Arts and cultural events
Rejoice in English culture at one of the many shows and fairs held throughout the year. Think of them as giant garden parties featuring enthusiasts, displays, and excellent food and drink stalls. Classic car fairs bring together vintage and performance motors, with demonstrations from world-class and often famous professionals. The biggest also include motorbikes and beautiful vintage aeroplanes. During the summer choose from an abundance of cultural events and literary festivals. Books come to life as novelists and poets read from their latest works. Head to a vintage festival or antique fair to revel in the music, fashion, film, art and design that shaped the 20th century.
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August events: Open Studios Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight Open Studios Island-wide event is making a triumphant return for 2024 having been revived with the creation of a new Community Interest Company (CIC), steered by a collective of artists and dedicated volunteers.
Location: Isle of Wight (island-wide)
August events: Lytham 1940s Wartime Festival
Come and enjoy the atmosphere and immerse yourself in heritage, entertainment, re-enactment and have-a-go fun.
Location: Lytham Green, Lancashire
Release your inner Wordsworth with Words by the Water Festival
Don’t miss this exciting literature event, a festival of words and ideas, set by the lake surrounded by the Lake District fells.
Location: Keswick, Cumbria
July events: Holmfirth Art Week
Over 400 artists combine art, music, comedy, theatre and literature for the UK's largest open art exhibition.
Location: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
August events: International Beatleweek
Get swept up in Beatlemania as fans from all over the world descend on the city where it all started.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
November events: Get stuck into a flick at the Cornwall Film Festival
Get involved in a unique celebration of local and international films at the Cornwall Film Festival.
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
November events: Join the highbrow chit-chat at Chester Literature Festival
There’s no shortage of wordy stimulation and novel debate for book worms at the Chester Literature Festival.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
July events: Penzance Literary Festival
A literary festival on the Cornish coast with a distinctly local flavour and a relaxed atmosphere that’s ideal for book lovers.
Location: Penzance, Cornwall
September events: Experience Agatha Christie's Riviera in Devon
Discover Agatha Christie's Riviera and follow in her footsteps by attending her namesake festival, and walking the Agatha Christie Mile in the bustling harbour town of Torquay.
Location: Torquay, Devon
Experience York's Literature Festival
Rub shoulders with best-selling authors as York gets all bookish.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
October Events: Read and be merry at the Ilkley Literature Festival
Book lovers simply can’t miss this prestigious literature event in the Yorkshire Dales, that's taking place between 1 and 17 October.
Location: Ilkley, West Yorkshire
November events: Eyes on the sky for Light Up Lancaster
See the skies over Lancaster light up this autumn at the North’s biggest firework display.
Location: Lancaster, Lancashire
See Lynn Lumiere light up King's Lynn's historic buildings
Rich in history and fascinating by day, Lynn Lumiere lights up some of King's Lynn's stunning building with an amazing animated light display every evening from dusk.
Location: King's Lynn, Norfolk
Take a tour of the Devonshire Collection at Chatsworth
Admire historical artworks in a grand setting at Chatsworth.
Location: Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Discover a castle fit for a prince
Explore artistic treasures in Auckland Castle, home of the Prince Bishops of Durham for 900 years, and set to host a spectacular new show from 2016.
Location: Vale of Durham, Durham
December events: Celebrate the Winter Solstice at Burning the Clocks
Brighton marks the shortest day of the year with the Burning the Clocks winter solstice parade.
Location: Brighton & Hove, East Sussex
Feel the winter glow of a city illuminated for Light Night
See Nottingham become filled with after dark illuminations and neon displays as it blinds the winter chill from the air with live music and street theatre.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Tickle your ribs at Bristol's Slapstick Festival
A unique celebration of silent film and slapstick comedy, the festival offers a unique chance to watch silent films with a live orchestra along with a VIP list of guests and celebrities sharing their passion for this genre.
Location: Bristol
May events: See Salisbury's amazing Art Festival
Take part in the Salisbury International Arts Festival, and immerse yourself in music, art, dance, and theatre of the highest caliber.
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
June events: Celebrate the written word at Stoke Literary Festival
Housed within a working factory, the Stoke Literary Festival is a surprisingly scenic spot for a literary celebration.
Location: Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Enjoy a movie under the stars
The Summer Nights Film Festival brings classic and contemporary films to heritage locations around Derbyshire.
Location: Derbyshire
