Every year on 1 May, choristers from Magdalen College School sing from the top of the Great Tower at 6am. Thousands gather on Magdalen Bridge and the High Street to listen. Bells follow, then Morris dancing, street music, and early-opening pubs and cafes across the city.

It is one of Oxford's oldest continuous traditions. The tower was completed in 1509, and choral performances on May Morning have been recorded since the 17th century.

Schedule for 2026

Based on the Oxford City Council announcement:

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.

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

Background

The Great Tower of Magdalen College was completed in 1509. Choral performances from the tower on May Morning have been documented since the 17th century. The Hymnus Eucharisticus was composed by Benjamin Rogers, who served as the college's organist and choirmaster. The tradition has continued annually, including through both World Wars. During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021), the performance was broadcast online; in-person celebrations resumed in 2022.