Obby Oss celebrations return for May Day

Thousands of people packed into a town to take part in its traditional May Day celebration.

Padstow's Obby Oss event has been held for centuries to mark the end of spring and the coming of summer with music, singing and dancing around a maypole.

The main attractions at the celebrations are the Blue or 'Peace' Oss and the Old or 'Red' Oss which dance through the Cornish town's streets accompanied by drums and accordion music.

People, including those who travelled back home to Padstow from around the world for the day, dressed in white, with red or blue neckerchiefs and scarfs depending on their family's allegiance, as the Osses made their way through the streets.

Blue Oss supporter Jenny Crowe, who had the title of Leader of Singers, said the event was always fun to be part of.

She added: "We get quite overcome with emotion and happiness and joy and it's a case of making sure we're singing the right verses at the right time."

Crowe said a number of Padstow stalwarts had passed away since last year's May Day celebrations and they would be remembered today.

"We're part of all the Facebook pages and there's been lots of photos put up of the Padstow legends that we've lost this year and last year but that's kind of what life is and that's what May Day is," Crowe said.

"It's about bringing in the summer, saying goodbye to the spring.

"It is that life cycle and it's very emotional.

"But we'll do it in a good way and we'll know their spirits and their souls are absolutely with us this year."

The Osses are large black-framed costumes designed to look like a horse with a mask on them.

Patrick Bate, who carried the Red Oss on his shoulders, said he was grateful for the slightly overcast conditions, compared with the blazing sunshine of 2025.

Bate said: "It's hot at the best of times, it doesn't take much to get a big sweat on in that Obby Oss.

"But this year it is a bit cooler so hopefully I'll last a bit longer."

The exact origin of the May Day tradition is unknown, but the first recorded reference of it comes from the start of the 1800s.

It started at 00:00 BST outside the Golden Lion Inn, where people gathered to sing the Night Song - heralding the summer - and it continues throughout the day.

The Blue Oss emerged from the Institute building at 10:00 while the Red Oss danced out of its stable in the Golden Lion for the first time at 11:00, before a series of dances across Padstow and the surrounding area.

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