25 fabulous free events to attend in May 2026

May signals the joyful return of the festival season, beginning with colourful May Day celebrations. From outdoor festivals to arts exhibitions and guided spring walks, there’s plenty to enjoy this month.

To help you make the most of May, we’ve gathered 25 fantastic free events to inspire your calendar — making it easy to enjoy great days out without spending a penny.

Please note that some of the listed events are exclusive to Boundless and Boundless Plus members.

Not yet a member? If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus. As well as getting access to exclusive events, Boundless members enjoy unlimited free, or discounted, entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, plus year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more.

Simply click on a link below to jump straight to:

• Free nationwide events
• Free events in London & the South East
• Free events in the South West & Wales
• Free events in the Midlands & East
• Free events in the North of England
• Free events in Scotland & Northern Ireland
• Free online events

Free nationwide events

Credit: Getty Images

Snap a photo for the Boundless Photography Competition

Nationwide, until 30 June

Calling all budding photographers — entries are now open for the 2026 Boundless Photography Competition. Whether you’re passionate about photography or simply love capturing moments on your phone, submit your best images for the chance to win prizes across five exciting categories. There’s also a Member Choice award and a brand-new Young Photographer category, making it easy for the whole family to get involved.

After the closing date, members can vote for their favourite entries, while expert judges select the category winners and overall champion. Submissions close at midnight on 30 June 2026, with winning shots featured in the Autumn issue of Boundless magazine.

Enjoy a walk for National Walking Month

Nationwide, anytime

May marks National Walking Month, an annual campaign by Living Streets that aims to encourage people to make walking a regular part of their routine and improve our walking environment.

Walking is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to boost your health, fitness, and overall wellbeing – and the best part is that it’s free to do! For inspiration, we’ve gathered a selection of our favourite spring walks to enjoy this season.

Explore WWT Adventure play areas

Nationwide, during the general opening hours

Let imaginations run free in WWT adventure play spaces, where nature and fun come together for all ages. From timber trails and jungle-style rope bridges to climbing frames, water zones and a giant slide, there’s plenty for little explorers to teens to enjoy in each of the nine centres.

Get hands-on in wetland-themed water play areas to cooking up concoctions in outdoor nature kitchens. With nearby picnic spots for a well-earned rest, it’s the perfect family day out. Check each WWT centre for full details.

As a Boundless member, you and up to five children can enjoy unlimited access to all nine WWT centres, plus 50% off for one additional adult guest. Find out more about Boundless membership and how to join.

Free events in London & the South East

Credit: Getty Images

Celebrate summer's arrival at Jack in the Green Festival

Hastings, 1 May

Welcome the start of summer at Hastings’ lively Jack in the Green festival, a colourful celebration steeped in folklore and tradition. Follow the vibrant procession after the symbolic Release of the Jack, building to the dramatic Slaying of the Jack — said to unleash the Spirit of Summer.

Expect energetic Morris dancing, local real ales and a wonderfully eccentric atmosphere. Don’t be surprised if roaming revellers dab your face with green paint as the festivities unfold.

Enjoy free performances at Brighton Festival

1–25 May

Celebrate Brighton’s famously creative spirit at the vibrant Brighton Festival, one of Europe’s leading multi-arts events.

Alongside its headline programme, the festival offers several free performances, outdoor spectacles, pop-up exhibitions, talks and family-friendly activities across Brighton and Hove. From lively street theatre and live music to interactive art and community events, there are plenty of opportunities to experience world-class creativity without spending a penny.

Admire Magnificent Motors

Eastbourne, 2–3 May

Rev up your May bank holiday plans as Eastbourne’s seafront comes alive with the sights and sounds of Magnificent Motors. Expect an impressive showcase of vintage classics, modern cars, motorbikes and more, alongside a lively funfair, tasty food and drink stalls, and family-friendly entertainment. With plenty to see and do, it’s a fantastic seaside event that promises a fun-filled day out for visitors of all ages.

Passionate about vintage motors? Join the Boundless Classic Vehicle Group on Facebook to connect with fellow enthusiasts who share your love of classic cars. It’s a great way to swap stories, get involved in tours and displays, and stay up to date with upcoming events and meet-ups.

See Henry Moore: Monumental Nature exhibition

Kew, 9 May – 31 January

Discover Henry Moore: Monumental Nature at Kew this spring – the largest-ever outdoor presentation of works by one of Britain’s most celebrated artists. Explore 30 towering sculptures set among Kew’s iconic landscapes and botanical collections, where art and nature meet on an extraordinary scale.

Inside the Shirley Sherwood Gallery, see over 90 smaller works, from drawings to models and sketchbooks. Together with complementary botanical art displays, this unique exhibition offers an inspiring journey through Moore’s remarkable creative legacy. Included with entry to the Gardens.

Boundless members get unlimited annual access to Kew and Wakehurst. Members also get 50% off entry for an additional adult, free entry for up to five children and a 10% discount in the Kew shop, both online and in store.

Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival

London, 10 May

Step into a wonderfully quirky slice of theatre history at the annual Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival. Celebrating the first recorded sighting of a puppet show in 1662, the free event begins with a lively procession before a playful service at St Paul’s Church — famously featuring Mr Punch himself.

The festivities then spill into the garden with colourful puppet performances, Maypole dancing, workshops, live Folk music, food stalls and family-friendly entertainment.  

Free events in the South West & Wales

Credit: Getty Images

Bristol Walk Fest

Bristol, throughout May

Lace up your boots as Bristol Walk Fest returns for 2026, bringing a full month of guided walks and outdoor adventures across the city and surrounding countryside.

Taking place during National Walking Month, the programme features everything from scenic riverside routes along the Avon and leafy woodland trails to historic city tours, cultural neighbourhood strolls and family-friendly ramblers. With themed walks, wellbeing sessions and active challenges on offer, there’s a route and pace for all abilities.  

As part of the festivities, Ramblers Bristol is leading a free circular Bluebell walk through Failand Woods on 2 May.

As a Boundless Plus member, you gain access to thousands of guided group walks and routes with the Ramblers, Britain’s leading walking community. It’s a great way to discover friendly local groups, explore new routes, and enjoy the motivation of walking with others. See what to expect from a guided walk with the Ramblers.

Listen to music at Cheltenham Jazz Festival

Cheltenham, 29 April – 4 May

Soak up the sounds of spring at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, a lively six-day celebration of world-class music across the town. Alongside headline concerts, the 2026 programme features a vibrant line-up of free performances in outdoor spaces, pop-up stages, and venues throughout the centre — perfect for relaxed, sunshine-filled listening.

Expect street sounds, emerging talent, workshops, sound installations and exhibitions in a feel-good festival atmosphere for music lovers of all ages.

Celebrate tradition at Helston Flora Day

Helston, 8 May

Each May, the Cornish town of Helston bursts into life for Flora Day – a much-loved festival rooted in ancient Beltane traditions. This colourful free event celebrates spring, renewal and fertility, with homes and shops adorned in greenery and vibrant blooms.

From 7am, the sound of the bass drum signals dancers to weave through the streets and into buildings, symbolically banishing winter. Festivities continue with the lively Hal-an-Tow folk play, performed at venues across the town.

Visit Cotswold Motoring Museum

Bourton-on-the-Water, open daily

Step back in time at the Cotswold Motoring Museum and explore the fascinating history of 20th-century motoring. Discover a unique collection of rare vehicles, vintage motorcycles, and classic memorabilia that capture the spirit of life on the road in decades past.

From quirky roadside curiosities to iconic cars (including the much-loved children’s TV favourite Brum!), the museum is an engaging experience for motoring enthusiasts, families, and anyone curious about the evolution of transport. Even better, Boundless members get unlimited admission to the museum.  

Free events in the Midlands & East

Credit: Getty Images

Malvern Water and Well Dressing Festival

Malvern, 2-10 May

Returning for 2026 with the theme of ‘birds’, the Malvern Water and Well Dressing Festival celebrates the rich heritage of the Malvern Hills District with more than 50 wells, springs, and spouts creatively decorated.

The festivities start with well dressing, followed by judging and prize-giving featuring music, crafts, and the ‘Spirit of Malvern’ open-air painting competition, where up to 100 artists capture the town and hills in their work.

Admire art at Oxfordshire Artweeks

Oxford, 2–25 May

Explore Oxfordshire Artweeks this May, as over a thousand artists, makers and designers open their doors across studios, pop-up galleries, gardens, churches, Oxford University colleges, and other unique venues — all free to visit.

Discover painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, glass, jewellery and contemporary installations, meet the creators, and follow pre-planned trails to navigate the festival. Be inspired, entertained and delighted, and perhaps even find a special piece to take home.

Watch Birmingham Pride Parade

Birmingham, 23 May

Join one of the highlights of Birmingham Pride weekend as the city comes alive with colour, music and celebration. Tens of thousands of participants and over 75,000 spectators line the streets to watch the free parade wind its way through the city.

Starting at Victoria Square, the parade sets off at noon and marches to the LGBTQ+ Village, leading into the lively Birmingham Pride 2026 street party in a colourful celebration of diversity and community.

Enjoy a beach party at Out There festival

Great Yarmouth, 28–30 May

Get ready for one of the UK’s most vibrant outdoor arts festivals! Out There transforms Great Yarmouth’s seafront into a lively playground for around 60,000 visitors over four days.

Experience an eclectic mix of choral performances, circus stunts, theatre, comedy and immersive street acts. With all events free to attend, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy world-class outdoor entertainment by the sea — donations are welcome to support the festival.

Castleton Garland Day

Peak District, 29 May

Step into centuries of tradition at Castleton’s historic Garland Day, a unique free celebration blending springtime customs, Oak Apple Day heritage and the ancient ritual known as ‘beating the bounds’, where participants trace the parish boundary with sticks.

The Garland King, dressed in a striking Stuart costume, wears a towering headdress of wildflowers and greenery, leading a lively parade with music, dancing, and schoolchildren. The Garland is then hoisted atop the church tower, and the day concludes with joyful maypole dancing.

Free events in the North of England

Credit: Manchester Flower Festival, Carl Sukonik

Explore the Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Wakefield, anytime

Discover more than 60 striking outdoor sculptures at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, created by internationally acclaimed artists including Elisabeth Frink, Andy Goldsworthy, Henry Moore and James Turrell.

Set within beautiful open landscapes, the park offers a vibrant year-round programme of temporary exhibitions, engaging events and inspiring activities for all ages. Entry is free for Boundless Plus members.

The National Art Pass gives Boundless Plus members free or discounted entry to hundreds of museums and galleries, historic places across the UK, including 50% off major exhibitions, a subscription to Art Quarterly magazine and Art in your inbox e-newsletters.

Learn more about how and where you can use your National Arts Pass in our guide.

Manchester Flower Festival

23–26 May

Celebrate the late-May bank holiday with a bloomin' brilliant weekend at Manchester Flower Festival. As part of this free annual event, stunning floral displays and creative installations brighten streets and public spaces across the city centre to create a fragrant flower trail.

Expect live music, family-friendly activities, workshops and alfresco dining amongst the blooms.

Free events in Scotland & Northern Ireland

Credit: Nudge Puppets at Edinburgh International Children's Festival Family Day, Brian Hartley

Laugh out loud at the Festival of Fools

Belfast, 2-4 May

Experience laughter and spectacle at Belfast’s Festival of Fools, the largest comedy, circus, and outdoor arts festival in Northern Ireland. Throughout the city, free daytime performances bring streets, squares, and public spaces to life with acrobatics, slapstick, improvisation, and interactive shows for all ages.

From daring stunts to hilarious sketches, the festival offers free fun for families and comedy fans alike, with donations welcome to help support future editions.

Cheer on runners in the Edinburgh Marathon

Edinburgh, 23 May

Soak up the electric atmosphere of the Edinburgh Marathon as runners take on a spectacular route through the capital.

Cheer them on as the course passes iconic landmarks before heading out towards the scenic East Lothian coastline, where sweeping sea views provide a stunning backdrop. It’s a brilliant way to enjoy the city’s energy and community spirit – and perhaps, feel inspired to head for a run!

Enjoy family fun at Edinburgh International Children's Festival

Edinburgh, 30 May

Scotland’s capital comes alive with creativity at the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, one of the world’s leading events for young audiences.

Each year, the festival kicks off the fun with a free Family Day at the National Museum of Scotland, featuring theatrical performances, craft workshops, and meet-and-greets with costumed characters. Perfect for little explorers to play, learn, and burn off energy while enjoying a day full of imagination and laughter. 

Free online events

Credit: Pexels

Watch or catch up on online Boundless talks

Each month, Boundless brings members a fascinating line-up of free online talks led by leading experts across a wide range of topics. From history and space exploration to travel, motoring, and conservation, there’s always something new to learn and enjoy.

Missed a session or want to watch again? You can catch up anytime online. Simply register to join a live, interactive talk or search the archive to revisit previous events if you missed the live event.

Not yet a member? If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus. Enjoy unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more.

The Garden of the Future

Online, 12 May

Discover The Garden of the Future, an inspiring session with RHS Principal Horticultural Advisor Leigh Hunt on creating greener, more resilient outdoor spaces.

In this fascinating online talk, Leigh will explore how climate change is reshaping our gardens and share practical ways to adapt—from choosing climate-ready plants and improving soil health to saving water and supporting wildlife.

Packed with simple tips for spaces big or small, you’ll leave with fresh ideas to future-proof your patch.

This free online talk is open to all Boundless members – simply register via email to book your place – don’t forget to stay tuned for a special giveaway at the end.

A History of Assassination from Ancient Egypt to the Present Day

Online, 19 May

Discover how assassination has shaped the course of history in this gripping live online talk with author John Withington. From ancient rulers to modern leaders, explore dramatic plots, extraordinary methods and the motives behind these world-changing acts.

Based on his book Assassins’ Deeds, the session reveals how both successful and failed attempts altered global events in unexpected ways.

This free online talk is open to all Boundless members – simply register via email to book your place. Members can also take part in a live poll for the chance to win a copy of the book.

Draw your own self-portrait

Online, 26 May

Take a creative look inward with Draw Your Own Portrait, a relaxed live online session led by artist and author Jake Spicer. Perfect for beginners and the simply curious, you’ll learn step-by-step techniques to capture expression, proportion and personality while building confidence in your drawing skills.

Explore the history and power of self-portraiture, all from the comfort of home. Just bring pencils, a mirror and sketch paper. This free online talk is open to all Boundless members – simply register via email to book your place. Plus, stay tuned for a special giveaway. 

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by Britannia Rescue.