Skiddle Recommends: The best events to attend in May 2023

Oh festival season my old friend, how we've all missed you! That's right, May is here, the weather is warming, moods are lifting, and up and down th country festivals, events, and incredible days out are setting themselves up for an absolute doozy of a month of the very best in music, vibes, and pure love. 

Whether you're after huge open-air festivals featuring a variety of pop, indie, or groovy electronic beats; intimate gigs that may have you discovering new bands to add to your Spotify playlist, as well as leave you with some bruises from a mosh pit; side-splitting comedic affairs, featuring some of the biggest and best comics in the game; or maybe, just a nice day out in the sun, where you can admire an arial facade of complex and impressive hot air balloons. Whatever your drift, we here at Skiddle have got some events for you this month.

So, what are you waiting for? If your May is looking a bit dry, or maybe just not as full as you'd like it, then scroll down and get one of these incredible events booked; all of which have tickets now on sale on Skiddle!

 

Highest Point Festival 2023

When: Thursday 11th - Sunday 14th May 2023

Where: Williamson Park in Lancaster

Lancaster's number one open-air live music event, Highest Point is ready and raring to go for another edition of the Lancastraisn get-together this month, and we can't wait to see you there. 

Taking over the magnificent grounds of the hill-top park once more, providing four days of amazing wall-to-wall entertainment, the festival will welcome a score of fantastic performances from recently announced headliners, Anne-Marie, Bastille and the Hacienda Classical, who make their long-overdue return to open proceedings on Thursday 11th May. With a huge variety of other acts in tow as well.

Tickets for the fifth instalment of the popular North West event are already in high demand. Secure yours now in the box below to avoid bitter disappointment.

 

Tickets for Highest Point Festival

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Live At The Palace - Ministry Of Sound Classical

When: Saturday 27 May, 2023

Where: Fulham Palace in London

Live At The Palace on Saturday 27th May will be headlined by a Ministry of Sound Classical complete with a 32-piece orchestra performing iconic dance classics, completely rearranged and reinterpreted for the 2020s that will have everyone on their feet. Special guests will include The Shapeshifters who have captivated fans for over two decades with their soulful and melodious hits including the 2004 classic “Lola’s Theme”. UK Music scene stalwart, Tall Paul, joins the line-up as well as Wrexham’s finest house DJs K-Klass and DJ, producer and remixer Seamus Haji will grace the Fulham Palace.

This lineup is sure to make Live At The Palace a night to remember, and we can't wait to be boogying down at the front with you. Get your tickets now!

 

Tickets for Live At The Palace - Ministry Of Sound Classical

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Worcester Hot Air Balloon Festival

When: Friday 12th - Saturday 13th May 2023

Where: Worcester Racecourse in Worcester

Worcester's very first hot air balloon festival is coming this smooth, and wow does it look set to be an event that'll leave you on cloud nine! Taking place at Pitchcroft on Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13, the Balloon Festival is said to have a total of 58 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes taking to the skies.

Hot air balloons shaped like fire extinguishers, coffee cups, houses, and so much more will be among those visible in the air above Worcester on this spectacular weekend, and we simply can't wait to take in that incredible view once they ll get up there!

 

Tickets for Worcester Hot Air Balloon Festival

 

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Eurovision Final Screening at The Dome at Grand Central, Liverpool

When: Saturday 13th May 2023

Where: The Dome Grand Central in Liverpool

Liverpool is Eurovision’s host city this year. So of course Liverpool will be going hard with the celebrations. The pick of the bunch to us, to get everyone in the gloriously chaotic Eurovision mood, has to be this huge party and screening at the stunning Dome at Grand Central Hall in Liverpool on Saturday 13th May 2023.

To honour the final, the gorgeous amphitheatre will be transformed into any Eurovision fan's paradise. Head over to view the final on a massive screen and sip a few bevs. There’ll be DJs, performances, and naturally all your favourite Eurovision songs. What more could you ask for, and how much nicer a building could you ask to do it in?

 

Tickets for Eurovision Final Screening at The Dome at Grand Central, Liverpool

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Cathedral of Comedy

When: Saturday 20th May 2023

Where: Newcastle Cathedral in Newcastle Upon Tyne

Get ready to laugh your socks off at the Newcastle Cathedral of Comedyy, as their star-studded line-up of comedians will be taking the stage to deliver a night of side-splitting entertainment.

Headlining the show is the multi-talented Lloyd Griffith, whose infectious energy and quick wit are sure to have the audience in stitches. Joining him on the bill is the irreverent and unpredictable Lou Sanders, whose off-the-wall comedic style has made her a favourite among audiences and critics alike.

Also taking the stage is the brilliantly inventive Paul Currie, whose unique brand of physical comedy is guaranteed to leave the crowd in awe. Plus, local hero Gavin Webster brings his trademark Geordie charm and razor-sharp wit to the stage, while rising star Lauren Pattinson rounds out the lineup with her hilarious observations on life, love, and everything in between.

Don't miss this chance to see some of the UK's top comedic talents in one unforgettable night of entertainment. With each performer bringing their own distinct style to the stage, the Newcastle Cathedral of Comedy promises a night of laughs you won't soon forget. Get your tickets now!

 

Tickets for the Cathedral of Comedy in Newcastle

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FLY Open Air

Image: FLY Open Air on Facebook

When: Saturday 20th - Sunday 21st May 2023

Where: Hopetoun House in Edinburgh

Situated on the grand and picturesque estate of Edinburgh's Hopetoun House, Fly Open Air Festival is one of the most sought-after outdoor, electronic Scottish festivals, and it's coming this month.

Overlooking the Firth of Forth and the impressive Forth Bridge from the country manor's pristine gardens, the gathering boasts one of the most atmospheric and scenic locations in the UK, as well as a regular bill of high-calibre electronic acts and DJs. 

For the 2023 edition, this has only continued. Geordie tech wiz Ben Helmsley appears, alongside the effortlessly cool Chaos in the CBD and other big names like Interplanetary Criminal and rising Scot Hannah Laing. With a whole range of other wicked spinners on the bill alongside, this one looks to be a dream for any Scottish fan of electronic music. 

 

Tickets for FLY Open Air

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DEADLETTER at The Ferret

When: Sunday 28th May 2023

Where: The Ferret in Preston

Hailing from Yorkshire, now South London rooted, DEADLETTER channels the droll fury of The Fall and the lopsided rhythm of Gang of Four into a strain of vehement post-punk, exploring the darker side of existence through a lens of narrative-driven levity. They are truly a one-of-a-kind band and have been tearing apart stages up and down the country.

Get on this before they properly blow up, and you'll get all the cred for telling your pals you were there before all the noise. Plus, it's at the recently saved Ferret in Preston, os the vibes will be immaculate, get your tickets below!

 

Tickets for DEADLETTER at The Ferret

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Slapfunk Day & Night - The Manneh Special

When: Saturday 13th May 2023

Where: The Progress Centre (Day) and The Loft (Night) in Manchester

On May 13th Slapfunk Records touch down in Manneh for a full day & night takeover. An all-star lineup awaits us the funkiest crew are in town for what's set to be a summer highlight if we ever did see one. The Progress Centre and Loft combo is one of the absolute best in the Manchester scene at the minute and these events are quickly becoming the talk of the town.

Plus, when you've got a lineup of spinners like we have on this Day and Night Party, then you just know it's about to go down. Get your tickets below and jump on the hype train, just be warned you'll be booking tickets to every future event after this one, as it's impossible to stay away!

 

Tickets for Slapfunk Day & Night - The Manneh Special

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Live At The Palace - Groove Armada 

When: Sunday 28 May 2023

Where: Fulham Palace in London

Live At The Palace on Sunday 28th May will be headlined by the titanic electronic duo Groove Armada whose megahits include ‘Superstylin’ and ‘I See You Baby’. Audiences will be in safe hands with their stellar lineup, house music legend and hitmaker Dave Lee ZR,  the pioneer Ashley Beedle, Lou Hayter the former member of Mercury-nominated electro band New Young Pony Club and Raw Silk, an ode to best pals Grace and Steph’s favourite 80s boogie groups will ensure grooves and dancefloor hits aplenty.

 

Tickets for Live At The Palace - Groove Armada 

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Bingo Lingo - Cardiff - Eurovision Special

When: Friday 12th May 2023

Where: Depot in Cardiff

Ever wondered what the most chaotic game of bingo ever looks like? Head over to the Depot in Cardiff to find out! Bingo Lingo is back with more absolute madness, but this time there's a special treat, it's going to be the Eurovision special! 

Typical Bingo Lingo rules apply, with two young chaps dressed as old ladies pulling out numbers, and if enough of those numbers are on your sheet, you could be in with a chance to win truly bizarre prizes. They’ve dished out cars, Nerf guns, Darth Vader costumes, and more to lucky winners in the past. Who knows what they’ll have up for grabs this time around? To supplement the bedlam, there’ll be onstage battles, performers, and confetti to dance under.

 

Tickets for Bingo Lingo - Cardiff - Eurovision Special

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.