Events and things to do in Britain in May
Your May 2026 bucket list of things to do in Britain starts here with adventures in sport, the arts and the great outdoors.
Our hot pick for May
Looking for creative inspiration? The world-renowned Hay Festival near the Brecon Beacons has got your back. Hosted in a purpose-built tented space in the Welsh village of Hay-on-Wye, this is a festival for book lovers, creatives, and those looking to push the boundaries of the mind. Expect global creativity from a range of different genres, including art, literature, music, comedy and science. Expand your horizon of thought through talks, workshops and music events for all ages, broadening ideas and points of view.
What’s on in Britain this May
Here are some of the top events, activities and things to do in Britain in May. Plus, enjoy a mix of other experiences in Britain this spring.
1 – 3 May 2026: Liverpool Sound City, Liverpool
Head to the UNESCO City of Music, Liverpool, for the Liverpool Sound City – the annual international music festival and industry conference. Welcoming global stars, local artists and key industry figures, the festival has provided a platform for many stars early on in their careers, including Ed Sheeran, alt-J and Calvin Harris.
2 – 24 May 2026: Brighton Festival, Brighton
Brighton is known as a place that welcomes diversity, creativity and innovative thinking, and its annual festival celebrates this pioneering spirit and experimental approach. Established in 1967 and now one of Europe’s leading arts festivals, this celebration of music, theatre, dance, circus, art, film, literature, debate and family events aims to make art accessible to all and takes place in a variety of venues across Brighton and Hove.
Until 3 May 2026: Shetland Folk Festival, Shetland, Scotland
Shetland in the Scottish Islands comes alive over four days with its historic Shetland Folk Festival, celebrating local, national and international music.
Until 4 May 2026: Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, Speyside
For a couple’s experience with a whisky twist, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival will be right up your street. Spirited, inspiring, Scottish – Speyside’s distilleries open their doors and invite visitors from around the world to taste the finest whiskies on offer. Experience the passion behind the region’s famous tipple, and enjoy foodie events, live music, tours and more.
Until 4 May 2026: Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Gloucestershire
Every year, Cheltenham Jazz Festival represents the start of the summer in Cheltenham, bringing together world-renowned performers and jazz enthusiasts from across the globe.
7 – 9 May 2026: FOCUS Wales International Showcase Festival, Wrexham
Keep your finger on the music pulse at FOCUS Wales, which turns the spotlight onto up-and-coming artists from Wales and afar. As well as more than 250 artists to discover, performing in venues across Wrexham, there are industry panels, networking events and film screenings, too. Past performers have included Echo and the Bunnymen, Charlotte Church and Self Esteem.
7 – 10 May 2026: Stratford Literary Festival, Stratford-Upon-Avon
Shakespeare’s hometown, Stratford-Upon-Avon, celebrates the written word in this bi-annual event for book lovers. With 80 events to choose from, including talks and workshops, there’s fun to be had from age four up.
11 May – 14 September 2025: Highland Games, across Scotland
Usually starting in May across Scotland, the Highland Games brings tradition, fun and competition set against some epic backdrops. Around 100 Highland games and gatherings take place in Scotland each year. Each one has a mix of piping, athletic events and Highland dancing.
15 – 17 May 2026: Keswick Mountain Festival, Lake District
Celebrating all things outdoors, the Keswick Mountain Festival shows off the Lake District at its finest. Expect to get involved with mountain sports, listen to guest speakers and live music, plus, get stuck into the food and drinks stalls. This inclusive festival has accessible outdoors sports and guided activities for all ages and abilities.
16 May 2026: The Emirates FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium, London
The FA Cup, the oldest domestic cup competition in the football world, is established as one of the country’s great sporting institutions. The history and tradition of the competition, and the pageantry of the Cup Final, is familiar to millions.
19 – 23 May 2026: RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London
One of the best-known Royal Horticultural Society shows, the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show returns with even more unforgettable floral and horticultural displays.
21 – 24 May 2026: Orkney Folk Festival, Stromness
The tip of northern Scotland comes alive with international musicians for a four-day folk music extravaganza at the Orkney Folk Festival.
21 – 31 May 2026: Hay Festival of Literature & Arts, Brecon Beacons
The renowned Hay Festival of Literature & Arts, held annually in a tented village on the edge of the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) National Park, aims to bring together some of the greatest contemporary authors and the most exciting new voices in literature and the arts. Past speakers and performers have included Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan, Chelsea Clinton, Michael Woolf, Stormzy, Dua Lipa, Simon Schama, David Olusoga, Rose McGowan, Dara Ó Briain and many more.
23 – 29 May 2026: Urdd Eisteddfod, Anglesey
The Urdd Eisteddfod in North Wales is one of Europe’s largest youth touring festivals, with children and young people competing in various competitions such as singing, dancing and performing. There are plenty of attractions for the whole family at the Eisteddfod, from enjoying the competitions to visiting the various stalls and exhibitors on site.
23 – 24 May 2026: Birmingham Pride, Birmingham
The second largest city in England, Birmingham hosts its annual gay Pride, a technicolour spectacular celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture.
23 – 25 May 2026: Blenheim Palace Food Festival, Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire’s largest food festival brings food stalls, strolling jazz musicians, children’s storytellers and some of the biggest names in the foodie world to Blenheim Palace’s magnificent grounds. Chef Raymond Blanc OBE and MasterChef winners have attended in the past.
25 May 2026: Tetbury Woolsack Races, Tetbury, Gloucestershire
In a celebration of 16th-century wool production, competitors carry a sack of wool up and down a steep hill in the Cotswolds town of Tetbury.
31 May 2026: Women’s FA Cup Final, Wembley Stadium, London
The Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final returns to Wembley and will see two teams battle it out for the coveted trophy.
Other events and things to do in Britain throughout May 2026
Britain’s music festivals strike the right chord
From Goths to DJs, folk music to opera, Britain’s music festival scene kicks off with a bang across the nations.
Food festivals in Britain
Cooking up a storm, Britain’s gastronomic festivals will have foodies the world over travelling to our shores to sample the goods.
Britain’s gardens and flower show’s come into bloom
May is the perfect month to head out into the best of Britain’s beautiful gardens. May is also the month that our flower show’s start to step into the spotlight.
Spring walks and hikes across Britain
There’s nothing like getting out in nature while spring is making its big break. Whether hiking on a coastal trail, taking on our biggest peaks, or ambling along on a leisurely walk across glorious countryside, Britain’s walking trails are coming out of hibernation in March.
Theatre shows, across Great Britain
Get to see your favourite musicals, or get up close to your favourite artist’s creations, at Britain’s many stage shows and museum exhibitions up and down the country.
Bucket list of places to experience in Britain this May
Top events in Britain in 2026
May FAQs
The weather in Britain during the month of May can include a mix of sunshine and rain showers, with temperatures slowly increasing to be fairly mild. May is a great month for getting outdoors and enjoying outdoor activities in Britain.
As the weather is generally mild in Britain during May, some of the best places to visit would be the Britain’s National Parks, such as the Peak District, Lake District, Cairngorms National Park, or Eryri National Park (Snowdonia). Other outdoor locations in the countryside or coast are also great for an abundance of outdoor adventures. Try Mountain biking, hiking, paddle boarding, sailing, coasteering and more.
Britain’s cities are also perfect to experience in May as it is considered to a shoulder season between low and high season. This makes it ideal for visiting world-class museums, exhibitions, theatre shows and more.
As May is a shoulder season in Britain there are generally less crowds and the weather is pleasant for outdoor adventures. You can experience flowers coming into bloom across Britain in May, too. Spring flowers in Britain include daffodils, cherry blossoms, tulips, bluebells and more as the nation’s come alive in bursts of colour.
Britain’s lavender fields start to come into their own in May. Hotspots include Cotswold Lavender, Yorkshire Lavender Farm and Scottish Lavender at Tarhill Farm in Kinross, Scotland.
Spring animal experiences
You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to cute baby encounters in Britain. Head to the Brecon Beacons for a Jacob Sheep Trekking and Farm Experience, feed the baby lambs at Chatsworth House in the Peak District, or head to the city to see the baby lambs at Surrey Docks Farm in London. There’s alpaca-trekking in the Sheffield countryside with Holly Hagg Community Farm, goat strolls at Newcastle’s Ouseburn Farm, and close encounters with baby Highland cows at Highland Coos and Ewes.
May is also the perfect time for birdwatchers to visit the British coast to see seabirds in their natural environment. Some of the best places to see puffins in May include the Isle of May and Farne Islands in Scotland, plus Sumburgh Head in Shetland. Other locations include Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire and Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire.
There are many festivals taking place in Britain in May. From music to food, literature, art and outdoor pursuits, there’s something for everyone. Top festival in Britain in May include: Hay Festival of Literature and Arts, Blenheim Palace Food festival, Brighton Festival, Shetland Folk Festival, Orkney Folk Festival, FOCUS Wales International Showcase Festival, Stratford Literary Festival and the Keswick Mountain Festival.
While there is a Bank Holiday in Britain on the first Monday in May the majority of attractions, restaurants and shops will be open as usual.
Yes, the FA cup final is a major sporting event that takes place in Britain in May. The men’s Emirates FA Cup Final is on 16 May 2026, while the women’s cup final is on 31 May 2026. Both finals take place at Wembley Stadium.
There are a several hidden gem May traditions that happen in Britain. Absorb the atmosphere at a traditional Maypole dance on the first of May, taking place in many village greens. Towards the end of the month, head to Tetbury in the Cotswolds for an ancient wool sack race, or marvel at the annual Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling race where participants chase down a steep hill to catch a large cheese in Gloucestershire.
