Planning to attend a festival in 2022?
This year, Hampshire will be playing host to some of the UK’s very best.
From celebrating watercress in all its glory – including a world record watercress eating competition – to a festival designed for dogs and even a Hat Fair (not quite what you think it might be), Hampshire aims to offer a feast of festivals during the year ahead.
Here’s a few of the highlights, but check out the full list at
Alresford Watercress Festival
15 May 2022, Alresford near Winchester
If you love watercress, there’s only one place to be in May – Hampshire’s ‘Capital of Watercress’! Head to the handsome Georgian town of Alresford and along with the colour-washed houses, riverside walks and specialist shops, you’ll also be visiting the UK’s capital of watercress farming. And after two years away, this May sees the return of the Festival to the streets of this picturesque town. Traditionally each May Alresford plays host to a nationally acclaimed annual food festival to celebrate watercress – something which has been grown commercially in Hampshire since the 19th century.Along with food and drink stalls, the Festival usually includes a watercress eating world championship where competitors munch their way through one 85g bag of fresh watercress, now a feat recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records.
https://www.watercressfestival.org
Dogstival
4-5 June 2022, Romsey, Test Valley
Here’s a chance to join the pack… at this exciting festival designed for dogs, their owners and those who just love dogs. Back for 2022 with an extra special Jubilee edition, staged this year at Broadlands Park, Romsey, this dog themed festival has some of the best food and drink producers from across the New Forest, stalls selling everything you need for your dog, a vintage fun fair and live music. Plus, there will be interactive dog displays where everyone can get involved and learn more about their four-legged friends, but more importantly have lots of fun. For your energetic four-legged pals, there will be swimming pools for dog-diving, but if relaxing is your dog’s thing, the Festival will also have a giant pampering, grooming and chill out den… plus a Doggy Chapel for impromptu pet weddings!
https://dogstival.co.uk
Hampshire Food Festival
1-31 July 2022, across Hampshire
Now in its 20th year, Hampshire Fare’s Hampshire Food Festival is a countywide celebration of the region’s food and drink, from ales to wine and apples to watercress. This is the biggest Food Festival in the country: encompassing BBQ, markets, pop-ups, shows, tastings, trails and tours across the county in July. Regarded as one of the country’s most ambitious food festivals in terms of scale and reach, it was originally established as a weekend event, but has grown into a month-long, programme of events celebrating the best of local food and farming.
www.hampshirefare.co.uk/news-events/hampshire-food-festival
Winchester Hat Fair
1-3 July 2022, Winchester
Now the UK’s longest continually running outdoor arts festival, this weekend festival is set in the centre of the historic city of Winchester. A free family-friendly festival of street performance and outdoor arts, it offers a jam-packed weekend programme of performances, live music and fun and games over three days. And the hat reference? Running for nearly 40 years, the Festival takes its name from donations that fair visitors made, which were originally gathered in a hat.
www.hatfair.co.uk
Wickham Festival
4-7 August 2022, Wickham
This four-day family friendly music and arts festival is held in a beautiful rural location 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 and has won prestigious awards. Stay the whole weekend and camp-out, or if camping isn’t your scene full day and evening tickets are also available.
www.wickhamfestival.co.uk
Boomtown
10-14 Aug 2022
For those looking for a party atmosphere all weekend Boomtown is one of Hampshire’s biggest festivals. This festival takes place on the outskirts of the historic city of Winchester. Thousands are invited to embark on an immersive audio-visual joyride, dancing through the labyrinthine streets and plazas on a non-stop weekend journey of discovery! Every kind of musical genre is celebrated at Boomtown, from ska, folk, gypsy, reggae, world, punk, pirate and disco to electro-swing, jazz, blue-grass, bass, jungle and techno.
www.boomtownfair.co.uk
CarFest South
26–28 August 2022, Laverstoke Farm
A family friendly festival with a unique mix of fast cars, live music and tasty food. Located at Laverstoke Farm, this charity festival supports children’s charities with the support of Virgin Radio DJ, Chris Evans. Camp the whole weekend or enjoy a day out. Tickets sell out fast, so be quick!
https://carfest.org
Victorious
26-28 August 2022, Portsmouth
Situated on the stunning Southsea Seafront in the maritime city of Portsmouth, Victorious is a three-day festival by the sea. As well as great music and well-known acts, you can enjoy children’s entertainment and activities, delicious food, comedy, real ale and much more. Regarded as one of the most beautifully located festivals in the UK, among highlights are the Common Stage, one of the main focal points of the festival, located on Southsea common; the Castle Stage, adjacent to Southsea Castle – a stunning historical landmark belonging to Henry VIII, built in 1544 – and the Seaside Stage Arena, featuring the best up and coming talent from Portsmouth and surrounding areas. Meanwhile Southsea Castle and lighthouse also plays host to Southsea’s popular Summer Champagne Bar, with views of the Solent to go along with a glass of bubbly.
www.victoriousfestival.co.uk
For information about visiting, and staying in, Hampshire, see www.visit-hampshire.co.uk
