You can sleep late, stay indoors and play video games, or lay low for the day. But you’ll be missing out on a chance to experience the world in all its Spring beauty! Here are some of the fun ways you can celebrate the start of Spring.
Get Your Dance On!
Did you know that dancing is a traditional thing to do on May Day? Morris dancing and Maypole dancing are two traditional English folk dances that are often performed on May Day. They’re fun, colourful, and a real tradition so it’s worthwhile experiencing!
You’ll often find Maypole dancing events being held across the country on the first day of May. It involves dancing around a high pole that’s been wrapped up in brightly coloured ribbons. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Spring—colour and joy!
Morris dancing is an interesting form of dance, and has been passed down from generation to generation. Dancers hold handkerchiefs in their hands and have bells tied around their legs, so the dance is accompanied by cheerful sounds too!
If you want to learn Morris dancing, you can get to know the steps on YouTube first. Or, you can find a local Morris dancing group and join them. It’s a lot of fun, and of course, tradition is always an important part of any celebration.
Do Some Spring-Themed Baking
With World Baking Day coming up on the 17th of May, you can always get your hands dirty in the kitchen on May Day in preparation for the big occasion. Try some Spring-themed recipes for the special day.
- Lemon Drizzle Cake: The perfect sweet, tangy, and refreshing treat for Spring.
- Rhubarb & Custard Tart: Rhubarb is a seasonal Spring vegetable, so this is perfect. Like the cake before it, it’s both sweet and a touch sour.
- Carrot Cake: A classic dessert that tastes of freshness and warm spice.
Other Spring ingredients include strawberries and asparagus, so you can get creative with your baking. Sweet, savoury, whatever you choose. There’s no better way to celebrate the start of Spring than to create and enjoy something delicious.
'A classic dessert that tastes of freshness and warm spice. '
Be an Early Bird
Spring marks the beginning of the breeding season for many bird species. Which means you’re going to start hearing birds chirping earlier and earlier in the mornings. If you’re an animal person, you might want to get up nice and early, make yourself a flask of coffee, and take an early morning walk to experience the birdsong.
If you live close to a nature reserve or a park, there’s a chance that they may hold a guided walk on May Day morning. See what you can find in your area… And don’t forget to take your camera! You can catch the sunrise as well.
Be Brave and Swim!
May Day swims are a strange but fun occurrence that happen across the country. Although the day marks the beginning of the new season, it’s not exactly warm… So this one is only for the strong-willed and brave of heart!
Chances are there’ll be a May Day swim near you, wherever you are. They’re held almost anywhere you find water—rivers, pools, the sea. Strip down to your cozzie and take the plunge… It’s equally horrifying and exhilarating!
Traditional May Day Foods
Different parts of the UK have different traditional foods for May Day. If you’re not sure how to celebrate May Day but you’re a foodie, check them out! If you’re in or close to any of these places, you can give their local food a try. If not, you can always make your own!
- Cornwall: Cornish Hevva Cake, sweet bread with currants.
- Oxfordshire: Bread, cheese, and ale!
- Somerset: Bath Chaps, pork cooked in spiced broth, served cold with bread.
- Yorkshire: Hare pie is the order of the day.
- Wales: Cawl, hearty soup made with meat and vegetables.
- Scotland: Bannocks of Curds and Cream, oatcake made with cream and curds, served with jam or honey.
- North Ireland: Yellow Man, honeycomb toffee.
WRITTEN BY
Share This Story
DISCLAIMER: We always aim to credit the original source of every image we include in our content. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please get in touch at marketing@cohorted.co.uk.