May Morning in Oxford is a traditional celebration of the coming of Spring and brings together Oxford's communities to enjoy dancing, singing and revelry from around the city. May Morning is celebrated on 1 May.
The celebrations this year start at 6am on Tuesday 1 May 2012 with the choristers of Magdalen College choir singing Hymnus Eucharisticus from the Great Tower. Hymnus Eucharisticus was composed in the 17th century by a Fellow of Magdalen and has been sung every year from the Great Tower on May Morning.
This year Magdalen Bridge will be open to pedestrians and closed to traffic from 3.30am until 9am to enable everyone to enjoy the singing in comfort and safety. The bridge will re-open to traffic as soon as it is safe to do so between 8.30am and 9am.
There will also be May Morning events and activities taking place across the city including Morris Men dancing in Radcliffe Square, Catte Street and Broad Street.
Many bars and restaurants across the city will open for breakfasts including eateries in the city centre, Jericho and East Oxford. There are also food and activities at city centre cultural venues including The Ashmolean Museum and the Oxford Castle.
May Morning Events - 2012
For a full list of events going on around the city, visit the Dailyinfo website.
There will also be May Morning events and activities taking place across the city including Morris Men dancing in Radcliffe Square, Catte Street and Broad Street.
Bars and Restaurants
Many bars and restaurants across the city will open for breakfasts including eateries in the city centre, Jericho and East Oxford.
Cafes that will be open for breakfast include, Rose Café, The Grand Café, Quod, Oxford Rendezvous, QL Sandwich Bar and Queen's Lane Coffee House all in the High Street.
Café Coco in Cowley Road and G&D's in St Aldates will also be open for breakfast as will the Turl Street Kitchen in Turl Street, The Buttery in Broad Street, Tick Tock, Cowley Road, The Nosebag.
Pubs that will be celebrating May Morning include The Bear, Turf Tavern, The King's Arms, The White Horse, Port Mahon, Cape of Good Hope, and Angel and Greyhound.
Bars that will be opening include the Kazbar on the Cowley Road and All Bar One on the High Street.
Magdalen Choir
The Magdalen choir will be singing at a Eucharist held in the College Chapel at 9.15am, which anyone can attend.
Morris Dancing
Oxford City Morris Men and Oxford University Morris Men will be processing from Magdalen Bridge after the choir has sung, joined by Icknield Way Morris Men and Manchester Morris Men. They will dance around various locations including Radcliffe Square, the Bridge of Sighs and Broad Street, working their way to St John's College for around 8am.
Mason's Apron will be out in Oxford in the morning, dancing at Hertford College Bridge and then on Broad Street.
Headington Quarry will be celebrating May morning at Aristotle Bridge in Jericho, joined by Eynsham Morris and new Oxford ladies' side Summertown Morris.
Other
The Truck Store on the Cowley Road will be open from 6.30am and will have three local bands playing.
The Story Museum
The Story Museum will also be open from 9am on May Morning serving refreshments to celebrate the opening day of their new exhibition Other Worlds, which runs until May 27 2012.
Artists and writers will be taking over the building with a collection of strange, surreal and intriguing new stories, which visitors will be able to immerse themselves in as they wander through dusty corridors and empty spaces.
Other Worlds will transform the home of the future Story Museum (still in its dilapidated state but due to open in 2014) into a giant compendium of stories.
More than 25 collaborations between writers and visual artists from all disciplines will be turning words into worlds; artist Anita Klein has created an angelic presence in the entranceway; a periscope will be disappearing up into an attic and lost objects are starting to turn up in mysterious places; a forest of strange towers will be making its way to The Story Museum; children’s illustrator Korky Paul is dallying with a dinosaur; and words are cooking up a storm in Room 28.
Other Worlds participants have all donated their time and support to make room for stories because they have all been inspired by The Story Museum and its vision.
Entry is £3 per person (under 2's go free). Full opening times and information can be found on the Story Museum website.
Transport
This year Magdalen Bridge will be open to pedestrians and closed to traffic from 3.30am until 9am to enable everyone to enjoy the singing in comfort and safety. The bridge will re-open to traffic as soon as it is safe to do so between 8.30am and 9am.
Visit the Oxford Bus Company website and Stagecoach website for information about bus diversions.
Organiser Quotes
Rachel Capell, City Events and International Links Officer at Oxford City Council, says: "Once again we are opening up the city so everyone can take part in the event together, in a safe and enjoyable environment.
"Last year we held a successful event and our aim this year is to support and promote all the activities and events taking place across the city for the people of Oxford to enjoy together.
"For many years, Magdalen Bridge, has been a focus of attention and we want to celebrate the whole city and everything that is traditional about May Morning. May Morning has always been led by the people of Oxford and is about everyone joining in the fun."
Oxford City Council are working together again with the support of Simon Chatterton, the event producer responsible for the city’s Luminox event in Broad Street. We are also working closely with a Steering Group to ensure everyone's safety and enjoyment.
Councillor Bob Price, Leader of Oxford City Council, says: “May Morning in Oxford is one of those very special local traditions that goes back many years and brings Town and Gown together for a few hours of fun - especially if the weather is kind!
"Last year, the morning was very successfully managed through close co-operation between the City Council, Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service and Oxfordshire County Council and our aim is to do the same this year.
"I am pleased that last year everyone respected the decision to open Magdalen Bridge with new safety measures in place and I hope that May 1 2012 will be equally enjoyable."
Det Ch Insp Paul Hayles, from Thames Valley Police, says: "Thames Valley Police supports the decision taken by the council to re-open Magdalen Bridge to the public for this year's May Morning celebrations, and will work closely with our partners to ensure this is done in a safe way.
"I would urge people to recognise this decision has been made to further their enjoyment of this unique celebration, and not to abuse it."
Aubrey Bell, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's Area Manager for Oxfordshire, says: "Your local ambulance service wants you to enjoy the family events in Oxford on May Day safely.
"Please spare a thought for patients who may be suffering life threatening medical emergencies in the city by drinking responsibly on the day to help to ensure ambulance resources are available for those people who may genuinely need them."
Page last reviewed 30 April 2012
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