The May Morning celebration in Oxford is one of the highlights of living here. For over 600 years, both “town and gown” have gathered on High Street to hear the chorus of Magdalen College sing in the official start of the “light half of the year” at 6am in the morning. May Day, or “Beltane” by its old Celtic name, is the counterbalance to the “dark half of the year” which starts on All Hallow’s Eve, “Samhain”, October 31st.
It’s quite traditional for students to stay out all night “gathering the May”, many clubs and restaurants are open all night and most other open to get some business from the thousands and thousands of people that gather to celebrate and welcome Springtime. Pubs are full and spilling into the streets and people are toasting the day, especially this year which is unbelievably warm. Morris dancer groups are everywhere, and no matter where you might look, there are people singing, dancing and having an amazing time.
Some photos from this morning (can’t believe that now I have to teach all day!)…
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