Beltane Fire Festival
Calton Hill, Edinburgh
Drummers, fire and the May Queen’s procession welcome summer on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill.
30 April 2027Traditional date
May Day madness
May Day is when Britain’s folk calendar really comes alive. Hobby horses dance through Padstow and Minehead, choristers sing from Magdalen Tower at dawn, chimney sweeps parade in Rochester and Edinburgh lights up Calton Hill for Beltane.
Many of these happen on the same weekend, so pick one, book early and go for the whole day.
10 events in this guide
In date order
- 30AprBeltane Fire FestivalCalton Hill, Edinburgh30 April 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 30AprHastings Traditional Jack in the GreenHastings, East Sussex30 April – 3 May 2027 — date announcedStay nearby
- 30AprMinehead Hobby HorseMinehead, Somerset30 April – 4 May 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 1MayOxford May MorningOxford, Oxfordshire1 May 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 1MayPadstow ’Obby ’OssPadstow, Cornwall1 May 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 1MayRochester Sweeps FestivalRochester, Kent1–3 May 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 9MayCovent Garden May Fayre and Puppet FestivalCovent Garden, London9 May 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- MayusuallyHolywood May DayHolywood, County DownEarly May bank holiday MondayStay nearby
- MayusuallyBallyclare May FairBallyclare, County AntrimA week in mid to late May, with the horse fair on the TuesdayStay nearby
- MayusuallyKnutsford Royal May DayKnutsford, CheshireThe first Saturday in MayStay nearby
The events
Hastings Traditional Jack in the Green
Hastings, East Sussex
Green-clad processions, traditional dance and music.
30 April – 3 May 2027Date announced
Minehead Hobby Horse
Minehead, Somerset
Two canvas-and-ribbon hobby horses dance through Minehead and Dunster around May Day.
30 April – 4 May 2027Traditional date
Oxford May Morning
Oxford, Oxfordshire
Choristers greet May Day at 6am from Magdalen Tower before morris dancing across Oxford.
1 May 2027Traditional date
Padstow ’Obby ’Oss
Padstow, Cornwall
Two 'osses dance through Padstow all day on May Day to drums, accordions and the May Song.
1 May 2027Traditional date
Rochester Sweeps Festival
Rochester, Kent
Morris sides, sweeps and the Jack-in-the-Green fill Rochester over the May bank holiday.
1–3 May 2027Traditional date
Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival
Covent Garden, London
Punch and Judy puppeteers parade, attend church and perform for Mr Punch’s birthday.
9 May 2027Traditional date
Holywood May Day
Holywood, County Down
Children dance round the maypole Holywood calls the last one remaining in the country.
Early May bank holiday Monday
Ballyclare May Fair
Ballyclare, County Antrim
An old horse fair returns to Main Street during a week of parades, funfair rides and fireworks.
A week in mid to late May, with the horse fair on the Tuesday
Knutsford Royal May Day
Knutsford, Cheshire
A costumed procession, sanded pavements and a May Queen crowned on Knutsford Heath.
The first Saturday in May
“Stay nearby” links go to Booking.com, and each event guide also has train links. These are affiliate links. What that means.