Contrary Life

Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events by region
    • North East
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
    • East Midlands
    • West Midlands
    • East
    • London
    • South East
    • South West
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Wales
Home > Festival > Padstow’s lively May Day celebrations

Padstow’s lively May Day celebrations

By Caroline King - April 30, 2019Posted in : Festival

Every May Day, Padstow in Cornwall celebrates the spring holiday a little bit differently to the rest of us. Known locally as ‘Obby ‘Oss Day, the quirky event sees the town come alive with processions and revelry.

Padstow Obby Oss May Day event - Visit Britain
Padstow Obby Oss May Day event (Image: Visit Britain)

Kicking off at midnight on 30th April and continuing well into the next day, the celebrations begin with a sing-song outside the Golden Lion Inn before the town is decorated with flags, greenery and flowers.

In the morning, two processions begin through the town, with the famous masked ‘obby ‘osses leading the pack, followed by ‘teasers’ who lead the dance, and a band of men dressed in white. The processions, which include locals playing drums and accordions, can take most of the day to make their way through the town, before the two groups meet at the Maypole. A traditional May Song is also sung, accompanied by theatrics and dancing from the ‘obby ‘osses.

No one knows for sure how these unusual celebrations began, but it is thought that the purpose was to welcome in the summer. Today the event attracts around 30,000 people to the town to see the unique spectacle.

When: 1st May 2019 (May Day)
Where: Padstow, Cornwall
£: Free (but arrive early as the town gets busy)

More info: www.visitcornwall.com

Related Posts

  • A giant appears in Cornwall
  • Edinburgh welcomes in the summer with fire festival
  • A celebration of Cornish culture in Camborne

Tagged With: Cornwall events, Free events, South West

Curiosity of the Week

Take a ride through history at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach sign

For our latest Curiosity of the Week, we thought we’d bring you a bit of cheery escapism in the form of fairground rides!

Top Story

Discover nocturnal wildlife wonders at Virtual Dark Skies Festival
Dalby Forest North York Moors Dark Skies cSteve Bell

This year’s Dark Skies Festival is going virtual to help you explore space, nocturnal wildlife and the night sky…

What are you looking for today?

  • Alternative Sport
  • Art
  • Cabaret and Circus
  • Cinema
  • Classes, Workshops & Talks
  • Club Night
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Exhibitions and Installations
  • Fairs and Markets
  • Festival
  • Food & Drink
  • Heritage and History
  • Interview
  • Literature
  • Museum
  • Music
  • Nature and Outdoors
  • Review
  • Science and Technology
  • Theatre
  • Walks and Tours

Sign up to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2021 · Contrary Life