What's On in Shepton Mallet is brought to you by the Bath & West Showground — home to the biggest events in Somerset

Shepton Mallet's events calendar this week feels a bit like someone tipped out three completely different hobbies onto the same table, but somehow it works.

Puppets, choirs, bingo, bats and the Bath & West Show: Somerset is not so much easing into half term as arriving with a clipboard and a full itinerary.

On Thursday, 21 May, Shepton Mallet gets properly historical with Prisoners of War at The Salvation Army, where Shepton Mallet Prison historian Dave J. Cable will explore archive material from 1914 to 1920. Doors open at 7pm, with the talk starting at 7.30pm, so this is one for people who like their local history with fewer gift-shop magnets and more actual records.

Also on Thursday, 21 May, Sunshine Sisters Dance runs at Make the Sunshine Studio from 1.45pm to 2.45pm. It is aimed at adults who want to move, laugh, try something new and meet people, which is a kinder way of saying you may finally have to stop pretending the kitchen counts as a dance floor.

Still in Shepton on Thursday, LUMEN Dance Collective offers weekly term-time sessions for young people at Make the Sunshine Studio from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. It promises movement, confidence and new friends, which is a strong return on investment for anyone who mainly planned to spend the afternoon scrolling.

In Wells on Thursday, First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte Sanctuary Choir performs at Wells Cathedral. The lunchtime concert includes gospels and American choral highlights, giving the city a brief chance to sound as if it has imported half of North Carolina, but in a very orderly and tuneful way.

Also on Thursday, Mary Magdalene and the Divine Feminine Energy takes place at St Margaret's Chapel in Glastonbury and is listed as free of charge. It features storytelling, meditation and song, because in Glastonbury even a Thursday evening likes to arrive with layers.

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On Friday, 22 May, Shepton Mallet welcomes Gato Negro (Black Cat) to Make the Sunshine Studio. The miniature puppet theatre show is performed for one person at a time, which is frankly ideal for anyone who likes theatre but thinks an audience of two is already pushing it.

Also on Friday, Cash Bingo takes place at The Unity Club in Street, with eyes down at 7.30pm and entry for over-18s only. There will be cash prizes and a raffle, so bring focus, luck and the kind of competitive calm that disappears the second someone else is one number away.

In Wells, Wells Comedy Festival 2026 begins on Friday, 22 May and runs until Sunday, 24 May. Ed Gamble, Sara Pascoe, Nish Kumar, Tim Key, Lou Sanders, Harriet Kemsley, Adam Riches, Paul Foot and Mark Thomas are among those listed, which is a lot of professional funny people for one small city to absorb without becoming insufferable about it.

From Saturday, 23 May, May Half Term at The Bishop's Palace runs until Sunday, 31 May. Families can follow a trail, use the new splash play zone and join Art Adventurers crafting on Thursday, 28 May, which should keep children busy and adults bravely pretending they meant to get wet.

Also from Saturday, 23 May, Bugs, Bats and Butterflies runs at Wells Cathedral until Sunday, 31 May. Activities include a bat trail, butterfly crafts, bat-themed sessions and bug hotel work, proving that even the smallest creatures are getting a better half-term programme than most grown-ups.

In Glastonbury, Harry Brockway: Ways With Wood Exhibition opens at Somerset Rural Life Museum on Saturday, 23 May and runs until Wednesday, 2 September. The exhibition celebrates the life and work of Glastonbury-based artist Harry Brockway, with wood engravings, woodcuts and wooden sculpture, which is far more impressive than anything most of us have managed with a pencil and good intentions.

On Monday, 25 May, Wells Cathedral hosts University of Wyoming Collegiate Chorale (USA). The programme includes choral works by composers from the UK and US, giving the bank holiday a little transatlantic polish before everyone returns to wondering where they parked.

Also listed from Monday, 25 May to Tuesday, 26 May is An Evening of Film & TV Soundtracks at St Michael's Without in Bath. It includes music from Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lord of the Rings, Schindler's List, Avatar, How to Train Your Dragon and Game of Thrones, which is quite the emotional workout for anyone who only popped out for a nice tune.

From Thursday, 28 May to Saturday, 30 May, The Royal Bath & West Show 2026 returns to the Bath & West Showground. Gates open at 9am, trade stands close at 6pm, free parking is available and dogs are welcome on leads, though some areas are off-limits. In other words, the show is back with animals, food, entertainment and enough planning required to make "just popping in" a heroic lie.

Anyone with an event to share can add it for free on Nub News for Wells, Glastonbury and Street, or Shepton Mallet.