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Festivals in Wiltshire

Wiltshire is busy for most of the year with music, food and drink and arts festivals. Whatever part of the county you decide to visit this year, you will find plenty of activity. Check the list below to help you decide when and where to take your break in Wiltshire. You might need to visit more than once to fit it all in!

May

Following last May's fabulous fourteenth Festival, plans are now well underway for the fifteenth Swindon Festival of Literature.

Once again, festival frolics will begin high on that beautiful ridge in Lawn Woods, overlooking Swindon, at 5.30am on Monday 7th May, with the ever-popular Dawn Chorus, where earlybirds gather for a spring carnival of poetry, song, storytelling, dance, and hot breakfasts, plus a good deal of other early morning mischief!

During the subsequent 13 days, authors and speakers appearing at venues in town will include established names not only from the world of literature but also from politics, science, sport, entertainment, and television.

The full Festival programme will be published in mid March 2008, so for more information visit www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk

A National Festival in the Heart of Wiltshire
Four days of the best in folk song, music, dance
and traditions in the heart of Wiltshire

37th Year ~ Over 200 Events :: Over 50 Workshops :: Concerts
Ceilidhs :: Dances :: Displays :: Story Telling :: Pub Sessions
Full Children's and Youth Programmes
Outdoor Arena in Beautiful Riverside Setting
Riverside Camping and Caravan Sites :: Craft Marquee
Music Stalls :: Instruments Maker :: Street Market on Monday
Superb on site catering :: Historic Market Town
Excellent Road and Rail Links.

For more informaton visit www.chippfolk.co.uk.

Classical and world music share the limelight with international theatre, dance, film, visual arts, children's events, large outdoor spectaculars and a full literature programme.

The Festival has a reputation for engaging and inspiring audiences year after year and in 2008 shines a spotlight on singing, with choirs and choruses, soloists and duets, amaterurs and professionals filling venues around Salisbury with song. And we're celebrating the rich artistic heritage of Africa, so look out for new interpretations and traditional pieces from this diverse continent.

"Salisbury's programme is a sampler of delights both new and unimagined rather than just another sprawling spree of arts companies" The Guardian, 19 May 2007.

For more information visit www.salisburyfestival.co.uk.

June

A three week festival of music and the arts taking place in various venues around Devizes. Highlights this year include the ever popular Wadworth Brewery tour.

For more information visit www.devizesfestival.co.uk.

The festival this year will take the form of a Circus Spectacular for the first time. Some of the country's finest entertainers have been booked to ensure the day is fun for everyone.

For more information visit www.crickladetownfestival.co.uk.

Eight days of eclectic, energetic and entertaining events taking place in this beautiful Wiltshire town.

For more information visit www.corshamfestival.org.uk.

English Heritage usually provide access to the stones at Stonehenge for the celebration of the Summer Solstice. Many people gather on the evening before (from 10 pm onwards) and there is usually casual entertainment from musicians within the crowd. There are conditions of entry which must be complied with.

For more information about Stonehenge and the conditions of entry visit www.english-heritage.org.uk.

Building on the splendid work of previous years, Old Town Festival will be a bumper event which will include a Medieval Banquet, Live Music and a Street Parade.

For more information visit www.oldtownfestival.co.uk.

July

None stop Live country music from the best of British Bands on both days.
Many attractions including a western show team and trade stalls.

For more information telephone 01249 812845 or email sandi.king@hotmail.com.

Marlborough International Jazz was founded in 1986 and it features on Tower Records list of the top events of its kind in the British Isles. As well as individual concerts, a major feature is the Stroller. These are tickets that enable the holder to see a large number of bands in over 20 locations on Friday evening from 6pm and on Saturday from before 12 noon until after midnight.

Bands range from famous touring stars and many of the home-grown variety to young up-and-coming groups. Free events in the streets add to the carnival atmosphere that pervades the town over the weekend. Please note that possession of a stroller does not guarantee admission to a venue if it is full.

For more information visit www.marlboroughjazz.co.uk.

Annual Food and Drink Festival. Talks and meals will be held in various 'unusual' venues around the town. Admittance is by reservation only and early booking is recommended.

For more information and to book telephone 01380 734667.

This Festival takes place deep in the heart of the remote and beautiful Cranborne Chase, in the most southerly part of Wiltshire, where the Victorian Larmer Tree Gardens come alive with music, workshops and a huge carnival procession.

It's the18th festival this year, so they're having a 5 day party... 108 hours of non-stop fun!

Artists include Jools Holland with Marc Almond, Eric Bibb, The Levellers, Bellowhead, Kate Rusby and lots more!

Camping and showers are included in the ticket price. Tickets sell out very quickly so book early.

For more information visit www.larmertreefestival.co.uk.

The 35th Trowbridge Village Pump Festival takes place at Stowford Manor Farm in Wiltshire, one of the most picturesque settings in the country for an event of this type.

The festival features internationally known acts from the world of Folk/Roots music.

All events take place in marquees and the compact site includes three separate stages plus children's tent, three beer tents and a myriad of trade stalls selling food and items from all over the world. This year there will be a General Store and ATM cash machine. Free camping and free car parking are all on site close at hand.

Confirmed artists for this year's festival include Don McLean, Little Feat, Richard Thompson, Alabama 3, Andy Fairweather Low and many more....

For more information visit www.trowbridgefestival.co.uk.

The globally renowned World of Music, Arts & Dance (WOMAD) Festival will be taking place at Charlton Park, Malmesbury for the second year running.

Artists confirmed to appear include Boy George, Eddy Grant, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Roni Size & Reprazent and Squeeze.

Tickets are expected to sell fast ,so for more information about booking visit www.womad.org.

Swindon Mela is more than music and dance. Food is an essential ingredient of any Mela. The Swindon Mela hosts food stalls from a variety of caterers offering Punjabi, Gujerati and Halal food as well as delicious Indian ice creams and sweets.

A shoppers paradise of Asian products from stalls selling contemporary and traditional clothing, jewellery, accessories, music, spices and nik naks. Something for everyone!

There are plenty of ways to delve into and enjoy Asian inspired activities including all day arts and crafts workshops, Carrom tournaments, sari and turban tying plus walkabout street theatre and entertainments. An astounding wealth of Asian artistic talent, a wonderful mix of Bollywood, Bhangra, modern and traditional music and dance.

For more information visit www.swindonmela.com.

August

The High Street festival is a great day out, including music, stalls, street entertainers and lots of fun for all of the family!

For more information visit www.woottonbassett.gov.uk.

September

A showcase for the very best of local fare. Salisbury's Food and Drink Festival promises a range of foodie treats for all the family!

The main event takes place in the city's Market Place and as in previous years, there will be plenty on the menu, from the hotly-contested Waiters' and Bar Tenders' Race (a perennial favourite) to wine and beer tents, cookery demonstrations, barbecues and special food festival menus at local restaurants.

Other venues around south Wiltshire will be joining in too, so come along and make the most of the wealth of delicious produce for which south Wiltshire is renowned.

For more information visit www.salisburyfestival.co.uk.

October

Now in its 34th year, the programme for this year's Festival is yet to be announced.

For more information visit www.calnemusicandartsfestival.co.uk.

November

With a mix of local and international performers, there is entertainment to suit a very wide variety of musical tastes, plus theatre, heritage, literature, and events for youngsters.

For more information visit www.chippfest.org.uk.

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