Find fun events for May half-term 2026, from escape rooms to museum sleepovers
The last half-term of the 2026 academic year is almost upon us. May half-term runs from Saturday 23 - Sunday 31 May in Hampshire this year, and includes the late May bank holiday. Whether you've got a whole week or a day to fill with family-friendly fun, Winchester has you covered. We've got escape rooms, silent discos, film screenings, craft workshops, puppet theatre, family trails, festivals and thrilling new rollercoasters to ride. There's even the opportunity to have a family sleepover inside a science museum. Core memories made!
This page is full of Winchester events that'll keep you and your little ones busy over May half-term 2026. For more ideas, read our full guide to May half-term events and days out in Winchester.
Curated by the Visit Winchester team.
Created 7 May 2026.
May half-term crafting workshops for kids
Build and decorate a bug hotel at The Arc
Wednesday 27 May.
📍Winchester city centre
Decorate a fairy toadstool at The Arc
Wednesday 27 May.
📍Winchester city centre
Weave a rainbow trinket basket at The Arc
Thursday 28 May.
📍Winchester city centre
Summer wreath-making workshop at The Arc
Thursday 28 May.
📍Winchester city centre
Print a Yinka Shonibare-inspired Poster at The Arc
Friday 29 May.
📍Winchester city centre
Print a Yinka Shonibare-inspired tote bag at The Arc
Friday 29 May.
📍Winchester city centre
Children's theatre and music shows during May half-term
Stories in the Dust theatre show at The Nutshell
Wednesday 27 May.
📍Winchester city centre
K Pop Silent Disco at Winchester Science Centre
Thursday 28 May.
📍Winchester city
Du Is Tak puppet theatre at The Nutshell
Friday 29 May.
📍Winchester city centre
The Royal Philharmonic: Pop goes Classical by candlelight at Winchester Cathedral
Saturday 30 May.
📍Winchester city centre
Taylor Swift Tribute by Xenna at Theatre Royal Winchester
Sunday 31 May.
📍Winchester city centre
Family-friendly trails and tours for May half-term
We're Going on a Bear Hunt family trail at The Vyne
Saturday 16 May - Sunday 28 June.
📍near Basingstoke
'I Spot a Cow' family trail at Hinton Ampner
Thursday 7 May - Sunday 28 June.
📍near Alresford
Pirates Ahoy! at Fort Nelson.
Saturday 23 - Sunday 31 May.
📍near Portsmouth
Stuarts and the English Civil War at Winchester City Museum
Saturday 23 - Sunday 31 May.
📍Winchester city centre
Children’s Winchester History guided walking tour
Wednesday 27 May.
📍Winchester city centre
Big May half-term days out near Winchester
Day Out with Thomas at The Watercress Line
Saturday 23 - Sunday 31 May.
📍Alresford
Late Spring Folk Festival at Dummer Down Farm
Saturday 23 May.
📍near Basingstoke
The Big Family Sleepover at Winchester Science Centre
Friday 29 - Saturday 30 May.
📍Winchester city
Zoo Wonders at Marwell Zoo
Saturday 23 - Sunday 31 May.
📍near Winchester city
May half-term events for older kids and teens
New Valgard: Realm of the Vikings rollercoasters at Paultons Park
From Saturday 16 May.
📍near Romsey
Winchester Cathedral Tower Tour at Winchester Cathedral
Saturday 23, Wednesday 27, Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May.
📍Winchester city centre
The Crusader's Collectible escape game at The Hospital of St Cross
Sunday 24 - Friday 29 and Sunday 31 May.
📍Winchester city
LEGO® Logistics - return of the bricks! at The Royal Logistics Corp Museum
Tuesday 26 - Saturday 30 May.
📍near Winchester city
Sing-A-Long Musicals Live at Theatre Royal Winchester
Friday 29 May.
📍Winchester city centre
Throwback: Legally Blonde screening at Everyman Cinema
Sunday 31 May.
📍Winchester city centre
May half-term in Winchester
Spring into May half-term 2026 in Winchester with escape rooms, family trails and more
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