Morris dancing can be seen throughout the year, but most sides hold a special place in their hearts for May Day. For many dancers, it’s bigger than Christmas. To help our uninitiated and tradfolk-curious readers celebrate the summer icumen in, we’ve put together this handy guide to where you might find your nearest Morris dancing event on May Day (that’s Thursday 1st May), 2025.
If you’re new to the Morris, however, be warned: you’ll have to be up long before the day if you want to catch many of them in action. Oh, and look out for the beasts… they may be on the prowl.
If you’d like to share this guide on your socials, we’re using #MaydayMorris again to spread the word. Help us out, won’t you?
Why does Morris dancing happen at dawn on May Day?
There’s nothing quite like rising before dawn and assembling to dance (or watch others dance) the sun up as May Morning breaks. It seems like the most natural tradition there is. Far from being a tradition that grew out of the mists of time, however, morris historian Michael Heaney writes in his book, The Ancient English Morris Dance, that this is a far more recent occurrence than you might think.
We are dancing for the pleasure of those who have deserved well by rising early…
The connection between morris dancing and the May Day dawn had been,” tenuous at best,” explains Heaney, “and none of the morris teams encountered by Cecil Sharp and enshrined in The Morris Book had danced then.” In fact, dancing the sun up as a formal tradition seems to have begun on May Day, 1923, when the Oxford University branch of the EFDS (now EFDSS) danced through the city streets immediately after the choristers sang from Magdalen College Tower at 6am (itself a 500-year-old tradition). They danced, they said, “as a free gift to the city, in gratitude for the long and lovely survival here of the May Day celebrations… We are dancing for the pleasure of those who have deserved well by rising early, for our own pleasure, and in obedience to the Shakespearean dictum, ‘A morris for May Day’.”
Click to read more info on the history of May Day and other May events.
Where to find Morris dancing near me?
We’ve arranged the May Day Morris events according to country, county, and then town. Scroll down and you’ll find a list of regions. Clicking on the region of your choice will take you to where you want to be on this page.
Can’t find any Morris dancing near you? It’s only because we haven’t been sent the relevant info yet. Morris sides can get in touch via this form – forms.gle/bACZ46BHTfihRpxo8. We’re very happy to receive new info.
This guide will continue to be populated as we get closer to the big day itself, so bookmark the page and come back if you want to find your nearest dance out.
To get started, click on your local county from the list below.
List of countries and counties
United Kingdom
Australia
Canada
Argyll
Border Reivers Morris
Queen’s Park Flagpole
Glasgow
May 1st, 5:15am
Dance style: Border
Insta: @border_reivers_morris
Border Reivers Morris are dancing in the heart of Glasgow and hoping, as usual, that they’ll be able to make the sun rise and persuade the crops grow across the whole of Scotland. For more information, see their Facebook event.
Bristol
Heaps Morris, Kittiwake Border Morris, Pigsty Morris, City Clickers, Molly No-Mates and Rag Morris
Brandon Hill
Park Street, Bristol
May 1st, 4.30am
Dance style: various
Insta: @Heaps_Morris
There’ll be dancing a-top Brandon Hill by as many Bristol-based sides as can find it in themselves to leap out of bed pre-4am on May morning.
Buckinghamshire
New Moon Morris
Pitstone Hill
Tring, HP23 5RT
May 1st, 5am
Dance style: Other
Insta: @new.moonmorris
New Moon Morris have been dancing the sun up on Pitstone Hill for many years – it’s a wonderful position nestled in the beautiful Chiltern Hills and part of the ancient Ridgeway. It can be a bit tricky to find though, just off the B448 – gather at Pitstone Hill car park. They tell us that, in the past few years, more and more locals have been venturing up the hill and audience participation is actively encouraged. Join them! See the Facebook event for more information.
Cornwall
Wreckers Border Morris
Atop Kit Hill
Tamar Valley, PL17 8AX
May 1st, 5.30am
Dance style: Border
Insta: @wre.ckersbordermorris
Clamber up Kit Hill just before day breaks for fine views of the surrounding landscape, and to see Wreckers Border Morris dancing like it matters – let’s hope they can bring the sun up over the Devon border. For more information: wreckersmorris.co.uk
Pensans Morris
Battery Rocks
Penzance, TR18 4FF
May 1st, 5.45am
Dance style: Border
Insta: @pensansmorris
Join Pensans Morris, the “UK’s most westerly Morris side” to welcome in the summer while they perform during the sunrise over Mount’s Bay. Catch the first light of May with them while most people are still sleeping! For more information: Facebook event
Derbyshire
Powderkegs Morris
Windgather Rocks
High Peak, SK23 7RF
May 1st, 5:15am
Dance style: Border
Insta: @powderkeg_morris
Powderkegs Morris will be dancing up the sun at Windgather Rocks (so wear something warm) near Whaley Bridge. We’ve heard the scenery is breathtaking so worth the early start. For more information: powderkegs.co.uk
Devon
Molly No-Mates, MAYDAY Morris and Grimspound Border Morris
Field System
Ashburton
May 1st, 3.45pm
Dance style: Border and Molly
Join three morris sides in the historic Stannary town of Ashburton, where Field System Gallery and Ashburton Arts Centre are presenting an afternoon town-wide and inclusive celebration of the arrival of summer. There will be much to make you merry, expect art, dancing, dressing up, discourse and delight! For more information: fieldsystem.co.uk
Gloucestershire
Forest of Dean Morris and Lassington Oak
May Hill
Glass House, GL17 0RF
May 1st, 5.00am
Dance style: Cotswold
Insta: @fod_morris
Head up the appropriately named May Hill to find Forest of Dean Morris dancing the sun up with Lassington Oak and friends. It’ll be worth the climb up, and as a reward, there’ll be a singaround in the village hall afterwards. For more information: http://www.forestmorris.org.uk/
If you go up to the Painswick Beacon, you’re in for a big surprise… Unless the reason you’re there is to see the local morris sides dance up the sun on May morning, in which case you’ll find nothing out of the ordinary. Gather at the Tee Off point (it’s a golf course…) to sing Hal An Tow before proceedings get underway.
Hampshire
Victory Morris
The Spur Redoubt
Portsmouth, PO5 3XX
May 1st, 5.00am
Dance style: Cotswold
Insta: @victory_morris
Victory Morris will be at home in Portsmouth to dance up the sun at The Spur Redoubt. The Spur Redoubt was the site from which Nelson headed off to board the Victory on his way to the Battle of Trafalgar, so it’s the perfect place for the ship’s namesake dancers to do their thing. For more information: victorymorrismen.org.uk
Wickham Morris
Wickham Square
Wickham, Fareham PO17 5JT
May 1st, 5.15am
Dance style: Cotswold
Insta: @Wickham_Morris
Wickham Morris will be entertaining the Square not once but twice on May Day. Early birds will find them there just before dawn, while anyone who gets up at a more sensible hour can catch them dancing with friends from 6.30pm-sunset in the same spot. For more info: Facebook event
Hook Eagle Morris
The Shack
London Road, Hook, RG27 9EH
May 1st, 5:32am
Dance style: Border
Hook Eagle Morris are continuing their long-held tradition of dancing at dawn, which is always at “exactly” 05:32 in Hook. Breakfast is available from 6am at the brilliantly old-school transport café. For more information: hookeagle.org.uk
Red Stags Morris and King John’s Morris
Bargate
Southampton, SO14 2DJ
May 1st, 5.40am
Dance style: Border and Cotswold
See in the month of May by the Grade I listed medieval gatehouse into the old city, with two morris sides in attendance. We’ve heard that everyone’s welcome for breakfast in Poppins afterwards too. See their Faceboook event for more information.
Herefordshire
Foxwhelp Morris
Arthur’s Stone
Dorstone
May 1st, 5.30am
Dance style: Cotswold
Insta: @foxwhelpmorris
Were the indentations in Arthur’s Stone left there when the body of a recently slain giant fell into it? We’ll never know. What we do know, though, is that Foxwhelp Morris will be dancing next to the Neolithic tomb on May Morning. For more info: facebook.com/foxwhelpmorris
Kent
Wild Women of Kent, Motley Morris, Wolfshead & Vixen, Steampunk Morris, Loose Women Morris, Kent Korkers and friends
Bluebell Hill Picnic Site
Bluebell Hill, Maidstone
May 1st, 5.15am
Dance style: Border
Join the veritable party up Bluebell Hill to help wake up Jack-in-the-Green. For more information, see their Facebook page.
East Kent Morris
Wye Memorial Crown
Ashford, TN25 5DF
May 1st, 5:25am
Dance style: Cotswold
East Kent Morris will dance the sun up at 5.25am at the Wye Memorial Crown before dancing in the village, at the railway station, at Montfort Manor Care Home and at Perry Court farm shop. Busy lot, aren’t they?! For more information: ekmm.org.uk
Kits Coty Morris
Kits Coty House
Bluebell Hill
May 1st, 5.32am
Dance style: Cotswold
Join Kits Coty Morris for the start of summer, with dancing and a modicum of silliness. To find these things, take the footpath on the west side of Chatham Road just south of the junction with Old Chatham Road. Descend the steps and follow the footpath for a further 200m. Look out for cake. For more information: kitscotymorris.x10host.com
London
Belles of London City and London Pride Morris
Primrose Hill
May 1st, 5am
Dance style: Cotswold
Insta: @belles_of_london_city
The Belles of London City will be joining with London Pride to dance up the sun on Primrose Hill on May Day. Take your greenery and May blossoms to the viewpoint at the top of the hill and help them welcome in the summer. Expect dancing, singing, a cheeky horse and plenty of Maysteria! For more information: www.bellesoflondoncity.com
Greenwich Morris
Greenwich Park gates
Duke Humphrey Road, Blackheath
May 1st, 5:15am
Dance style: Cotswold
Insta: @greenwich_morris
Greenwich Morris are planning a dawn dance on Duke Humphrey Road, Blackheath, just by the gates to Greenwich Park. For more information: greenwichmorris.org.uk
The World Famous Hammersmith Morris Men
King Street,
Hammersmith
May 1st, 12pm
Dance style: Cotswold
Insta: @smiffs.w6
Not fans of the alarm clock, the good men of Hammersmith will be hopping around their home patch to spread some May Day joy at a more reasonable hour. For more information: www.hammersmithmorris.org.uk
New Esperance
Islington
May 1st, 12.15pm
Dance Style: Cotswold
Insta: @newesperance
New Esperance have quite the afternoon planned, processing the Milkmaids’ Garland around Islington. You’ll find them at the Brewhouse and Kitchen (12.15), the White Hart/Famous Cock (13.00), the Town Hall (14.00), St Mary’s Church (14.30), the Fox on the Green (15.00), the Steam Passage (15.45), the York (16.30), the Narrowboat (17.30) and finally the Island Queen (19.30). For more information: newesperance.wordpress.com
Merseyside
Mersey Morris and Mockbeggar Morris
Bidston Observatory
Prenton, CH43 7PF (park at the Tam O’Shanter farm car park)
May 1st. 5:30am
Dance style: Cotswold and North West
Mersey Morris tell us that they love the stillness of the top of Bidston Hill – if you arrive early, you’ll hear the gentle tinkle of bells and hushed voices amongst all the birdsong as they climb up through the woods. There’s the added bonus of spectacular views over Liverpool as the sun rises. Mockbeggar Morris will also be in attendance, jumping and hopping in the North West style. For more information: merseymorris.com
Norfolk
Holt Ridge Morris
Roman Camp
Sheringham
May 1st, 5am
Dance style: Cotswold
The day starts early for Holt Ridge Morris – they start by dancing the sun up on Roman Camp (National Trust woodland area above the town). They then move into Sheringham itself, so you can still catch them, even if you’re not an early riser. For more information, see their Facebook page.
Kemps Men of Norwich and Golden Star Morris
St James’ Hill
Mousehold Heath, Norwich
May 1st, 5am
Dance style: Cotswold
Kemps Men of Norwich will be starting their May day dancing on St James’ Hill, on Mousehold Heath, and will be joined by Golden Star Morris. Park at the prison and follow the sound of bells! A few chances to catch them dancing on May day – they’ll move to The Forum followed by the Cathedral (at about 6am and 7am respectively) before an afternoon touring Great Yarmouth, starting at the Blackfriars Tavern at 1pm. For more information: www.goldenstarmorris.org.uk
Oxfordshire
The May Morning celebrations in Oxford are famous – thousands of people flock to the city at 6am to hear a chorus of heavenly voices herald the arrival of summer from the top of the Magdalen College tower, after which a whole bunch of morris dancers bring the party straight back down to earth. In addition to Summertown, you’ll be able to catch Oxford City Morris and Oxford University Morris, as well as other sides from across the county. The event can be very busy, with road closures in place, so do plan ahead. For more info: Facebook.com/SummertownMorris
Somerset
Enigma Border Morris
Ham Hill
Stoke Sub Hamdon, TA14 6RW
May 1st, 5.20am
Dance style: Border
Enigma Border Morris will be dancing in the layby on Ham Hill usually occupied by the ice cream van, but you’ll probably have to forgo your early morning 99 with a flake. Park in Long View Car Park. For more info: facebook.com/Enigma.Morris
West Somerset Morris
The Square
Minehead
May 1st, 6am
Dance style: Cotswold
Gather with West Somerset Morris as they dance while the Minehead Hobby Horse processes through the town.
Surrey
Datchet Morris
Magna Carta Tearoom
Runnymede, Egham, TW20 0AE
May 1st, 5:30am (but you need to arrive before then)
Dance style: Border
Insta: @DatchetMorris
Datchet Morris have been dancing at Runnymede since 1994 and the sun has kept rising, so they must be doing something right! There’s parking on site but you’ll need to be past the barrier before 5.30am or you won’t get in. After that, and you’ll have got up early for nothing. For more info: datchetmorris.org.uk
West Midlands
Jockey Morris
Beacon Hill Toposcope,
Lickey, Birmingham
May 1st, 5.20am
Dance style: Cotswold
Insta: @jockeymorris1949
By (complete absence of) popular demand, Jockey Morris will dance up the dawn by Beacon Hills Castle and the troposcope. It’s one of the highest points within Birmingham, and surely, Jockey’s May Day dancing must be one of the highlights of the Brummie calendar (though there’s some stiff competition!). Park in the Monument Lane car park and follow the trail of wandering morris men. See their Facebook event for more information.
Silhill Morris
Packwood House
Solihull
May 1st, 5.30am
Dance style: Border
Silhill Morris will attempting to encourage the sun into the sky for another year by getting out early for a dance. Park on Packwood Lane if you want to join them – spectators are very welcome but not expected! Dancing takes places at the entrance to the National Trust car park. (As an aside, if you’re around a bit later, Packwood’s scones scored an 8/10 on my National Trust spreadsheet. Ed.) See their Facebook event for more information.
West Sussex
Worthing Larks
Worthing Pier
Worthing, BN11 3PX
May 1st, 5.35am
Will you be up with the Larks on May morning? The Worthing Larks, that is! They’ll be dancing on the pier at dawn, joined by their very own Larks, who’ll be partaking in a dance or two. For more information: facebook.com/worthinglarks
West Yorkshire
Wharfedale Wayzgoose and Briggate Morris
Surprise View, Chevin Country Park
Otley, LS21 3DG
May 1st, 5.30am
Dance style: Border
Insta: @wharfedale_wayzgoose
Wharfedale Wayzgoose are a mixed Border side and, by our calculations, have danced the May Day sun up on the Chevin for 30 years! Gloria the (“massive”) Goose is hoping to fly up the hill to join the fun this year. They’ll hopefully be joined by Briggate Morris and you, if you fancy having a go. To save a wild goose chase (see what we did there?), they advise you to park in the Surprise view car park, go up the steps at the top of the car park and turn left onto the Chevin. Walk along the gravelled path and follow the noise of bells and music to the viewing point. Come for the morris, stay for the scenery. For more information: https://wharfedale-wayzgoose.co.uk/
White Rose Morris Men
Castle Hill
Huddersfield
May 1st, 5.25am
Dance style: Cotswold
Insta: @whiterosemorris
Traditional dances from the local tradition were noted down in 1942 in the Fartown area of Huddersfield. White Rose Morris have since concentrated on keeping those traditions alive. They’ll be dancing up the May Morning sun this year, as they do every year. Want to join them? Follow the road up to Castle Hill and where the gated road goes on up left to the top, there is a lay-by. Park there and use the path (with steps) to the top.
Worcestershire
Pebworth Morris
Dancing Fields Hill
Pebworth
May 1st, 5:38am
Dance style: Cotswold, Border
Pebworth Morris will be dancing up the sun up on the Dancing Fields Hillill then beating the bounds around Pebworth before returning to their spiritual home at the Fleece Inn, Bretforton. After a hearty fry up and perhaps some liquid refreshment, they’ll head off on their traditional May Day mystery tour. Ben the Donkey may make an appearance, though we’re told he’s disinclined to head out in the rain so fingers crossed for a dry spell. For more information: facebook.com/pebworthmorris
Australia
Victoria
Britannia Morris, Red Raven Morris, and Brandragon Morris
All Nations Park
Separation St, Northcote, Melbourne 3070
May 1st, 6.30am
Dance style: North West
Instas: @thebritanniamorris, @redravenmorris & @brandragonmorris
The Melbourne Morris sides gather together pre-dawn at the big hill in All Nations Park in Northcote to dance up the sun, which rises in Melbourne at 7am on May Day morning. They invite you to climb the hill at All Nations Park and say “Hi” (or…g’day…?). For more info, see their Facebook Page.
Canada
Alberta
Magpie Morris
Old Strathcona Gazebo
83 Ave NW & 104 St, Edmonton
May 1st, 5.50am
Dance style: Cotswold
This is your chance to join the Magpies as they gather in Old Strathcona at the Gazebo and dance in the dawn. In case you hadn’t checked, 5.50am is early and the sun won’t be up yet (obviously) so dress warmly. In addition to dancing, their May morning ritual includes an invocation to spring accompanied by scattering herbs over a flame, and impaling a cake on a sword before tearing off chunks to eat. Sounds fun! See their Facebook page for more information.
Two Rivers Morris will be dancing at Alton Baker Park in Eugene Oregon USA. Dancing happens at the Sun on the Solar System Model. Dancing will begin before dawn (5:45 aprox)
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/NJX48Trq6TJFFRDp/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Stroud Morris Dancers, Gloucestershire Morris and Tattered Court will be at the top of Painswick Beacon, Gloucestershire from 5:30am. Stroud Morris are shown in the video at the top of this article.
Thanks Mark. I can add you to the list if you pop the details into our form – https://forms.gle/a9qRJdRbyjxwziGYA