May Bank Holiday in Bath

If you're planning a trip to Bath over the long weekend, you'll have plenty of tempting options to keep you busy!

Event highlights

It's the final weekend of The Bath Music Festival and The Bath Literature Festival, so take a look at the remaining talks and performances.

Enjoy a fun family day out at The Royal Bath & West Show, or see what's on for this year's Fringe Arts Bath Festival.

The first ever Queer Bath festival kicks off on Monday 26 May with the Rainbow Family Community Day at the American Museum & Gardens.

There are several exciting exhibitions at the city's museums and galleries, from Woven Stories by acclaimed US artist Diedrick Brackens at Holburne Museum, to works by Lucian Freud, Frank Auerbach and Bridget Riley at Victoria Art Gallery.

Just outside the city centre, view an impressive collective of Renaissance maps at the American Museum, followed by a wander around its beautiful gardens.

Austen 250 activities

Celebrate 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth with six evening talks and an all-day symposium at BRLSI, plus a guided walking tour around Bath.

Join an after-hours tour of Bath Abbey with 18th century characters, or visit their latest exhibitoin which is an exploration of Jane Austen.

Step into the world of Jane Austen at The Bath Priory with an elegantly crafted Regency Afternoon Tea, honouring 250 years of the beloved author.

Visit Bath's top attractions

Many of the city's other key attractions will be open on bank holiday Monday. Step behind the stunning facade of the Royal Crescent and see what life might have been like for a well-heeled Georgian family at No.1 Royal Crescent, immerse yourself in the compelling story of Bath resident Mary Shelley at the House of Frankenstein, and, of course, explore some of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world at The Roman Baths. Or, for the ultimate Bank Holiday relaxation, take a dip in Bath's natural thermal spring water with one of the weekday spa packages at the Thermae Bath Spa.

Enjoy the great outdoors

Get outdoors in the spring sunshine and explore Bath's historic sights on a walking tour, or take a stroll in some of the most spectacular parks and gardens inside and outside of the city centre.

Avon Valley Adventure Park near Bath is the place to be for families over the long weekend, thanks to its range of fun outdoor activities, farm animals, and even dinosaurs!

The bank holiday weekend is also the perfect time to lounge alfresco with delicious food and drink at one of Bath's suntrap bars and restaurants. Green Park Brasserie hosts bottomless brunches and live jazz, funk, soul and swing music throughout the weekend, while The Cork and Bath Brew House pubs will be staging a series of free-to-enter live DJ and band sets throughout Sunday evening respectively.

Not sure where to start? Browse the list below to find out what's on across the city...