ARTS and LITERARY FESTIVALS 2020
[UPDATED 25th July]
MANY of this years’ festivals are marked CANCELLED, or POSTPONED. Some were rescheduled, only to be cancelled as the Covid rules altered. Organisers intend that all the annual festivals will be held in 2021. Watch for the dates as the situation unfolds.
JANUARY
17th to 19th January
Bradford Roots Music Festival, www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk
22nd to 26th January
Bristol Slapstick Festival, silent film and slapstick comedy, www.slapstick.org.uk
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FEBRUARY
8th February
Shaftesbury Snowdrop Festival, study and social day, www.shaftesburysnowdrops.org
20th to 22nd February
Bath Bach Festival, www.bathbachfest.co.uk
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MARCH
5th to 8th March
Swanage Blues Festival www.swanage-blues.org
7th and 8th March
Bristol Bluegrass Festival, www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk
Coronavirus measures introduced
27th to 29th March
Devon Song Festival, concerts at Ashburton and Topsham, www.devonsongfestival.com CANCELLED
31st March to 19th April
Bath Comedy Festival, www.bathcomedy.com POSTPONED
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APRIL
15th to 19th April
From Page to Screen, Bridport, www.frompagetoscreen.org.uk POSTPONED TO 21-25 OCTOBER
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MAY
1st to 3rd May
Lyme Regis Fossil Festival, www.fossilfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
1st to 6th May
Sherborne Abbey Festival, www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org CANCELLED
8th to 16th May
Wedmore Arts Festival, includes jazz, opera, comedy, music www.wedmoreartsfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
8th to 17th May
Swindon Spring Festival, www.swindonspringfestival.co.uk Look out for news of online and resheduled events on the website
9th to 17th May
Wimborne Literary Festival, www.wimborneliteraryfestival.co.uk CANCELLED several events POSTPONED
15th to 17th May
Dart Music Festival, www.dartmusicfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
15th to 24th May
The Bath Festival, www.bathfestivals.org.uk POSTPONED
21st to 24th May
Shindig Weekender, Gilcombe Farm, Bruton, music and comedy, www.shindigfestival.co.uk POSTPONED to 24-27th September 2020
22nd to 24th May
The Cursus Cider and Music Festival, Canada Farm Sixpenny Handley www.cursusfestival.com POSTPONED to 2021
Exmouth Festival, www.exmouthfestival.org.uk CANCELLED
22nd to 24th May
Wells Comedy Festival, Little Theatre, www.wellscomfest.com CANCELLED
22nd to 25th May
Jazz Jurassica, Lyme Regis, www.jazzjurassica.co.uk CANCELLED
Chippenham Folk Festival, www.chippfolk.co.uk CANCELLED – postponed to 2021
22nd May to 7th June
Bath Fringe Festival, www.bathfringe.co.uk Hoping to organise a Fringe later in the year
Salisbury International Arts Festival, www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk CANCELLED
23rd to 31st May
Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe www.b-e-a-f.co.uk POSTPONED to 24th October – 1st November
23rd May to 7th June
Dorset Art Weeks, www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk POSTPONED
Purbeck Art Weeks, open studios, music, literature: www.purbeckartweeks.co.uk CANCELLED
23rd May to 5th September
Iford Arts Festival, 23/24 May, 26 Aug, 30 Aug, 29 Aug to 4 Sept, 5 Sept, 19 Sept, see www.ifordarts.org.uk MAIN FESTIVAL CANCELLED – watch for news of Picnic Proms in late August and early September
25th to 30th May
Plymouth Fringe Festival, theatre, dance, comedy, music: www.plymouthfringe.com no information on website
30th and 31st May
Wessex Folk Festival, Weymouth, www.wessexfolkfestival.com CANCELLED
31st May to 16th June
Devizes Arts Festival, multi arts festival, www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk CANCELLED
Next happening in 2021
Wylye Valley Art Trail, biennial event, open studios, workshops etc www.wvat.co.uk
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JUNE
8th to 14th June
Corsham, Pound Arts, Blue Sky Festival, www.blueskyfestival.org.uk now on line
12th to 14th June
Wimborne Minster Folk Festival, inc Ninebarrow, www.wimbornefolk.co.uk POSTPONED to 7th-9th August
Chilthorne Domer Home Farm Fest, 12th fund-raiser for Piers Simon Appeal, www.homefarmfest.co.uk POSTPONED
11th to 14th June
Isle of Wight Festival, www.isleofwightfestival.com CANCELLED
13th June
Petherton Folk Fest, South Petherton, www.pethertonfolkfest.org.uk CANCELLED
13th to 20th June
East Devon Music Festival, Various venues, jazz and classical music. www.eastdevonmusicfestival.org CANCELLED
16th to 21st June
Farley Music Festival, www.farleymusic.co.uk POSTPONED TO 2021
19th to 21st June
Teignmouth Folk Festival, www.teignmouthfolk.co.uk CANCELLED
27th June to 5th July
Beaminster Festival, www.beaminsterfestival.com CANCELLED
22nd to 28th June
Chalke Valley History Festival, talks, discussions, debates, living history encampment, air show, celebration of history, writing, www.cvhf.org.uk CANCELLED
24th to 28th June
Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk CANCELLED
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JULY
1st to 5th July
New Forest Folk Festival, Plaitford nr Romsey, Powells Farm, www.newforestfolkfestival.co.uk
3rd to 5th July
Shaftesbury Fringe, multi arts, www.shaftesburyfringe.co.uk CANCELLED
3rd to 12th July
Frome Festival, includes world food feast, open studios, bands, opera etc www.fromefestival.co.uk CANCELLED
4th July
Coker Festival, East Coker, music, local bands www.cokerfestivalofmusic.co.uk CANCELLED
4th to 6th July
UK Boogie Woogie Festival, Sturminster Newton, www.ukboogiewoogiefestival.co.uk CANCELLED
4th to 11th July
Somerton Festival and Somerstock Festival , www.somertonartsfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
9th to 12th July
Cerne Abbas Music Festival, Gaudier Ensemble www.cerneabbasmusicfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
10th to 12th July
Priddy Folk Festival www.priddyfolk.org CANCELLED
Swanage Jazz Festival www.swanagejazzfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
10th to 18th July
Budleigh Salterton Music Festival, classical music, www.budleighmusicfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
16th to 19th July
Larmer Tree Festival, Tollard Royal, www.larmertreefestival.co.uk CANCELLED
17th and 18th July
Godney Gathering, music, etc,10th anniversary, inc Lightning Seds, The Coral, British Sea Power www.thegodneygathering.com CANCELLED
17th to 19th July
Harbourside Festival, free festival, street theatre, music, circus, food, historic ships, etc www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, music, theatre, talks, debates, processions www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk CANCELLED
17th July to 12th September
BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, www.bbc.co.uk/proms THE 2020 festival will be held mostly virtually, with some live music in the final fortnight. Watch out for full details.
18th July
Bridgwater Quayside Festival, music, street and indoor theatre, carnival, circus, puppetry, dance, etc, www.bridgwaterquaysidefestival.uk CANCELLED
19th July
Southern Cathedrals Festival, Winchester Cathedral, music, www.southerncathedralsfestival.org.uk CANCELLED
21st to 25th July
Dorset Opera Festival at Bryanston Coade Hall, La Rondine and Boris Gudunov, www.dorsetopera.com CANCELLED
23rd to 26th July
Womad, Marlborough, Charlton Park. www.womad.co.uk CANCELLED
24th and 25th July
FarmFest, Gilcombe Farm, Bruton. www.farmfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
Poole Beer and Bluegrass Festival, Victoria School and Gardens, www.beerandbluegrass.co.uk CANCELLED
Chagstock Music Festival, Chagford, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Mad Doc Mcrea, etc, www.chagstock.info CANCELLED
24th to 26th July
Bridport Folk Festival, www.bridportfolkfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
30th July to 2nd August
Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle, www.campbestival.net CANCELLED
31st July to 7th August
Sidmouth Folk Week, www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk CANCELLED
July dates to be confirmed
Grooves on the Green, Ashley Cross Parkstone, in aid of Diverse Abilities Plus, www.groovesonthegreen.co.uk CANCELLED
Once Upon a Time in the West, (deepest Wiltshire near Trowbridge) music with roots, local beers and cider, www.outwestfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
Next happening in 2021
NewtFest, North Newton, beer, cider and music, www.newtfest.com
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AUGUST
1st August
Dorset Food and Arts Festival, Poundbury, Dorchester, www.dorsetfestival.org CANCELLED
Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza, www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/information/glastonbury-abbey-extravaganza/ CANCELLED
2nd to 8th August
Dillington Classical Guitar Festival, www.dillington.com CANCELLED
6th to 9th August
International Balloon Fiesta, balloons, music, food etc www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk CANCELLED
BUT on a date to be announced between 1st to 14th August, balloons will fly over the city. Watch them from the safety of your homes
7th to 9th August
Wimborne Minster Folk Festival, inc Ninebarrow, www.wimbornefolk.co.uk CANCELLED
15th to 23rd August
Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art www.burtonbradstockfestival.com CANCELLED
20th to 23rd August
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival www.purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
21st to 23rd August
Beautiful Days, Escot Park, Ottery St Mary, www.beautifuldays.org CANCELLED
23rd to 30th August
Edington Festival of Music within the Liturgy, choral and sacred music from 16th to 21st century , WILL BE HELD ONLINE, for details, visit www.edingtonfestival.org
28th to 30th August
Lyme Regis Folk Weekend, www.lymefolk.com CANCELLED
Victorious Festival, Portsmouth, The Specials, James Bay, The Hives, The Rifles, Clean Bandit, The Vaccines, etc www.victoriousfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
Watchet Music Festival, www.watchetfestival.co.uk CANCELLED
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SEPTEMBER
3rd to 6th September
Purbeck Chamber Music Festival, www.purbeck-chambermusic.org.uk CANCELLED
End of the Road Festival, www.endoftheroadfestival.com CANCELLED
4th to 6th September
Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, www.didmarton-bluegrass.co.uk CANCELLED
5th September
Bridport Hat Festival, www.bridporthatfest.org CANCELLED
5th to 13th September
B-Side, Portland, multi media arts festival, www.b-side.org.uk Biennial POSTPONED until 2021
11th to 13th September
Swanage Folk Festival www.swanagefolkfestival.com CANCELLED
Vicari0us Festival, travel and photography, Sparkford www.vicariousfestival.com POSTPONED until 3-5 Sept 2021
11th to 20th September
Jane Austen Festival, Bath, www.janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk CANCELLED
16th to 20th September
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, gone virtual. See details on website, www.budlitfest.org.uk
19th September to 4th October
Somerset Open Studios, gone digital. See details on website, www.somersetartworks.org.uk
24th to 27th September
Marlborough Literature Festival, www.marlboroughlitfest.org CANCELLED
25th September to 4th October
Bath Children’s Literature Festival www.bathfestivals.org.uk/childrens-literature CANCELLED
September dates to be confirmed
Arts by the Sea, various venues, www.artsbournemouth.org.uk no information available
International Agatha Christie Festival, Torbay, www.iacf-uk.org CANCELLED
17th to 21st September 2021 Priston Music Festival, www.priston.org.uk
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OCTOBER
5th to 8th October
Swanage Blues Festival www.swanage-blues.org CANCELLED
12th to 17th October
Two Moors Festival www.thetwomoorsfestival.co.uk no information available
12th to 18th October (tbc)
Mere Literary Festival. www.mereliteraryfestival.com CANCELLED
21st to 25th October
From Page to Screen, Bridport, www.frompagetoscreen.org.uk POSTPONED from April
24th October to 1st November
Bournemouth Emerging Arts Festival (postponed date) www.gotbeaf.co.uk
29th October to 2nd November
Yeovil Literary Festival, www.yeovilliteraryfestival.co.uk
October dates to be confirmed
Celebrate Voice, Guildhall Square, Salisbury, www.celebratevoice.co.uk
Dorchester Literary Festival, www.dorchesterliteraryfestival.com
Purbeck Film Festival, Rex Cinema and other Purbeck venues, www.purbeckfilm.com
Salisbury Literary Festival, www.salisburyliteraryfestival.co.uk
Sherborne Literary Festival, www.sherborneliterarysociety.com/festival
Sherborne International Film Festival, www.shiff.org.uk
Wells Festival of Literature, www.wellsfestivalofliterature.org.uk
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NOVEMBER
13th to 21st November
Bath Mozart Festival, www.bathmozartfest.org.uk
November dates to be confirmed
Bath Film Festival, various venues, www.filmbath.org.uk
Bridport Literary Festival www.bridlit.com
Taunton Literary Festival www.tauntonliteraryfestival.co.uk
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DECEMBER
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