May Bank Holiday in Bath

If you're planning a trip to Bath over the long weekend, you'll have plenty of tempting options to keep you busy!

This May Bank Holiday, don't miss two of the biggest art exhibitions on Bath's 2024 cultural calendar. At The Holburne Museum, marvel as world-renowned Internet sensation Mr Doodle transforms the building itself into a work of art in his first UK exhibition, and across Pulteney Bridge at the Victoria Art Gallery, discover the sights and sounds of Toulouse-Lautrec's Bohemian Paris. Just outside the city centre, go for an American Road Trip at the American Museum, followed by a wander around its beautiful gardens.

It's also a top weekend for festival fun, with talks, music performances and tours as part of The Bath Festival, a varied programme of live performances for Bath Fringe and a top line-up of headliners for this year's Shindig Festival in Somerset, including Groove Armada, Dub Pistols and Gardna.

Many of the city's other key attractions will be open on bank holiday Monday (27 May), allowing you to make the most of your Bank Holiday Monday. Step behind the stunning facade of the Royal Crescent and see what life might have been like for a well-heeled Georgian family at No.1 Royal Crescent, immerse yourself in the compelling story of Bath resident Mary Shelley at the House of Frankenstein, and, of course, explore some of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world at The Roman Baths. Or, for the ultimate Bank Holiday relaxation, take a dip in Bath's natural thermal spring water with one of the weekday spa packages at the Thermae Bath Spa.

Head to the Theatre Royal to see Life of Pi, a beautiful adaptation of the bestselling book. After an epic storm in the Pacific Ocean, Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. What happens next is an epic journey of endurance and hope.

Get outdoors in the spring sunshine and explore Bath's historic sights on a walking tour, or take a stroll in some of the most spectacular parks and gardens inside and outside of the city centre.

Avon Valley Adventure Wildlife Park near Bath is the place to be for families over the long weekend, thanks to its range of fun outdoor activities, farm animals, and even dinosaurs!

The bank holiday weekend is also the perfect time to lounge alfresco with delicious food and drink at one of Bath's suntrap bars and restaurants. Green Park Brasserie hosts bottomless brunches and live jazz, funk, soul and swing music throughout the weekend, while The Cork and Bath Brew House pubs will be staging a series of free-to-enter live DJ and band sets throughout Sunday evening respectively.

Not sure where to start? Browse the list below to find out what's on across the city...