Eat, drink, sing and dance across the district with a festival season that’s just heating up!
Winchester's famously fun festival season is officially in full swing! We kicked off the summer by cooking up a storm at the Cheese & Chilli Festival and wowed the streets of Winchester during Hat Fair. Let’s look at what’s up next in our sizzling festival lineup.
6 July - 16 November 2025
Organ Festival
Winchester Cathedral announces Organ Festival 2025: Celebrating the “Father Willis” Organ with a summer–autumn series of performances
A celebration of the Cathedral’s world-renowned “Father Willis” organ, taking place from 6th July to 16th November 2025. This year’s programme showcases a line-up of talented organists from across the UK, with recitals held on selected Sundays ahead of Choral Evensong.
Installed in 1854, the “Father Willis” organ is one of the Cathedral’s most treasured instruments, admired for its distinctive tone and historic significance. The Organ Festival offers audiences the chance to experience this remarkable instrument played by leading musicians in the stunning setting of the Cathedral’s Quire.
Each Sunday recital runs from 2.55pm to 3.25pm and are free to attend and open to all. Organ recitals are unticketed, and donations are welcomed upon exit.
Top tip: Make the most of your visit to Winchester Cathedral this summer by viewing the original manuscript of Jane Austen’s poem, in her hand, about the death of her close friend, Mrs Anne Lefroy.
18 July - 20 July 2025
Foodies Festival
Foodies Festival will be serving up a star-studded line-up of TV, celebrity and award-winning chefs, and chart-topping music stars.
The three-day event features live cooking demonstrations from TV celebrities and champions from MasterChef, Great British Bake Off and Great British Menu, plus many of the regions most-highly acclaimed Michelin and award-winning chefs.
Learn from live celebrity chef demonstrations from Great British Bake Off winner, Matty Edgell, MasterChef champions, Chariya Khattiyot, Tom Rhodes and Dhruv Baker, MasterChef: The Professionals winner, Steven Edwards and television personality and Michelin starred chef, Atul Kochhar.
Listen to multi-platinum selling festival favourites, Blue, The Wanted 2.0 with Max George and Siva Kaneswaren present the next chapter of The Wanted, and Symphonic Ibiza Orchestra.
As well as live cookery demonstrations and music performances, visitors can browse in the Shopping Village, meet producers in the Artisan Market and taste a mouth-watering range of World Street Food.
Top tip: This July is Independent Business Month, so you can continue celebrating Winchester’s food and drink at our vibrant independents! Jewry street is a hub of cafes, restaurants and bars, while The Square is the centre of the city’s café culture.
31 July - 3 August 2025
Wickham Festival
Wickham Festival is a 4-day music and arts festival held on a country farm near the historic village of Wickham. With live music on four stages plus a host of other entertainment, Wickham is rated by many as one of the safest, most relaxed and family-friendly festivals in the UK.
This year’s lineup is a vibrant mix of folk, rock, and world music, featuring legends like Leo Sayer, Richard Thompson, Kate Rusby, The Bootleg Beatles, and Fisherman's Friends.
Beyond the music, Wickham Festival offers a rich tapestry of entertainment: late-night comedy, street theatre, dance displays, yoga sessions, and even a Bhangra dance workshop led by The Dhol Foundation.
Whether you're a seasoned festival-goer or a first-timer, Wickham Festival 2025 is a chance to immerse yourself in creativity, connection, and countryside charm across 28 acres of accessible, fun and family-friendly fields.
Top tip: Love Wickham? Finish the summer with another great day out at the Taste of Wickham Festival on 14 September. The festival features live entertainment, local produce, street food, handmade crafts and gifts, talks and more!
6 August - 10 August 2025
Boomtown
Boomtown returns to Winchester this year for another spectacular year of music, theatre, and creativity. This year’s chapter message is “Power of Now”, putting emphasis on living life with purpose and presence.
Boomtown is set divided into themed districts, each with a unique design, stages, characters and experiences. These districts create a city where attendees (Boomtown citizens) can explore different worlds and ways of living.
The festival emphasises storytelling and participation by encouraging citizens to become part of the narrative, engaging characters and set pieces that bring the festival's fictional world to life.
You can expect a lineup that dances across musical genres, including reggae, punk, electronic, folk, and more. Enjoy thousands of performers and over 500 musical acts including Sean Paul, Sex Pistols, Maribou State, Hybrid Minds, and Rudimental.
30 August 2205
Sausage and Cider Festival
This one-day extravaganza features 30+ cider flavours and 20+ sausage varieties, celebrated at River Park in Winchester.
For the cider-lovers, this festival prides itself on working with some of the UK’s independent and best cider makers, featuring flavours such as rum, chocolate, pineapple, and traditional apple and pear. Their sausage varieties are just as unique, including leek and potato, hot and spicy, and delicious vegan options.
Alongside the culinary delights, the festival boasts a stellar lineup of tribute acts, including performances inspired by Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Oasis, and The Killers.
Headlining the event is Scouting for Girls and special guests include Barrioke, the UK’s biggest karaoke host, and a nostalgic appearance by Kevin and Perry, celebrating 25 years of Go Large.
Festival-goers can also enjoy axe throwing, a circus workshop, and a bustling trader village offering crafts, cocktails, and festival gear. With level access and family-friendly policies, it’s designed for everyone to join the fun.
Visiting Winchester this festival season?
Winchester is easy to reach by rail, bus, and car. Once you are here, moving around on foot is the perfect way explore this historic city’s iconic festivals.
There are regular, direct trains from London Waterloo, Oxford, and Bournemouth. Each of these takes about an hour. The train station is a 10-minute walk from the city centre, or you can use the city’s park and ride bus service to travel from the station to the lower part of the city.
Stagecoach runs buses from Winchester to Romsey, Alresford, Eastleigh, Petersfield, Bishop’s Waltham and Wickham. Those visiting from Southampton can catch the Bluestar No. 1 service which leaves the city centre every 20 minutes.
Those travelling by car are recommended using Winchester Park & Ride services; simply park outside of the city centre at one of four Park & Ride stops, and travel in on one of our regular buses. You can view the full timetable here.
It’s never been easier to visit Winchester with your electric vehicle. InstaVolt’s Superhub, located just off the A34 near the M3, offers 44 x ultra-rapid (160kW) fully accessible charging bays, and excellent amenities, - perfect for a quick top-up on your way into the city. Grab a coffee at Starbucks while your car charges, then head into Winchester for a summer festival or a day of exploring. With high-speed charging and convenient connections, it's the ideal stop for drivers on the go. Find out more.
Discover more festivals in Winchester
CLOSES: 17th Nov 2025
CLOSES: 13th Oct 2025
CLOSES: 14th Sept 2025
CLOSES: 22nd Sept 2025
CLOSES: 5th May 2026
RAW - Winchester's Contemporary Performance Week
CLOSES: 29 March 2026
DATE: 22 Mar 2026 - 28 Mar 2026
CLOSES: 29th Mar 2026
CLOSES: 30th Aug 2025