Things to do in Salisbury this May Bank Holiday
We’ve got another bank holiday weekend coming up, with lots to experience in Salisbury.
From giant puppets to spring fayres and Dino Days, there’s enough to keep every age entertained.
If you’re looking for things to do in Salisbury this May bank holiday, here are some not to be missed events:
Queen's Platinum Jubilee Trail
As we gear up to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June, Salisbury BID and Salisbury City Council have launched a new trail that will mark the impressive milestone.
Their FREE augmented reality story-trail sees seven magical characters hidden around the city centre. The whole family will enjoy tracking them down and learning more about The Queen’s historic seventy-year reign. You can follow a map to find the locations. Click here for more details.
Find the Platinum Trail characters on display across Salisbury city centre
Gnomus at Stonehenge
Gnomus is the caretaker of the Earth and he’s going to be at Stonehenge from 29th April to 2nd May, performing to families at various times throughout the day. The kind and gentle giant (a puppet of course!), has been visiting the site for thousands of years and can even remember the Neolithic people who built the monument! He’ll be sharing stories about how they built it, who else has visited over the past 5,000 years. A great way for children to learn more about the fascinating history of Stonehenge. The performances will run daily from 10am to 5pm. If you book online and you’ll save. Click here for more.
Gnomus at Stonehenge
Salisbury Cathedral’s Organ Festival
Salisbury Cathedral will be filled with music this Saturday evening (30th April) as their Organ Festival launches. It begins with internationally-acclaimed concert organist Thomas Trotter who will perform a dazzling programme of works by Bach, Duruflé, Gardner, Mozart, Volans, and the thrilling Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue by Healey Willan. There will be six more concerts over the coming months. Find the full festival line-up here.
Private Peaceful at Salisbury Playhouse
Private Peaceful is an award-winning novel by Michael Morpurgo, it's also said to be his favourite piece of work, and you can see it this week at Salisbury Playhouse. This thrilling new ensemble retelling by Simon Reade, directed by Elle While, explores the lengths a young soldier will go to, to fight for what is right. It is running this week until Saturday 30th April so book now to make sure you don’t miss out. It’s for those aged nine and over.
Private Peaceful at Salisbury Playhouse (Photo Manuel Harlan)
Park Yoga at Queen Elizabeth Gardens
On 1st May, Park Yoga returns to Queen Elizabeth Gardens. From now until September, the outdoor yoga sessions will take place each Sunday from 9.30am to 10.30am. Park Yoga is open to all and aims to connect people to the natural outdoors, through a relaxing, energising and breath-taking class. It’s also free! Make sure to keep an eye on their social channels to check the sessions are running when the weather is bad. Find more details here.
Dino Day at Salisbury Races
There’s going to be some ‘roar-some’ fun at Salisbury Racecourse on Sunday 1st May! The popular May bank holiday weekend race day is back, with the addition of some dinosaurs..... You’ll be able to join the T Rex’s, Triceratops and Baby Dinos for a great value family day out. Tickets are from £10. Find out more here.
Dino Day at Salisbury Races is for all ages to enjoy!
Salisbury Arts Scene
You’ll find a wealth of local artistic talent on show in Salisbury Market Square this Sunday, 1st May from 10am to 4pm. Now in its third year, Salisbury Arts Scene is held on the first Sunday of each month from March to December, bringing together artists so they can showcase their work, from painting to stone carving and jewellery. It’s the perfect place to pick up a unique gift.
Spring Fayre at Salisbury Museum
Salisbury Museum is making sure the old May Day traditions aren’t forgotten by bringing the sights, sounds and tastes of spring celebrations to the museum gardens on 2nd May. Their Spring Fayre will be filled with dancing, live music, vintage vehicles, traditional outdoor games, Fairground organ, workshops, locally made crafts and so much more! Join them this Monday for a day of festivities and fun from 10am to 7pm.
Fun at Salisbury Museum
Exhibitions
If you’re an art lover looking for an exhibition, there are plenty to choose from this bank holiday weekend:
No Woman Is An Island: Curated by Jacquiline Creswell, the new exhibition at The Vanner Gallery brings together seven outstanding women artists to explore the theme of what it means to be a creative woman in the 21st century.
ArtCare Open Exhibition: Over 90 local artists have been chosen by ArtCare to appear in their latest exhibition at Salisbury District Hospital. The pictures can be seen along the corridors and in main waiting areas, with the hope that the colour and inspiration will be a welcome distraction to visitors. The exhibition is free of charge and can be seen until 12th May.
Observed & Abstracted: Fisherton Mill welcomes local artist Nick Phillips to their gallery with an exhibition to include drawings, watercolour, Indian ink and oil paintings on the theme of the local landscape.
David R Abram: Ancient Sites from the Air: An exhibition at Salisbury Museum showcasing the work of Somerset-based photographer and writer David Abram who has spent the past five years capturing images of Britain’s prehistoric monuments from the air.
If you’d like to explore more of what Salisbury offers, from world-class attractions to famous views, head to our Explore and Experience pages.
Experience Salisbury this May.