Celebrate Somerset: 5 Unmissible Summer Events
Posted March 31, 2025Summer in Somerset is packed with charm, colour, and community spirit – and there’s no better way to soak it all up than by heading out to some of the county’s most joyful local events. From maypole dancing to vintage tractors, riverside music to cider in the sunshine, here are five feel-good festivals and days out to pop in your diary this year.
Kingsbury May Festival
The First Monday in May – Kingsbury Episcopi
Kick off your Somerset summer at the beloved Kingsbury May Festival, set in the beautiful village of Kingsbury Episcopi. This traditional May Day celebration is full of life, with live music, maypole dancing, over 100 craft and food stalls, children’s rides, and a real focus on community. It’s the kind of day where everyone’s smiling – whether you’re tucking into a cream tea, picking up a handmade gift, or just enjoying the village green atmosphere. Entry is £5 (under 16s go free), and all proceeds support local projects. A wholesome, heartwarming day out!
Image from Kingsbury May Festival Facebook
The Green Scythe Fair
At the beginning of June – Thorney Lakes, near Langport
The Green Scythe Fair (aka The Green Fair) is one of the most unique and inspiring events in Somerset. Held in wildflower meadows by Thorney Lakes, this eco-friendly fair champions sustainability, rural skills, and grassroots action. Expect the West Country Scything Championships, solar-powered music stages, delicious organic food, over 150 stalls and a packed programme of talks and demos on living more lightly on the planet. It’s colourful, thought-provoking, and wonderfully quirky – a real favourite in the Hidden Somerset calendar.
Party by the Parrett
First Saturday in July – Huish Episcopi, near Langport
Fancy a proper party with a Somerset twist? Party by the Parrett is a buzzing music festival with a riverside setting and a warm, family-friendly vibe. With a brilliant mix of local bands and tribute acts, delicious food and drink, and a setting just outside Langport by the River Parrett, it’s a great night out whether you’re dancing till dark or chilling with a pint and some street food. Tickets sell fast – so grab yours early and get ready to party, Somerset-style.
Image from Party by the Parrett Facebook
Cider Bus Saturdays
Every Saturday through the Summer months – Burrow Hill, near Martock
What could be more Somerset than sipping cider under the sun? Every Saturday through the summer, the iconic Cider Bus rolls out at Burrow Hill, home of the Somerset Cider Brandy Company. It’s a relaxed, rural gathering – with refreshing cider, delicious bites from local pop-ups, and often live music or storytelling. Bring a picnic rug, soak in the orchard views, and enjoy a laid-back afternoon in true cider country. No ticket needed – just turn up and enjoy the vibes.
Yesterday’s Farming
Middle of August – Leaze Farm, Haselbury Plucknett
Step back in time at Yesterday’s Farming, a fantastic working show of vintage tractors, steam engines, and traditional agricultural life. Set on a farm in Haselbury Plucknett, this event is a celebration of farming heritage – with demonstrations of horse ploughing, threshing, blacksmithing and more. There’s also a huge display of classic vehicles, country crafts, food stalls, and family activities. It’s a proper hands-on slice of rural history – and a great way to appreciate the generations of hard work that shaped Somerset’s landscape.
South Somerset Summer Sorted!
With so much going on, there’s never been a better time to get out and explore the best of Somerset – from cider and scythes to maypoles and music. These events celebrate everything Hidden Somerset is all about: community, creativity, sustainability, and good times in beautiful places.
We’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes stories and updates on Instagram, so tag us if you go along – we’d love to see your adventures!