Stratford-Upon-Avon attracts many annual events that serve to make Stratford even more popular with tourists and locals alike. The events are varied and range from traditional celebrations that surround William Shakespeare's Birthday to the high octane biker fuelled festival that is the Bulldog Bash.
Throughout the year the guide will try and keep you up to date with all the major events in and around Stratford-Upon-Avon and if you are unable to make them for whatever reason we will try and feature as much information and photo's as possible to let you get a taste for the event you missed. Who knows we may see you there!
Shakespeare's Birthday Celebrations ~ Friday 27th - Sunday 29th April
Every year Stratford pays tribute to William Shakespeare its most famous citizen. The weekend sees a nice range of events laid on and attracts a few stars from the stage and screen. It is a great weekend to choose to visit Stratford as there is definatley a feeling of celebration in the air.
Shakespeare Marathon & Half Marathon ~ Sunday 29th April
Organised by the Rotary Club of Stratford-Upon-Avon 3300 runners entered the Shakespeare Marathon and covered the gruelling distance.
Well done to Colin Deasy and Richard Malin who won the full and half Marathon respectively.
Held at the Stratford-Upon-Avon racecourse this year see's the first Stratford-Upon-Avon Beer and Cider festival. The event organised by Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) will feature more than 30 real ales, ciders and perrys many of which are produced locally. I for one will be hoping this becomes a regular fixture.
Race for Life ~ Sunday 20th May 11.00 am ~ www.raceforlife.org
Part of the national fundraising event that is now the biggest women only fundraising event in the UK. So far over 2 million women have ran, jogged or walked the course distance of 5k to raise a fantastic £140 million pounds for Cancer Research UK.
Please support this worthwhile charity and register to run, or support someone you know.
Stratford plays host to the BBC's political current affairs programme. The venue will be the Civic Hall and guests will include Lord Hattersley, Greg Dyke, Caroline Spelman MP, Sarah Teather MP and Simon Shama a well known historian.
Global Gathering is one of the worlds largest dance festivals. It attracted over 75,000 revellers last year and is heavily supported by Radio 1. This really is a giant amongst dance festivals and a must go for true fans of dance music.
This year see's the 21st Anniversary of "Europe's No1 Biker Party".
Expect drag strip racing action, a custom show of some of the best machines from all over Europe, live music from bands such as Status Quo and The Damned and some more adult orientated entertainment in the form of a topless bike wash.
October
Mop Fair ~ Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th October
The Mop fair visits Stratford once a year and overnight converts the main high street of Stratford into a fun fair. The historic town is filled with all manner of fairground rides and stalls.
This year's annual Mop Fair in Stratford-upon-Avon takes place on the traditional dates of Wednesday 11 October and Thursday 12 October.
The Charity Mop will take place on the evening of Wednesday 11 October, while the Main Mop will take place from 11.00am until midnight on Thursday 12 October.
This year's runaway Mop will take place in the town centre on 19 and 20 October.
