Make the most of bluebell season in Winchester

Winchester's woodlands are already carpeted with bobbing bluebells, so now is the time to go and marvel at their colourful display before it's too late. There are plenty of spots to see them in and around Winchester, from Crab Wood and Micheldever Wood to The Vyne and Hinton Ampner.

❗Remember to tread lightly wherever you visit. High footfall can result in entire bluebell colonies dying out, so always stick to the paths.

Read: Where to spot spring flowers in Winchester 
📍various locations in Winchester district 

Practise your downward dog in the park

Bring a yoga mat (or a towel) and enjoy a free hour of alfresco yoga in one of Winchester's green spaces. Park Yoga is kicking off again this month, running for 20 weeks from Sunday 3 May. There's no need to book, you just turn up and stretch it out in the great outdoors. A wholesome way to kick off a summery Sunday morning.

Park Yoga at Garrison Ground (near Winchester Leisure Centre). 
Every Sunday from Sunday 3 May.
📍Winchester city 

Head off on a wholesome countryside walk

May is the month of May Day and Beltane, an ancient Celtic festival which celebrates the peak of spring, or the beginning of summer. Embrace this abundant time of year by heading off into Winchester's lush and green countryside. There are so many great walking routes and trails to follow in and around Winchester, whether you're looking for a short stroll around the city centre or a serious, multi-day walking challenge. We've got short walks, long walks, family-friendly wanders, routes with pub pitstops and hikes with dreamy coffee stops, perfect for those wholesome Winchester weekends.

Read: Walks in Winchester 
📍various locations in Winchester district 

Catch the Yinka Shonibare exhibition before it closes

Make time to see this colourful and thought-provoking exhibition at The Arc's Gallery before it closes in early June. Shonibare is a Royal Academician and internationally acclaimed artist who explores and confronts history and identity, often through the lens of art history and its figures of cultural power. The Arc are also hosting a Yinka Shonibare inspired art course this month, plus poster and tote bag printing workshops for children during May half-term.

Yinka Shonibare CBE RA: Patterns of Power at The Arc.
Until Wednesday 3 June. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Experience Winchester's annual Mayfest

Morris dancing, music and more are taking over the city centre for the day on 16 May. It's the return of the city's annual Mayfest, where spectators can expect performances, workshops and even a public mass dance around the city. Last year saw dancers perform in St Maurice's Covert, by the Cathedral, in front of Winchester City Museum, by The Great Hall and more.

Winchester Mayfest, at various locations. 
Saturday 16 May. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Ride a brand new Viking rollercoaster

Opening this month, Valgard: Realm of the Vikings is a new area at Paultons Park, a popular theme park (also home to Peppa Pig World) near Winchester. Thrill seekers should prepare to step into a land of mighty Norse legends, epic family rollercoasters and immersive spaces. There will be a brand new rollercoaster, described as their "most thrilling coaster yet" as well as 'Vild Swing’ a 12m high Art Wild Swing, a Viking-themed playground and feasting dining hall. Skål!

Valgard: Realm of the Vikings at Paultons Park. 
From Saturday 16 May. 
📍near Romsey 

Go to a family-friendly opera open day

Take part in singing and dance workshops, try on stage costumes, make props, explore musical instruments, and enjoy creative face painting at The Grange Festival Family Open Day. You’re welcome to bring your own picnic or visit the pop-up café.

The Grange Festival Family Open Day at The Grange at Northington. 
Saturday 16 May. 
📍near Alresford

Browse art at Winchester Print Fair

Winchester Print Fair returns for its fifth year at The Nutshell, welcoming lovers of all things print, from lino to screenprint, etchings to woodcut. Discover a mix of printmakers and different styles and techniques over the weekend.

Winchester Print Fair at The Nutshell. 
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Go on a Bear Hunt around grand gardens

Head to The Vyne, a National Trust property near Basingstoke with grand gardens and vast woodland to explore, to see much-loved picture book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt bought to life. You'll find a series of interactive installations in the grounds. Get ready to swish, splash and squelch your way through this new sensory trail as you search for the bear.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt family trail at The Vyne. 
Saturday 16 May - Sunday 28 June. 
📍near Basingstoke  

Compete in the World Watercress Eating Championships

Thousands of people descend on the pretty market town of Alresford each May to celebrate the start of the watercress season. The area is known for growing the peppery salad leaf in the watercress beds fed by local chalk streams. Alresford's technicolour town centre becomes the site of a huge street festival, with stalls, performers, musicians, cookery demonstrations, face painting, family-friendly entertainment and much more. A procession kicks off the day with entertainers and children accompanying a newly crowned Watercress King and Queen, who will distribute the first of the season's watercress harvest to visitors. Later on, the adventurous can take part in the World Watercress Eating Championships. Those who are victorious end up in the Guinness World Records

Alresford Watercress Festival 2026. 
Sunday 17 May. 
📍Alresford

See Sister Act live on stage

Winchester Musicals and Opera Society are bringing the iconic 1992 film Sister Act to the stage this month, with an uplifting and riotously fun show featuring featuring original disco-inspired music. Nothing is the same for aspiring disco-queen Deloris after she witnesses her mobster boyfriend commit a terrible crime. Forced to go into hiding, she is sent to the last place anyone would think to look for her - the convent of the Queen of Angels Church. Tasked with improving the struggling choir, Deloris discovers a 'habit' she might actually be destined for!

Sister Act at Theatre Royal Winchester. 
Wednesday 20 - Saturday 23 May. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Take a Winchester walking tour

Whether you know Winchester well or it's your first time visiting, a guided walking tour is a great way to learn more about the city. You can book onto walking tours of upper or lower Winchester daily at 11am and 2pm this month, or try a themed tour. Explore Winchester's trees on the Tree-mendous walking tour on 2 May, discover the city's hidden waterways on 9 May or delve into the historic Chesil Railway on 16 May.

Guided walking tours of Winchester, from Visitor Information Centre. 
Various dates.
📍Winchester city centre 

Wander the walled rose garden at Mottisfont

May is the start of rose season, and that means it's a mega time to visit nearby National Trust property Mottisfont. Here you'll find a grand house, pretty grounds, chalk stream walks along the River Test and impressive walled gardens which come into their own in early summer. Visit during late May and early June to see the walled garden lined with roses in every shade.

Rose Season at Mottisfont. 
Thursday 21 May - Wednesday 13 June. 
📍near Romsey 

Visit Winchester's first food hall

Winchester is welcoming it's very first food hall this month, with the arrival of Helch. It's set to open its doors for the first time at midday on Friday 22 May. It's the second Helch market to open - there's already one in Bournemouth - and you can expect "a street-food hall, an all-weather beer garden, craft-cocktail bars and a late-night club space sound-tracked by resident DJs." Food on offer will be from Wills Meals, Matcha Lab, Woosabi, Loco Lime and 3Bros.

Helch Winchester. 
From Friday 22 May. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Hear Hampshire stories and legends in an Iron Age roundhouse

Spend an evening beside an open fire inside an Iron Age roundhouse with local author and storyteller Bernadette Russell. She'll be hosting a magical evening of Hampshire myth and folklore, telling stories of stone circles, witches, giants and sleeping kings. Expect stories, songs, poetry, spells and a little ancient wisdom too!

Under a Hill, a King Lays Sleeping - Storytelling with Bernadette Russell at Butser Ancient Farm. 
Friday 22 May.
📍Clanfield 

Listen to an evening of opera in atmospheric surrounds

Ancient Winchester College is hosting an evening of opera with Wild Arts, a critically-acclaimed opera touring company bringing their famous operatic show to Winchester for the first time. Follow characters as they travel through 75 minutes of operatic favourites: from arias and scenes by Handel, Mozart, Rossini, and Britten, to the songs of Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim. All performed by four outstanding opera singers and a world-class string quintet.

Wild Arts: An Evening of Opera at Winchester College. 
Friday 22 May. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Take an evening safari at the zoo

This is your chance to explore Marwell Zoo after-hours. An adults-only evening safari, Summer Evenings at Marwell are hosted by members of the zoo's expert team, who guide you through the zoo. You'll meet keepers and see the animals without the crowds. Ticketholders also get an Italian-style buffet to enjoy before the sun sets over the zoo.

Summer Evenings at Marwell Zoo. 
Friday 22 May.
📍near Winchester city 

Spend a dreamy late spring day at a folk festival

Root yourself fully in the season with a day at the Late Spring Folk Festival. It's a one-day independent folk festival platforming upcoming artists and celebrating live music, traditional crafts and local produce. That's all followed by a party and the opportunity to camp on the farm for the night. Food and drink will be flowing, thanks to Dummer Down Brewery and local street food trucks.

Late Spring Folk Festival at Dummer Down Farm
Saturday 23 May. 
📍between Winchester and Basingstoke

Have a mega May half-term in Winchester

We have some great ideas to keep you and your little ones busy over the May half-term (23-31 May), as well as ideas for days out at attractions around Winchester. Tackle a family-friendly Medieval escape room at Hospital of St Cross, dance to a K Pop silent disco at Winchester Science Centre or get creative at The Arc. There are also games, live shows and meet and greets to enjoy at Day Out with Thomas on The Watercress Line. That's not forgetting all the family-friendly shows on during May half-term, from insect-inspired puppet theatre to Taylor Swift tribute acts.

Read: Our guide to May half-term in Winchester 
Saturday 23 - Sunday 31 May 2026.
📍various locations around Winchester district 

Compete in a foodie quiz run by Winchester's Masterchef finalist

Head to The Wykeham Arms in central Winchester for their Big Foodie Quiz. This year their very own Masterchef: The Professionals finalist Luke Emmess will be calling the questions.

The Big Masterchef Foodie Quiz at The Wykeham Arms. 
Sunday 24 May. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Watch open-air theatre at The Hospital of St Cross

Pack a picnic (and camping chairs, sun hats, waterproofs, blankets etc) for an evening spent watching theatre in the grounds of The Hospital of St Cross. Kicking of outdoor theatre season in Winchester, the Three Inch Fools present an epic tale of Arthurian adventure and medieval mayhem, in suitably historic surrounds.

‘King Arthur & The Holy Fail’ Open Air Theatre at The Hospital of St Cross. 
Monday 25 May. 
📍Winchester city 

Sing-a-long to songs from the musicals

Love the musicals? Sing along with professional West End singers, dancers, and backing singers, with giant karaoke-style lyrics so you never miss a word. They'll be performing iconic hits from Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Sound of Music, Frozen, Les Misérables, Wicked and more.

Sing-Along-A Musicals Live at Theatre Royal Winchester.  
Friday 29 May. 
📍Winchester city centre 

Hear The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra playing pop songs

The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra are heading to Winchester Cathedral this month to perform Pop Goes Classical, uplifting orchestral versions of the world's most iconic pop songs, by candlelight. The world-famous orchestra will take you from the heartfelt ballads of Ed Sheeran and John Legend to the anthemic sounds of Coldplay, U2, and Oasis, transforming well-loved songs such as Hallelujah, Fix You and Fields of Gold.

The Royal Philharmonic: Pop Goes Classical by Candlelight at Winchester Cathedral.  
Saturday 30 May. 
📍Winchester city centre