Festivals in England
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.
August events: SO Festival
Lincolnshire’s coastal district of East Lindsey is transformed into an international arts venue during this annual summer festival.
Location: Skegness, Lincolnshire
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
October events: Get giddy at the Nottingham Goose Fair
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
November events: Watch an illuminated parade at Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival
Experience the West Country tradition of ‘squibbing’ at the UK’s largest winter carnival.
Location: Bridgwater, Somerset
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
September events: Bournemouth Air Festival
The world's biggest airshow brings together the thrill of gravity-defying plane displays and an abundance of family entertainment on the ground - all for free!
Location: Bournemouth, Dorset
December events: Visit Hyde Park at Christmas and witness a Winter Wonderland
Gather the family and get your skates on for the UK’s biggest outdoor ice rink at London’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
Location: London
December events: Step inside Worcester’s Victorian Christmas Fayre
Worcester's Christmas Fayre is the West Midlands' leading Victorian-themed street market.
Location: Worcester, Worcestershire
December events: Start off your Christmas season in Chester
Visit Santa, sip on mulled wine and spend the weekend celebrating all things festive in the beautiful city of Chester.
Location: Chester, Cheshire
July Events: South Tyneside Festival
This fabulous summer festival brings three months of free entertainment to the vibrant seaside resort of South Shields.
Location: South Shields, Tyne and Wear
All the fun of the fair with Dorset’s summer festivals
Dorset entertains the whole family all summer long hosting an array of amazing events and festivals that are unique, nostalgic or just plain fun!
Location: Dorset
July events: Alice's Day
Rediscover the charm of Wonderland with a fun-packed day of events on Oxford’s unique Alice’s Day.
Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire
Marvel at the Longleat Festival of Lights
See Europe’s largest display of Chinese lanterns at Longleat, where amazing hand-crafted illuminations will take your breath away.
Location: Warminster, Wiltshire
Wander into the Wilderness Festival
A ticket to Wilderness in Oxfordshire's countryside is like a ticket to a mini paradise where art, music, fine food and nature collide.
Location: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire
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Boil, boil, toil and trouble! Get out this October half-term with these spooky yet family-friendly Halloween activities and events.