Somerset’s got the Early May Bank Holiday down to a fine art. The blossom comes in, the orchards seemingly turn pale pink overnight, and hanging out under the apple trees with friends – ciders in hands – while children flee between the branches, becomes the done thing.
Quick on the heels of Easter holidays, the Early May Bank Holiday – Friday 1 to Monday 4 May 2026 – is a great excuse to stitch together a long weekend involving anything from Glastonbury dragons, or May Day Maypole dancing to a pint of medium dry in your favourite cider farm. Here’s my edited shortlist of May Day events and the best things to do this Early May Bank Holiday Somerset 2026.
May Day events Somerset: Start with the orchards
North Down Orchard is kicking things off from 6pm on Friday 1 May with live music from The Grey Wolves, delish Basement 17 Tacos and cider, of course. on Sunday 3 May they’re open from 2pm for their Vintage & Classic Car Meet with live music from Tipsy Swing.
Burrow Hill a.k.a Somerset Cider Brandy opens up its blossoming orchards and turquoise Cider Bus from 10am-5pm on Saturday 2 May 2026 for Cider Week celebrations with live music. Boogie woogie music from The Pianoman, Japanese street food by Hakko House. They are also hosting a circus workshop for all ages, led by a lifelong professional clown.
*NOW POSTPONED UNTIL 6 JUNE* Tricky Cider, at Low Ham near Langport hosts live music on 2 May from The Man from Funkle, and The Rock and Soul DJs (3-10pm) as part of British Cider Week (24 April-4 May 2026).
Perry’s at Dowlish Wake is one of the prettiest – thatched roofs, vintage wagons, a stream that keeps little’un entertained. Pop into Canteen at Perry’s or pick up something yummy from the shop.
Harry’s Cider near Long Sutton is serving up loaded fries from Soul Fries, and music from Hullabaloosers on 2 May from 12pm-6pm.
Sheppy’s at Bradford-on-Tone has a Bug Children’s Trail, plus a playground for little kids and an award-winning café.
Torre Cider Farm near Watchet hides a Sprite Sanctuary in the trees: hand-carved wooden doors, treehouses, hammocks and a wood-fired pizza oven. Plus a playground and animals.
May Day Somerset: Make it a culture weekend
The Cheddar Arts Fringe Festival (CHAFF) runs 2-4 May with 44 artists exhibiting across 19 venues in the village – pottery, sculpture, photography, jewellery, and the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year 2025 finalist Katie Jones.
The Bishop’s Palace at Wells hosts History Alive (2-3 May 2026), an immersive 17th-century re-enactment with the Wardour Garrison drilling, cooking and skirmishing through the moat-side gardens both Saturday and Sunday.
And family-friendly Larkhall Festival (1-4 May) turns Bath’s most independent quarter over to four days of music, kids chess tournament, storytelling, food. a Sunday afternoon drum procession led by King Bladud himself and a chance to ‘paint the park’.
Bank holiday Saturday night (2 May), Mythos: Ragnarök at The Forum in Bath stages Norse myth in full theatrical scale. Combining historic Viking storytelling with high-octane action it’s a unique and thrilling show!
Stand out Early May Bank Holiday Somerset events
Beltane Celebrations, Glastonbury on Friday 1 May 2026 will take place in Glastonbury High Street and Chalice Well. Expect a fire ceremony, music, stilt walkers, parade and maypole dancing. Mystical Glastonbury at its best.
Glastonbury Dragons May Fayre & Procession through Glastonbury town centre on Sunday 3 May 2026 (from 10am) is colourful dragon-led procession through town, followed by a fayre with stalls, performances and a seasonal ceremony near the Tor. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Party in the Park, Burnham-on-Sea on Sunday 3 May 2026 in Manor Gardens has free live music, bar, stalls and seaside bank holiday vibes!
Head to Watchet for West Somerset Railway’s Spring Steam Spectacular – a 4-day steam gala celebrating 50 years of steam on the revived West Somerset Railway. See The Tale of the Somerset Dragon on the Esplanade (plus a surprise guest), a Sunday street fair, and May Day celebrations at East Quay. Add live music, independent shops and cafés, and it’s shaping up beautifully.
Things to do in Somerset Early May Bank Holiday for the under-tens
Avon Valley Adventure Park at Keynsham hosts Paw Patrol meet-and-greets across Saturday and Sunday 2-3 May.
Pucklechurch runs its village-wide Scarecrow Trail on 3-4 May 2026.
Abbey Hill Steam Rally is at Yeovil Showground on 1-4 May 2026. It showcases steam engines, vintage vehicles, fairground, live music.
Things to do in Somerset on May Day
Bath Racecourse opens its Family Fun Day on Bank Holiday Monday – flat racing, free entry for under-18s.
Kingsbury May Festival on Monday 4 May 2026 (11am–5pm) is held in Kingsbury Episcopi. A Traditional May Day procession led by the Green Man, with maypole dancing, food stalls, dog show and classic cars. Proper old-school Somerset village energy.
North Somerset Show is on Monday 4 May 2026 in Wraxall (near Bristol). A huge agricultural show with livestock, rural crafts, food, and 250+ trade stands.
Turn up to East Quay Watchet for May Day celebrations on Monday 4 May from 1pm. Enjoy craft demonstrations, art workshops, maypole dancing, storytelling and face painting. Tuck into delicious food and drink, then round off the day with live music and lively country dancing with local ceilidh band Barnbuskers.
Early May Bank Holiday: Further afield
UPFEST, Europe’s largest street art festival, expands into Broadmead for the first time over the bank holiday. Bristol Bid launches Love Bristol, Love Broadmead and features globally-recognised artists and Bristol natives (including Inkie, Melo, Insane51, My Dog Sighs and HazardOne) painting large-scale, permanent murals live across Friday 1 to Tuesday 5 May. It’s free, it’s unticketed, and it leaves the city changed when it’s done. The actual festival returns with a 17-day cultural programme across Bedminster and beyond from 15–31 May with plenty for kids, adults and artists.
Spike Island Open Studios opens 70+ working studios from 1-3 May. Free entry, café on-site, and a five-minute walk from M Shed.
eat: Bedminster – 80+ independent food and drink stalls along North Street – runs across the bank holiday weekend. Pair it with Bristol Walk Fest: a city-wide programme of guided walks across the city. From Blackbeard to Banksy, Harbourside’s Hidden History, Bristol Blitz and Air Raid Shelters and more!
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