Name: Wessex Morris Men May Day Procession
Start: 2026-05-01T06:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-05-01T07:30:00+01:00
Location: Cerne Abbas

Wessex Morris Men May Day Procession

The CERNE GIANT FESTIVAL was born out of our vibrant May Day tradition, when the Morris Dancers and villagers gather at dawn on the Trendle, the original  site of the village Maypole at the top of the Cerne Giant. Here we salute the sunrise and celebrate the start of summer with a barrel of Beltane Beer.  Begun in 2017,  the Festival has now extended to about 3 weeks. With a theme of ‘Celebrating Humanity in the Landscape’, there will be a huge variety of events including workshops, talks, and walks so that there is something for everyone to explore their own connection with landscape of Dorset and what it means to them. Any profits from the Festival will go towards maintaining the fabric and work of the churches in the participating villages.

Cerne Giant Festival

Get up early to experience this annual procession through the streets of Cerne Abbas

Cerne Abbas

2026

Celebrate Spring 2026 by joining us for talks, walks, and workshops learning more about the natural and cultural history, landscape, and history of the Cerne Valley and Dorset.

Mark Beltane /May Day with the colourful Wessex Morris Men and musicians as they process south along Duck Street and then east along Long Street before dancing in front of the Royal Oak. If you're lucky the 'Dorset Ooser Junior' may appear!The start time is slightly flexible! Starting point is the Village Hall carpark on Kettle Bridge lane.Bacon baps are usually on sale at the Royal Oak.The event is free but the Wessex Morris Men pass a hat to collect donations.Please consider supporting this tradition with your donation. It can be made online here with no fee - everything collected will be passed on to the Wessex Morris Men.

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Wessex Morris Men May Day Procession

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Wessex Morris Men May Day Procession

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