Glastonbury Beltane 2026 is under way today, Friday, 1 May, with a packed weekend of ceremony, music, markets and dragons.

Events are taking place across Chalice Well, Glastonbury town centre, the Assembly Rooms, Glastonbury Experience Courtyard, Tor Leisure Centre, the High Street and the Fairfield on the slopes of Glastonbury Tor.

The celebrations build towards the Glastonbury Dragons May Fayre and Procession on Sunday, 3 May, which marks the dragons' 10th birthday.

What is happening in Glastonbury on May 1st?

The day began at 5 am with a sunrise ceremony on the summit of Glastonbury Tor, described as a druid ceremony to welcome the sun, with Cam Vale Morris.

From 6.30 am until 12 noon, Chalice Well hosts its Beltane Fire Ceremony.

The event includes meditation, music, May Pole activity and Morris dancing, with free entry available until 11.30 am.

Market Cross events and town centre celebrations

Activity moves into the town centre from mid-morning.

At the Market Cross:

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• 10 am — Glastonbury Town Cryer and the Mayor's welcome to May Day
• Around 11.45 am — Avalonian Free State Choir
• Around 12.15 pm — Glastonbury Border Morris
• Around 12.30 pm — Dragon Drummers

Nearby, outside the Town Hall:

• Around 10.15 am — Welcome from the Mayor of Glastonbury, followed by a Celtic blessing, bardic performances, music and spoken word
• Around 11.30 am — Glastonbury Unity Candle and the Flames of Avalon
• Around 12 noon — The May Queen and Beltane Women of Avalon await the Greenmen with singing and drumming

May Pole procession through Glastonbury

From around 12.30 pm, the May Pole procession begins.

The Green Men present the May Pole to the May Queen outside the Town Hall for the renewal, blessing and welcoming of the new May Queen and King.

At around 1 pm, the May Pole is processed through the town and up towards the Fairfield at the base of Glastonbury Tor.

The order of procession includes:

• The May Queen and her King
• The Greenmen and the May Pole
• Glastonbury Unity Candle
• The Beltane Women of Avalon

Visitors are asked to respect the order of the procession.

Glastonbury Dragons May Fayre and Procession 2026

The Glastonbury Dragons May Fayre and Procession returns on Sunday, 3 May.

This year's free event marks the 10th birthday and anniversary of the Glastonbury Dragons.

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The day begins at Tor Leisure Centre, before the procession moves through Glastonbury Market Cross, the High Street and up towards the Fairfield on the slopes of Glastonbury Tor.

Special guests include the Pentacle Drummers, Glastonbury Border Morris, Lady Amp, Glastonbury Dragon Drummers, The Drummers of Avalon, Glastonbury Dragons ceremonialists and performers.

The Red and White Glastonbury Dragons will also appear as part of the celebrations.

Glastonbury Dragons timings for Sunday, 3 May

• 10 am — Glastonbury Dragons May Fayre opens at Tor Leisure Centre.
• 1.30 pm to 1.45 pm — Glastonbury Dragons Parade begins at the Market Cross, including the "battle of the season".
• 2 pm — Parade heads up Glastonbury High Street to the Fairfield.
• Around 2.45 pm — Dragons reach the Fairfield and the Blossom Circle ceremony begins.
• 4 pm — Grand finale outside Tor Leisure Centre, including the 10th birthday cake.
• 5 pm — May Fayre closes.
• Around 6 pm — Old May Pole ceremonially burnt at the Fairfield.

A scheduled stop is planned on Chilkwell Street to give the dragons a rest and water stop.

Blossom Circle ceremony at the Fairfield

At the Fairfield, visitors are asked to follow the Greenmen along the mown pathway as they walk sunwise around the blossom trees.

Organisers have asked that there is no filming of the sacred ceremony.

The ceremony is expected to include drumming, calling in the directions, the ceremonial marriage of the May Queen and King, the raising of the May Pole, the Druidic Oath, music and "Dance the May".

Morris sides are invited to dance to the side of the circle after the ceremony and during the afternoon picnic.

Where to park for Glastonbury Beltane

Glastonbury is expected to be busy during the Beltane weekend.

Visitors are being asked to park responsibly and use designated car parks, including:

• St Johns Car Park, BA6 9LJ
• St Dunstan's Car Park, BA6 9EH
• Butt Close Car Park, BA6 9HY
• Silver Street Car Park, BA6 8BS
• Norbins Road Car Park, BA6 9JG
• Herbies Field event car park, BA6 9LF

Visitors are asked to be considerate of residents, traders and people taking part in the processions.

The Glastonbury Dragons May Fayre and Procession is free and open to all.

What is Beltane?

Beltane is an ancient Celtic festival traditionally celebrated on 1 May.

It marks the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice and is one of the eight festivals in the Wheel of the Year.

For many Pagans, Wiccans and people interested in Celtic traditions, Beltane marks the beginning of summer and the "light half" of the year.

It is associated with fertility, growth, protection, prosperity and new beginnings.

In Glastonbury, Beltane is marked with ceremony, music, dance, processions and community gatherings.

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