Your guide to spring bank holiday events

Spring bank holiday events

England is known for many spectacles, from Glastonbury Festival to Royal Ascot, but one of the quirkiest of all is our world-famous cheese-rolling event . Now officially an extreme sport, cheese rolling attracts competitors from around the world to the glorious Gloucestershire countryside. If you’re not familiar with this bank holiday event, the main premise is to chase a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down the incredibly steep Cooper’s Hill, a 200-yard-long mound with a gradient of 1:2. If you would like to witness tumbling adrenaline junkies chasing some cheese, this year’s event takes place on 29 May. 

616814-56.jpg

Back for its 25^th year, Birmingham Pride’s vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, empowerment and community hits the West Midlands this late May bank holiday weekend (27-28 May). The event offers a warm environment where people can be who they want without fear of prejudice. This year you can expect a star-studded lineup appearing at the Pride festival, including the Sugababes, Cat Burns, Bewitched and Atomic Kitten! The fun doesn’t stop there; there will be a huge parade, street party and delicious street food.

617111-56.jpg

Put on your dancing shoes and feel the beat at Bristol’s largest music festival, Love Saves the Day, taking over the city this spring bank holiday (27-28 May). This year sees Fat Boy Slim, Years & Years and Katy B gracing the stage, along with over 165 other artists, making it the biggest yet. The two-day festival celebrates electronic and alternative culture, attracting boundary-pushing artists like Archie Hamilton, Mala, Syreeta and Chloe Robinson.

Step back in time to the 1940s for a bank holiday weekend filled with adrenaline-inducing battles, vintage vehicles and, of course, some good old-fashioned fun (27-29 May). Immerse yourself in a live-action battle between the allied and enemy troops featuring striking pyrotechnics to bring the scene to life. Why not look the part and get yourself a spiffing victory haircut at the beauty parlour or go full Great Escape and attempt the gruelling sergeant’s assault course? The WWII weekend isn’t the only thing to enjoy; you can also discover the story of Dunkirk in the castle’s secret tunnels and re-live the tension of the medical field during the war at the Underground Hospital.

green-street-party.jpg

Cameras at the ready for a 1000+ strong bank holiday parade filled with musicians, technicoloured art, brass bands and hundreds of carefully crafted costumes. Expect street food, live music and all the excitement of theatre and circus performance at this unmissable coastal party. Dancing is a must when the the Monster Ceilidh Band perform and there’s more fun to be had at the pop-up fairground. (26-28 May)

609493-56.jpg

Whet your appetite at the Blenheim Palace Food Festival (27-29 May) and sample delicious cooked goods from artisan bakers and international chefs. As Oxfordshire’s largest gastronomic festival, this foodie event attracts renowned chefs from around the world, drawing the likes of Raymond Blanc and former MasterChef winners in previous years. Delicious dishes aren’t the only thing on the menu as there will also be children’s storytellers and musicians performing too.

Other events taking place throughout May

Where can you listen to a thought-provoking debate, join a tea dance, shout ‘house’ at drag bingo and then rave into the small hours all in one day? Brighton, of course! Every May, two flagship arts festivals transform the coastal city into an epicentre of eclectic entertainment. Brighton Fringe (until 4 June) is one of the world’s largest fringe events and the place to be for lovers of cabaret, comedy, circus and quirky club nights. The Brighton Festival kicks off one day later (Until 28 May) and hosts an eclectic programme covering everything from family-friendly theatre to late-night DJ sets. 

Ever seen a 10-metre tall woman or a unicorn amongst the trees? Discover the iconic creations of Damien Hirst at Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) where you can set your sights on four thought-provoking sculptures in serene surroundings. Here until the 1 September 2024, Charity (2002), Myth (2010), The Hat Makes the Man (2004), and The Virgin Mother (2005) tell the story of the impermanence of life, offer a chance for reflection and also make for great photos. 

614093-56.jpg

Another floral fest not to be missed is Chelsea in Bloom (22-28 May), London’s largest free to attend festival of flowers, which transforms the west London borough with brilliant colours and delicate displays as though it was a scene from a Disney film. Speaking of movies, this year’s theme is centred on ‘Flowers on Film’, inspired by the stories and characters of the neighbourhood’s cinematic heritage. Spot fabulous flowery formations that adorning shops, restaurants and hotels of the area, bringing with them heady floral scents. 

This May the streets of Norwich and various areas in Norfolk are transformed with all kinds of creativity and artistic flare. Spanning 17 days, the festival (Until 28 May) brings together thousands of visitors to witness a fantastic programme of world-class music, dance, theatre, circus, literature and visual arts. Enjoy a plethora of exciting paid and free events such as alfresco tunes from the band stand, choirs by candlelight, undiscovered books at the publishing fair and playful street performers, to name a few.