17 unmissable events in 2017
ShareThis year is jam-packed with an amazing array of events in England. From hot air balloons in Eastbourne, musical extravaganzas in Liverpool and Devon to a rum festival in Birmingham, why not use these to plan some trips for this year, suggests Danielle Jones.
1) Showzam! Blackpool
This February will be filled with colour and glitz as Showzam! Takes over Blackpool once again with its exciting mix of circus and cabaret. (11 – 14 February)
2) Leeds International Film Festival, West Yorkshire
Covering genres and themes from across all of cinema, this year’s Leeds International Film Festival is tipped to be the best yet. (2 – 16 November)
3) Jorvik Viking Festival, York
Pull on a horned helmet for Europe’s largest Viking Festival and learn about the infamous warriors and their impact on ancient York. (20-26 February)
What else is there to do in York?
4) NEW: Dinosaurs in The Wild
Watch your step as you creep up close amongst these amazing beasts. See them true to scale for the first time at this ground-breaking exhibition. (24 June – 24 August Birmingham, 30 September – January 2018 Manchester)
Find more arts and culture in England
5) World Pasty Championships, Eden Project, Cornwall
Head to the Eden Project and weigh in with the heavyweights of pastry at this delicious contest of Cornwall’s famous delicacy. (4 March)
6) York Chocolate Festival
Visit Yorkshire to celebrate chocolatey goodness at York’s Chocolate Festival; the perfect event for anybody with a sweet tooth. (14 – 17 April)
Plan a trip to North Yorkshire
7) NEW: The Bath Festival
This brand new, 10-day, festival brings together all that Bath has to offer from music, to literature, arts and more. (19 – 28 May)
8) Pedal Norfolk, Holkham
Enjoy the great outdoors this spring with this family friendly cycling festival set in the grounds of a beautiful stately home. (27 – 29 May)
Thinking about a trip to Norfolk
9) Jane Austen Regency Week, Hampshire
Regale in the Regency era at this special celebration of Jane Austen’s literary life, deep in the Hampshire countryside. (17 – 25 June)
Find fun things to do in Hampshire
10) NEW: RHS Flower Show, Chatsworth, Derbyshire
Chatsworth’s gardens will truly be in bloom this year as the Royal Horticultural Society launches a brand new annual event. (7 – 11 June)
11) Birmingham Rum Festival
Try all proofs and colours of this sugarcane based beverage and enjoy live music, exotic food and a carnival spirit at Birmingham’s Rum Festival. (1 July)
12) Manchester International Festival
Bringing together art from across all mediums, this 18-day festival encapsulates the essence of Manchester through original works and exciting performances. (29 June- 16 July)
13) NEW: Eastbourne International Hot Air Balloon Festival
Enjoy some additional sights along England’s beautiful South Coast, as Eastbourne launches it’s very own hot air balloon festival. (28-30 July)
Look for more ideas in East Sussex
14) NEW: Hull Beermat Photography Festival, East Riding of Yorkshire
You don’t need to go an art gallery to see beautiful photography, not when you see amazing exhibitions right underneath your pint glass in various pubs across the city. (1 – 31 December)
Find out more about the UK Capital of Culture
15) International BeatleWeek, Liverpool
Celebrate the Fab Four in the 50th year since the launch of revolutionary Sgt Pepper album at Liverpool’s annual BeatleWeek. (23 – 29 August)
16) Folkestone Triennial 2017
Explore the artwork and exhibitions of this year’s Folkestone Triennial, breathing even more beauty into the Kentish seaside town. (2 September – 5 November)
17) The Two Moors Festival, Exeter
Head to the Devon coast for a series of classical performances and shows at the revered Two Moors Festival. (13 – 21 October)