May events
8 unmissable events in May
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Make the most of the bank holidays with these exciting things to do in May.
May events: See Salisbury's amazing Art Festival
Take part in the Salisbury International Arts Festival, and immerse yourself in music, art, dance, and theatre of the highest caliber.
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
May events: Tuck into a three day food festival in Exeter
Celebrate the best food and drink from the South West at this event in May.
Location: Exeter, Devon
May events: Open your mind at the International Festival of Psychedelia
Soak in a dynamic display of visual and auditory treats at this critically-acclaimed festival in Liverpool’s creative district.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Get away at The Great Escape
The Great Escape brings hundreds of up-and-coming artists to 35 venues over three days in Brighton and Hove.
Location: Brighton, Sussex
Go to Liverpool Sound City, an innovative music, film and art festival
Get a ticket for one of the UK’s largest international music, digital and film festivals.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
May events: The Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Norwich becomes a hotbed of international art and performance every May.
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
May events: Watch the Tetbury Woolsack Race
This is undoubtedly one of England's strangest things to do in May, but this unique race dates back to the 17th-century.
Location: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
May events: Get outside with Bristol Walk Fest
Discover Bristol on foot with the UK's largest urban walking festival, featuring themed walks and special events.
Location: Bristol
June events: Celebrate nature at Keswick Mountain Festival
Enjoy outdoor activities, world class speakers, sporting events, camping, and live music at this unique festival in the heart of the Lake District.
Location: Keswick, Cumbria
May events: Don your tweeds for the Nottinghamshire County Show
May is usually your first chance to enjoy the spring sunshine, so spend it wisely with an action-packed day at the Nottinghamshire County Show.
Location: Newark, Nottinghamshire
May events: Step back in time at East Lancashire Railway
Join the East Lancashire Railway to party like its 1949 in Rawtenstall, Lancashire where the blitz spirit is still going strong.
Location: Rawtenstall, Lancashire
May events: Shake your tail feather at Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival
See some of the best performers from the world of burlesque and alternative cabaret at this event in May.
Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
See musical legends at Cheltenham Jazz Festival
Swing into springtime in style at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, one of the leading Jazz events in England.
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
May events: Push boundaries at the London Burlesque Festival
Witness the world’s most diverse artists and performers from the risqué world of Burlesque.
Location: London, Greater London
Connect with Dot to Dot Festival
This festival of indie, pop, electronic and alternative music is a travelling show, moving between three cities over three consecutive days.
Location: Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham
May events: Have a nautical time at Gloucester Tall Ships Festival
Set sail to Gloucester as the award-winning Gloucester Tall Ships makes its return voyage to the UK's most inland port in May.
Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire
May events: Put your best foot forward at WalkFest
Put a spring in your step over the spring bank holiday weekend at the North York Moors National Park’s annual walking festival.
Location: North York Moors, North Yorkshire
May events: Visit the 1940s in West Yorkshire
Head to Haworth in West Yorkshire and get a glimpse into life in the 1940s.
Location: Haworth, West Yorkshire
May events: Cheer on the cyclists at Lincoln Grand Prix
Take to the streets of Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter to show your support for some of England’s top cyclists during a two-day festival of cycling.
Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire
May events: Learn from food experts at Salcombe Crab Festival
Love seafood? Salcombe’s delicious crab celebration should be right at the top of your things to do in Devon list.
Location: Salcombe, Devon
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