Festivals

Here in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead we are lucky to have very different types of events that fit under the 'festival' heading embracing not just literature, music and the arts but food and drink too!  Explore a wide range of festival events taking place.

Windsor Festival, 16 September - 1 October 2023

Celebrating music, literature and the arts across two weeks, the Windsor Festival Autumn Festival is dedicated to delivering high-calibre performances in magnificent venues. 

Windsor Fringe Festival, 22 September - 29 October 2023

Windsor Fringe offers a mixed programme of the arts and entertainment: music of all kinds, drama, visual arts (including photography and sculpture), film, poetry, informative walks in Windsor, gastronomy – and even conkers. Many young artists, such as soprano Dame Emma Kirkby and jazz musician Jamie Cullum, cut their teeth in the Fringe, and went on to become household names.

Cliveden Literary Festival, 30 September - 1 October 2023

Evoke the spirit of the great writers and potentates who stayed here and continue the tradition of the house as a sanctuary for lovers of literature. Cliveden Literary Festival promises lively discussion, innovative ideas, and political debate, which reflects Cliveden’s own story.

Cliveden Literary Festival

Ascot Beer Festival, 6 - 7 October 2023

Beer tastes best outdoors watching premium sport with friends and family and Ascot delivers this with pride. This year, as part of the Autumn Racing Weekend, they are celebrating 15 years as one of the largest beer festivals in the South East with over 160 different beers, lagers, real ales, ciders and perries.  A rustic and traditional style CAMRA (campaign for Real Ale) beer festival, with a modern twist, has something for everyone.

Ascot Beer Festival, image Nicole Hains

Let’s Rock the Moor, May 2024

Known as The Retro Festival, this family-friendly celebration of the 80s takes place at Marsh Meadow in picturesque Cookham. Let's Rock the Moor features household name headline acts, local bands, children’s entertainers, a circus, children’s rides, an 80s-themed children’s play area and multiple bars.

Parallel Windsor | Festival of Inclusivity, 7 July 2024

Parallel Windsor is the UK's national celebration of disability inclusion and wellbeing.  This award-winning event is held in the grounds of the majestic Windsor Great Park and staged on the iconic Long Walk.  Parallel features a range of challenge events for everybody of all ages, health conditions and abilities so participants can 'start together, finish whenever'.  Parallel Windsor also features a fully accessible Festival of Inclusivity, providing lots of inclusive fun and entertainment for the whole family including a wonderful charity village, picnic area and yummy food concessions.  There is also a huge range of activities and entertainment - Live Music Stage, Arts and Crafts, Storytelling, Sport, Active Lifestyle, Play, Skills and Careers, Technology, Mobility and Community.

Maidenhead Festival, July 2024

Free admission family-focussed weekend event takes place in Maidenhead’s Kidwells Park and features music, a beach, fairground, stalls and side-shows as well as circus performers. Find out more about Maidenhead Festival.

Norden Farm Kite Festival, image Kayleigh Robinson

Kite Festival, September 2024

Round off the summer holidays with this fun afternoon filled with kite making, food and drink stalls from local vendors, entertainment and, of course, kite flying.  Norden Farm's Kite Festival is an annual event and entry is free.