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 81 to 100.
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…
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.
Food
Thame
Celebraing the array of independent food and drink establishments in the vibrant market town of Thame, this one day event encourages visitors and locals to enjoy the fabulous food and drink trail. Stop at various venues along the way to enjoy…
Dance / Dancing
Winchester
This is a very unique opportunity to step back in time and take part in a traditional Regency Ball which celebrates 250 years of Jane Austen.
Be serenaded by The Warleggan Village Band (as seen on BBC TV's Poldark) and enjoy a dance performance by…
Arts
Eton
Between 24 May and 1 June 2025, Eton Arts Week will put local artists’ creativity firmly on the map! Eton will be teeming with art and art-related events. There will be lots of beautiful art to view and to purchase as well as activities to get…
Food
Abingdon
Afternoon Tea Pricing: £19.95 per person without Prosecco, £25.00 per person with Prosecco. Special offer for two – £35.00 without Prosecco, £45.00 with Prosecco
Festival
Brighton
During May & June, Brighton Fringe welcomes international performers and audiences as it showcases the creative heart and soul of the city and its unique cultural heritage.
Food
Cowfold road, Bolney
Set amongst our 200 acre farm and orchards our stunning Taproom & Pizza Kitchen is open Wednesdays - Sundays and is honestly the best place to enjoy one of our ciders in the sun alongside a tasty handmade Pizza from The Safari Pizza company!…
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.
Childrens Events
Nutley
The award-winning Elderflower Fields family festival offers a fantastic wild weekend of music, sport, art, performance and festival fun. A chance for children and adults to connect in the stunning countryside setting of Pippingford Park in the…
Other
Bletchley
A fireside chat with Rachel Tobac, social engineer, on how AI is being used in scams and hacking attempts, demonstrating some of the tools scammers use.
During this event, you'll learn:
- How to spot modern AI-generated attacks and disinformation…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Bournemouth
Have fun (re-)discovering Bournemouth, spotting things you've never noticed before, with two quirky, self-guided treasure hunt style heritage walks - a fun and affordable way to get some fresh air, whilst finding out more about this charming seaside…
Exhibitions
Aylesbury
The display of more than 20 works takes as its inspiration the new book Jewish Country Houses (edited by Juliet Carey and Abigail Green, Profile Books, 2024), which sheds new light on a previously overlooked category of country houses owned,…
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, National Treasure, plays out under the…
Childrens Events
Guildford
AirHop Guildford is delighted to offer a brand new indoor clip and climb centre with 19 different activities and 12 walls to visit.
General event
Reading
Enjoy a luxurious night away with that special someone. The Roseate Reading is just 25 minutes from London and is the perfect place to relax and get away from the everyday stresses of life.
Special Events
New Forest
All Porsche owners are invited to drive into Beaulieu on Sunday 1st June and park up within the museum parkland for a superb day out for both owners and enthusiasts.
Held in association with The Independent Porsche Enthusiasts' Club (TIPEC), all…
Food
Portsmouth
Every Monday | 5pm to 8pm
Come down to Parson's Collar and enjoy large nachos and a pint of beer, lager, house wine or soft drink*
£10 per person
*Terms and conditions apply
Book online at solenthotel.co.uk/food-drink/parsons-collar call 01489…
Exhibitions
Chichester
An exhibition sharing the story of the Christian faith in Sussex, revealed through people, events and objects, from 1075 to the present day.
To mark our 950th anniversary, we are delighted to present Religion, Rebellion & Reformation, an exhibition…
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…