May Day FAQ's

1. What are the dates and times of Holywood May Day?

The first bank holiday Monday in May, 10am – 4pm.

2. Where is the festival located?

The annual May Day event is located in the town of Holywood, Co. Down, which is transformed into a pedestrianised hub of activity. High Street, Holywood BT18 9AB.

Latitude: 54° 38' 19.07" N Longitude: -5° 49' 29.03" W

Holywood is approximately a 15-minute drive from Belfast and 2 hours from Dublin.

Ards and North Down is very well connected by land, sea and air with major airports and seaports close by.

Please see the Plan your Trip Section for further information.

3. Is there a cost to attend the festival? This event is free to attend, however there will be a small charge for some activities at events.

4. What types of activities will be available for children? Merry May Day celebrations have become a long tradition in the bustling gateway town of Holywood.

The town will be transformed into a pedestrianised hub of activity. Expect delicious savoury and sweet treats on offer from a food stall market and browse and buy from the bric-a-brac stalls.

Enjoy mini funfair rides, walkabout street theatre, children’s crafts, the annual Bonnie Baby Competition as well as a fantastic Maypole Programme.

Musical performances will add to the ambience of a great day out, and of course the display of dance by local school children around the Island's only Maypole is a highlight!

5. Are there any age restrictions for the activities at the festival? Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

6. Will food and drink be available to purchase? There will be food and drink stalls located in Holywood, allowing you to purchase items on-site.

Holywood and the surrounding region has a great selection of independent restaurants, coffee shops and food outlets to suit a range of needs. Check out our Taste Ards and North Down section.

7. Can you bring your own food and drinks to the festival? You are welcome to bring your own food and refreshments. However, we ask you to take your litter home with you or use the recycling stations when on-site.

8. Will there be recycling facilities available?

When disposing of rubbish please use the recycling stations when on-site. Please note, the usual waste bins on-site will not be in use during the event. Please help us continue our sustainability commitment to zero contamination at events by using the correct bin. There will be team members from Recycling on hand to provide advice and help you put your rubbish in the correct bin.

8. Will there be live entertainment? If so, what kind and when? Live entertainment will take place throughout the festival.

Find out more about the programme of activities here.

9. What are the parking options available at the festival? Please see the Plan your Trip Section for further information on parking.

10. What accessible parking is available? Ards and North Down Borough Council car parks, free to use and charged – find out more.

11. What is the closest bus or train station? Please see the Plan your Trip Section for further information on public transport options.

12. Is the festival accessible? We welcome everyone to Holywood May Day. We’re delighted to have you join us and are committed to ensuring an accessible and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Please refer to our Site Description for more information here.

13. Is there accommodation nearby? There is a range of accommodation options available within the borough from family friendly hotels and B&Bs to self-catering and caravan parks.

More information on a range of accommodation options can be found here.

14. Are pets allowed at the festival? We would advise dog owners this is an extremely busy site with large crowds and loud noises and recommend you do not bring your dog onto the site. If you do plan to attend with your dog, the dog should be kept on a short lead. Owners must clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste in the appropriate bins. Water bowls will be provided beside water refill stations.

15. What happens in case of inclement weather? The safety and enjoyment of our attendees, staff, and performers are our top priorities. In the event of inclement weather, such as heavy rain, lightning, or severe storms, we may temporarily suspend activities or, if necessary, evacuate the area to ensure everyone's safety.

We closely monitor weather conditions leading up to and during the event and will communicate any changes through our official website, social media channels, and on-site announcements. Please check these platforms regularly for updates. In cases where the weather leads to a cancellation on one or more of the event elements, we will provide updates through our official website and social media channels.

Should we be lucky enough to experience sunny weather, please protect yourself with sun cream, hats and hydrate when at the event.

16. What safety measures in place at the event?

We are committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all attendees.

Event stewards will be stationed throughout the event site to help and respond to any concerns or emergencies.

Emergency medical staff and facilities are available on-site to handle any health-related incidents.

Additionally, clear signage will guide you to these facilities.

17. Is there a meet up location/provision for lost children and vulnerable adults?

With crowds anticipated please pick up a wristband, which you can add a contact number to, at the Market Research/Information Point, located at the (High Street, opposite May Pole).

18. Will there be toilets and changing places onsite?

Accessoloo will be in attendance. Assessoloo is a toilet facility for disabled people that has the right equipment, including Adult Changing Table, Ceiling Hoist, Lavatory, Grab Rails, Hot and Cold Running Water and Heating and Lighting. Find out more about Accessoloo.

Public Toilets For information on public toilets throughout the borough, go to Public Toilets - Ards and North Down Borough Council

19. Who can I contact for more information or general information on the area during the festival?

Market Research/Information Point atHigh Street, opposite May Pole, members of our Visitor Information Centre team will be on hand to help with any event queries, wider tourism queries and you can pick up Visit Ards and North Down maps and guides.

You can find out the contact details for our Bangor Visitor Information Centre and Newtownards Visitor Information Centre here.

20. Can I fly my drone at the event?

This event is a no drone zone. Only official event drones authorised by the event organisers are permitted.

21. What is your sustainability policy? Tourism events aim to showcase the unique assets throughout Ards and North Down and we’re committed to running a sustainable event that minimises any negative impact on the environment, and we encourage visitors to help too by travelling via public transport and recycling.

Please help us continue our sustainability commitment to zero contamination at events by using the recycling stations. There will be team members from Recycling on hand to provide advice and help you put your rubbish in the correct bin. Read more about Sustainability.

22. Is there an official event website for updates and information? For more information on the festival, go to www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Please note, details subject to change. Follow our facebook page or sign up to our ezine for updates - Sign up | Facebook