May is a marvellous month for getting out and about in Gloucestershire. If you’re keen to explore the county, we’ve rounded up some of the highlights we’re looking forward to this month.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival 

Listen to live music from the greats at venues across the town from Friday 1^st to Monday 4^th May. Big names in the 2026 programme include Joss Stone, Van Morrison, Jack Savoretti, Mica Paris, James Morrison and The Puppini Sisters.

Morris dancing

There’s nothing like watching these joyful dancers to bring a smile to your face and to get your toes tapping. For early birds on Friday 1^st May, there are dawn dancers on Painswick Beacon at 5am, on May Hill you can catch them at 5.25am and on Cleeve Hill they’ll be doing their thing at 5.30am.

Mars Badminton Horse Trials

Horse lovers are in for a treat from Wednesday 6^th to Sunday 10^th May. This top-class equestrian event, not far from Tetbury, brings together the best-of-the-best from around the world, fighting it out in style to scoop the £125,000 eventing prize.

Flower power

There are lots of chances to admire nature’s splendor at this time of year. The biggest show is RHS Malvern Spring Festival, just over the border of Gloucestershire, from Thursday 7^th to Sunday 10^th May. But if you’re looking for something a little smaller, there are open gardens to explore in Southrop on Saturday 16^th and Sunday 17^th May. There’s also the chance to see gardens in Frampton-on-Severn on Sunday 24^th May.

Barnsley Village Festival

This popular event is back on Saturday 16^th May. Guests are invited to explore beautiful village gardens, the grounds of The Pig hotel, Barnsley Park and Musgrave Arboretum. There are also plenty of delicious treats with tea and cakes in the village hall, cheese scones and quiche on The Pig hotel lawn and a barbecue at The Village Pub.

Cotswold Festival of Steam

For fans of traditional trains, the three days of railway rides, workshops and foodie treats are too good to miss. There’s fun at Cheltenham racecourse, Gotherington, Winchcombe, Toddington and Broadway from Saturday 23^rd May to Monday 25^th May.

Cooper’s Hill cheese rolling

Where else in the world can you watch runners cartwheeling, tumbling and sprinting down a hill in an attempt to catch a wheel of cheese? Fans flock from around the globe to see this incredible challenge on Monday 25^th May. For a fantastic atmosphere and free day out, it’s a great date to get in the diary.

Weird and wonderful countryside traditions

Cotswold Olimpick Games falls on Friday 29th May this year. Visitors can take in traditional games at Dover’s Hill, Chipping Campden from 4pm. It includes the shockingly vigorous shin-kicking contest. Not one for the kids to recreate at home!

Maypole dancing

Head to the Cotswolds to experience Scuttlebrook Wake on Saturday 30^th May, from midday. The traditional English village festival in Chipping Campden features a maypole dance, crowning of the Scuttlebrook Queen, fancy dress parade, live music and a craft market.