8 minute read
Events Diary
Together with glimmers of sun, the May half term is nearly here! Longer, brighter days have arrived, so time to get planning some great days out and make up for any lost time! There are lots of family-friendly events going on, so read on for some of the best in our area and let the kids look forward to some fun!
Saturday 14th May – Sunday 5th June READING CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL – CELEBRATING 33 YEARS OF FUN!
This year’s festival celebrates its 33rd anniversary with three fun packed weeks of events and activities for children all over the borough. The festival gets off to an action-packed start with Forbury Fiesta on Saturday 14 May, where there will be something for everyone to get involved with on the day. Reading’s Children’s Festival promises to bring plenty of fun, mayhem and madness. From sport and music workshops to fun days with art and craft sessions, take your pick from the many exciting events taking place at venues across Reading. This year’s festival is celebrating everything biscuit related as they celebrate 200 years of Huntley and Palmers. So, expect a biscuity themed event! Check out the website for details and dates. W: www.reading.gov.uk/childrensfest
Sunday 22nd May FAMILY FUN AT THE BERKSHIRE COUNTRY FAYRE AT NEWBURY SHOWGROUND
For more than 70 years, Berkshire Young Farmers have opened the doors to young people aged between 10 and 27 years for activities, fun, friendship and to exchange ideas! Once a year, the Berkshire clubs all come together to organise and host the Berkshire Country Fayre. It promises to be a great day out for all the family where you can see an array of skills from cooking to flower arranging, together with art and woodwork and much more. To add to the fun there will be local foods and crafts, a hot air balloon to explore, petting zoo, a ‘Sheep Grand National’, tug of war, obstacle races, a tractor driving competition and you can even take your four-legged friend along to take part in the dedicated dog activities! W: www.berksyfc.org.uk
Thursday 2nd June – Sunday 5th June CELEBRATE WITH ALL THE FAMILY AT THE JUBILEE FARM FESTIVAL
Head off with your family and friends (the more the merrier!) at Bucklebury Farm to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. What better way to celebrate 70 years of service than 4 days of fun and entertainment at the farm with circus performers, musicians, arts and crafts, lots of delicious food and drinks. Not forgetting all the farm activities including tractor rides to feed the deer up close, play areas and more! Pre-Booking online is essential as spaces are limited for each day. Tickets are purchased on the day of entry, Children £13.95 – Adults £15.45. W: www.buckleburyfarm.co.uk
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th May RURAL PURSUITS AND EXCITING ENTERTAINMENT AT HIGHCLERE COUNTRY SHOW
The Highclere Show brings first-class performances and country-inspired activities for everyone. Set within the glorious grounds of Highclere Castle, which many visitors will recognise from ITV’s Downton Abbey, you can enjoy the Knights of Middle England performing inside the Main Arena, the stunning birds of prey over at the British Falconry and Raptor Fair, watch demonstrations and get involved in many interactive displays too. For smaller visitors, there’s a dedicated Kids Zone where youngsters can get their face painted, model balloons and even hunt for treasure at the gold panning station, all of which are free! Sample amazing local food produce and drinks at the Food Festival, gorgeous hand-made items at the Traditional Rural Crafts section, as well as lots of competitions and have-a-go features for every age and interest. W: www.highclereshow.co.uk
Thursday 2nd June QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE – CROCUS AT DORNEY COURT
Come and join the Crocus at Dorney Court team to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee from 11am to 4pm! Enjoy performances by Borderline Morris Dancers at 1pm & 2pm and Maidenhead Concert Band at 1pm & 2.45pm, in the Walled Garden. Fabulous children’s activities running throughout the day with a special jubilee menu on offer too. Call 01628 669999.
14 May – 5 June Reading Children’s Festival
Venues across Reading
celebrating 200 years of biscuit making at Huntley & Palmers This year’s festival celebrates its 33rd anniversary with three fun packed weeks of events and activities for children all over the borough. There will be something for everyone to get involved in, from sport and music workshops to fun days with art and craft sessions, take your pick from the many exciting events taking place at venues across Reading This year’s festival is celebrating everything biscuit related as we celebrate 200 years of Huntley and Palmers. So expect a biscuity programme of events and activities!
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th June TAKE PART IN A RECORD-BREAKING ATTEMPT AT HURST SHOW!
Always a fun family day out, Hurst Show and Country Fayre returns with attractions including hobbyhorse jumping, fun dog show, animal petting, bouncy castle, craft stalls, classic vehicle show, live music and arena events including birds of prey and search and rescue dogs, plus bar and BBQ. On Sunday, they continue their hobby horse tradition by attempting to break the Guinness World Record for “Largest Stick Horse Parade”! The current record stands at 250 participants, so please take along a hobby horse and join in! Tickets available online – adults £5 for one day/£7.50 for weekend entry. Under 16s and carers accompanying the person they care for are free. Free parking included. W: www.hurstshow.uk
Saturday 19th July SUMMER MILE FAMILY RACEDAY AT ASCOT RACECOURSE
Soak up every last drop of sunshine as racegoers of all ages are entertained with festival-themed activities. The racecourse grounds are a picture and the pace is relaxed; a perfect excuse for treating family and friends alike to an enjoyable summer’s day out at Ascot. The highlight of this competitive card is the Group 2 Summer Mile Stakes, an important mid-season contest. The race has produced some impressive winners in recent years including Mutakayyef and Beat The Bank who were each successful twice and the outstanding Mohaather in 2020. Young racegoers can expect entertainment from pony rides, fairground rides, and mini golf, to arts and crafts, face painting, and more. W: www.ascot.com
Friday 3rd June – Sunday 5th June THE FESTIVAL OF FOOD AND MUSIC
The Festival of Food and Music returns this summer at South Hill Park – and this year it will also be a celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Commonwealth. They mark this historic occasion with a fantastic line-up of tribute acts, as well as a range of creative arts activities for families in the Italian Garden, and a chance to explore behind the scenes in one of their free tours of the mansion and theatre. It’s free entry to this unmissable event for all ages – no need to book tickets in advance; just turn up on the day and bring the sunshine. W: www.southhillpark.org.uk
Saturday 9th July FI.FEST MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS TO ENTERTAIN FAMILIES FOR 2022
Fi.Fest will return to Stroud Farm this summer and headlining the main stage of the Berkshire festival will be famed English rock band Reef, along with pop rock superstars, Dodgy and the Hoosiers. There will be bands and acts playing all day to guarantee hours of entertainment for local festival-goers! Running alongside the music stage is Fi.Fest’s Kidzone which will include rides, free shows, a sand play park, circus skills, inflatable assault course, Baxter the T-Rex appearances and much more to entertain your little ones! To help keep family energy levels high, Fi.Fest also has a food village with stall holders, both local and national, serving drinks, ice creams and treats. W: www.fifest.co.uk
Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th July MAIDENHEAD FESTIVAL 2022
After two years of online Festivals, Maidenhead Festival are excited to be returning to Kidwells Park this July! When, you say? Well pencil the dates in your diary of Saturday 23rd July and Sunday 24th July. An opportunity to rock your socks off with all your favourite local bands, support local stall holders and have a great time out with family and friends. Their headliners this year are on Saturday night are Tina Turner and Little Mix tribute bands, while on Sunday you can rock along to all your favourite Elton John songs, sing your heart out to Ed Sheeran classics and croon along to the Michael Buble tribute band. What a line-up! So what are you waiting for, get those hips moving ready to be entertained! And don’t forget it’s all FREE! For more info go to www.maidenheadfestival.org.uk
