The more eccentric the festivals in England, the greater the fervour with which we embrace them. St George’s Day is celebrated at concerts and creative events around the country with parades, maypole dancing and thrilling enactments of St George slaying the dragon. May Day fêtes on village greens mark the start of summer. Be entertained by a Morris dancing troupe and the crowning of the May Queen. On Bonfire Night, join a parade through towns where effigies of the traitorous Guy Fawkes are held aloft and eventually burnt. Cheer as the fireworks light up the smoky November sky.
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
Rhythmtree Festival on the Isle of Wight promises vegan food and happy faces, along with top global music stars for festival-goers of all ages.
Location: Shalfleet, Isle of Wight
Join the annual Leicester Caribbean Carnival in August for a celebration of culture and tradition full of music, colour and dance.
Location: Leicester, Leicestershire
Head to the Wiltshire town of Devizes in spring for the annual Devizes Street Festival.
Location: Devizes, Wiltshire
Norwich becomes a hotbed of international art and performance every May.
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Lincolnshire’s coastal district of East Lindsey is transformed into an international arts venue during this annual summer festival.
Location: Skegness, Lincolnshire
Come and enjoy the atmosphere and immerse yourself in heritage, entertainment, re-enactment and have-a-go fun.
Location: Lytham Green, Lancashire
The usually quiet coastal town Broadstairs comes to life to celebrate the life of Dickens at this week-long, eclectic festival.
Location: Broadstairs, Kent
Join in the fun – play the spoons, sing along with the many bands, shake a clog or head along to the Hobby Horse Club.
Location: Broadstairs, Kent
Fresh, local, award-winning produce, live demonstrations and more in October. Simply delicious.
Location: Broadstairs, Kent
Take your pick from hand-crafted jewellery to award-winning sausages at this gourmet event in the heart of the Test Valley.
Location: Test Valley, Hampshire
A weekend of tasty treats, markets, live music and entertainment in Holmfirth.
Location: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
Listen along to amazing performances at the UK’s largest international festival of new and experimental music.
Location: Huddersfield , West Yorkshire
Hear old school traditional to cutting-edge contemporary jazz at Marsden Jazz Festival.
Location: Marsden, West Yorkshire
Each September, the annual Scarborough Jazz Festival on Yorkshire’s north coast provides the ideal tonic for music lovers to wash away those summer blues.
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Over 400 artists combine art, music, comedy, theatre and literature for the UK's largest open art exhibition.
Location: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
Take one historic town, an enviable food culture, passionate local chefs and food producers and you get the perfect recipe for Ludlow Food Festival.
Location: Ludlow, Shropshire
Meet some of the UK's most beloved authors in an annual literary festival for the whole family.
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
The Goose Fair is one of Europe’s largest travelling fairs and is one of Nottingham’s oldest traditions, dating back more than 700 years.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
With its fine selection of beer and cider stalls, many of which offer local produce, Nottingham's Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival is a great place for drink connoisseurs.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
The annual Yorkshire Wolds Walking and Outdoors Festival offers a host of exciting outdoor pursuits and taster sessions.
Location: Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire
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