This year May Day falls on a Monday
The annual May Day celebrations are an incredibly strong tradition in Oxford, which usually involve rising early (or staying up all night) to hear the choir sing from Magdalen tower, roaming down the High to catch Morris dancing, folk music, May balls, sumptuous breakfasts and of course, 6am pub openings, in a rather joyful community event which attracted over 20,000 people when it landed on a bank holiday Monday in 2017.
Want to learn a bit more about the history of May Day? The Museum of Oxford have written a guide, and Tim Healey's website is full of fun May Day trivia and history.
While 2020 and 2021 were two years of virtual and socially distanced events, 2022 and this May Morning's celebrations continue in something like their pre-Covid form. We'll be updating this page as details are confirmed.
6.00am Singing
You can safely assume that this bit of May Day will stay the same year in, year out, pandemics notwithstanding. The Magdalen College choir will sing the 5 minute long Hymnus Eucharisticus from the Great Tower as the sun comes up at 6.00am, followed by a madrigal or two and prayers.
Afterwards you can expect to hear 20 minutes of expert bell-ringing from the Oxford Society of Change Ringers. The Oxford May Morning celebrations make up the largest audience of bell-ringing in the UK, with the possible exception of some royal weddings.
Dancers and drummers from Sol Samba can usually be found weaving their way around Cornmarket and Broad St - sometimes joining the crowd dancing to the Whirly Band.
The figure of Jack in the Green can be spotted moving throughout the city - just look for what appears to be a moving shrub, accompanied by morris dancers.
Road Closures
May Day does mean planning for crowds and road closures.
Designated viewing areas for wheelchair users, families with young children and those with buggies will be available in the car park of Magdalen College School and in Rose Lane.
Planned Road Closures - May 1st, 2am – 9am:
No vehicles of any sort (including bicycles – pushed or ridden) between The Plain and King Edward St. Longwall St closed between the High St and Holywell St. Rose Lane and Queens Lane completely closed. Merton St – junction with the High St closed, but there will be access via Kind Edward St and Oriel Square).
Possible Road Closures:
The Plain may need to be closed, depending on the size of the crowd – it’s recommended that drivers plan alternative routes on May morning.
A good rule of thumb is to pick which side of Magdalen Bridge you want to stay on for the majority of the early morning, and plan around that.
Morris Dancing
You can expect to see Morris Dancers on Broad, Conmarket and High St throughout the morning! If you want to know more about Morris dancing (and so you should!) then, of course, we have got a handy page to explain this traditional form of dance just here.
Radcliffe Square, May Morning 2018 (photo Tim Healey www.maymorning.co.uk)
Here are Oxford City Morris Men in 2017 - thanks to The Rose and Crown pub for the video!
Music
Perhaps part of May Day's appeal is its broad range - from formal and religious to pagan and trad. We've got plenty of music for all tastes, including folk from Oxford and Wales, and a spoons tutorial, so raid your cutlery drawers.
Check out the wonderful www.maymorning.co.uk for a thorough overview of Oxford's May traditions including information about where to find all sorts of musical fun throughout the morning. The website's author Tim Healey has provided us with a special podcast on the history of May Day.
May Eve
Part of the fun of May Morning can be staying up the night before. In 2023 not only does this mean a proper night out (if you wish), it's right in the middle of a long weekend. Keep an eye on our What's On listings for gigs, comedy and night life.
May Morning Breakfast
For some, the only part that matters. Here's our May Morning breakfasts list for 2022:
Quod, Hight St: Opening at 6.00am and will be serving a special May Morning menu
Silvie, Iffley Rd: Opening at 7.00am, serving May Morning breakfasts until 10am with free glasses of fizz with all breakfast orders!
Tick Tok Cafe, Cowley Rd: Open all night and day! They've been doing May morning longer and harder than anyone else and will be serving Full English, breakfast baguettes, pastries etc.
Vaults & Garden, Radcliffe Sqaure: Open from 5.00am serving classic Oxford locally-sourced breakfast by Radcliffe Square.
G&Ds, St Aldate’s and Cowley Rd: Open at 6.00am with their normal breakfast menu including breakfast bagels and freshly cooked waffles!
The Cape of Good Hope, Iffley Road: Open from 5.30am serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and bacon and sausage sandwiches until 10.00am.
The Angel & Greyhound, St Clement's: Opening their front garden at 6.00am, serving coffee, beers and breakfasts. What more could you ask for?
The Chequers, High St: Serving booze and greasy breakfasts from 5.30 - 9.00am.
The Grand Cafe, High St: Opening at 5.00am, serving their breakfast menu items as well as wine, beer and cocktails!
The Old Black Horse Inn, St Clement's: A lively May Morning spot being so close to the bridge and selling cheap beer, The Old Black Horse will be open from 5.45am.
The Bear Inn, Alfred Street: Opening at 6.00am for early morning drinks.
The Jericho Cafe, Walton St: Serving their usual breakfast menu from 6.30am.
St Aldates Tavern, St Aldates: Enjoy a hangover cure, and hair of the dog from 6.30am with a May Day Breakfast!
George Street Social, New Inn Hall St: Bottomless prosecco brunch, unlimited brunch buffet and a sea of bloody mary’s from 6.30am. Bookings are highly recommended.
Punting
Not everyone gets to go punting, but in the very olden days hearing the choir from almost under Magdalen Bridge was a popular pastime for those lucky enough to have access to a college punt. Drifting lazily through the mist, with only the swans for company. Sounds like social distancing before it got cool.
Are you doing something interesting for May Eve / May Day? Or have we missed off something you know about? List it online instantly and for free by clicking here