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 26th 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: 324
, currently showing 201 to 220.
Food
Bolney, Haywards Heath
Enjoy a Friday night out at the Eighteen Acre Restaurant, Bolney Wine Estate, West Sussex, where you can soak up the stunning views over the vineyard whilst enjoying delicious food and tasty English Wine.
Childrens Events
Cuckfield, Haywards Heath
Step through the doors of our academies and discover the wonderful world of performing arts. Our project-based learning approach in musical theatre, film and drama nurtures skills for stage, screen, and the everyday scene.
Our exciting creative…
Shopping
Faversham
This event is the perfect way to spend a spring day, browsing the variety of plants on sale and gathering great ideas for your garden for the coming season. It is also a great opportunity to get some advice on how to get the very best out of the…
Free Event
Shoreham-by-Sea
Paper Daisy Events return to Shoreham on Easter Saturday - 19th April for their annual and much anticipated Easter Makers Fair!
A fully curated event showcasing some extremely talented & highly original makers, artists & foodies, with some beautiful…
Arts
High Street, Maidenhead
Step-by-step painting workshops in pubs and bars across Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. Even if you haven't painted since school you will be able to create your very own work of art at a pub with The Paint Club.
This is not your usual art…
Arts
Worthing
Step-by-step painting workshops in pubs and bars across Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. Even if you haven't painted since school you will be able to create your very own work of art at a pub with The Paint Club. This time, we're painting a…
Childrens Events
Ashford
Mark your calendars! We've got lots of easter themed activities running between Monday 7th to Monday 21st April. From a Springtime trail, Meet the lambs, Pig racing, The Great Golden Egg Heist panto, a Guided Easter Egg Hunt and meet our Easter…
Easter
Battle
Step back in time and join English Heritage as we recreate the iconic Battle Abbey Gatehouse in brick art form. Once you've worked your magic, our expert builders will put the pieces together to reveal a marvellous medieval masterpiece.
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…
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…
Talks
Bletchley
Abram Games was one of the 20th Century's most innovative graphic designers. During World War Two he produced maps for the Army Bureau of Current Affairs, as well as book covers and insignias.
In 1942 he was appointed 'Official War Poster Artist'…
Pop Up Event
Wantage
This year is the 80th anniversary of VE Day or Victory in Europe Day, which celebrates the end of the second world war. Head to Wantage in Oxfordshire this May for a celebratory 1940's street party with live music, free vintage fair games, lindy…
Exhibitions
Chichester
Explore the profound connection between nature, sound, and art in a new series by one of Britain's most celebrated artists.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Beaulieu, Brockenhurst
Want an activity so good you'll drop your Easter bonnet? Join New Forest Activities for some target shooting with a twist! Learn how to shoot a real bow and arrow as you release your inner archer and compete head-to-head for the biggest Easter egg…
Childrens Events
Faversham
Join us at Belmont for some Easter fun. Explore our beautiful gardens to find the hidden eggs each with a letter to help you uncover the secret Easter word and win a tasty chocolate treat. Afterwards, visit the Orangery to unleash your creativity…
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…
Arts
Goring-by-Sea, Worthing
Step-by-step painting workshops in pubs and bars across Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. Even if you haven't painted since school you will be able to create your very own work of art at a pub with The Paint Club.
This is not your usual art…
Food
Woodstock
The Food Festival is one of our most popular events and is set to return between Saturday 24th - Monday 26th May 2025.
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
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…