Attractions

Glastonbury Festival 2005

Summer 2006 in Somerset

You can always start your 2006 festival-action off by re-living Glastonbury 2005 with our photos and features:

Apart from all that, here are some options for a summer of fun (and beyond!) in 2006. For detailed information on a specific event, follow the relevant link on the right.

If you'd like to let us know about an event that we may have missed, just complete the form at the bottom of this page.

Forward Motion - 19 to 21 May - The Engine Room, Bridgwater

The Engine Room's fourth annual festival of all things sound, and moving image.

Check out the screening of the new Glastonbury film at The Palace in Bridgwater on Sunday 21 May. It will be introduced by locally based director Julien Temple, and will be shown on big screens around the nightclub to give it that added edgy, interactive atmosphere.

Bath International Music Festival - 19 May to 4 June - Bath

Get ready for classical, early, jazz, folk, world and electronica from the likes of the Borodin Quartet, Brian Eno, Dawn Upshaw, Jamie Lidell, the Bath Philharmonic, and the festival's new artistic director Joanna McGregor.

Severn Wonders Festival - 19 May to 10 June - the Severn Estuary

The Severn Wonders Festival is a series of events and activities over a three-week period to celebrate the Severn Estuary.

The River Festival - 21 May - River Parrett, Cocklemoor, Langport

Organised by the Parrett Catchment Project, The River Festival showcases the ongoing activities of the organisations and people who live and work within the River Catchment area.

At the festival, there'll be water-inspired entertainment, boat trips, canoeing, guided walks, exhibitions, interactive computer and video demonstrations, local crafts, storytelling, music and more.

The festival is free and runs from 10am until 5pm.

Bath Fringe Festival - 26 May to 11 June - Bath

Too much goes on in these two weeks to mention everything. A few things to whet your appetite, though, are the Bedlam Fair (the Fringe's street art weekend), Walcot Independence Day (a new event, passed on from Walcot Nation Day), the Spiegeltent (comedy, cabaret and kids events), a visual arts programme, and loads more!

Mayfest 2006 - 27 and 28 May - Bridgwater

Bridgwater bike club Boars MCC presents Bill's Bash Mayfest 2006. An event for rockers and bikers of all ages, there'll be music from tribute acts such as Killer Queen, Dirty DC and Led Zep Too, DJs, food, competitions, and fun! Creche facilities are also provided. Proceeds will go to local charity British Institute for Brain Injured Children (BIBIC).

South Somerset Walking Festival - 28 May to 4 June

The 2006 festival programme is designed to make the most of the variety of walking in South Somerset's countryside. The 28 events range from gentle strolls to more serious walking on longer trails - the five-day River Parrett Trail and the Liberty Trail.

Kilmersdon Village Day - 29 May - Kilmersdon

This is the 20th anniversary for Kilmersdon Village Day, which takes on an international flavour this year. There'll be a children's fancy dress competition, food, a five-a-side football tournament, ferret racing, a performance by the Paulton Concert Band, circus entertainers, a car boot sale, morris dancers, and more.

Anyone wanting a pitch at the car boot sale can pay on the day at 8am in the village hall field.

Street fayre stalls are pre-booked only - booking forms are available from Nykki Cloke on 01761 420 708.

Royal Bath and West Show - 31 May to 3 June - Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet

Start up your tractors, round up some cows and get ready for some agricultural and animal action at this year's Royal Bath and West Show. Gordon Ramsay is exhibiting his pigs this year, and BBC Somerset Sound, BBC Radio Bristol and Points West will be at the event too.

Midsummer Buzz Rock Festival - Hornets Rugby Club, Weston-super-Mare - 3 June

Seventies punk icons The Stranglers will be playing, together with Racey and Des Henly's Rock & Roll Circus.

Cheddar Craft Fair - 3 and 4 June, and 1 and 2 July - Cheddar Leisure Centre

Locally produced crafts. Admission is free, and there is a free prize draw for everyone to enter.

Times of the fairs are 12pm - 4.30pm on the Saturdays, and 11am to 4.30pm on the Sundays.

Blenheim Gardens Music Festival - 4 June to 27 August - Minehead

This year, the music in the park is presented by SUPERACT!, a new organisation run by Wellington residents Paul Smith and Ali Smith.

The Festival will see 21 concerts over 13 weeks on the bandstand in Blenheim Gardens. Performances will be on Saturdays and Sundays, and will cover a whole variety of styles and traditions from jazz to rock, and from African to Eastern European, with bands from the South West and beyond.

Launch of Bath Visual Arts Festival - 9 June - Bath Spa University

The Bath Visual Arts Festival has been established to celebrate the important role of visual arts within the area's cultural life. Various exhibitions are planned around the city over the coming months.

Coombe Lodge Summer Lawn Concerts - 11 June to 24 September - Blagdon

Throughout the summer on Sundays, there'll be a series of one-off, open-air concerts. Paddy Milner & the Big Sounds, Pee Wee Ellis, The Wurzels and Clare Teal are among the performers.

Sunrise Summer Solstice Celebration - 16 to 21 June - South Somerset

Sunrise promises five days of contemporary music and performing arts, permaculture and sustainable living.

A line-up of music and performance will work through the genres of folk, dance, world, rock, fusion and chill, alongside circus, walkabout, mythic theatre, fire shows, multimedia displays and cinema. There are also workshops, presentations, kids activities, therapies, art galleries and crafts.

The Wurzels' Big Summer Party - 17 June - Godney

This event promises to be the biggest Wurzels party ever! The concert will raise money for the Masqueraders Carnival Club.

Local group Moors Sileage will be playing too, and there'll also be a bar, refreshments, and a cider shack!

See the Masqueraders Carnival Club website - the link's on the right - for more details, and ticket information.

T4 on the Beach - 18 June - Weston-super-Mare

Athlete, the Kaiser Chiefs, and Rachel Stevens hit the beach in 2005, and now McFly, Pussycat Dolls, The Zutons and Will Young want in on some of that Weston-super-Mare action too. Yep, that's right folks - T4 on the Beach is back in 2006!

Elton John: A Night under the Stars - 18 June - Taunton

The Rocket Man is blasting back into Somerset's county town for the first time in 30 years.

Harness racing and country fayre - 18 June - North Somerset Show Ground, Wraxall

Harness racing was last held in Aust many years ago, and it was the loss of the venue that put an end to the sport being hosted in the South West until now. Gates open at 9.30am for the event, which takes place from 10am to 5pm.

Weston Super Pier Party - 21 June - Weston-super-Mare

A charity bash to help raise funds to build a children's ward at Weston General Hospital.

The Orphans, along with The Ovation Brothers and new band Ladycake will be playing.
One of the main attractions on the day will be a sports auction, featuring a host of shirts, photographs and pennants, many of them signed, from Premiership teams like Liverpool, Everton, Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur.

Tickets are on sale at Sanders Garden World in Brent Knoll, and at the Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare on 01934 645544.

Wonderful World Festival - 24 and 25 June - Watchet

The festival includes music, dance, painting and other arts activities. There will also be a food and craft market on the Esplanade.

The aim of the festival is to celebrate the marvel of the world itself, and the work of those working to make things better, and to encourage greater respect for one another and for the environment.

For more details, go to the Under One Sun website on the right of this page.

Langford Music Festival - 24 June to 2 July - St Mary's Church, Langford

Expect a wide range of musical styles including, classical, blues, jazz, soca, calypso, choral, irish, gypsy, folk, reggae to gospel.

Truckfest South West - 1 to 2 July - Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet

Get your monster-truck fix right here. There'll also be trade stands, a funfair and camping facilities.

Newt Beer Festival - 7 to 8 July - North Newton

There's beer, beer and more beer. Plus live music, including Billy in the Lowground. Camping is available too.

Priddy Folk Festival - 7 to 9 July - Priddy

Waterson:Carthy, Jim Moray, Back of the Moon, James Warner Prophecies, Dragonsfly and The Incontinentals are all back for 2006.

As well as all the music, there'll be ceilidhs, late-nite bops, a dance festival, a children's festival, craft fayre, workshops, sessions & sing-a-rounds, food and drink, plus camping facilities.

Frome Festival - 7 to 16 July - Frome

The ten-day Frome Festival offers something for everyone - from classical music to jazz, folk to indie, literature and drama, film, dance, workshops and free events.

This year's festival welcomes Paul Merton Tony Benn, Roy Bailey, The Troggs, Barry Cryer, Miles Kington, Peter Donohoe, Rory McLeod and John Tams - plus 160 other events.

Yeovilton Air Day - 8 July - Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton

Is your ego writing cheques your body can't cash? Or maybe you feel the need... the need for speed in true Top Gun-style? If so, why not make a 4G inverted dive to Air Day 2006?

Music and Dance Festival - 8 and 9 July - Grove Park in Weston-super-Mare

A wide variety of performers are due to take part, including the RSVP Bhangra Band, the Rainbow Steel Orchestra, the Nam Yang Lion Dancers and many more.

In addition, there will be a local craft market, the chance to sample ethnic refreshments and an outdoor bar serving soft drinks throughout the weekend.

There will also be plenty of attractions to keep children entertained, including rides and arts and crafts workshops.

The festival takes place between 12pm and 8pm on Saturday 8 July, and between 12pm and 5pm on Sunday 9 July.

For further information about the festival contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01934 888800, or visit the Somerset Coast website on the right of this page.

Summer Nights in Bath - 14 to 16 July - Bath

Simply Red, Michael Ball, Elaine Page and Westlife are all playing in Bath this July (sadly not on the same bill - that really would be something), as part of the 2006 Summer Nights Concert Series.

Chilcompton Celebrates! - 15 July - Bennell Recreation Ground

Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis will be in attendance, and there'll be live music all afternoon. Acts include Chilcompton-based singer/songwriter Helena, Coleford's Jonathan Payne and The Old Down Acoustic Club.

The Chilympics will be a silly sports event for all ages. There will also be a circus workshop, a TA assault course, ferret racing, pony rides and a fortune-teller.

The afternoon starts with a parade through the village, led by Midsomer Norton Marching Brass and the Stardust Majorettes.

The events runs from 2pm to 7pm. For more details, ring 01761 232158.

Galhampton Party in the Park - 15 July - Galhampton

With a capacity of just 1200 people, this party retains a small, cosy festival feel. This year's lineup includes Joe Public, The Haze, Seth Lakeman and Hayseed Dixie. Proceeds go to the village charity.

Rebirth Summer Gathering - 21 July - Godney

Tickets price and artists available shortly. Gates open 6pm.

Music on the Moors - 22 July - Godney

McFly, Robbie Williams, Madonna and Madness tribute acts will be performing. There'll be a bar and refreshments too.

Midsomer Norton Music Festival - 22 July - Midsomer Norton

Held at the rugby club, the event starts at 4pm, and the music starts from 6pm. Bands include The Mangled Wurzels, Parfanon, Pinstripe and Once Under.

Tickets are £5, and £1 for U16s

Watchet Carnival Weekend Festival - 28 to 30 July 2006 - The East Quay, next to the marina

This is a free event, with nine live bands performing over the weekend, including Chas & Dave, a Madness tribute-band and the winner of TV's Stars in their Eyes, Paul Reason as Robbie Williams.

There'll be licensed bar, a fairground and on-site catering. The weekend also includes a kids' festival, a real-ale festival, unusual performing arts acts and a firework finale.

For more info, ring Mark or Jackie on 01984 639616 or visit the Watchet Carnival website - the link's on the right of this page.

Westival - 28 July to 6 August - Taunton

A new event for the West, this will be Taunton's first arts festival. Events will be centred around The Brewhouse Theatre.

Midge Ure, Sue Perkins and Germaine Greer will be appearing - you can expect drive-in movies too!

Bath International Guitar Festival - 28 July to 12 August - Bath

Get ready for jazz, rock, blues, acoustic, and classical six-stringed wizardry. There are workshops and concerts, and a UK songwriting festival.

Exmoor Family Challenge - 29 and 30 July - Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor

The weekend will be full of a range of activities, from falconry, to rowing on the lake, to canoeing, fly fishing, orienteering and many other challenges. 

There will be prizes for the winning family team too.

Also included over the weekend, is a barbecue and quiz evening on the Saturday, and a prize-giving ceremony on the Sunday evening.

Please note that booking is required for this event.

Taunton Flower Show - 2 and 3 August - Vivary Park

TV's Flying Gardener Chris Beardshaw will be attending the opening day of the annual floral extravaganza.

Although the Household Troops Band of The Salvation Army will again be marching and performing at the event, the focus of the show will still be the flowers, produce and crafts, with over 230 different classes to choose from.

The Big Green Gathering - 2 to 6 August - Mendip Hills

This five-day family camping event has been going since 1994. With 15-20,000 people expected to turn up this year, it's one of the foremost gatherings for demonstrating greener lifestyles, music, and knowledge about healing the earth.

Glastonbury Goddess Conference - 2 to 6 August - Glastonbury

Get spiritual and celebrate the Great Mother at Her Festival of Lammas. Take part in workshops, paint Goddesses in the Assembly Rooms, participate in ceremonies, and make Lammas bread Goddesses.

Glastonbury Abbey Extravaganza - 4 to 6 August - Glastonbury Abbey

Get out your picnic hampers, start strengthing your flag-waving arm, and get ready for jazz, traditional classics, and style. Jools Holland, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, and The Rat Pack will all be performing.

Frome Area Churches Together (FACT) - 5 August - Frome College

A free day of fun for the family, from 2 to 5pm. There'll be a barbeque, bouncy castles, face-painting, a live band, and lots of fun and games throughout the afternoon.

Glastonbury Children's Festival - 11 to 14 August - Abbey Park Playground

Shows each day from children's theatre companies, clowns, puppeteers, and magicians. There's a craft marquee where children can make hats, masks and costumes for each day's Grand Parade.

As well as all of that, there's an inflatable slide, velcro wall, bouncy castles, giant inflatable animals, monster ball games, and juggling and circus skills workshops.

The Yeovil Festival - 12 and 13 August - Yeovil Showground

See over 1000 vintage and classic vehicles, including motorcycles, commercials, military vehicles and steam engines. Visit the modified section, which includes custom trucks, modified cars and hot rods.

There are also craft tents and food halls, farmyard animals, bouncy castles, entertainment and rides.

Tor Dance Festival - 17 to 20 August - Street and Glastonbury

A mix of performances and events which initiate new ideas about dance and what it can do for everyone.

Among the highlights are a one-off performance by a company called Stacked Wonky, based on the area of Street and Glastonbury and its history; dancing in the high street; together with a selection of free street-events.

Tribe of Doris Intercultural Summer School - 23 to 28 August - Blackdown Hills

Learn to drum, sing gospel harmonies, dance under the stars to live rhythms from around the world, find your animal spirit, and be immersed in a world of cultural sharing!

Alfest - 2 September - Castle Cary Rugby Club

A live music festival, which in 2005 saw local bands The Haze, Pinstripe and Joe Public playing. BlackBud were the headliners.

Burnham-on-Sea Folkfest - 2 to 3 September - Burnham-on-Sea

The first annual folk festival in Burnham includes gigs, jams, workshops, street entertainment and ceilidhs. Confirmed acts include Eddie Martin, Ron Trueman Border, Polden Mountain Boys, Gary Day, Jock Strap Ensemble, No Shame and Bright 'n' High.

Foundation Festival - 2 to 3 September - Shooters Bottom Farm, Mendip Hills

This is a new music and performing arts festival planned for September 2006.

The two-day camping event would be spread across a main stage, performing arts and circus stage, dance tent and three other venues.

The lineup would include Fun Lovin' Criminals, Goldie Lookin' Chain, Kosheen, DJ Hype and many more.

Mendip District Council failed to give the event the go-ahead on Monday 10 July; the organisers are said to be appealing against the decision.

Pink Picnic - 9 September - Abbey Park, Glastonbury

The first LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Pink Picnic in Glastonbury kicks off at midday and runs into the afternoon.

LGBT people, their friends, families and supporters are all being invited to join in the fun on the day and to celebrate pride in a relaxed and informal way.

The event is being organised by the gay community in Glastonbury, and is supported by The Intercom Trust.

Somerset Art Week - 9 to 24 September - various locations

A two-week visual arts festival where open studios, special events and exhibitions are held throughout the county.

Palace Octocentennial Festival - 10 to 17 September - Wells

To celebrate the octocentenary (800 years) of the Bishop's Palace at Wells, there will be a special festival. One of the highlights is a concert by Acker Bilk at Wells Cathedral on 15 September.

The Quantock Fringes Walking Festival - 7 and 8 October - Quantock Hills

A series of guided walks in and around the Quantock Hills, which celebrates its 50 anniversary this year.
- phone 01278 435765 for more details

Exmoor Food Festival - 7 to 15 October - Exmoor

Now in its fifth year, the Exmoor Food Festival showcases naturally grown and locally produced foodstuffs. Bring on the clotted cream!

Mendip Food and Drink Festival - 20 to 29 October - The Mendip Hills

Get ready to have your taste buds titillated and your senses stimulated again, when the third Mendip Food and Drink Festival takes place.

Days Gone By - 21 and 22 October - Dunster

A free family event of bygone entertainment. There'll be a medieval fair, plus displays of traditional pursuits such as falconry, archery, juggling, dance, and a 17th century skirmish at Gallox Bridge.

On the Sunday, there'll be an exhibition called Transport Through the Ages, with cars, bikes and military vehicles on display, plus a collection of artefacts and memorabilia from the West Somerset Railway. The day's entertainment will be completed with a live jazz band.

Enterprise and Skills Exhibition - 8 and 9 November - Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet

A two-day skills festival for young people in the county, with a business conference on the first day. The event is supported by Somerset LSC, Business Link, Connexions Somerset and the Somerset Strategic Partnership.

Employers, colleges, universities, and training organisations will be attending, and there'll be interactive demonstrations, workshops and seminars as well. For contact information, follow the Prospects link on the right.