May Morning in Oxford

The Great Tower of Magdalen College was completed in 1509. Sometime in the years that followed — nobody knows exactly when — a tradition began: on the first morning of May, the college choir climbs the tower and sings as the sun rises over Oxford.

Five centuries later, they still do. At 6am on 1 May, choristers sing the Hymnus Eucharisticus — a hymn composed by Benjamin Rogers, Magdalen's 17th-century choirmaster — from 144 feet above the High Street. Thousands gather on Magdalen Bridge and the surrounding streets in the half-light. The city is silent. Then the singing starts, carrying across the still morning air. When it ends, the tower bells ring out, and Oxford comes alive — Morris dancers in Radcliffe Square, folk singers on Broad Street, and pubs opening their doors hours early.

The earliest written record of the ceremony dates to 1674, when the historian Anthony Wood described it. It has continued annually since, including through both World Wars. During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021), the choir performed online; in-person celebrations resumed in 2022.

Schedule for 2026

Based on the Oxford City Council announcement (see Sources below):

6:00am	Choristers sing the Hymnus Eucharisticus (a 17th-century hymn by Benjamin Rogers) and other pieces from the top of the Great Tower
~6:20am	The Oxford Society of Change Ringers ring the tower bells for approximately 20 minutes
6:30am+	Morris dancing, folk singing, and street entertainment across the city centre
From 7:00am	Cafes and pubs open early for breakfast

Where to stand

Magdalen Bridge is the traditional spot, directly below the tower. It gets very crowded — arrive by 5:30am for a good position. One-way pedestrian flow is enforced on the bridge, with stewards and barriers. Bicycles are not permitted on the bridge during the event.

Rose Lane (along the Botanic Garden wall) and the Magdalen College School car park are designated as accessible viewing areas — suitable for wheelchair users, families with young children, and anyone with buggies. These are quieter alternatives to the bridge.

The High Street between Magdalen and Carfax offers a less crowded experience. The choir is still audible from here, and the Morris dancing on Radcliffe Square is within walking distance.

Road closures

A road closure applies from The Plain to the top of the High Street from 02:00 to approximately 09:00 on Friday 1 May. Diversions and alternative cycling routes will be signposted.

Road closure details from Oxford City Council (see Sources below).

Where to eat afterwards

Several places open early on May Morning:

• The Covered Market — opens early, with Brown's Cafe serving full English breakfasts and Alpha Bar doing falafel wraps
• G&D's — ice cream cafes across three locations, typically open from early morning
• The King's Arms — one of the pubs that traditionally opens early on May Morning

Getting there

• Walk or cycle — the city centre road closures mean driving is not practical
• Buses will be diverted from the city centre during the closure period
• Dress warmly — early May mornings in Oxford are often cold, particularly standing still for 30+ minutes before 6am

Sources

• Oxford City Council — "Oxford gets ready for May Morning 2026": oxford.gov.uk/news/article/1844/oxford-gets-ready-for-may-morning-2026
• Anthony Wood, The Life and Times of Anthony Wood, Antiquary, of Oxford, 1632–1695 — earliest written record of the ceremony (1674)
• Magdalen College, Oxford — choir and Hymnus Eucharisticus tradition