Winchester Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Winchester, Hampshire, England, UK)

During the months of spring and summer, the city of Winchester comes alive with various festivals, annual events and seasonal things to do. Ranging from theatrical productions and live entertainment, to literary events and the visual arts, Winchester is proud of its yearly celebrations and works hard to fill its calendar with interesting festivities.

Each year in July, the Winchester Hat Fair draws enormous crowds of more than 40,000 people, who come to enjoy the street theatre, music, dancing and comedy. Named after the tradition of throwing a few coins in the hats of buskers, the Hat Fair first took place in 1974 and is now the oldest festival of its kind in the whole of the United Kingdom. Also staged in July is the Winchester Festival, which is held over a ten-day period and showcases local and international talent.

Winchester Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015: General Information

Popular annual events in the city include the following listings:

• Vintage Bus Day - early January
• Chamber Music Festival - mid-April
• Alresford Watercress Festival - mid-May
• Winchester MayFest - mid-May
• Grange Park Opera - June to early July
• Winchester Writers' Conference - mid-June
• Winchester Festival of Art and Mind - mid-June
• Medieval Fair - mid-June
• Cycle Fair - mid-June
• Hampshire Food Festival - throughout July
• Hat Fair - early July
• Winchester Festival - mid-July
• Hampshire Open Studios - mid- to late August
• Sanctuary Dance Music Festival - mid-August
• Heritage Open Days - mid-September
• Alfresford Agricultural Show - early September
• Grand Military Tattoo - mid-September
• Alternative Transport Day - mid-September
• Winchester Film Festival - mid-October
• Winchester Round Table Bonfire and Fireworks - early November
• Winchester Cathedral Ice Skating Rink - late November and throughout December
• Christmas Market early to mid-December
• Cathedral Choir Recitals - early December
• Santa Specials at the Mid Hants Railway - early to mid-December