Thousands of people are expected to gather in Oxford on Friday 01 May for May Morning 2026, as the city marks one of its oldest and most recognisable traditions.
The annual event, which dates back more than 500 years, celebrates the arrival of spring with choral singing from Magdalen College Tower at 6.00am, followed by bells ringing out across the city.
Crowds typically begin assembling from around 5.30am along the High Street and near Magdalen Bridge, with large numbers of residents, students and visitors taking part in the early morning gathering.
At 6.00am, choristers from Magdalen College School will perform the Hymnus Eucharisticus from the top of Magdalen College’s Great Tower. The 17th-century hymn, written by a Fellow of Magdalen College, has been sung annually on May Morning for centuries.
Following the singing, the bells of the Great Tower will be rung by the Oxford Society of Change Ringers for approximately 20 minutes, marking the arrival of spring.
City-wide celebrations follow dawn tradition
After the main ceremony, celebrations continue across Oxford with Morris dancing, folk music, food stalls and early openings at cafés and pubs.
The historic Covered Market is also expected to open early, with traders offering hot drinks, breakfast items and seasonal goods including silk flower crowns.
Travel disruption and road closures
A number of travel changes will be in place for the event.
Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel have advised that services may be subject to diversions, and passengers are being urged to check timetables before travelling. A Sunday service will operate on Monday 04 May due to the bank holiday.
Road closures will be in place from 2.00am to around 9.00am on Friday 01 May, affecting the High Street, Longwall Street and surrounding roads. Cycling will also be restricted through the closed areas during this time.
Visitors are being advised to plan ahead and follow diversion routes and signage.
Crowd management and accessibility measures
A one-way pedestrian system will operate on Magdalen Bridge during the event to manage crowd flow. Attendees will be directed to keep left and not stop within designated walking channels.
Stewards will be in place to guide movement and ensure safety, with barriers used if capacity limits are reached at either end of the bridge.
Designated viewing areas will be available at Magdalen College School car park and Rose Lane for wheelchair users, families with young children and those with buggies.
Bicycles, whether ridden or pushed, will not be permitted to cross Magdalen Bridge immediately before or during the event.
Organisers highlight safety arrangements
Oxford City Council organises May Morning in partnership with Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Oxford Direct Services, Oxfordshire County Council and Magdalen College.
Paula Redway, Oxford City Council’s Culture and Community Development Manager, said the event brings people together from across the city and beyond.
She added that attendees are being asked to follow steward instructions, use designated viewing areas where needed, and take care when travelling through the city due to closures and diversions.
May Morning remains one of Oxford’s largest annual public gatherings, drawing thousands to the city centre to mark the arrival of spring.
