Beyond the amazing music festivals around Swindon and Wiltshire, we thought we would look beyond the music, and see what else is out there this summer, from culture to walking festivals, and literature to history, and a whole lot more…
So here we go, you might be rather surprised!…
Chippenham Folk Festival
With over 600 Performers Already Confirmed, Chippenham’s unique in-town festival will be another memorable folk weekend with music, dance and entertainment in every town-centre street and pub with 7 stages and dance venues. Not forgetting the Island Park community stages and session beer tent located alongside the beautiful River Avon. A great place to relax, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a session and entertainment with children, family and friends.
YES, it’s another magnificent event with all the folk trimmings we’re famous for. A brilliant line up and concerts booked including The East Pointers, Phil Beer & Paul Downes, Miranda Sykes and Seth Lakeman. And, once again we have secured a great calling team with bands including Banter with Fee Lock, Sawney White Bird, Doug Eunson & Sarah Matthews, Portmanteau, Hinny & Joe Wass with callers Andrew Swaine, Bernie Culkin, Geoff Cubitt, John Stewart, Susanna Diamond… and more to meet every style.
Click HERE for more details…
Malmesbury Carnival & Festival
A full-blown programme of Carnival Events will take place this Summer, finishing with our showpiece event, Carnival Procession, in September.
Open Gardens; the Scarecrow trail; spot the difference competition; a Family Fun Day; Petticoat Lane; Music in the Cloisters together with a host of talks, quizzes, plays and fun activities will make up this year’s Carnival.
Click HERE for more details…
Melksham Food & River Festival
The Melksham Food and River Festival is organised by the Festival Committee with support from the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust and the Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club.
This year is the 11th year of the Food and River Festival, a 2-day late summer event that takes place in the heart of Melksham, Wiltshire.
The Festival seeks to provide a platform for local food and drink producers, community groups, local entrepreneurs and start-up businesses.
Each year the organisers work hard to expand the range of activities, stalls and attractions in the park and on the river that will appeal to visitors of all ages on both Festival days.
Come and visit us during the weekend 5th and 6th September 2026. Entry is FREE! After browsing the stalls and indulging in some retail therapy, you can relax and enjoy al-fresco locally produced food and drink, whilst listening to the live music and watching the boats on the river.
The festival takes place at King George V Playing Fields and the River Avon.
Click HERE for more details…
Swindon Festival of Literature
WELCOME TO THE 33rd SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE, from 4th – 10th May 2026!
Over 30years ago, the organisers of the now Swindon Festival of Literature conducted an experiment, in Swindon.
They invited authors to town, to talk about their books, to share their ideas, and to explore how best to live life, not just in Swindon but anywhere in the world.
The experiment worked, at least in one sense, because now, over three decades later, this popular festival is still doing the same thing: inviting authors, asking questions, and exploring ideas.
A Festival which has faith in its followers and believes them eager to find out more about the world’s mysteries and to be kept in touch with good reading, brave talking, and new ideas.
So, this year, expect enjoyable, interesting, challenging, informative, unpredictable, funny, and even memorable things to happen, in Swindon.
There will be events daily, at midday, afternoon, teatime, and in the evening, carefully spaced and placed to enable you to attend as many as your own timetable and stamina allow.
Click HERE for more details…
VW Campfest
Come and show off your VW camper or Cars.
The VW Festival at Stonehenge Campsite rolls in like a cheerful convoy, filling the Wiltshire fields with split-screens and buses polished to a mirror shine. Expect a laid-back mix of show ’n’ shine line-ups, traders with rare bits, live music that drifts across the meadows, and food trucks doing proper comfort grub. Families pitch up, dogs snooze, and sunrise paints the sky while kettles hiss on camping stoves. Evenings settle into fairy lights and campfire chat, and somewhere a flat-four burbles contentedly. It’s a friendly, down-to-earth weekender where the journey and the parking spot are equally part of the fun.
Stonehenge Campsite & Glamping: Berwick Road, Berwick Saint James, SP3 4TQ
Click HERE for more details…
The Big Bark
Lydiard House & Park, Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon, Wilts, SN5 3PA
Swindon’s Ultimate Dog-Lover’s Festival!
Get ready for The Big Bark — the tail-wagging, treat-filled festival made for dog lovers and their four-legged best friends!
Date: 9th & 10th May (10:00–16:00) for two brilliant days of canine fun, interactive activities, amazing displays, and shopping galore.
What’s Happening at The Big Bark?
- Have-A-Go Arenas – Let your dog have a go at fun activities and training sessions
- Live Demonstrations – Watch talented trainers, agility stars and working dogs in action
- Shopping Village – Treat yourself (and your pup!) to stalls packed with goodies, accessories and gifts
- Street Food + Doggy Café – Refuel with tasty bites and grab your dog a Puppachino
- Expert Advice Zone – Chat to trainers, nutritionists and wellbeing specialists
- Supporting Local Charities – Helping dogs in need and giving back to the community
Your ticket includes: free parking, access to main arena displays, entertainment, and our fun obstacle course.
Want even more fun? Have-a-go activities are optional and available via tokens (buy online or on the day). Activity tokens are £1.50 each on the day.
Click HERE for more details…
Devizes Arts Festival
An annual Festival covering a range of topics. This is our 40th year and still going strong…
29th May – 14 June
Organisers are delighted to announce an early release of five headline events from this year’s festival, giving audiences a first taste of what’s to come.
The programme includes crime writing legend Anthony Horowitz in conversation, a thought-provoking evening with Patrick Grant, a riotous comedy night with Scummy Mummies, the first Devizes gig from from one of UK’s leading Americana singers – Robert Vincent, and a headline stand-up show from Milton Jones. Tickets for these early release events are on sale now!
More of the festival programme will be announced closer to the time, with tickets going on sale on 20 April. Click HERE for more details…
Stonehenge Polo Festival
Stonehenge Polo Festival 2026 – Polo with Purpose.
Friday 26th and Saturday 27th June 2026.
Druids Lodge Polo Club, Druids Lodge, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 4UN
Get ready for the biggest and most exhilarating polo festival of the summer! The Stonehenge Polo Festival returns in 2026, bringing two unforgettable days of first class, high level polo, family fun and fabulous entertainment, all set in the stunning English countryside with the backdrop of Stonehenge.
Whether your looking for a corporate hospitality day, a team summer party or a family looking for a day out with serious fun or just in search of a stylish summer days out with your friends, this is the event of the season in the South / South West.
Polo with Purpose!
This isn’t just polo. It’s polo with a heart that cares. Every chukka, cheer, glass of champagne toasted, supports Naomi House and Jacksplace, helping children and young adults with life limimting and life threatening conditions. So while you are having such a great time, you’ll be part of an event that truly makes a difference.
What’s on…
Thrilling Polo Action – Come and watch international polo players battle it out on the number one ground at Druids Lodge Polo Club, near Salisbury. Matches feature The RAF V Army for the Sassoon Cup, The Balaclava Trophy, The Stonehenge Polo Trophy, The Stars of Polo Future, The Druids Performance pathway match and even a influencer match where they swap Instagram for a polo mallet.
Corporate Hospitality – Business is always done better at Polo with a glass of champagne in your hand. Or reward your team with a team building summer party event to celebrate a milestone or business success.
Summer Fete Vibe on Saturday 27th June – Keep the little ones entertained in the Stonehenge Polo Festival Kids Zone! Village fete activities, games and fun!
Shopping Village – Browse Boutique brands, arts, artisan crafts and lifestyle items.
Picnic Pitches – Bring your friends, pop the fizz and enjoy the perfect summer event with polo, bars.
Grab your tickets, pitch side pitches, corporate hospitality, charity lunch tables and join us to celebrate the summer event of the season in spectacular style at the Stonehenge Polo Festival.
Click HERE for more details…
Entertainment Swindon 
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