Glastonbury Beltane & May Day Celebrations

Where: Glastonbury, Somerset: town centre, White Spring on Wellhouse Lane and the Abbey & Tor
When: 30th April/ May 1st and nearby weekend
Time: 8pm Assembly Rooms on 30th April & from noon (formerly 10 am) approx on May 1 at Market Cross; Dragons Procession fair from 10am, Procession 1.45

 

The Beltane Celebrations at Glastonbury are a modern interpretation of the ancient Celtic pagan fertility rite of spring, and where better to celebrate such an event? There are different groups who organise different events around the date. This begins with celebrations on the night of 30th April into May 1st every year regardless of what day of the week the date falls upon: on April 30th there’s a Community Night event at the Assembly Rooms and on 1st May the sacred waters are blessed at the White Spring followed by the raising of a maypole at Bushey Combe with dancing and more music. A separate event is the Dragon Celebrations which usually take place on a weekend near May 1st (usually the early May Bank Holiday weekend). The Dragons procession starts  with street performances, singing, dancing and music at the Market Cross, then moves along the High Street with Chinese dragons, green men and an array of costumed folk.

Helpful Hints

In 2024, the Community Celebrations event should be on Tuesday 30th April into Wednesday 1st May and the Dragons event should be on Sunday 5th May.

There are plenty of opportunities in the town centre for eating (the George & Pilgrims on the High Street is an ancient and picturesque hostelry) and parking ( there’s a large car park behind the High Street). Floral garlands are available at a number of shops – lots of people participating in the festival wear these. Very friendly atmosphere – all ages are welcome. Check out the links for a full schedule for each event.

Click here for Glastonbury Dragons (who organise the Procession on the weekend near May 1st) with full timings and locations: https://www.facebook.com/GlastonburyDragons/?eid=ARDZBkQe9Du21ErYFAPw_uVVVuFYBcUG0Cyc53xvNBnfXFm0wwOmEpXNKx5-MsCPUNBGKgVHB0C_ojm5

Click here for the Community Celebrations event facebook page, who organise the events on 30th April and 1st May (same dates every year): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1849255562019819/

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