There’s nothing quite like events in England. Where else can you take a dip in a hot tub after dancing the night away at a masquerade ball, sing along with rock stars while dressed as an octopus and catch up with famous writers and chefs in a glorious seaside setting. Film, food, music, comedy, street art, theatre, literature, vintage lifestyle and even worm charming are all checked off at English events and festivals. Want to keep it traditional? England invented the social season and the summer calendar of events in the UK is peppered with opera in gardens and major sporting fixtures including horse racing and rowing.
Events
There’s nothing quite like events in England. Where else can you take a dip in a hot tub after dancing the night away at a masquerade ball, sing along with rock stars while dressed as an octopus and catch up with famous writers and chefs in a glorious seaside setting. Film, food, music, comedy, street art, theatre, literature, vintage lifestyle and even worm charming are all checked off at English events and festivals. Want to keep it traditional? England invented the social season and the summer calendar of events in the UK is peppered with opera in gardens and major sporting fixtures including horse racing and rowing.
19 reasons to visit England in 2019
Featured
England is packed with exciting events and things to do in 2019; see the highlights and start planning for next year!
September events: Take the Scilly Sea Swim Challenge
Watch the spectacle or put yourself to the test as challengers swim and walk between Scilly's main islands in just one day.
Location: Isles of Scilly
Stunning sea views and fine wines at a hip Dorset clifftop hotel
Enjoy a romantic summer break to the luxurious Seaside Boarding House in Dorset.
Location: Burton Bradstock, Dorset
Discover the Festival of Artipelago
Celebrate the arts across all five islands from 7th - 31st May, and immerse yourself in the creative nature of Scilly.
Location: Isles of Scilly
Dance the night away at Love Saves The Day
Bristol is home to an array of festivals in summer but Love Saves the Day is undoubtedly a stand-out event, kicking off the UK festival season in style.
Location: Bristol
December events: Get set for winter at The Alnwick Garden
For a festive day out with a difference, wrap up in your cosiest Christmas jumper and join in the fun at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland.
Location: The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
Herald the coming of spring with a real old English knees-up
Marsden welcomes the cuckoo back to rural West Yorkshire with traditional English dancing, music and sunshine at the Marsden Cuckoo Festival in April.
Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
May events: Enter Daphne du Maurier’s world at Fowey Festival
Use the Fowey Festival as an opportunity to explore the town and countryside that inspired novelist Daphne du Maurier.
Location: Fowey, Cornwall
December events: Enter a magical winter wonderland in Suffolk
Get into the Christmas spirit with a visit to a Christmas Fair in medieval Lavenham and a Dickensian Christmas at a Tudor manor in Long Melford.
Location: Lavenham and Long Melford, Suffolk
September events: Admire Blackpool's light fantastic
Every autumn, Blackpool lights up the Lancashire skies with a sparkling spectacle that will leave you feeling dizzy.
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire
May events: Learn from food experts at Salcombe Crab Festival
Love seafood? Salcombe’s delicious crab celebration should be right at the top of your things to do in Devon list.
Location: Salcombe, Devon
Celebrate new music at Liverpool Sound City
Grab a ticket to embrace the spirit of the underground at England's premier festival for new music.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
May events: Taste Yorkshire’s best at the Food Lovers Festival
Known as Yorkshire's Food Capital, the usually quiet village of Malton comes to life when this tasty festival rolls into town.
Location: Malton, North Yorkshire
Spread the joy at the World’s Original Marmalade Festival
Unleash your inner Paddington Bear on a visit to the World’s Original Marmalade Festival, which will be held on the historic Dalemain estate in Penrith.
Location: Penrith, Cumbria
Celebrate a circus spectacular at Blackpool’s Showzam
Magicians, performers and clowns take over the streets of Blackpool, as the circus (and much more) rolls into town every year for Showzam.
Location: Blackpool, Lancashire
December events: Enjoy Christmas magic at the Dickensian Festival
Get into the Christmas spirit with a trip to Grassington Dickensian Festival where you'll find stalls, entertainment, local food and crafts.
Location: Grassington, Yorkshire Dales National Park
July events: Surround yourself with artistic talent at 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
July events: Step into a midsummer night’s dream at Port Eliot Festival
Culture galore mixed with the beautiful Cornish countryside makes the annual Port Eliot Festival a truly magical summer event.
Location: Port Eliot, Cornwall
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
October events: Lace up your boots for Dursley’s Walking Festival
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the undiscovered south Cotswolds and take part in the annual Dursley Walking Festival, which takes place every October.
Location: Dursley, Gloucestershire
See Britain's finest comedians at Leicester Comedy Festival
Get a glimpse at the future of British comedy at the annual Leicester Comedy Festival.
Location: Leicester
Arts and cultural events
Rejoice in English culture at one of the many shows and fairs held throughout the year.
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