Hampshire &amp; Isle of Wight


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spring-fayre-23-may-port-solent-portsmouth"><a href="https://portsolent.com/spring-fayre-23rd-may/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spring Fayre</a>, 23 May, Port Solent, Portsmouth</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/07/Port-Solent-1.jpg" alt="Port Solent Bank Holiday weekend May 2025 Spring Fayre family things to do with the kids half term" class="wp-image-27421" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/07/Port-Solent-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/07/Port-Solent-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/07/Port-Solent-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/07/Port-Solent-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/07/Port-Solent-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A free family event by the marina at <a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/port-solent-portsmouth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Port Solent</a> (with free parking, waterside views and plenty of places to have lunch too &#8211; bonus!). On from 11am-4pm, browse the market stalls along the waterfront, listen to live music, take the kids to meet the animals with Mill Cottage travelling Farm, join in arty fun with The Creation Station and look out for nostalgic Punch &amp; Judy shows. (That&#8217;s the way to do it!).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-playing-the-field-festival-23-24-may-eastleigh"><a href="https://playingthefieldfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Playing The Field Festival</a>, 23-24 May, Eastleigh</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Playing-the-field-Festival-Eastleigh.jpg" alt="Playing The Field Festival, 23-24 May, Eastleigh Hampshire May Bank Holiday weekend" class="wp-image-40224" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Playing-the-field-Festival-Eastleigh.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Playing-the-field-Festival-Eastleigh-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Playing-the-field-Festival-Eastleigh-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Playing-the-field-Festival-Eastleigh-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Playing the Field Festival</figcaption></figure>



<p>Back for a second year at the Silverlake Stadium, Hampshire festival newcomer Playing The Field brings two days of live music, DJs, street food and full-throttle festival energy. Saturday keeps things family-friendly with fairground rides, circus entertainment and singalong sets from Razorlight, The Fratellis, Chesney Hawkes and McFly’s Dougie Poynter. Then Sunday flips the switch for an adults-only dance takeover, with Pendulum DJ Set, Sigala and DJ Luck &amp; MC Neat bringing the beats across two buzzing stages. Expect cold drinks, good vibes and serious bank holiday weekend fun.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-petersfield-spring-festival-24-25-may-petersfield"><a href="https://www.petersfieldfest.com/petersfieldspringfestival2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Petersfield Spring Festival</a>, 24-25 May Petersfield</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1129" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Petersfield-Festival.jpg" alt="Petersfield Festival" class="wp-image-33897" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Petersfield-Festival.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Petersfield-Festival-800x602.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Petersfield-Festival-1000x753.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Petersfield-Festival-768x578.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>After a year off the calendar, the much-loved Petersfield Spring Festival is back &#8211; and it’s shaping up to be the feel-good event of the Spring Bank Holiday. Taking over the town centre on Sunday 24th and Monday 25th May, expect live music, artisan stalls, vintage motors, street food, family fun and plenty of Pimms-in-the-sun energy. From local makers and crafty finds to fairground rides and dancing into the evening, it’s a proper community celebration with a laid-back festival vibe. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-big-eat-23-26-may-royal-victoria-country-park-netley"><a href="https://thebigeatfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Big Eat</a>, 23-26 May, Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Royal-Victoria-Country-Park-Big-Eat.jpg" alt="Royal Victoria Country Park Big Eat Festival" class="wp-image-33898" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Royal-Victoria-Country-Park-Big-Eat.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Royal-Victoria-Country-Park-Big-Eat-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Royal-Victoria-Country-Park-Big-Eat-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/05/Royal-Victoria-Country-Park-Big-Eat-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic: Gosport Drones, <em>Steve Hammond</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s back! Southampton’s community-spirited free street food event brings together family fun and vendors from around the south to celebrate tasty local food and culinary talent. Listen to live music and taste your way through everything from Aussie BBQ grills to burritos, buttermilk fried chicken and Hampshire&#8217;s own Jude&#8217;s ice cream.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cowes-fringe-22-24-may-cowes"><a href="https://www.cowesfringe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cowes Fringe</a>, 22-24 May, Cowes</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Cowes-Fringe.jpg" alt="Cowes Fringe" class="wp-image-37236" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Cowes-Fringe.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Cowes-Fringe-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Cowes-Fringe-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/05/Cowes-Fringe-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Facebook, @CowesFringe</figcaption></figure>



<p>Now in its forth year, Cowes Fringe brings a weekend of Bank Holiday fun and workshops to the Island. On the lineup: the legendary Sir Derek Jacobi, live band The Cavern Club bringing the party with classics from The Beatles to Oasis, songs from hit musicals by young performers, Sewing Bee craft and delicious wine and chocolate tastings (yum).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-screen-on-the-lawn-at-aviator-22-24-may-farnborough"><a href="https://aviatorhampshire.com/experiences/screen-on-the-lawn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Screen on the Lawn</a>&nbsp;at Aviator, 22–24 May, Farnborough</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/Aviator-open-air-theatre.jpg" alt="Screen on the Lawn at Aviator, Farnborough open air cinema Hampshire " class="wp-image-34721" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/Aviator-open-air-theatre.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/Aviator-open-air-theatre-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/Aviator-open-air-theatre-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2024/08/Aviator-open-air-theatre-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Cinema under the stars gets a luxe upgrade at the chic Farnborough design hotel Aviator this May Bank Holiday weekend. Grab the fizz and popcorn and enjoy alfresco screenings of <em>Pretty Woman, Grease, Zootropolis 2 </em>and <em>F1: The Movie</em> with runway views and private jets soaring behind the screen. Serious <em>Top Gun</em> energy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beaulieu-23-30-may-new-forest"><a href="https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/may-half-term/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beaulieu</a>,&nbsp;23-30 May, New Forest</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/Beaulieu-monorail-min.jpg" alt="Beaulieu monorail" class="wp-image-30457" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/Beaulieu-monorail-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/Beaulieu-monorail-min-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/Beaulieu-monorail-min-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2023/03/Beaulieu-monorail-min-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Always a fun family day out, ride the monorail and go wild in the Little Beaulieu play area at the beautiful New Forest estate. New this May Bank Holiday half term, <em>Horrible Histories</em>&nbsp;arrives with a deep dive into the estate’s Victorian past. Expect foul facts and fascinating stories, plus plenty more for all the family to explore, including The National Motor Museum’s nostalgic new&nbsp;<em>Driven: Britain’s Motoring Story</em>&nbsp;exhibition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yarmouth-sea-songs-festival-22-25-may-the-green-yarmouth"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063772380734" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yarmouth Sea Songs Festival</a>, 22-25 May, The Green, Yarmouth</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1068" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Yarmouth-Sea-Shanties-Festival.jpg" alt="Yarmouth Sea Shanties Festival Isle of Wight May Bank Holiday weekend 2026" class="wp-image-40225" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Yarmouth-Sea-Shanties-Festival.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Yarmouth-Sea-Shanties-Festival-800x570.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Yarmouth-Sea-Shanties-Festival-1000x712.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2026/05/Yarmouth-Sea-Shanties-Festival-768x547.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A free festival celebrating “folk songs of the sea and the sailors who went about their business on it”, this annual event features Island talent and acts from the mainland, with beer tents, food stalls and a warm welcome for anyone coming along to join in the merriment. Bring a picnic blanket and your best singing voice.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-british-street-food-awards-22-25-may-portsmouth"><a href="https://www.gunwharf-quays.com/en/news-listing-page/the-british-street-food-awards" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Street Food Awards</a>, 22-25 May, Portsmouth</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/05/Street-Food-Awards-129-1.jpg" alt="Man serving fries street food British Street Food Awards Gunwharf Portsmouth Hampshire things to do May 2026" class="wp-image-26946" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/05/Street-Food-Awards-129-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/05/Street-Food-Awards-129-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/05/Street-Food-Awards-129-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/05/Street-Food-Awards-129-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2022/05/Street-Food-Awards-129-1-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Take a bao! (Or a wrap, stir fry, burger). Whatever your fave, there’ll be a feast of global flavours on the south coast when the&nbsp;British Street Food Awards returns to Gunwharf Quays this Bank Holiday weekend. Expect four days of sizzling street food action as top traders battle it out for the public vote – think everything from loaded waffles to flame-grilled ribs – plus live music and all the waterfront shops to browse.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wild-west-week-23-30-may-blackgang-chine-ventnor"><a href="https://blackgangchine.com/events/view/wild-west-week" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wild West Week</a>, 23-30 May, Blackgang Chine, Ventnor</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="983" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wild-West-Week-Blackgang-Chine.jpg" alt="Wild West Week, 24-31 May 2025, Blackgang Chine, Ventnor, Isle of Wight" class="wp-image-37081" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wild-West-Week-Blackgang-Chine.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wild-West-Week-Blackgang-Chine-800x524.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wild-West-Week-Blackgang-Chine-1000x655.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2025/04/Wild-West-Week-Blackgang-Chine-768x503.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Yeehaw! Have a rootin’, tootin’ day in Cowboy Town as Wild West Week rolls into town at the Isle of Wights iconic Blackgang Chine. Kids’ll love the thrilling fights, gunfire, and action-packed cowboy show.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wellington-country-park-25-29-may-riseley"><a href="https://wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk/whats-on/animal-farm-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellington Country Park</a>, 25-29 May, Riseley</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Wellington-Country-Park-Spash-Zone.jpg" alt="Wellington-Country-Park-Spash-Zone" class="wp-image-13905" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Wellington-Country-Park-Spash-Zone.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Wellington-Country-Park-Spash-Zone-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Wellington-Country-Park-Spash-Zone-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/hants/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2019/06/Wellington-Country-Park-Spash-Zone-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A great family day out on North Hampshire-Berks border, Wellington Country Park’s Animal Farm Week returns on Bank Holiday Monday with hands-on farmyard fun for little animal lovers. Expect sheep meet-and-greets, pig lunches, ferret racing and alpaca dashes plus tractors to climb aboard, crafty activities and plenty of themed photo ops. If the weather&#8217;s good, there&#8217;s Wellington’s adventure playground and Splash Zone to cool off in.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more">Want more?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/this-month/magic-may-whats-on-this-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What&#8217;s on around Hampshire and Isle of Wight this May</a></li>



<li><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/may-half-term/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">30+ things to do with the kids this May around Hampshire and Isle of Wight</a></li>



<li><a href="https://hants.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/dogstival-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dogstival 2026: The supreme Summer party for pups in the New Forest </a> </li>
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Top things to do over the May Bank Holiday weekend

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