Our guide to some of the best events coming up over the next 12 months in and around Cheshire.
JANUARY
27th
Nantwich Holly Holy Day
Holly Holy Day commemorates the lifting of the Siege of Nantwich during the English Civil War on 25th January 1644. The name is derived from the locals wearing sprigs of holly in their hats to celebrate. Today, the Holly Holy Day Society and Sealed Knot stage an annual battle re-enactment in the town centre to mark the end of the long and painful siege in spectacular fashion. You can expect living history displays, music, dancing and other activities before the troops take part in the bloody battle.
Nantwich town centre www.battleofnantwich.co.uk
Also this month
Until 14th
Secret Seven
The world’s first stage adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s classic. Follow the characters on their adventure set in the Wirral.
Storyhouse, Chester, www.storyhouse.com
Until 20th
Fifth Macclesfield Open Art Exhibition 2017
Be wowed by the hundreds of pieces of art on display and see who will be winners of the six awards.
The Silk Museum, Macclesfield, www.macclesfieldmuseums.co.uk
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FEBRUARY
4th – 5th March
Snowdrop Walks
This snowdrops walk continues to be a popular event year after year. Welcome in the springtime and discover over 70 varieties of snowdrops on this mile-long route within Rode Hall’s grade II listed beautiful gardens. Since 1833, over six generations of the Wilbraham family have been planting the white flowers – which are also available for visitors to buy. The tearooms with roaring woodburner will be open and there will be an art exhibition in the barns from local art groups.
Rode Hall and Gardens, Scholar Green, ST7 3QP www.rodehall.co.uk
Also this month
8th – 11th
Chester Antiques Fair
This fair offers around 40 stands of antiques and fine art extending over three floors of the County Grandstand.
Chester Racecourse, Chester, www.penman-fairs.co.uk
10th – 25th
Winter Wildlife Trail at Ness Gardens
Have fun this half term exploring this easy route. Discover the plants and animals of winter; see what you can spot from the special trail booklet.
Ness Botanic Gardens, Ness, www.nessgardens.org.uk
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MARCH
31st – April 2nd
Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Festival
This annual foodie festival will feature over 150 food and drink exhibitors as well as a host of famous faces providing demonstrations. With past chefs including Jean Christophe Novelli, Simon Rimmer and Masterchef’s Gregg Wallace, you’re bound to be inspired in the kitchen. There’s also plenty of fun and entertainment, and children will be kept busy with activities such as cooking workshops over the weekend.
Chester Racecourse, Grey Friars, Chester, CH1 2LY www.chesterfoodanddrink.co.uk
Also this month
9th
Manchester Theatre Awards
This annual award ceremony is the most important theatrical prize-giving outside London. Over 20 awards categories recognise the exciting array of regional theatre on offer.
The Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford, www.thelowry.com
20th
Starlight Walk
East Cheshire Hospice take over the grounds of Capesthorne to host their annual memory walk. Celebrate the life of a loved one and to support those in need of care.
Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield, www.capesthorne.com
23 March
GM Bee Glitz and Glamour Benefit Ball
The team of detectives from the Major Incident Team that worked on the scene of the Manchester bombing in 2017 have decided to organise a benefit ball to raise as much money as possible to help the survivors and their families continue with their daily lives
This event will be held at Lancashire County Cricket Club
Contact gmbeeball2018@gmail.com to buy your tickets to this event
March 30th – April 2nd
Easter Boat Gathering
See colourful narrow boats from around the UK and performances among the historic dock buildings by sea shanty musicians from across Europe.
National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
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APRIL
29th
Bluebell Walks
Gather the family and enjoy a two-mile woodland walk through swathes of fragrant native bluebells at Combermere Abbey. The Abbey’s Walled Gardens, with its restored Glasshouse, will also be open for guests to enjoy and if you go through the Pleasure Garden and the Garden Wood it will lead you down to the lake with countryside views. Visitors are welcome to bring dogs on a lead and there will be a spring plant and produce sale.
Combermere Abbey, Whitchurch, SY13 4AJ www.combermereabbey.co.uk
Also this month
Dates TBC
Lambing Fortnight at the Farm
Visit the Tatton estate and you may be lucky enough to see lambs being born.
Tatton Park, Knutsford, www.tattonpark.org.uk
20th - 23rd
Kelsall Hill Horse Trials
The popular British Eventing Horse Trials spring event returns with a range of classes for competitors.
Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre, Tarporley, www.kelsallhill.co.uk
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MAY
25th -28th
Geronimo Festival
There’s fun for all the family in this ‘fairytale weekend of madness’ featuring shows and hands-on activities such as a live circus tent, jousting, donkey rides, stunts, forager walks, graffiti workshops, giant tortoise, archery, theatre shows, music workshops, arts and crafts, glamping and more, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Arley Hall.
Arley Hall, Arley, Northwich www.geronimofest.com
Also this month
9th-11th
The Boodles May Festival
The Boodles May Festival is one of the highlights of Chester’s racing calendar and 2018’s festival promises to be an unmissable experience for racegoers and TV viewers alike.
Chester www.chester-races.co.uk
13th
Reaseheath Family Festival
This annual Family Festival has been held at the agricultural college for almost 40 years. The whole campus opens up for visitors who can enjoy an exciting range of family-friendly activities.
Reaseheath College, Nantwich www.reaseheath.ac.uk
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JUNE
19th - 20th
The Royal Cheshire County Show
For more than 175 years, the Cheshire County Show has been the premier agricultural event in the North West of England and in 2016 it reached an exciting milestone when the honour of ‘Royal’ status was bestowed on the show by the Cabinet Office.
With its roots firmly embedded in farming, the show holds competition classes for cattle, sheep, pigs and dairy goats, show jumping, rare breeds of livestock and more. Enjoy celebrity chefs, shopping and more.
Tabley Showground, Knutsford www.royalcheshireshow.org
Also this month
16th and 17th
Dogfest
TV’s supervet Noel Fitzpatrick is the star attraction (aside from the dogs, of course) and from the Great Dog Walk to dog agility and more, there is plenty to keep both you and your pet pooch amused.
Cholmondely Castle dog-fest.co.uk
15th-24th
Barnaby Festival
A festival of arts, culture and fun celebrating Macclesfield’s rich culture and heritage.
Macclesfield www.barnabyfestival.org.uk
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JULY
18th-22nd
RHS Flower Show Tatton
Enjoy a blooming lovely time at Tatton, with its show gardens, plant displays and stalls filled with horticultural treats. The magnificent parklands of Tatton are the perfect venue for this vibrant garden festival.
Knutsford www.rhs.org.uk/TattonPark
Also this month
14th-15th
Cheshire Steam Fair
The place to be if you’re a fan of steam engines, classic cars, vintage tractors, classic motorcycles, fairground organs and more.
Daresbury outdoorshows.co.uk
20th-22nd
Bluedot Festival
Based on the site of the Jodrell Bank radio telescope this festival fuses music, science art and culture with a stellar line-up of music.
Jodrell Bank, near Holmes Chapel www.discoverthebluedot.com
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AUGUST
17th-19th
Just So Festival
An imaginative outdoor family adventure like no other and the best family festival in the UK. With a love of stories and childhood escapades at its heart, Just So Festival enables families to step out of their day to day lives and into a wonderland of world class literature, arts, theatre, dance, music, comedy and creative pursuits together.
Also this month
3rd-5th
Rewind Festival
80s pop nostalgia, fancy dress, glamping, posh nosh and a Friday social all add up to a weekend to remember.
Siddington www.rewindfestival.com
23rd-26th
Creamfields
Creamfields, staged in Daresbury, is the coolest music festival around. Line-up details to be announced.
Daresbury www.creamfields.com
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SEPTEMBER
6-9 and 13-16:
National Heritage Open Days event
Heritage venues across the region – many of them not normally open to the public – will welcome visitors as part of the national Heritage Open Days event. heritageopendays.org.uk
Also this month
7-9
Gladfest
The sixth annual Gladfest, held at Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden, has developed a reputation as the UK’s friendliest literary festival.
26th
Cheshire Ploughing Match
Will the best furrow be ploughed by a modern tractor, a piece of vintage machinery or a shire horse? Find out at the Cheshire Ploughing Match at Stockley Farm, Arley. cheshireploughing.co.uk
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OCTOBER
Early October
Goosfest
The programme for Goosfest, Goostrey’s annual celebration of music and arts, will once again feature comedy, theatre and a range of musical styles.
Keep an eye on the website – goosfest.com – for dates and details.
Also this month
11-14th
Chester Antiques Show
Chester Antiques Show will feature about 40 stands of antiques and fine art over three floors of the County Grandstand at Chester Racecourse.
28th
Crewe Cosmopolitan Food Festival
Enjoy food from around the world, as well as live entertainment, at the Crewe Cosmopolitan Food Festival.
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NOVEMBER
4th -6th
Sarah Millican
Comedy queen Sarah, now living in Cheshire, brings her ‘Control Enthusiast’ tour and her inimitable style to Warrington’s Parr Hall. pyramidparrhall.com
Also this month
10th
Doki Doki The Manchester Japanese Festival
Doki Doki The Manchester Japanese Festival at Sugden Sports Centre on Grosvenor Street, will celebrate traditional and modern Japanese culture. dokidokifestival.com
16-17th
Antiques, Collectors and Vintage Fair
With stalls selling china, jewellery, books, art and vintage fashion, there will be something for everyone at the Antiques, Collectors and Vintage Fair in Llandudno Town Hall. visitllandudno.org.uk
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DECEMBER
Date TBC
The Winter Watch
A ‘ghost band’ lead a fun parade of skeletons, cooks, angels and devils as they celebrate the winter solstice in Chester. Dating from the 1400’s, local artists and community groups join to celebrate the time the city’s leaders would hand over the keys to the city watch. Follow the parade through the streets of Chester city centre.
Also this month
Knutsford Christmas Market
Date to be confirmed, but usually the first weekend in December.
This two-day street market on Princess Street features around 100 traders selling fine foods, drinks, crafts and gifts. Plus, there’s festive excitement for all the family, even tiny tots.
www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk
14th
80s Christmas Party
Take a festive step back into the 1980s at Nantwich Civic Hall for their 80s Christmas Party.
![Stephen Webb [Frank-N-Furter], Richard Meek [Brad], Haley Flaherty [Janet] & cast](/resources/images/128x89/1x/17679473.jpg)
![Stephen Webb [Frank-N-Furter], Richard Meek [Brad], Haley Flaherty [Janet] & cast](/resources/images/180x180/1x/17679473.jpg)
