Join our May Day celebrations, bringing together community, music, dance, and traditions rooted in nature and folklore.
Celebrate the changing of the seasons and revel in the giddy spirit of May Day.
We have a packed programme including:
Jack in the Green Stage - music, dance, and a celebration of the seasons in the marquee.
Preserving Workshop with Iman - learn how to preserve produce with Iman, one of our brilliant MUD Kitchen chefs. Limited spots places, book online to avoid disappointment.
Hal-an-Tow - procession time! Spot our Jack in the Green as we join in song to bring in the May. Feel free to look up the lyrics in advance (Hal-an-Tow). All welcome to sing along. There may or may not be a singing bush…
Folk Singing - a space to bring and share your favourite folk songs. Un-led and un-guided, bring your voice be it big or small to join in the sharing of song freely.
Maypole Dancing - come along to welcome in the summer with a maypole workshop by Robyn and Tilly! Robyn is an experienced musician and folk dance teacher based in Sheffield. They have been playing tunes and ceilidhs with Tilly at festivals around the country. Both are keen to welcome as many newbies and experienced folkies as possible to wave some ribbons about in the sunshine. Using MUDs very own maypole, hand built by our brilliant volunteers.
Face Painting - with sistaspaintingfaces for little ones and playful adults. Drop in, pay as you go.
MUD’s Mayday Mini Talks - talks on the environment, folk traditions, food, and nature. Join in all or any of our mini talks on the subjects of: environment, food, nature, land and/or folk. Stay tuned for more details. Want to share your passion? We’d love to have a range of speakers from our local community. Apply to be a speaker! 👉 Application Form.
Intro to Seed Sowing - join Hat for a beginner session on seed sowing. We’ll be getting our hands in the compost and planting vegetables ready for the summer sun. This session is designed for absolute beginners, come and meet like minded people and learn new skills. Hat runs the Queer Gardening Club at Forever Fields.
Klezmar Dancing! - is easy, happy, communal dancing. No partner needed. Each dance taught and led by Judith Plowman - a warm and experienced teacher. Laughter and smiling included!
Playing for Dance - learn to play for ceilidh with Bolt & Geoghegan! Work with professional ceilidh musicians to learn the intricacies of dance music, and learn all you need to play for live dancers! Informal ceilidh dances will be called throughout te workshop, calling in members of the public to help you practice your skills.
Willow Crown Making - come and learn how to make a willow crown to help you bring in the May. Our volunteers will be on hand to guide you through the process. This activity will run until our locally coppiced willow runs out. Little ones, please bring your grown ups to help.
Mini Diggers - space for little ones to play.
Seed Bomb Making - get stuck in making native wildflower seed bombs to spread joy to you and your friendly local pollinators. This activity will run until resources run out. Little ones, please bring your grown ups to help.
There’ll be a bar selling booze and alcohol free drinks. Hot food available from MUD Kitchen, Gwafu Vegan and a surprise other trader.
🎟 Tickets available here.
We’re also looking for volunteers on the day. Sign up form 👉 here! As a thank you you’ll get free access to the event and hot and cold drinks.