Arts and cultural events

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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Exterior of artists' shed with paintings displayed outside

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

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