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
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!
Enjoy the energy of the South Tyneside Festival
This eclectic summer festival brings three months of free entertainment to the vibrant seafront resort of South Shields.
Location: South Shields, Tyne and Wear
Visit Birmingham's famous Christmas market
Have a Teutonic shopping experience, and don't miss the Glüwein!
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Skies are filled with colour at the Portsmouth International Kite Festival
Take a kite to Southsea Common and get involved in one of the world's biggest and best kite festivals.
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
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
Experience the Bristol Harbour Festival on the water or dry land
Celebrate all things maritime, from mermaid dances to pirate treasure hunts, and test out your sea legs on historic vessels at the Bristol Harbour Festival.
Location: Bristol
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
May events: Shake your tail feather at Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival
See some of the best performers from the world of burlesque and alternative cabaret at this event in May.
Location: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
Visit the largest Viking Festival in Europe
Immerse yourself in the gruesome world of the Vikings as the city of York celebrates its Norse past.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
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
Experience classical bliss at Proms in the Park
A glass of Pimm’s and some top class musical entertainment – it doesn’t get much better than this on an early September evening in London's Hyde Park.
Location: London, Greater London
Seafood, real ale and free music in bundles
Throw three sheets to the salty Scarborough wind, with a smorgasbord of food and drink fit for the most famed of seafarers.
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Enjoy music from around the globe at Rhythmtree
Rhythmtree Festival offers hippy food and happy faces, alongside some of the top global music stars for festival-goers of all ages.
Location: Shalfleet, Isle of Wight
May events: Get down to The Suffolk Show
Take your family on a weekend break to Suffolk’s biggest and barmiest event near Ipswich and see the Shetland Pony Grand National.
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk
Global sounds and a world of words at WOMAD
Grab your tent and learn more about cultures across the world at the long-running World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival.
Location: Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Dive into the famous Whitstable Oyster Festival
One of the biggest events on Kent’s calendar, the annual oyster festival in trendy Whitstable is far more than a foodie’s fiesta.
Location: Whitstable, Kent
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
Celebrate the written word at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival
Visit the Isle of Wight between 11-14 October for the Isle of Wight Literary Festival 2018, and you can help honour the great literature that was inspired by the island.
Location: Cowes, Isle of Wight
Challenge yourself to the Tresco Triathlon
If you're a sporty type why not come and challenge the islanders in the Tresco Triathlon?
Location: Isles of Scilly
Enjoy top-class music and haute cuisine at the Big Feastival
Whatever happens at this festival, you won't go home with an empty stomach.
Location: Kingham, Oxfordshire
June events: Watch world-class tennis at the Nature Valley International
Enjoy world-class tennis and strawberries and cream in a stunning parkland setting, just minutes away from Eastbourne’s beach.
Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex
Arts and cultural events
Rejoice in English culture at one of the many shows and fairs held throughout the year.
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