Jump up the Sun! Come celebrate May Day, 2025 with the Bay Area Morris community Morris dancers throughout the Bay Area gather together with their sticks, ribbons, bells, hankies, and baldrics, for music and dance in our annual May 1st celebrations on Friday. We wake the Sun and bring it back for a whole year! (Besides being a great deal of fun, you'll notice it works, too!)   Be part of it. Show up while it's dark and watch the Sun make its grand entrance. See the spectacle! Watch the magic! Cheer the dancers! Join in the celebration!  There are 5 locations in the Bay Area, so come to one near you!

Graphic copyright © 2011, Stewart Hall

(Note: Sunrise and event starting times can vary significantly, depending on location. You may need to contact a specific team directly to find out more about the local schedule).

Berkeley - Inspiration Point at Tilden Park with Berkeley Morris

Folks gather around 5am and dancing runs from 5:30 - 7:00am (sunrise around 6:13am - be sure to dress warmly).  For information on directions, times, and other locations visit Berkeley's performance schedule.

Palo Alto - Baylands Wildlife Refuge with Deer Creek Morris and Mrs. Prunely's Pride

Dancing starts at 5:30am and includes both morris performances and audience participation country dances.  Directions: take Embarcadero East from the US-101 to the end of the road, turn left, go past the airport, bear right, past the Duck Pond and the Ranger Station to the parking lot on the left.  Be prepared to join in, as we'll be teaching dances to the audience as well - good fun for all. 

San Francisco - Christmas Tree Point on Twin Peaks Blvd parking lot with Goat Hill Morris

Meet around 5:45am and start the dancing from 6:00 - 6:40am.

Santa Cruz - The Lighthouse on West Cliff Drive with Seabright Morris & Sword

Seabright Morris is dancing up the sun on May Day at the Lighthouse Point lighthouse in Santa Cruz, starting about 6am (420 West Cliff Drive) . We will also be doing a school visit at 9:30 to the Lakeside School, Los Gatos (19621 Black Road).

Teams listed here are associated with the Bay Area Country Dance Society (BACDS)

Last updated April 19, 2025