Loading...

What’s on in the May half-term holiday 2026 at the museums!

May holds lots of fun for families at the museums – from activities inspired by brilliant birds and sea creatures to living history reenactments, there’s plenty to delve into in the holiday!

Here’s what families can enjoy in the May half-term holiday at The Commandery and Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum…

At The Commandery

Oak Apple Day 26

Early May Bank Holiday Monday 4 May, 10am – 4pm.

Be inspired by the beautiful birds that live around The Commandery – from the water-loving heron by the canal to the robins that visit the gardens, there are lots of birds to spot (and to listen out for!)

On the Early May Bank Holiday Monday, follow this one-day-only trail as you explore the building and gardens, and find all of the brilliant birds that can be seen regularly at The Commandery.

Then, fly over to the craft room to decorate your very own wooden bird glider! There are puzzles and colouring sheets to enjoy too.

General admission applies to all visitors + £3.50 for the family trail and activity bag. Free general admission to Season and Worcester Residents’ Pass holders – ask in the shop or plan your visit to The Commandery here.

Bank Holiday Monday 25 May, 10am – 4pm | The Commandery

Oak Apple Day returns to The Commandery! 🌳

Step back in time to 1660 and celebrate the restoration of the crown on Bank Holiday Monday in a fantastic day bringing history to life in Worcester.

Oak Apple Day marks the historic moment when King Charles II returned to the throne following the English Civil War.

Where better to commemorate this historic moment than at The Commandery, the Royalist Headquarters in the final battle of the Civil War?

Delve into an exciting day of living history for all the family – there’ll be:

  • Fantastic reenactors to encounter as you make your way around The Commandery
  • Musket firing in the gardens
  • Pike and cannon drills for children (and grown-ups!) to get hands-on with
  • History talks about Oak Apple Day and the English Civil War from Worcester Reenactors and The Battle of Worcester Society
  • Wonderful refreshments available at Little Al’s Kitchen at The Commandery

Enjoy fun family activities: can you find all of the beautifully decorated royal carriages around the building? Then, create your own Oak Apple mobile in the craft room (general admission + £3.50 for trail and activities).

Oak Apple Day 2026 is part of a commemorative programme of events for the 375th anniversary of the Battle of Worcester, 1651.

Plan your visit

General admission applies (+ £3.50 for the carriage trail and craft activities); free admission to those with a season or residents’ pass. Find out more.

Book day tickets to The Commandery. Advance booking is not essential, you can just turn up, pay in the shop, and get stuck in!

Friday 22 May – Sunday 31 May 2026 (including Bank Holiday Monday 25 May).

Celebrate the restoration of the crown this May half-term holiday with a trail of colourful royal carriages.

Can you find all of the beautifully decorated carriages around the building? From dragons to swans, you’ll have never seen carriages quite like these!

Carry on to the craft room and make your own Oak Apple mobile to take home with you too.

There’s lots more to enjoy on Bank Holiday Monday as The Commandery celebrates Oak Apple Day – a traditional celebration marking King Charles II’s return to the throne in 1660. Find out more and plan your day out.

General admission applies to all visitors + £3.50 for the carriage trail and craft activities; free admission to those with a season or residents’ pass. Find out more.

Book day tickets to The Commandery. Advance booking is not essential, you can just turn up, pay in the shop, and get stuck in!

At Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum

Get Arty - Secrets of the Sea

Thursday 28 May 2026, 10.30 – 11.30am.

Come and get arty in the May half-term holiday at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum.

Dive into the ocean in this fun morning with a big splash of creativity! 🐳 Build and decorate your own 3D coral reef, create beautiful watercolour creatures, and make paper weaving fish or a mermaid tail.

£5.50 per child; please book via the link below. A parent or carer must stay during the session. Free entry to the Art Gallery and Museum.

Saturday 23 May – Sunday 31 May 2026 (closed Mondays and bank holidays).

Bags of Fun are back for the May half-term holiday!

Celebrate the beautiful ocean and all its creatures with fun activities that children can get stuck into during their visit. Inside each activity bag, you’ll find everything needed to create:

  • A paper plate sea creature or shell
  • A mysterious treasure chest – does yours belong to a pirate or a mermaid?
  • A fantastic diving dolphin! Use a split pin to spin your dolphin around

The Art Gallery and Museum is fully equipped for young creatives to get going on their making. Each activity bag has multiple themed activities inside along with colouring and puzzle sheets.

£2.50, purchase your activity bags from the Art Gallery and Museum shop.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm, and Sunday 10am – 3pm.

Free entry to the Art Gallery and Museum (closed Mondays and bank holidays). Plan your visit.

Saturday 23 May – Sunday 31 May 2026 (closed Mondays and bank holidays) | Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum

Oh no, there’s been a shipwreck at the museum!

Can you use your fin-tastic skills to find the sea creatures and plot the coordinates on your trail sheet? The answer will show you the location of the missing ship!

£1, purchase your trail from the Art Gallery and Museum shop.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm, and Sunday 10am – 3pm.

Free entry to the Art Gallery and Museum (closed Mondays and bank holidays). Plan your visit.

Have fun! 

Museums Worcestershire logo

Explore Museums Worcestershire

Got children ages 12+?

Check out The Commandery’s escape rooms!