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
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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!
October events: Laugh out loud at Birmingham Comedy Festival
Watch stand-up performances from some of the world’s top comedians, then learn the tricks of the trade for yourself.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Enjoy a weekend of free outdoor arts across Birmingham
Head to the Birmingham Weekender this September, where the city centre will be bought to life with music, dance, theatre, art, literature, food and fashion.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
See global superstars at the Isle of Wight Festival
See some of the biggest names in the business from the past, present and future at this legendary music festival in June.
Location: Newport, Isle of Wight
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
July events: Enjoy music from around the globe at Rhythmtree Festival
Rhythmtree Festival on the Isle of Wight offers hippy food and happy faces, along with top global music stars for festival-goers of all ages.
Location: Shalfleet, Isle of Wight
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
Hit the beach at Boardmasters Festival
Surf culture meets music festival on the sunny shores of the Cornish coast.
Location: Newquay, Cornwall
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
Indulge in all things vintage in York
‘York Does Vintage’ better than anyone else as the city’s affordable vintage fair in Merchant Adventurers’ Hall transports you to bygone eras.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
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
June events: Step back in time at Broadstairs Dickens Festival
The usually quiet coastal town Broadstairs comes to life to celebrate the life of Dickens at this week-long, eclectic festival.
Location: Broadstairs, Kent
November events: Take a Christmas cookery class with a celebrity chef
Explore the world of Christmas food and drink with Michelin-starred celebrity chefs at the Taste of Christmas event in London’s Docklands.
Location: London
Party in the Peak District at Y Not Festival
Watch big-name music acts perform with sweeping views of the Peak District National Park as your backdrop at the Y Not Festival.
Location: Pikehall, Derbyshire
Experience York's Literature Festival
Rub shoulders with best-selling authors as York gets all bookish.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Go to Liverpool Sound City, an innovative music, film and art festival
Get a ticket for one of the UK’s largest international music, digital and film festivals.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Enjoy 100 days of culture at the Yorkshire Festival
Theatre, art exhibitions, musical performances and a bit of biking; the 100-day marathon that is the Yorkshire Festival has it all.
Location: Yorkshire
December events: Meet Father Christmas at Drusillas
A magical Christmas experience is waiting for all the family at Drusillas Park this winter.
Location: Alfriston, near Eastbourne
October events: Get the giggles at the Halifax Comedy Festival
See rising talent and stand-up greats at the Halifax Comedy Festival.
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire
October events: Watch a world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival
Book tickets to a wide variety of new and award-winning films at London’s most accessible and exciting film festival.
Location: London, Greater London
August events: Meet a legendary outlaw at the Robin Hood Festival
The Robin Hood Festival is a celebration to all things medieval and, of course, Robin himself, that takes place each year at his home in Sherwood Forest.
Location: Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire
Arts and cultural events
Rejoice in English culture at one of the many shows and fairs held throughout the year.
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