Bath Literature Festival
16 May to 24 May
One of the city's anchor events, the Bath Literature Festival draws an impressive roll call of writers, thinkers and household names each year. Expect everything from household name author talks – Ben Miller, Hallie Rubenhold, Howard Jacobsen, Tom Holland, Anthony Horowitz, to name a few – to smaller, more intimate conversations. You can happily dip in and out across a weekend – though the headline events are worth booking ahead. Oh, and on 16 May there's an evening dedicated to remembering the great Jilly Cooper. Bliss.
Party In The City
15 May
The unofficial starting gun for festival season. For one evening, Bath's streets, churches and unexpected corners fill with live music – much of it free, all of it joyful. It has a slightly chaotic charm (you'll find yourself dashing between venues), but that's part of the appeal. Go, discover something you hadn't intended to, and sing along with the best of 'em to the battle of the bands.
Friendly Faces at the Roman Baths
6 April to 30 June
A family-friendly way into the city's most iconic attraction. Pick up the museum trail and follow the stories of three figures from Roman Bath – Lucius Marcius Memor, palace worker Sulinus and local resident Flavia – as you trace their everyday lives through the site. It's an engaging way to explore, particularly with younger visitors in tow, and adds a layer of narrative to one of the city's most atmospheric landmarks. Included in the price of the ticket.
Beyond Impressionism: Printmaking from Manet to Picasso
Holburne Museum, 23 May – 13 September
The Holburne is always worth a visit, its ever-changing roster of exhibitions unfailingly fascinating and inventive (if you hurry, you can still catch the excellent Zandra Rhodes exhibit, featuring her own private collection of pieces – on till 10 May). Another we're excited for is this major exhibition, which traces the evolution of printmaking through some of its most celebrated names and promises to be glorious. But as much as the show is worth seeing, the Holburne itself is reason enough to go. Set at the end of Great Pulteney Street, it's one of Bath's most brilliant bastions of culture – you could easily stay all day, mooching betwixt exhibitions, permanent and the café and shop. Heaven.
Image: cropped image of Berthe Morisot, 1872, by Édouard Manet. Image © Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford.
Norman Ackroyd: The Transience of Light
Victoria Art Gallery, 22 May – 6 September
Ackroyd's etchings – often of remote British coastlines – have a mesmeric, elemental pull. There's a stillness to them that feels particularly suited to Bath's slower pace, and the Victoria Art Gallery provides a fittingly elegant backdrop in which to take them in.
Image: Norman Ackroyd, The Rumblings, Muckle Flugga, Shetland, 2013, etching, 49.5 x 78cm (detail)
Rare Plant Fair
American Museum, 17 May
Nominally a plant sale, but really an excuse to spend time at one of Bath's most lovely spots. The American Museum & Gardens sits just outside the city, with sweeping views and beautifully kept grounds that beg to be promenaded around at leisure. Go for the plants, stay for the setting, go home abuzz with plans for your garden/ windowsill.
The Constant Wife
Theatre Royal Bath, 11 – 16 May
A crisp revival of Somerset Maugham's sharp, socially observant comedy with Kara Tointon dazzling in the lead. The Theatre Royal rarely puts a foot wrong, and this touring production feels is exactly the sort of polished, well-cast production that suits its stage. Oh, how we do love a drawing room drama, especially when it comes with lashings of sparkling Somerset Maugham dialogue.
Where To Refuel: Bath Pizza Co
To fuel all that culture, do stop in at Bath Pizza Co, which serves some of the best pizza we've ever had the pleasure of eating, all within the resplendent setting of the old railway station. It's buzzy but unfussy, with soaring ceilings and a steady hum of activity. The service is warm, the pace brisk, and the pizzas – customisable down to the last detail – are about as close as you'll get to Napoli in BA1. Chef's kiss.
For more information on what's on in Bath, go to VisitBath.
FAQs: Bath In May
What are the best dates to visit Bath in May 2026?
Mid-May is ideal, when the Literature Festival and Party In The City overlap, creating a particularly lively atmosphere.
Do you need to book Bath Literature Festival events in advance?
Yes – headline talks tend to sell out quickly, so it's worth securing tickets as early as possible.
Are there free events in Bath during May?
Plenty. Party In The City is largely free, and the Bath Fringe Festival also includes many low-cost or no-cost events.
Is May a good time to visit the Roman Baths?
Yes, particularly with initiatives like Friendly Faces offering quieter, more supported visiting times alongside the usual opening hours.
What's the best way to get around Bath for events?
On foot, if possible. The city is compact, and many of the key venues are within easy walking distance of one another.
