Scarborough Skipping Day
Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Hundreds skip with long ropes on Scarborough’s closed seafront road every Shrove Tuesday.
9 February 2027Traditional dateHave a go
Free odd days out
A free day out might mean a close look at Tissington’s petal pictures, morris dancing in Bampton or the nightly horn call in Ripon. All twelve here are free to watch, and they make quite different visits: some fill a whole town, others reward you for turning up to one small ceremony.
Pick a journey you can manage and a crowd that suits your group. Free to watch doesn’t cover transport, parking, food, donations or entry to nearby attractions, and taking part can carry its own charges or eligibility rules. Check the guide and the organiser’s latest notice before committing, especially where the next date is only the usual one.
12 events in this guide
In date order
- 9FebScarborough Skipping DayScarborough, North Yorkshire9 February 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 1MayPadstow ’Obby ’OssPadstow, Cornwall1 May 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 1MayRochester Sweeps FestivalRochester, Kent1–3 May 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 6MayTissington Well DressingTissington, Derbyshire6–12 May 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 8MayHelston Flora DayHelston, Cornwall8 May 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 9MayCovent Garden May Fayre and Puppet FestivalCovent Garden, London9 May 2027 — traditional dateStay nearby
- 31MayBampton Morris Day of DanceBampton, Oxfordshire31 May 2027 — date announcedStay nearby
- AnynightRipon Hornblower: Setting the WatchRipon, North YorkshireEvery night of the year at 9pm in Ripon Market Square (free)Stay nearby
- SepusuallyAbbots Bromley Horn DanceAbbots Bromley, StaffordshireWakes Monday: the Monday after the first Sunday after 4 SeptemberStay nearby
- MayusuallyHolywood May DayHolywood, County DownEarly May bank holiday MondayStay nearby
- SepusuallyWorld Black Pudding Throwing ChampionshipsRamsbottom, Greater ManchesterUsually the second Sunday in September, outside The Oaks pub on Bridge StreetStay nearby
- JulusuallyBodmin Riding and Heritage DayBodmin, CornwallUsually the first weekend of July; await the next programmeStay nearby
The events
Padstow ’Obby ’Oss
Padstow, Cornwall
Two 'osses dance through Padstow all day on May Day to drums, accordions and the May Song.
1 May 2027Traditional date
Rochester Sweeps Festival
Rochester, Kent
Morris sides, sweeps and the Jack-in-the-Green fill Rochester over the May bank holiday.
1–3 May 2027Traditional date
Tissington Well Dressing
Tissington, Derbyshire
Tissington’s wells are decorated with pictures made of petals for a week from Ascension Day.
6–12 May 2027Traditional date
Helston Flora Day
Helston, Cornwall
Couples dance the Furry Dance through Helston’s streets, houses and shops from 7am.
8 May 2027Traditional date
Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival
Covent Garden, London
Punch and Judy puppeteers parade, attend church and perform for Mr Punch’s birthday.
9 May 2027Traditional date
Bampton Morris Day of Dance
Bampton, Oxfordshire
Bampton’s three morris sides dance through the village all day on the spring bank holiday.
31 May 2027Date announced
Ripon Hornblower: Setting the Watch
Ripon, North Yorkshire
Every night at 9pm a hornblower sounds a horn at the obelisk in Ripon’s Market Square.
Every night of the year at 9pm in Ripon Market Square (free)
Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire
Traditional horn dance involving antlers.
Wakes Monday: the Monday after the first Sunday after 4 September
Holywood May Day
Holywood, County Down
Children dance round the maypole Holywood calls the last one remaining in the country.
Early May bank holiday Monday
World Black Pudding Throwing Championships
Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester
Throwers hurl black puddings at a stack of Yorkshire puddings on a tall plinth.
Usually the second Sunday in September, outside The Oaks pub on Bridge StreetHave a go
Bodmin Riding and Heritage Day
Bodmin, Cornwall
A Cornish street celebration brings dancing, music and the trial of the Beast of Bodmin.
Usually the first weekend of July; await the next programmeHave a go
“Stay nearby” links go to Booking.com, and each event guide also has train links. These are affiliate links. What that means.