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 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: 154
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Theatre
Brighton
From 1915 to 1940, Michael Dillon struggled against a world that insisted he was a girl. The only way he could live a full life was to invent gender affirming care for trans men. Body aligned, he began work on his soul. Heart-break, world travel,…
Heritage & History
Winchester
Commemorating 100 years since the opening of Winchester College's tranquil private war memorial, these thought-provoking tours bring to life the stories of the pupils and teachers from Winchester who died in both World Wars and subsequent conflicts,…
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…
Circus
Winchester
The High Jinx show is back on tour for 2024 with another jam packed show filled with amazing magic, incredible illusions and crazy circus thrills that are sure to leave you amazed, puzzled but above all entertained.
With his captivating…
Outdoor Event / Activities
New Forest
Owners of VWs are invited to drive into Beaulieu on Sunday 26th May and park up in the National Motor Museum grounds, for a superb day that enthusiasts and owners will love.
All ages and models of VW are welcome, which provides a great opportunity…
Arts
Brighton
What better way to spend a Bank Holiday Monday than painting with us by the seaside! We've partnered with The Tempest pub on the fabulous Brighton seafront to create this sea themed session.
We'd dive head first into this ocean of technicolour. No…
Arts
Brighton
Mysterious? Tick. Beautiful? Tick. Brave? Tick. Colourful? Tick. Wait, is this artwork you?
Femme Fatale is all about expression and bringing your most authentic self to canvas. Whether you are red and fiery, yellow and charismatic, orange and…
Walking
Lower Denford, Hungerford
With 29 events on offer across the North Wessex Downs our festival is a celebration of the stunning landscapes, glorious scenery and top-class walking country that this National Landscape has to offer.
We have opportunities for you to seek out…
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…
Heritage & History
Lower Swanwick
Family-friendly fun at the Brickworks Museum returns with Mayfest – a celebration of spring. Featuring our fun dog show (one of the highlights of the year) and children's activities, this is a great day out for all the family. Inside, the…
Markets
Seaford
Seaford Town market is held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month 10-3pm.
You can find us in church street, Seaford, East Sussex, England. The road will be closed at 7am and stalls placed in the centre of the street facing outwards, this enables…
Outdoor Event / Activities
New Forest
All Porsche owners are invited to drive into Beaulieu on Sunday 2nd June and park up within the museum parkland for what promises to be a superb day out for both Porsche owners and enthusiasts.
Held in association with The Independent Porsche…
Childrens Events
Brighton
It's early in the morning at the Magic Toyshop and Meg the Doll can't find her glove! Join in the chaotic hunt as Meg and her best friend Penny the Toy Soldier enlist your help to unlock the enchanted toy boxes, reveal their hidden surprises and…
Food
Reading
Available from 12 - 14pm at The Reading Room, Roseate Hotel in Reading, this exquisite seven-course tasting menu is a highlight of the a la carte menu, with the choice of accompanying wine flight and tea pairing. With both vegan and vegetarian…
Theatre
Winchester
Join artists and musicians from the University of Southampton, the Winchester School of Art and around the world to explore how AI and the arts are coming together in media from photography, fashion and literature to comedy and music, in a festival…
Childrens Events
Whiteley, Fareham
Saturday 25th May and 1st June | 11am to 12.30pm
Come down to Parson's Collar and create your own pizza, add toppings of your choice and cook them in our very own pizza oven!
Create your own milkshake to eat alongside your pizza with follow-up ice…
Sporting Event
Crawley
Show 1
An incredible celebration of gymnastics with the theme Legends and Icons held at the K2 Crawley. We are sure you will be singing and dancing along and hope everyone enjoys their day full of surprises and fun.
Comedy
Aylesbury
A CRUDE, COMPELLING, COMING OF AGE COMEDY.
After the sudden death of his mother, a grieving yet quintessentially teenage boy is forced to change schools and move in with his, until that point, absent father. In a hopeless attempt to stay sane, he…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Faversham
Come along to see Joe and the team flying a variety of birds on the front lawn, you will be in for a real treat. From seeing Hopper, their vulture, soar above the parkland, to delving into the depths of their intelligent Caracaras from the Falkland…
Childrens Events
Winchester
Marwell Zoo's super value family ticket is back for a limited time only! Save more than £40 on your family visit to Marwell Zoo this Easter and during summer with their 5 for £85 family ticket.
For £85 guests will be able to buy a ticket via…