Here’s our guide to the highlights of this year’s social calendar. Events in and around Cheshire to see and be seen at

JANUARY

Holly Holy Day

The Roundheads and Cavaliers descend on Nantwich town centre on January 24th as they re-enact the Battle of Nantwich, a conflict that occurred when it was besieged by the Royalist Army during the Civil War. The annual and very well supported event, organised by The Holly Holy Day Society with The Sealed Knot and Rotary, marks the lifting of the siege on January 25th in 1644. Events will be held throughout the day including a wreath laying and the battle re-enactment.

www.battleofnantwich.co.uk

FEBRUARY

Roaring Twenties: Live Jazz at Lyme

Get those feet moving to songs from the twenties and be transported back to Lyme Hall during the jazz age with the Ged Hone Jazz Group. This event, on January 31st and February 1st, forms part of the hall’s winter exhibition which gets behind the scenes of BBC’s The Village, in which Lyme Park featured. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme-park

MARCH

The Cheshire Cat

This monster of a cycling event on March 29th takes in more than 100 miles of our county’s beautiful scenery starting at Queens Park in Crewe. The event includes climbs over Mow Cop, in Wincle and for 2015, at Delamere. Other routes of 80 and 50 miles are also optional. Or if you prefer, you could cheer on the participants while enjoying the atmosphere. www.kilotogo.com

APRIL

National Waterways Museum Sea Shanty Festival

This hugely popular celebration of all things nautical is now in its fifth year. From April 3rd to 5th there will be more than 100 performers in seven different venues at the museum for the three-day event. Expects singing, nautical poetry, puppet-making and face painting.

www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/national-waterways-museum

MAY

The Wilson Trophy

See more than 32 teams compete for this prestigious prize. The event, run by West Kirby Sailing Club from May 8th to 10th, attracts world class sailors Marine Lake. It is the biggest and most celebrated event in the dinghy team racing calendar. The best views are from the promenade where you will be able to see the different teams take to the water. www.wilsontrophy.co.uk Don’t miss: MBNA Chester Music Festival from May 31st to June 14th. The north west’s premier chamber music festival held at Chester Town Hall and Chester Cathedral. www.chestermusicfestival.co.uk

JUNE

Cheshire County Show

The event not to be missed. The Cheshire County Show, being held on June 23rd and 24th at Tabley, has been attracting thousands through its gates for decades and has become the highlight of the county’s social calendar. There will be hundreds of animals classes and demonstrations in the main ring including the fantastic Grand Parade. There will also be fantastic food and drink on offer as well as fun activities to take part in. www.cheshirecountyshow.org.uk Don’t miss: Bolesworth International on June 18th - 21st. Top international show jumping and polo, stunt bikes, vintage funfair and a concert headlined by Scouting for Girls all combine for this incredible equestrian event on the Bolesworth Estate.

www.bolesworthinternational.com

JULY

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

Soak up the atmosphere on July 22nd to 26th. Take a look at the latest trends as well as enjoying the medal winning gardens. There are also hundreds of exhibitors from award-winning nurseries and specialists to those selling gardening produce and gifts. www.rhs.org.uk Don’t miss: Nantwich Show on July 29th. This annual one-day agricultural show also features The International Cheese Awards. www.nantwichshow.co.uk

AUGUST

CarFest North

Radio 2 presenter and Warrington-born Chris Evans handpicks all the artists who appear at this popular motoring, music and food event at Oulton Park in Little Budworth, near Tarporley, from July 31st to August 2nd. As well as an amazing line-up of cars, CarFest also raises funds for Children in Need. Acts including Billy Ocean, Midge Ure, Level 42 and The Boomtown Rats have already been signed up. www.carfest.org Don’t miss: Rewind Festival North at Capesthorne Hall in Siddington on August 7th -9th. The full line-up for this eighties festival will be announced shortly.

www.rewindfestival.com

SEPTEMBER

Wirral Golf Classic

The sixth Wirral Golf Classic, a 72-hole Stableford competition for men and women amateur golfers, will be held on September 21st to 25th. Competitors will get the chance to play on four of the Wirral’s finest golf courses at Caldy, Heswall, Wallasey and the world renowned Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake, a host of The Open Championship. www.wirralgolfclassic.co.uk Don’t miss: Annual Sculpture Exhibition at Mount Pleasant Gardens in Kelsall. Throughout the month artists from across the UK show their work. www.mountpleasantgardens.co.uk

October

Essar Chester Literature Festival

One of the must-experience events of the county’s cultural calendar. There will be scores of famous poets, writers and broadcasters appearing at events around the historic city between October 10th and 25th. www.chesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

NOVEMBER

Wales Rally GB

Car lovers will enjoy this thrilling event which is the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship, widely regarded as the most challenging motorsport competition in the world. The North Wales race’s ceremonial start is in Colwyn Bay and the ceremonial finish is in Mostyn Street, Llandudno.

www.walesrallygb.com

DECEMBER

Champagne Oscars

Cheshire Life and the Alderley Edge Hotel join together with lovers of fine food and wine to celebrate the year’s best champagne house. Usually held on the first Thursday of the month, this sophisticated and elegant black tie dinner event takes place at the award-winning Alderley Edge Hotel.

www.alderleyedgehotel.com