What's On in Wiltshire this May

There’s plenty of exciting events happening in Wiltshire this May. From the start of the festival season to plenty of action-packed family activities, be sure to plan your visit this month…

Festivals in Wiltshire

Wiltshire welcomes you to enjoy its vibrant programme of exciting festivals, taking place across the county this month. From music and history to food and drink, there’s plenty for everyone!

The Spirit of Water Flower Festival

Salisbury Cathedral’s Flower Festival returns this month. The 2025 festival, The Spirit of Water, is a companion piece to Salisbury Cathedral’s summer art exhibition, Living Water. Just as the art show explores the power of water, its ability to hold memories and shape the identity of a place, as well as our need to live in balance with this life sustaining force, the Flower Festival takes it inspiration from water in all its different forms – rain, water, ice and more.

Bradford on Avon Music Festival 2025

The Live Music Festival returns to Bradford on Avon this year with an even bigger lineup of local talent. From Friday 30 May, to Sunday 1 June, the town will come alive with incredible performances, headlined by The Bowie Experience, Retro Electro and Nick Langston and The Hipcats, supported by JPQ. Enjoy live music at venues across the town, including Wiltshire Music Centre, The Three Horseshoes, Westbury Garden, Lamb Yard, The Castle Inn, Timbrell’s Yard and The Canal Tavern.

Swindon Festival of Literature

Visit Swindon at the beginning of this month for their annual Festival of Literature, celebrating over 30 years of this event, through a week of historic talks with local authors and the community. Hear from a range of authors and discover more about the fascinating and insightful world of literature and writing.

Chippenham Folk Festival

Building on the huge success of last years’ festival, Chippenham Folk Festival returns this month! Enjoy over 600 artists and performers from across the UK and beyond, as the town turns into a blaze of colour, music, dance, fun and laughter.

Salisbury International Arts Festival

Back for another successful year, the Salisbury International Arts Festival livens the city yet again with its culture, spectacle, and fun. Celebrating all things performance, enjoy a week of vibrant events from a range of artists, dancers, and more!

Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival

Experience the Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival, a vibrant, family-friendly community gathering featuring traditional dance, music, song, and folklore throughout the town centre on Saturday 10 May 2025. Witness over 50 dance groups, including 500 dancers and 120 musicians, featuring Morris dancing and diverse European styles. Join the whimsical journey of our 10ft tall Jack in the Green and Jill in the Green, visiting 12 town centre venues with bands and fantasy beasts.

Family Fun Events in Wiltshire

This month, Wiltshire is host to a full range of exciting activities, perfect for the whole family! Across the county, there will be plenty events taking place including action packed shows, outdoor festivities and much more…

May Day Madness

Head to Castle Combe Circuit for their second Race Meeting in the Racing Club Championship Calendar. Their May Madness event will feature racing from Saloons, GTs, Formula Fords, Hot Hatches and more! An ideal day out for petrol heads!

Credit Paul Tiller

Sunset at the Trust

The Hawk Conservancy Trust invites you to a special summer's evening with their feathered friends. Against a setting sun, you'll have the opportunity to meet a wide range of their incredible birds of prey and the dedicated team working alongside them over two flying displays. 

Steve Backshall Live at Longleat

Steve Backshall Live is back for 2025! Join many others at Longleat this May half term as one of Britain's best-loved and most intrepid naturalists and TV presenters returns to Longleat with an exclusive live animal show: this time, bigger and bolder than ever.

Playhenge at Stonehenge

Let your imagination run wild as you construct an amazing adventure playground at Stonehenge with Woodland Tribe. Hammers, saws and nails will be handed over to the children and their adults to build the play structure of their dreams. What will you create?

Find out what else is on in Wiltshire this month…