UK events: April 2018
North West
The Grand National
14 April
Aintree racecourse, Liverpool
One of the UK’s most famous and iconic sporting events, the Grand National is a horse race which has been creating buzz and excitement annually since 1839. This event is hugely popular and draws a crowd of over 150,000 people each year at the track, and countless television spectators. As well as the famous race in which over 40 horses and jockeys will compete, there’s also the spectacle of ‘Ladies Day’, known for the outlandish and dramatic outfits of the women who attend.
Scotland
Edinburgh International Science Festival
31 March to 15 April
Edinburgh
The Edinburgh International Science Festival brings great minds together for a programme that fosters dialogue about the future of our culture, our nation, and our planet. This year a programme of entertaining evening events for adults offers nights out with a scientific twist featuring discussions, debates, performances, food and drink, and memorable interactive experiences with plenty of opportunities for audience involvement.
Glasgow International Festival of Contemporary Art
20 April to 7 May
Glasgow
Spanning 78 venues and featuring over 250 artists, Glasgow International is Scotland’s largest festival for contemporary art. Making the most of Glasgow’s extremely vibrant visual arts sector, Glasgow International features artists both local and international, and incorporates smaller, less conventional exhibition spaces as well as more established and familiar venues. As well as exhibitions, the festival incorporates a number of film screenings, talks, workshops, and performances.
Beltane Fire Festival
30 April
Edinburgh
A modern, dynamic reinterpretation of an ancient Iron Age Celtic ritual, the Beltane Fire Festival is a community event drawing on hundreds of years of Scottish historical, mythological, and literary influences. Come together on Calton Hill to celebrate the birth of summer and watch as the May Queen and Green Man welcome in the warmest season of the year by lighting a huge bonfire. Tickets for this event often sell out so be sure to get yours in advance.
Wales
Chepstow Annual Walking Festival
4 to 8 April
Wye Valley, Wales
Known for its beauty all year round, the Lower Wye Valley is especially stunning in spring, so why not make the most of the warmer weather and some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes by joining one of the walks on offer during the Chepstow Walking Festival? Whether you’re a novice looking for a gentle stroll or a regular hiker looking to push yourself, Chepstow’s graded walks have something for everyone.
RHS Flower Show Cardiff
13 to 15 April
Bute Park, Cardiff
One of the most popular events in Cardiff’s calendar, the Royal Horticultural Society’s Flower Show sees Wales’s capital city come into blossom each April. As well as enjoying the beautiful floral displays and impressive show gardens, you can also purchase unusual plants, pick up gardening tips from experts and sample delicious food from local Welsh producers. Bloomin’ marvellous!
North East and Yorkshire
War of the Roses Weekend
7 to 8 April
Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds
Taking place over 30 years from 1455 to 1485, the Wars of the Roses were a series of bitter battles fought by the House of Lancaster (red rose) and the House of York (white rose) for control of the throne of England. This year from 7 to 8 April the Royal Armouries museum will transform into a Medieval history enthusiast’s dream, as it becomes a living museum and battlefield to commemorate these wars. Outside in the tents see talented craftspeople demonstrate medieval skills such as fletching, bow-making, and falconry. Inside the museum you can enjoy a range of themed talks, combat demonstrations and even try your hand at archery and swordplay.
South East and London
Feast of St George
21 April
Trafalgar Square, London
In honour of England’s national day, St George’s Day, the Mayor of London’s annual Feast of St George will once again be returning to Trafalgar Square. To mark the fact that this was once a national day of feasting, the square will be lined with stalls selling traditional English dishes. As well as the delicious grub there’ll be a chance to enjoy a variety of music from a 25-piece brass band, Victorian music halls acts, as well as folk and pop groups. Look out for London’s famous Pearly Kings and Queens, and watch out for the dragon!
Vaisakhi Festival
28 April
Trafalgar Square, London
Sikhs have been a part of multicultural London for over 100 years and Vaisakhi festival in Trafalgar Square is open to everyone to discover Sikh and Punjabi culture, tradition, and heritage. One of the most important events in the Sikh calendar, Vaisakhi is celebrated on 13 April (occasionally 14 April) each year by more than 20 million Sikhs around the world. Enjoy free live performances and spiritual music, see works by Sikh artists, and tuck into traditional food at this community-organised event.
South West
Bath Comedy Festival
27 March to 15 April
Bath
Bringing plenty of laughs to Bath each year since 2008, Bath comedy festival celebrates comedy in all its forms. As well as stand-up performances there will be street theatre, film, art, writing, music and mystery tours. Taking place in Bath’s historic and beautiful centre, the festival’s small and intimate venues offer a chance for engagement and participation in a way that other larger comedy festivals do not. Support talented young newcomers in the New Act Competition as well as enjoying the work of more established comedians.
Northern Ireland
Belfast Film Festival
12 to 21 April 2018
Belfast
Returning for its 18th year, the Belfast Film Festival offers over 100 film events spread across the city. With a huge range of films from across the globe, from cutting edge documentaries to cinematic classics and shorts from local filmmakers, this is surely one of the most significant events in Belfast’s cultural calendar. There will be chances to snuggle up in Belfast’s cosy beanbag cinema, listen to directors discuss their work and even enjoy a singalong to Mary Poppins.
Midlands
Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations
21 April
Stratford-upon-Avon
What better place to celebrate the birth of the Bard than his hometown, Stratford-upon-Avon? This tradition celebrating Stratford-upon-Avons’s most famous son has been going strong for over two centuries. The weekend-long party brings together performers, artists and fans from all over the world to remember the legendary playwright. This year’s programme includes street entertainment, Tudor party games and re-enactments of famous scenes. For just 50p take the Sonnet Ferry across the River Avon, where actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company on board will recite some of Shakespeare’s most-loved sonnets as you make your way across the water.
Flatpack Film Festival
13 to 22 April
Birmingham
Things have changed a lot since the UK’s oldest working cinema, The Electric, opened its doors in Birmingham in 1909 and Flatpack Film Festival is a great example of that. Encompassing cultural venues right across Birmingham, Flatpack is widely regarded as one of the most creative and inventive film festivals in the UK, drawing film lovers from all over the country and beyond. Promising ‘an exciting collection of experiential cinematic treats’, as well as film screenings of feature films and shorts, the festival incorporates media installations, music performances, talks from filmmakers and even cinematic walking tours.
UK-wide
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts
30 March to 15 April
If you haven’t already explored one of the UK’s beautiful National Trust properties April is a great time to do so, because this month the National Trust joins forces with the UK’s most-beloved chocolate brand, Cadbury, to offer over 250 Easter egg hunts all across the country.
As well as enjoying the chocolate treats, games and craft activities on offer, by joining in you’ll be helping the National Trust fund its vital conservation work to protect some of the UK’s most beautiful places for future generations.