Five Obscure May Traditions Celebrated in the UK

While May Day and the crowning of the May Queen are well-known springtime customs in the UK, there exists a wealth of lesser-known traditions that echo the country’s deep-rooted folklore and regional quirks. From costumed processions to oddball sporting contests, here are five obscure May traditions still celebrated in various corners of the United Kingdom:

1. Padstow’s 'Obby 'Oss Festival (Cornwall)

Every May 1st, the quiet fishing town of Padstow in Cornwall bursts into vibrant revelry with the ancient ‘Obby ‘Oss festival. Believed to have pre-Christian origins, the tradition involves two rival hobby horses (the "Old Oss" and the "Blue Ribbon Oss") parading through the streets accompanied by dancers, drummers, and singers. Locals don white clothing adorned with red or blue sashes, and the town is decorated with greenery and flags. The origins are mysterious, but the celebration is often interpreted as a fertility rite or seasonal welcome for summer.

2. Jack in the Green (Hastings and elsewhere)

In parts of southern England—most famously in Hastings —May sees the emergence of the leafy character known as Jack in the Green. A person dressed head to toe in foliage is paraded through the streets, often accompanied by a troupe of Morris dancers, musicians, and mythic creatures like the Green Man. Rooted in 18th-century chimney sweep traditions, this revivalist festival has become a celebration of nature, rebirth, and community spirit.

3. Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling (Gloucestershire)

Though technically held at the end of May, this gravity-defying event deserves a spot for its sheer eccentricity. Participants gather at Cooper’s Hill near Brockworth to chase a large round of Double Gloucester cheese down an almost-vertical slope. Injuries are common, but so is laughter. The tradition is thought to have pagan origins, possibly linked to fertility rites or land blessings.

4. Furry Dance (Helston, Cornwall)

Also known as the Flora Day dance, this ancient custom in Helston involves townspeople dressed in their finest clothes dancing through the streets, shops, and even private houses to the tune of a traditional Cornish melody. Held on May 8th, the Furry Dance is part of a larger celebration that includes pageantry, floral garlands, and a retelling of the town’s legends. It is one of the oldest British customs still practiced today.

5. Abbots Bromley Horn Dance (Staffordshire)

Although this unusual event technically occurs in September, its historical roots are tied to May Day celebrations. The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance involves six dancers bearing reindeer antlers (some over 1,000 years old), accompanied by a Maid Marian, Fool, and Hobby Horse. They travel through the village and surrounding countryside performing ritualistic dances. The event likely originated as a fertility or hunting rite, making it an echo of older May traditions long since adapted.