Holywood May Day Celebrations for all the Family!

Holywood's May Day celebrations get into full swing on Monday 5 May with a packed programme of entertainment for all the family!            

Organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council with support from Holywood and District Community Council, the free event will be centred around Holywood's historic Maypole.

After being officially opened at 10am by the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, traditional events will kick-start the day with the crowning of the May Queen at 10.30am. This will be followed the first of the annual choreographed dance routines around the country's only maypole at 11am. Local schoolchildren and the Maypole Minstrels will dance around the pole, followed by a performance by the McElhinney School of Dance at 11.45am.

There will be lots happening in the afternoon too with the return of the popular fancy dress competition for children at 12.30pm. Children who would like to take part should dress up in 1940s style in honour of the 80th anniversary of VE Day and meet at the Maypole at 12.15pm.

Holywood Primary School Choir will perform at 1pm before the crowds get an opportunity to enjoy more Maypole dancing at 1.30pm, followed by a performance by Sullivan Junior Choir at 2.15pm to close the festivities.

Other events taking place include the Bonnie Baby Competition at Free Presbyterian Church. Registration opens at 10.30am with judging taking place at 11.30am. Mini funfair rides will be located along Church Road and keep an eye out for our roaming juggling jester and stilt walking butterflies.

This year food and crafts stalls will be located along High Street with performances from Ballykeel Band at midday and the Rock Choir at 2.30pm.

Plant and Play will provide children's spring themed workshops and little ones will be entertained with a variety of magic and puppet shows.

To facilitate the event, a road closure will be in place from 6am until 6pm on Monday 5 May. Roads closed include High Street, Church Road and Shore Road.

Following the recycling success rates at previous events, visitors will be discouraged to use the litter bins in the town and instead will be directed to use supervised recycling stations. The recycling stations will be located at High Street, Hibernia Street and Church Road.

For more information, go to Merry May Day - Ards & North Down