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!
Ooh and aah over Plymouth’s spectacular fireworks display
This summer, enjoy the British Firework Championships whilst surrounded by wonderful panoramic views of Plymouth Hoe.
Location: Plymouth, Devon
Experience the excitement of the UK's biggest horseracing meet
When is the Grand National? Read on to find out more about one of England's most iconic April events.
Location: Aintree, Liverpool
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
Celebrate a cultural cocktail at the Lytham Festival
Enjoy a new week-long summer festival of music, comedy and literature in the classic Lancashire seaside resorts of Lytham and St Annes.
Location: Lytham St Annes, Lancashire
Brighten up your autumn with Sunderland Illuminations
Don't mourn the arrival of longer, darker nights; let the North East coastal city of Sunderland fill your autumn with light and magic.
Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
See huge headliners at Kendal Calling
Kendal Calling is the most fun you can have in the countryside with fields full of activities and attractions.
Location: Penrith, Cumbria
Watch a live opera performance at the Buxton Festival
Take your seats and enjoy a summer celebration of music, art, opera and literature at the Buxton International Festival.
Location: Buxton, Derbyshire
Meet a legendary outlaw at the Robin Hood Festival
The Robin Hood Festival is a celebration to all things medieval and associated to Robin, taking place annually within his home of Sherwood Forest.
Location: Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire
Enjoy the best from the west at the Cheltenham Food Festival
Get a taste for the local and refined at this gourmand's delight, found on the edge of the scenic Cotswolds.
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
May events: Don your eyepatch at the Brixham Pirate Festival
Landlubbers beware! Venture into Brixham in May and come face to face with swashbuckling pirates and high-sea adventures.
Location: Brixham, Devon
Fly by for the Sunderland International Airshow
Pack a picnic, head to the beach and lie back for dazzling aerial acrobatics, classic aircraft, live music, fireworks and traditional seaside fun.
Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear
Get your groove on at the Great British R&B Festival
It might be a county steeped in history, but Lancashire has a thoroughly alive, kicking – and dancing – side to it, hosting the Great British R&B Festival.
Location: Lancaster, Lancashire
May events: Watch the Tetbury Woolsack Race
This is undoubtedly one of England's strangest things to do in May, but this unique race dates back to the 17th-century.
Location: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Watch Britain's top cycling teams race around Leicester
Get close to the action as some of Britain’s top professional cyclists contest the Leicester Castle Classic cycle race.
Location: Leicester, Leicestershire
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
Celebrate Portsmouth’s cultural festivities
If you're a culture vulture then you'll absolutely love Portsmouth's annual festival of culture, arts and heritage, spread out over two weeks.
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Watch a world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival
There are over 200 films to choose from at London’s most accessible and exciting film festival.
Location: London, Greater London
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
Get a real taste of Durham this autumn
Eateries across Durham are celebrating the very best in local produce this October, as Taste Durham month returns to make dining out even more of a treat.
Location: Durham
Party at NewcastleGateshead’s New Year’s Eve Winter Carnival
New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate, and the Winter Festival presents one of the biggest events across the country on New Year’s Eve.
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
Arts and cultural events
Rejoice in English culture at one of the many shows and fairs held throughout the year.
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