May Morning festivities have been cancelled amid the coronavirus lockdown, but revellers can still take part in spirit by holding events at home and sharing them online.

Last year a crowd of more than 13,000 people, filled High Street and neighbouring roads for the customary mix of singing, dancing and early morning drinking.

The event has been going on for hundreds of years with celebrations kick-starting at 6am with the traditional singing of Hymnus Eucharisticus by choristers atop Magdalen College tower, followed by lively peels of bells.

The ensuing fiesta spills over into the afternoon with Morris dancing displays and folk music. Some pubs remain packed into the night.

However, this year the event has been shelved after the country was put on lockdown to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Strict rules ban mass gatherings and forbid people leaving their homes without a valid reason, such as going to work, food shopping or getting exercise.

But that has not stopped Oxford City Council and other organisers conjuring up new ways to carry on the tradition safely from home.

Using the hashtag #MayMorning the council is urging residents to share memories, pictures and videos of previous events.

Those holding celebrations at home are also urged to get involved using the hashtag to show off their skills or parties.

From 6am tomorrow, as on every May 1, the choir will still sing, but this time it will be a pre-recorded video streamed on Magdalen College’s Facebook page.

Oxford Mail:

At 8am after some domestic Morris dancing moves, members of community band Horns of Plenty will play the tune of Somewhere Over the Rainbow from their respective homes.

Similar to the Thursday night clap for the NHS, the band members hope it will be adopted by residents who will join in.

Listings site Daily Info is also organising a virtual May Morning starting at 6am via a live video on Facebook, with Morris dancing, musical performances, a history of the event as well as a sing-along.

Jude Stratton from Horns of Plenty said: “We love that moment when the last notes from the choristers die away and the crowds flood up the High Street ready to dance as we play. In these strange times, we will keep the tradition alive by playing and singing from our gardens, doors and windows.”