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 21 to 40.
Comedy
Winchester
Britain's Got Talent 2024 finalist, Alex Mitchell is an autistic comic with functional neurological disorder (FND). He uses self-deprecating humour - laughing at himself, his neurodivergence, disability and sexuality - to reflect on some of the most…
LGBTQ+
Chichester
Chichester Pride is back in Sussex this summer on Saturday 24th May 2025!
Following its sucessful inaugral event last year, Chichester Pride will take place on the leafy green front lawn at Chichester College between 12-7pm. Be prepared for a…
Childrens Events
Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St. Giles
27 May – 11am to 4pm
Come to Chiltern Open Air Museum on 27 May for a fun-filled half term event!
No need to worry about entertaining your children during the school holidays! We have you covered with special themed family activities on Tuesdays…
Childrens Events
Winchester
When the Science Centre doors close, the cinema screen will be rolling!
Are you ready for a completely unique cinema experience? Grab a seat, sit back and relax as one of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters, Night at the Museum, plays out under the…
Exhibition
Bletchley, Milton Keynes
Explore the history of AI and pioneers in this technology, including Codebreakers, smart speakers & chatbots, social media & search engines at the new Bletchley Park exhibition - The Age of AI
Outdoor Event / Activities
New Forest
Embark on a journey of wonder as Beaulieu's Mill Pond Walk once again becomes home to the mythical Fairy and Dragon willow sculpture trail!
From 1st May to 8th June, the tranquil meandering path of the Mill Pond Walk will be transformed as woven…
Theatre
Chichester
The bureaucrats in a remote provincial town are panicking. Word has gone round that a bigwig government inspector is heading their way. And things are far from ideal: for a start, the hospital's hopeless, the post office has gone to pot, and the…
Theatre
Winchester
The UK's Premier Tribute to Global Phenomenon… Ms Rachel!
Bringing Ms Rachel's character to life in a FUN, interactive LIVE on stage performance with lots of audience participation for the little ones!
With over 5 billion views and over 8 million…
Free Event
Cowes
Celebrating its 17th year, Cowes Classics Week is all about racing traditional yachts on the water and enjoying fabulous social events ashore.
Over 100 boats will be sailing varied courses set in the Solent including Metre boats, Classic Racing…
Arts
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.
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…
Special Events
Aylesbury
Enjoy a relaxed and informative wine tasting, in our atmospheric Cellars with our wine experts, this informal wine tasting is ideal for novices and experts alike. Our team will guide you through a carefully curated selection of Rothschild and…
Food
Netley Abbey
The Big Eat food festival will be returning to Netley in May 2025, after welcoming a whopping 28,000 people to last year’s event.
The Big Eat is returning to Royal Victoria Country Park for the fourth consecutive year after securing headline…
Childrens Events
Uckfield
Visit a magical realm with Bluebell Railway this May.
Heritage & History
Oxford
Journey back in time with an award-winning creative, producer, and historian to uncover the rich narratives of Black scholars in academia, law, politics, and the arts. Walk the paths they walked, discover where they shared ideas, and made their…
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…
Outdoor Event / Activities
New Forest
Have an action packed May Half-Term at Beaulieu!
From 24th May – 1st June, join us for an enchanting half-term! Learn about New Forest Folklore with a fairy, witches and dragon trail in our wonderful grounds and gardens, and see fascinating…
Music
Winchester
Brighten up your lunchtime with musical performances from local musicians, and pupils of schools and colleges from around the county.
A Lunchtime Concert Series will take place at the Cathedral, in the Lady Chapel, from 1.15pm – 1.50pm most…
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…
Water Based Activities
Cowes
Celebrating its 17th year, Cowes Classics Week is all about racing traditional yachts on the water and enjoying fabulous social events ashore.
Over 100 boats will be sailing varied courses set in the Solent including Metre boats, Classic Racing…
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