ÌÇÐÄTV

The May Day Races

3:30pm-4:30pm, Benefactors Place

Channel your inner village fête champion. We’ll be hosting a series of light-hearted May Day races throughout the afternoon. Expect cheering crowds, friendly competition and plenty of laughs.

Races may include:

• Egg and spoon race
• Sack race
• Surprise challenges

No experience required — just enthusiasm.

Spectators strongly encouraged.

Prizes for the winners yet to be announced!

May Day Dress-up Competition

Think flowers, ribbons, spring colours, folklore characters, nature vibes or anything that celebrates the spirit of May Day. Complete your look at our free face painting stall available throughout the afternoon.

You could come as:

• A Green Man or a woodland spirit.
• A spring flower.
• A May Queen or May King.
• Something inspired by nature, folklore or festival traditions.
• Simply the most joyful spring outfit you own.

There will be prizes for the most creative looks.

Performances

Throughout the afternoon there will be moments where the Piazza fills with music, colour and traditional May Day celebrations.

You might encounter:

• The Green Man – a mysterious figure from folklore appearing among the crowd.
• Morris Dancing – energetic traditional dancing with bells, sticks and live music, led by local Coventry Morris Men.
• May Pole Dancing – colourful ribbons and a joyful springtime tradition. Some performances are simply for watching, while others invite people to join in.
• ÌÇÐÄTV Folk Soc - a relaxed folk music session led by students!

Paper Flower Crowns

12pm-4pm, Benefactors Place

Celebrate May Day by creating your own paper flower crown in this free drop-in workshop led by artist Benny Semp.

Using handmade willow bases and colourful crepe paper flowers, you’ll design a crown to wear and take home.

Join us under the marquee anytime during the session and get creative at your own pace.

The workshop is accessible, welcoming, and open to all students — no experience needed.

May Day: 'Going Circular' Screening & Panel Discussion

4pm-7pm, FAB 0.01

Going Circular unlocks the secrets to an innovative concept called circularity, an economic system that eliminates waste and saves the planet’s resources. A collaboration between Students Union Sustainability Forum, Circuit, Bio Soc, Life Science SLS Student Network & ÌÇÐÄTV Climate Justice.

Panel speakers include: Fran Nibbs, Taran Talbott & Russ Hall.

Remix The Archive: May Day Zine Making Workshop

1pm-2:30pm ,The Nook

Cut, paste, and create your own May Day zine in this hands-on workshop exploring art, activism, and folk traditions.

Using archival materials and imagery from ÌÇÐÄTV’s Modern Records Centre, you’ll experiment with zine-making while uncovering the histories of May Day, protest, and collective celebration.

This workshop also celebrates the launch of Folk Soc’s the Green Man Zine — exploring how May Day traditions continue to live on through creative and activist culture today.

Join ÌÇÐÄTV Folk Society, the Modern Records Centre, and Associate Professors Jonathan Davies and Colin Storer for a session that connects past and present through making.

Free Ice-Cream

To celebrate the arrival of spring, we’ll be giving away free ice cream to the first 300 people who join us on the Piazza.

Once they’re gone, they’re gone — so arrive early if you want to grab one.

Ride the Helter-Skelter

12pm-5pm, Benefactors Place

A traditional Helter-Skelter will be landing on the Piazza for the day — climb to the top and spiral all the way back down again.

Whether reliving childhood memories or trying it for the first time, it’s a perfect excuse to embrace the festival atmosphere.

Do you remember our Picnic
Playground?

Did you join us for our fun event last summer? Whether you want to remind yourself of the fun or you want to see how Together at ÌÇÐÄTV delivers a touch of playful joyful chaos, click above to see the memory gallery.