22nd May - 2nd June 25, Oxfordshire
Discover colourful carnivals, dramatic jousting, arts, comedy, and some great 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 a 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 you are 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 listing 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 24th May to Sunday 1st June across South East England and includes the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 28th 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: 130
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Maidstone
Join us at Leeds Castle for our medieval jousting event this May bank holiday for an exhilarating display of combat and action, elegant and unusual equestrian, and medieval living and feasting.
Tour
Chatham
If you're a fan of the hit series and you've been wondering where Call the Midwife is filmed, put yourself in the picture and explore where the real drama happens with a Call the Midwife Official Location Tour at The Historic Dockyard Chatham…
Tour
Reading
Book now to enjoy an official Abbey Quarter Tour, Reading which includes exclusive access to Jane Austen's school.
Available from Saturday 5 April 25 until 27th September 2025, explore the heart of Reading with an official Reading Museum tour guide.
Performing Arts
Oxfordshire
Giffords Circus is commemorating its 25th anniversary with the debut of their new 2025 show, Laguna Bay, at Blenheim Palace. Set in the buoyant and sunny era of 1950’s America, Laguna Bay is a spectacular blend of fun, excitement and charm.
Theatre
Reading
In this WORLD PREMIERE, the idyllic estate of Pemberley, home to Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's iconic "Pride and Prejudice" becomes the stage for a chilling mystery, imagined by one of Britain's finest ever crime novelists, P.D…
Heritage & History
Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St. Giles
31 May & 1 June – 10am to 5pm
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Napoleonic era at this special Napoleonic Living History Weekend this June.
Witness the military encampments of Wellington, Blucher, and Napoleon's armies,…
Childrens Events
Berwick
Make wild memories this May half term at Drusillas Zoo Park!
Keep the kids half term happy with a zooper day out at Drusillas Park - voted one of the best days out with kids in Sussex!
Get nose-to-nose with 80 species of animal in our interactive…
Festival
Cowes
This dynamic fringe event in this part of the Isle of Wight will deliver an explosion of art and culture through performances and workshops. Hosted in unique venues throughout the town in Cowes, Cowes Fringe guarantees a memorable weekend…
Music
Portsmouth
Get set for a sizzling summer of free live music - with an array of styles and genres.
Heritage & History
Southsea
Take a vintage bus ride across the city this summer.
Arts
Canterbury
Members of the Canterbury Society of Art will display numerous original artworks in a variety of media including watercolours, acrylics, oils, pastels, Lino cuts and mixed media.
The artists will be in attendance and happy to explain about their…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Dover
Join us in the grounds of Dover Castle for hands-on activities this May half term. Enjoy family fun and games in the fresh air!
Theatre
Chichester
Funny, profound, deeply moving and uplifting, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a joyous new musical adapted by Rachel Joyce from her own multi million-selling novel, featuring irresistible modern folk songs by the chart-topping indie…
Tour
Rowlands Castle
A knowledgeable tour guide takes you on a guided tour of the historic Stansted House.
Tour
Southampton
The cruise will recognise the important 85th anniversary of Dunkirk and the role played by Southampton and Portsmouth in ‘Operation Dynamo’, and also the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day and the celebrations that took place in the two ports and…
Theatre
Winchester
One of the best-loved and most versatile opera stars of the last 40 years, Sir Willard White's illustrious career has taken him to the most prestigious opera houses and concert halls throughout the world.
Sir Willard will be accompanied by the…
Exhibitions
Chichester
Acclaimed visual artist Rana Begum RA transforms our historic staircase with No.1367 Mesh, her iconic suspended, colourful mesh clusters, creating a vibrant blend of history and contemporary art.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Weyhill, Andover
Saturday 31 May | Saturday 21 & 28 June | Saturday 12 & 26 July | Saturday 9 & 23 August.
5:45pm-9:00pm
The Hawk Conservancy Trust invites you to a special summer's evening with their feathered friends. Against a setting sun, you'll have the…
Performance
Portsmouth
The ultimate drag day out (voted the number one Drag Brunch event in the UK) heads to Portsmouth!
Heritage & History
Reading
In 2025, come and join the celebrations in Reading marking the 250th anniversary since the birth of Jane Austen, the treasured nineteenth century writer famed for Pride & Prejudice, Emma and Persuasion.
From April 2025, as part of the 250th…
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