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Events and festivals

We engage with national heritage festivals each year, working with a range of partners and volunteers to celebrate the variety of heritage in the district.

Heritage Open Days and the Festival of Archaeology are the two key festivals, but we also work with the libraries team to celebrate Local History Month each May.

Heritage Open Days

Established in 1994, Heritage Open Days is England's contribution to the European Heritage Days and has since grown into the country's largest community heritage festival.

Every September, thousands of organisations and volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are free to explore.

Festival of Archaeology

The Council for British Archaeology Festival of Archaeology incorporates hundreds of in-person and virtual events delivered by community groups, heritage organisations, universities, commercial units and more.

It promotes involvement in archaeology through flagship days such as A Day in Archaeology and Youth Day, and allows individuals to get involved from wherever they are, all year round, through our wide range of downloadable resources.

Through the Festival, the CBA helps over half a million people to participate in archaeology, explore stories of place and connect with the environment around them. Each year the Festival has a dynamic and engaging theme.