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 101 to 120.
Childrens Events
Portsmouth
Saturday 31st May | 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 cream from our…
Special Events
Didcot
We are excited to announce that we will be welcoming back the iconic Flying Scotsman to Didcot Railway Centre to star alongside Pendennis Castle. On the 100th anniversary of their first meeting, we are beyond thrilled to bring them together again…
Heritage & History
Bognor Regis
A brand-new immersive experience by artist Matt Reed comes to Bognor Regis Esplanade until September 2025
Tour
Rowlands Castle
A knowledgeable tour guide takes you on a guided tour of the historic Stansted House.
Food
Reading
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and join us at The Reading Room Restaurant and Lounge for the best afternoon tea in Berkshire.
Childrens Events
Edenbridge
Do you have a budding artist or photographer in the family? This May Half Term holiday children can have a go at painting or photography for creative fun during Art Week at Hever Castle & Gardens from Saturday 24th May to Sunday 1st June 2025.…
Tour
Titsey, Oxted
Step back in time with a visit to Titsey Place and Gardens, located in the Surrey North Downs, a short drive from Limpsfield High Street.
Still occupied as a family home, this beautiful house is only open for selected days during the year from…
Family
Farnham
Immerse yourself in serenity at Wetland Waders, where you can observe a stunning variety of bird species using their unique beaks to feed from shallow and deep waters, while others soar and swoop gracefully all around you, creating a truly immersive…
Music
Dorchester-on-Thames
The English Music Festival celebrates the brilliance, innovation, beauty and rich musical heritage of Britain with a strong focus on unearthing overlooked or forgotten masterpieces of the late-nineteenth to mid-twentieth century.
The eighteenth…
Health & Wellbeing
North Stoke, Wallingford
Treat yourself to a full spa day at the 1893 Spa located in the Springs Resort, Wallingford, Oxfordshire.
Immerse yourself in the hydrotherapy pool and enjoy full use of our steam room, sauna and peaceful relaxation room. Experience total…
Workshop
Tonbridge
Get creative at Balfour Winery in Kent this May with a fun Sip and Paint workshop.
Heritage & History
Southsea
Take a vintage bus ride across the city this summer.
Markets
Whiteley, Fareham
Get ready for the ultimate shopping experience at the WHITELEY SHOPPING CENTRE ARTISAN MARKET!
In front of Cineworld
Saturdays 10am-5pm
Sundays 10:30:4pm
This brand new monthly market is bursting with stunning arts, crafts, unique gifts, delicious…
Childrens Events
Arundel
Dive into the wonderful world of wetland insects with Lloyd and his new friend Dart the dragonfly.
Lloyd and friends will join our own cast of wetland minibeasts. Follow the trail to help Lloyd and tour guide Dart the dragonfly find Lloyd's friends…
Walking
Dorking
The two hour walking Secret Vineyard Trail takes you at a leisurely pace to some of the most beautiful viewing points in the vineyard and areas not normally accessible to the public, including the Yew Tree Vineyard. Selected wine tastings will be…
Childrens Events
Ashford
Pop the dates in your diary and head down to the farm for a sheep-load of fun during our much-loved Woolly Week!
If you enjoyed meeting our lambs over Easter, you'll be thrilled with what we've got in store. We're going full-on fluffy with a whole…
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…
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.
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…
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…