Events for 2020 might be cancelled or postponed as a result of COVID-19, please check with individual websites and businesses for further information. There’s nothing quite like events in England. From Wimbledon to Glastonbury, Manchester Christmas Markets to Brighton Pride, there is a wealth of fantastic, unique festivals and events across the country that span all interests and walks of life. Whether it's film, literature, music or tradition, England's events calendar has it all.
Events
Events for 2020 might be cancelled or postponed as a result of COVID-19, please check with individual websites and businesses for further information. There’s nothing quite like events in England. From Wimbledon to Glastonbury, Manchester Christmas Markets to Brighton Pride, there is a wealth of fantastic, unique festivals and events across the country that span all interests and walks of life. Whether it's film, literature, music or tradition, England's events calendar has it all.
20 reasons to visit England in 2020
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England is packed with exciting events and things to do in 2020; see the highlights and start planning for next year!
Adventure like the Famous Five in Dorset
Visit the Isle of Purbeck on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, which is said to have inspired Enid Blyton's books.
Location: Purbeck, Dorset
May events: Tuck into a three day food festival in Exeter
Celebrate the best food and drink from the South West at this event in May.
Location: Exeter, Devon
August events: Taste the best of Trout ‘n About Food Festival
Take your pick from hand-crafted jewellery to award-winning sausages at this gourmet event in the heart of the Test Valley.
Location: Test Valley, Hampshire
July events: Step into Wonderland on Alice's Day
Rediscover the charm of Wonderland with a fun-packed day of events on Oxford’s unique Alice’s Day.
Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire
October events: Get merry on local brews at the Robin Hood Beer Festival
With its fine selection of beer and cider stalls, many of which offer local produce, Nottingham's Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival is a great place for drink connoisseurs.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Wander into the Wilderness Festival
A ticket to Wilderness in Oxfordshire's countryside is like a ticket to a mini paradise where art, music, fine food and nature collide.
Location: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
September events: Go to the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships
This annual competition between Lancashire and Yorkshire, which dates back to the 1980's, sees black puddings hurled at a pile of Yorkshire puddings on a 20-foot-high plinth.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
June events: Enjoy a flutter on the horses at Royal Ascot
Enjoy a quintessentially British day out at Royal Ascot – a highlight of the summer social calendar and one of the most exciting events of the year.
Location: Ascot, Berkshire
May events: Push boundaries at the London Burlesque Festival
Witness the world’s most diverse artists and performers from the risqué world of Burlesque.
Location: London, Greater London
September events: Sample some fantastic seafood at the Newquay Fish Festival
Feast upon the edible delights that swim Cornwall’s waters as local chefs cook up a treat, right before your eyes, at the Newquay Fish Festival.
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
See stars take to the Meridian at Greenwich Music Time
Experience live performances in the magnificent surroundings of the Old Royal Naval College, overlooking the Thames at this music festival in July.
Location: Greenwich, London
Enter Suffolk’s scariest forest this Halloween if you dare
Scaresville is a haunted village that mysteriously appears in the grounds of Kentwell Hall in Suffolk every autumn, just in time for Halloween.
Location: Long Melford, Suffolk
Love cheese, love Cheshire
Sample Cheshire’s signature food product at local cheese shops or splash out on a cheese and wine tasting evening.
Location: Nantwich, Cheshire
Connect with Dot to Dot Festival
This festival of indie, pop, electronic and alternative music is a travelling show, moving between three cities over three consecutive days.
Location: Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham
October events: Bon appétit at Hertford Food and Drink Festival
If you’re a ‘foodie’, then Hertford is the place to be as the town centre will be bursting with various food and drink activities.
Location: Hertford, Hertfordshire
July events: Get down to business at Upfest
Europe's largest street art and graffiti festival is now a firmly established part of the Bristol calendar with over 250 artists coming from around the world to take part.
Location: Bristol
Dance ‘til dawn at Standon Calling
Head to Standon in Hertfordshire for a three-day summer party featuring huge music acts, an on-site nightclub and bars that never close.
Location: Standon, Hertfordshire
Hang with the hipsters at Field Day
The coolest festival in London is back and better than ever.
Location: London
September events: Enjoy Nordic walking at the Walking and Outdoors Festival
The annual Yorkshire Wolds Walking and Outdoors Festival offers a host of exciting outdoor pursuits and taster sessions.
Location: Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire
Dance the weekend away at East London's Lovebox
See dance-music greats strut their stuff on stage at this hip East London festival.
Location: London
Arts and cultural events
Rejoice in English culture at one of the many shows and fairs held throughout the year.
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