Discover colourful carnivals, retro comic cons, dramatic jousting and free family fun-days out across South East England this May half term. The Spring bank holiday weekend also means you'll find an ever growing number of events and activities for all ages, to get you out and about making the most of the long weekend. Whether you live here, or are just in the region for a day out or enjoying weekend away, take a look and discover what's on this half term holidays.
Find something near you to enjoy in our featured list below from value-added activities to family-friendly events. Whether your looking for something to do over half term in Hampshire or along the South Coast, in the Surrey countryside or planning on touring around the destination, use the links above to search what's on or head to the bottom of the page for a full lisiting of events across the South East over the half term holidays.
Planning a May half-term holiday? Discover great value accommodation across the South East for a spring getaway. You can also search by destinations to link up with the local offical tourism websites across the region. Our newsletter archive and YouTube channel is also a great place to discover things to do in South East England.
May half term runs from Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June across South East England and includes the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 27th May. This is the last of the three bank holidays in the UK in May. The May holidays generally bring brighter longer days, more consistent weather and see the South East welcoming a host of music events and food festivals, outdoor trails and evening events to keep everybody thoroughly entertained.
Find hundreds more events and things to do in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Dorset this May Half Term holiday and Spring Bank holiday in our guide below. Whether you're looking for something near you, or if you are travelling to a part of South East England for a short break or day trip, use the 'map view' button to find something local.
Number of results: 18
Food
Winchester
The Cheese & Chilli Festival is set to spice up the summer, with highlights including a chilli eating competition, food challenges, cooking demonstrations, family friendly entertainment and much, much more! The Cheese & Chilli Festival offers a…
Family
EAST COWES
Join Queen Victoria and her beloved Albert at Osborne for old-fashioned thrills and spills on traditional fairground rides like swing boats and the helter-skelter. Giggle and gasp at the silly antics of the palace Jester and marvel at mesmerising…
Special Events
Maidstone
Join us for a bank holiday of exhilarating displays of combat and action, elegant and unusual equestrian, and medieval living and feasting.
Gasp at the first crash of lances, cheer as your favourite knight gallops past, and watch as England and…
Food
Walmer
The Best of Kent Food, Drink and Craft Festival arranged by Walmer Town Council on Walmer Green.
Food
Fragbarrow Lane, Ditchling Common
Live life in full flavour at The Rows & Vine, converted into a unique winter dining space by our Chardonnay vineyard. It's the perfect spot to sip, savour and celebrate.
We are now serving seasonal Sunday Roasts alongside our small plates menu.…
Run / Rally
New Forest
All Porsche owners are invited to drive into Beaulieu to park up within the museum parkland for what promises to be a superb day out for both Porsche owners and enthusiasts.
General event
Streat
It’s a quintessential pairing: fresh seafood and sparkling wine.
Join us for a special evening of plateau de fruits de mer, served alongside our award-winning sparkling wines.
It is one of our most popular events at Artelium, so pre-bookings are…
Festival
Portsmouth
Portsmouth Comic Con returns to the Guildhall for 2024.
Walking
North Wessex Downs AONB
Save the Date for the 2024 North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Walking Festival.
Explore the Big Chalk with 9 days of walks to suit all ages and abilities.
Full programme to follow
Gardens
Oxford
See the county flower of Oxfordshire in all its native splendour as it flowers in our wildflower meadow and riverside walk throughout April (normal garden entrance fee applies).
Carnival
Eastbourne
The biggest Seafront Carnival in the South East will return this year.
More than 1,500 walkers are expected to take part with some 25,000 fans and supporters.
Festival
Burley
Does your pooch deserve some love this summer?
Dogstival returns to the Burley Park, in the heart of the New Forest National Park on 1st & 2nd June 2024 and is packed full of canine approved entertainment.
Festival
Brighton
In 2024, Brighton Festival - the largest annual curated multi-arts festival in England - will be curated by screenwriter and novelist Frank Cottrell-Boyce.
Comedy
Brighton and Hove
Bingo, brunch & the Bogan Bingo boys!
Brighton’s favourite comedy bingo show is bringing you a limited run of Saturday afternoon bingo
Tickets include:
- 2 hours bottomless selected drinks (including Bear Island Pale Ale, Bloody Marys, and…
Food
Woodstock
The Blenheim Palace Food Festival promises a fantastic weekend, filled with delicious food and drink from a huge variety of stall holders, cooking demonstrations from world-renowned chefs, the opportunity to taste a wide range of delicacies and a…
Arts
Brighton
The Artists Open Houses festival provides a unique experience for visitors, where you can view an array of work from contemporary and original local artists and makers in their homes, as well as meeting the artists and buying artwork and crafts…
Walking
Alton
Alton is a vibrant Walkers are Welcome Hampshire town which truly has community spirit at its heart. Situated at the source of the River Wey and enjoying a stunning rural backdrop at the gateway of the South Downs National Park, Alton is known by…
Special Events
Eastbourne
A fantastic free emergency services spectacular on Eastbourne's seafront Western Lawns.