lovers, combining a birthday celebration visit with an RSC performance makes for an excellent weekend away.
Garden openings
April marks the start of the main garden visiting season. The National Garden Scheme (NGS), which opens thousands of private gardens to the public for charity, begins its main season in April. RHS gardens at Wisley, Harlow Carr, Rosemoor, and Hyde Hall are spectacular in spring with tulips, cherry blossom, and early perennials. Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent and Great Dixter in East Sussex are particularly worth visiting in April and May.
May events
Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, is the highlight of the horticultural calendar. Show gardens, themed gardens, and the Great Pavilion filled with breathtaking floral displays make it a feast for the senses. Tickets sell out quickly, so apply early. Even if you cannot attend, the show's influence is visible in garden centres and public plantings across the country for months afterwards.
The Great Escape
Brighton's new music festival in May is the UK's leading showcase for emerging artists. Over three days, hundreds of acts perform in venues across the city, from established clubs to tiny pubs. It is a pilgrimage for music industry professionals and fans who want to discover the next big thing. Brighton itself is a wonderful spring destination, with the seafront, Lanes, and independent restaurants adding to the festival experience.
Hay Festival
The Hay Festival of Literature and Arts in Hay-on-Wye runs from late May into early June. Writers, politicians, scientists, and thinkers from around the world appear for talks, debates, and readings. The family programme, Hay Fever, runs alongside the main festival. The small Welsh border town, famous for its secondhand bookshops, is a delightful setting. For more May events, see our dedicated guide to May bank holiday events.
Sporting spring highlights
- The Grand National -- Horse racing's most famous steeplechase takes place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool in early April. The three-day festival culminates in the Grand National itself on Saturday afternoon. It is one of the few sporting events that captures the attention of the entire nation.
- The Boat Race -- The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race on the Thames, usually held on a Saturday in late March or early April, is a beloved spring tradition. Spectators line the banks from Putney to Mortlake to watch. It is free to watch from the towpath.
- Cricket season opens -- County cricket begins in April, and there is nothing quite like the optimism of a new cricket season. County grounds at Canterbury, Cheltenham, and Scarborough offer particularly pleasant settings for early-season cricket in spring sunshine.
Spring food and drink events
- Taste of London -- While the main festival is in summer, spring events and pop-ups in Regent's Park and other London locations offer early previews of the restaurant scene.
- English Wine Week -- English wine has improved enormously in recent decades, with sparkling wines now rivalling Champagne. Vineyards across the south of England, including Nyetimber, Ridgeview, and Chapel Down, offer tours and tastings. English Wine Week in late May or early June is a good time to explore.
- Asparagus season -- British asparagus season runs from late April to late June. The Vale of Evesham in Worcestershire and various farms across the country celebrate the season with asparagus festivals and farm-gate sales.
Nature and wildlife in spring
Spring is one of the best times for wildlife watching in the UK:
- Bluebell woods -- The UK's bluebell woods are a spectacular natural phenomenon in April and May. The Woodland Trust lists the best bluebell sites, which include Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey, and Coed Cefn in Powys.
- Seabird colonies -- Puffins return to their breeding colonies in April, with Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire coast, the Farne Islands off Northumberland, and Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire offering close-up views.
- Dawn chorus -- The peak of the dawn chorus in late April and early May is nature's most extraordinary free concert. Wake early and visit a woodland or nature reserve to experience it.
Planning your spring
Spring events in the UK reward those who plan ahead. Key tips:
- Book popular events early -- Chelsea Flower Show, Hay Festival, and the London Marathon all require advance booking.
- Layer your clothing -- Spring weather in the UK is famously changeable. A warm morning can turn into a chilly afternoon.
- Check garden opening times -- Many gardens have specific opening days, particularly those in the NGS scheme.
- Combine events with travel -- Spring is a wonderful time to explore the UK's countryside. Building a weekend around an event and adding walks, pub lunches, and garden visits makes the most of the season.
Spring is when the UK's events calendar truly wakes up. Browse spring events on Tickts and start planning your season of festivals, garden visits, and outdoor adventures.
