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!
July events: Experience Stratford-upon-Avon’s River Festival
Stratford-upon-Avon’s River Festival in the summer is a two-day extravaganza on the banks of the River Avon.
Location: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
May events: Put your best foot forward at WalkFest
Put a spring in your step over the spring bank holiday weekend at the North York Moors National Park’s annual walking festival.
Location: North York Moors, North Yorkshire
October Events: Party hard at England's biggest indoor world music festival
Take a journey through the world of music at Whitby’s annual Musicport Festival, an event full of excellent live music and cultural diversity.
Location: Whitby, North Yorkshire
December events: Wander through a Bavarian-style village in Bristol
Bristol is brimming with free events, festivals and markets during the winter.
Location: Bristol
July events: Watch a traditional Cart Marking ceremony
From handcarts and horse-drawn carriages to steam-driven vehicles and vintage London buses; see this parade of vehicles marked in the traditional Cart Marking Ceremony.
Location: London, Greater London
August events: Hit the beach at Boardmasters Festival
Surf culture meets music festival on the sunny shores of the Cornish coast.
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
December events: Explore the Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland
Full of atmosphere and tradition, the Christmas Tree Wonderland is an epic trail through historic gardens and seafront walkways draped in lights.
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
Watch the Battle of the Brass Bands in Durham
Brass is given a modern twist with art installations in the streets and a dose of contemporary hip hop at BRASS Durham International Festival.
Location: Durham
August Events: Take in the big screen at Hertford Castle Open Air Cinema
Grab your popcorn and enjoy a weekend of open air cinema under the stars with the beautiful Hertford Castle providing a suitably dramatic backdrop.
Location: Hertford, Hertfordhsire
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
December events: Experience a quintessentially English Christmas
Visit the small market town of Much Wenlock for festive trinkets, handmade gifts and sweet and savoury snacks at its Christmas Fayre.
Location: Much Wenlock, Shropshire
November events: Experience Kendal’s version of the Oscars
Kendal is a magnet for mountaineers who don’t just come to climb, but to gather and celebrate all things mountainous at its annual festival.
Location: Kendal, Cumbria
December events: Find the perfect gift at the Exeter Christmas Market
The Exeter Christmas Market represents the best of what Britain, the South West and the rest of Europe has to offer – with a mix of great food, excellent crafts, unique gifts and decorations.
Location: Exeter
July events: Enjoy a teddy bears’ picnic at Hertford Castle
Enjoy a whole day packed with free child friendly entertainment and activities on the grounds of Hertford Castle.
Location: Hertford, Hertfordhsire
Get your ‘blues’ fix at Broadstairs Blues Bash
Aint’ nothin’ but the blues - not the winter ones, but the music type in Broadstairs every February for one weekend.
Location: Broadstairs, Kent
December events: Christmas at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Make your Christmas magical with a visit to Cheshire Oaks, the UK’s largest designer outlet.
Location: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
Enjoy music, arts and wild lake swimming at Latitude
Combine sing-your-heart-out music with theatre, comedy, wellbeing, food and family-friendly activities and you have Latitude Festival, held in Henham Park, Suffolk.
Location: Suffolk
December events: Find your festive spirit at Salisbury's Christmas Fayre
Shop 'til you drop at Salisbury's annual Christmas Fayre, held in the beautiful Guildhall Square.
Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire
November events: Get inspired at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
Listen along to amazing performances at the UK’s largest international festival of new and experimental music.
Location: Huddersfield , West Yorkshire
December events: Have a winter weekend at Compton Verney
Delight in festive fun with the family at at Compton Verney, Warwickshire's award-winning art gallery.
Location: Warwickshire
Arts and cultural events
Rejoice in English culture at one of the many shows and fairs held throughout the year.
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