Bamptonians like to enjoy themselves, and this has led to an array of events being held during the year - with all visitors welcome! Herewith in order of appearance are the main events – but there are others run by various clubs and societies in the Village, details of which can be found elsewhere in this Website, under ‘What's On’:

Held on the Mayday bank holiday Monday, although it has been intermittent in recent years, and run by ‘The Pumpkin Club’, this is the usual country style of fair, with the streets and the Market Square lined with stalls of all description, and fairground amusements and rides.

Held on the Saturday of the Spring Bank Holiday (formerly Whitsun), and run by 'The Society for the Preservation of Ancient Junketing' (SPAJERS). The rules are very simple, in that a team of two, dressed in night-shirts, and with some means of transport, which has to be propelled by one in the team, while the other sits in the vehicle and is pushed, runs a race through the village, stopping at various strategic locations – notably the pubs – to down a measure of ale, before continuing with the race. Various types of transport have been used, from prams, to wheelbarrows, and wheelybins!

There's a race for children – refreshments are of course of the non-alcoholic variety, much to chagrin of the children – an intermediate event, and a senior race - the latter two normally being combined into a single run. First prize is of course for the team that does the course in the shortest time, but most of the teams are just out to enjoy the day – and the ale.

And there are also prizes for the best fancy dressed teams - and you should see some of the outfits worn!

Morris Dancing

Bampton has three world-renowned Morris dance teams. On the Monday of the Spring Bank Holiday, the teams start the dancing at 7am, and continue through the day at various locations in the Village – including outside the pubs. The programme for the day’s events can be obtained from The Town Hall. In the evening, visiting teams join in the dancing, and ‘make merry’. And do try the ‘fertility cake’, which is carried around the streets with the dancers.

May Garlands

The making of May Garlands by the children of the Village is a custom stretching back centuries. The showing and judging of the garlands takes place on the Monday of the Spring Bank Holiday, at 11am in the Market Square. To make May Garlands is very easy, but time consuming. All you need are two hoops which you cover with wild flowers. These wild flowers can be dandelions, buttercups, cow parsley – in fact anything which is easy to find. Tie them into small bunches and attach them to the hoops with string. Fix the two hoops together so they form a ‘ball’ shape. On top, fix a bunch of flowers - years ago the top posy had to be made up of red or pink peonies. Sit your favourite doll or teddy in the centre find a long stick or broom handle to hook it through and two people to carry it and you have yourself a Traditional May Garland.

Held on the Monday of the August Bank Holiday, and run by the SPAJERS, this takes place at Sandfords Field, starting at 2pm. Apart from the Donkey races – where the jockeys are all children – there are stalls selling all sorts of bric-a-brac, skittles, Aunt Sally, crockery smashing etc.

The Bampton Gardening Club runs an annual show around August/September time in the Village Hall. The show is always well supported, and the competition is fierce! Apart from the flowers and vegetables, there are also competitions for cakes, jams, pickles, and handicrafts.

The showing and the weighing of the pumpkins take place during October. The event is fiercely contested, and the prize for the heaviest pumpkin much sought after.

The Bampton Mummers perform their play on Christmas Eve, at various locations throughout the village, including the pubs, and in private homes. The schedule for the evening can be obtained from any of the pubs in the village. The history and tradition of Mumming goes back centuries, although its exact origins have been lost in the mists of time. Further details on the Bampton Mummers can be found on the Mummers Webpage elsewhere in this Website.