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 241 to 260.
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
Food
Station Road, Henley-on-Thames
Easter Sunday Lunch Cruise
Join us on one of our luxurious passenger vessels for our special two course Easter Sunday Lunch Cruise.
The price also includes a drink on arrival; choice of a glass of wine, an award winning Mr Hobbs G&T, beer or soft…
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…
Bank Holiday
Near Wadhurst
Pashley Manor's spectacular Tulip Festival is a riot of colour.
Music
Eastbourne
With more than 100 concerts across the season, Eastbourne Bandstand has a packed line-up in 2025, including the return of the 1812 Proms & Firework Nights on Wednesday evenings from 11th June to 3rd September (except 18th June), and Traditional…
Childrens Events
Ongar
Join us on board the Easter Express for the longest Easter Egg Hunt in Essex!
Gardens
Haywards Heath
The ever-popular Specialist Spring Plant Fair will return to Borde Hill on Sunday 13th May from 10am to 3pm. Hosted by the Plant Fairs Roadshow, a collective of independent specialist nurseries, visitors can expect an extraordinary lineup of locally…
Childrens Events
Nr Wheatley
Hop along to Waterperry Gardens this Easter holiday dressed as a bunny (optional) to find the missing carrots our bunny has dropped and take in the beautiful Spring gardens at the same time.
Our Waterperry bunny has dropped carrots all around our…
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…
Special Events
Great Missenden
From the Enormous Crocodile to the Pelly everyone has their favourite Roald Dahl animal character. Over Easter the Roald Dahl Museum will be championing the best and celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Giraffe, and the Pelly and Me. Join in with…
Shopping
Esher
Sandown Antiques Home & Interiors Fair is the destination for antique shoppers.
Come and experience the buzz first hand with an atmosphere filled with colour, character and fun – there's no other market like it!
Our team of seasoned…
Summer
Newport
Riverfest is a fun-free event that takes place in May in the heart of the Isle of Wight in Newport. Centre around the Medina River and Newport Quay this event brings visitors and local residents together with a village fete feel and lots of…
Indoor
Thame
Relax and unwind with friends or a loved one on an Indulgence Spa Day at the Oxford Belfry.
Choose from both a 50-minute and 25-minute treatment from an extensive list including Wellbeing Massage, Full Body Scrube, Frangipani Foot Treatment,…
Food
Winnersh Triangle, Reading
This Easter, enjoy a special celebration at Crowne Plaza Reading East! Savor a delectable Easter Sunday Lunch at the 2 AA Rosette Caprice Restaurant, where a seasonal menu awaits. Alternatively, treat yourself to a charming Easter Afternoon Tea at…
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.
Shopping
Dorking
Curated by Dapper & Suave proudly announces their first Pop Up Shopping event of the year, marking the beginning of a series of monthly Pop Ups at Denbies Wine Estate amidst the picturesque Surrey countryside.
Outdoor Event / Activities
Haywards Heath
Reconnect with nature and unwind from the stresses of everyday life at our forest bathing workshops.
Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing invites you to slow down and fully immerse yourself in the calming forest…
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…
Antiques
Sunbury on Thames
Sunbury Antiques Market comes to Kempton Park Racecourse on the second and last Tuesday of every month with over 700 inside and outside stalls throughout our two indoor halls and outside hard standing drive in area.
There is always a vast range…
Arts
Winchester
Gain an insight into the technique of Calligraphy, and learn how to master it yourself, with the help of an experienced Scribe.
This workshop, led by Sunita a Scribe at Winchester Cathedral, will focus on the Uncial Hand.
Uncial hand is an…