Festivals

Festivals & events

2015 is set to be quite a year! Not only is it the 800th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta, it is also the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain – to mark both the Battle itself and Wiltshire’s contribution to Spitfire production, a week-long programme of exciting events will take place during Salisbury Wings Week.

And, of course, it doesn’t stop there…

Families should head for Downton Cuckoo Fair, held on the picturesque village greens, with free entry and with over 250 stalls, craft demonstrations, maypole and Morris dancing, music and more.
Over a weekend in May the Marlborough Food & Drink Festival is a magnet for foodies. With more than 100 local and regional exhibitors it promises a display of culinary delights, with plenty of products to tantalize your taste buds.

In spring you can follow the biannual Wylye Valley Art Trail to discover a visual arts festival showcasing a diverse range of arts and crafts by over 200 artists, set within some of the most beautiful landscapes, market towns and villages in Wiltshire. Then during October take the opportunity to view artists’ work in studios, galleries and homes on the Salisbury Art Trail and maybe even have a go yourself at a drop-in.

From late May to mid-June the Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival showcases an array of theatre, dance, comedy, classical and popular music, visual arts and a full literature programme plus free outdoor spectaculars and a series of family-friendly events. 2015 is the second of four festivals tracing the passage of the sun from sunrise to sunset, focusing on the dawning of a new day and looking towards the arts and culture of Eastern lands.

Over the second bank holiday weekend in May Chippenham Folk Festival combines nationally acclaimed performers with dynamic young musicians, dancers and singers. In all there are more than 200 individual events in 17 venues in and around the Georgian town of Chippenham.

This is closely followed on by the Wilton Classic and Supercar Event which offers a fabulous weekend of automotive fun, combining supercars with head to head displays, world class classic cars, car restoration and maintenance.

For two months in the summer the Iford Arts Festival presents opera, jazz proms and cloister concerts from the idyllic surroundings of the Grade I listed Peto Gardens at Iford Manor. Then there’s the Edington Music Festival  and the Village Pump Folk Festival. Later in the year, Trowbridge Arts Festival will once again be bursting at the seams with arts and cultural events to visit, watch and take part in.

The ancient market town of Malmesbury has been home to a carnival for over 90 years. These days Malmesbury Carnival & Festival has grown into a whole range of events with something to suit all ages and tastes. Devizes International Street Festival and Carnival runs from late August to early September  offering two whole weeks of colourful events, including Picnic in the Park, the Confetti Battle, Carnival Parade and Devizes International Street Festival.

Salisbury’s Contemporary Craft & Heritage Festival showcases both contemporary crafts and heritage skills, combining craft makers’ stalls and hands-on workshops with tours, talks, trails and much more.

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