(A 2025 guide for Indian students, professionals, and families!)
Labour Day (May Day) isn’t just a bank holiday in the UK — it’s a day packed with events, historic marches, colorful festivals, and vibrant parades!
Whether you’re living in Scotland, London, or the scenic coasts, ScottishIndian.com has your ultimate Labour Day event guide for 2025 ready.
📍 London events: Where History Marches On
London May Day March & Rally : (Free entry)
🗓️ Date: Thursday, 1 May 2025
📍 Starts at: Clerkenwell Green → Trafalgar Square
Join thousands of trade unionists, activists, and supporters for the iconic London May Day March.
Expect passionate speeches, traditional banners, and a real feeling of unity.
👉 Find details at Unite the Union or London May Day.
Bonus Event: VE Day 80th Anniversary Commemorations : (Free entry)
🗓️ Date: Monday, 5 May 2025
📍 Location: Central London
Celebrate a piece of living history! Watch a grand military procession, an epic Red Arrows flypast, and even a tea party at Buckingham Palace hosted by King Charles for WWII veterans. 🇬🇧
📍 Scotland: Ancient Traditions, Modern Celebrations Events Mayday
Beltane Fire Festival – Edinburgh : Paid (ticketed)
🗓️ Date: Wednesday, 30 April 2025
📍 Location: Calton Hill, Edinburgh
it’s an immersive, high-energy performance rooted in ancient Celtic traditions. The festival reimagines the ancient celebration of Beltane, which marks the beginning of summer and the fertility of the land.
Expect:
🔥 Massive fire displays and torch-lit processions & drumming
🎭 Dramatic storytelling, costumes, and face-painting
🌿 Mythical characters like the Green Man and the May Queen
May Day Celebrations – Turriff (Free entry)
🗓️ Date: Monday, 5 May 2025
📍 Location: Turriff, Aberdeenshire
If you’re up north, experience charming funfairs, local parades, and old-school May Day traditions with the community.
📍 South East England: Castles and Costumes
Hever Castle May Day Weekend – Kent : Paid (castle ticket)
🗓️ Dates: 3–5 May 2025
📍 Location: Hever Castle & Gardens, Kent
Family fun galore! Maypole dancing, live music, and historical reenactments set against the stunning backdrop of a real English castle. 🏰
Chiltern Open Air Museum – May Day Merriment : Paid (museum ticket)
🗓️ Date: Monday, 5 May 2025
📍 Location: Buckinghamshire
Experience Tudor-style swordplay, Elizabethan dancing, and a step back into the UK’s colourful past.
📍 South West England: Coastal Celebrations
St Ives May Day Festival – Cornwall : (Free entry)
🗓️ Date: Monday, 5 May 2025
A parade, Maypole dancing, and the crowning of a May King and Queen — seaside vibes meet historic traditions.
Bolster Day – St Agnes, Cornwall : (Free entry)
🗓️ Date: Sunday, 4 May 2025
Relive the legendary tale of the giant Bolster with puppets, dancing, and storytelling — perfect for families and history buffs!
📍 South Coast: Old-School May Day Vibes
Little Woodham May Day Celebration – Hampshire : Paid (Village ticket)
🗓️ Date: Monday, 5 May 2025
Visit a 17th-century village where crafts, folk dancing, and traditions bring May Day to life.
🌸 Traditional events May Day Customs to Watch Out For:
- Maypole Dancing and May Queen Coronation – Celebrated across towns and villages!
- Flower Boat Ritual – Cornwall – A beautiful tradition sending a flower-adorned boat to sea.
💬 Final Thoughts from ScottishIndian.com
Labour Day isn’t just another day off — it’s a way to experience British history, celebrate diversity, and connect with your new home.
At ScottishIndian.com, we’re here to guide you through life, festivals, culture, and everything in between as an Indian living in the UK.
📩 Planning to attend an event? Tag us on Instagram @ScottishIndian — we’d love to see your stories!
