After a difficult couple of years for festivals and big-name events, it’s great to be able to showcase a jam-packed calendar of events coming up this summer here in the New Forest!

Whether you love a good food festival, or you would like to discover more about the New Forest’s rural ways of life, be sure to put some of these dates in your diary…

Calling all foodies

If you love to try local food and drink and are passionate about reducing those food miles then you’ll love some of our food and drink festivals.

From 27-29 May, Burley Food & Drink Festival is due to return for its second year. It brings with it artisan food and drink, artistic creations and some hugely talented local musicians set to perform on two stages. There’s free children’s entertainment and trails, competitions and activities around Burley village too. Weekend tickets and day tickets are available to buy now.


Image - Burley Food & Drink Festival

If seafood is your thing, then Lymington Seafood Festival makes for a great day out. This year running from 15-17 July, the festival showcases some of the region’s best food and drink producers. The festival also offers live music, with headline act being the UK’s number 1 Queen tribute act, UK QUEEN. Plus, set to return for 2022, is the pop-up restaurant, Bream on the Green. Tickets are available to buy now.


Image - Lymington Seafood Festival

On the outskirts of the New Forest, The Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival returns this year and takes place on 11-12 June. The festival is a free-to-attend event and more than 120 traders have already been confirmed covering all types of artisan food and drink.

Travelling with your dog? Make sure Dogstival is in your plans!

For everything you can imagine for dogs, Dogstival is a festival dedicated to your four-legged friends. This year, the festival has moved to Broadlands Park, Romsey and will take place on 4-5 June. Come along and see dog agility displays, the K9 splash pool and browse the dog-friendly stalls. For human companions, there’s a wide-range of food and drink stalls, live music and much more. Tickets are available now.


Image - Dogstival

Country shows and steam fairs

The New Forest & Hampshire County Show is by far one of the biggest events in the New Forest’s calendar. Set to run from 26-28 July, come and discover more about the New Forest’s heritage whether it’s through watching some of the displays in the main arena or checking out the Grand Parade of prize-winning cattle and sheep taking place in the Rathbones East Ring each day at 3pm.

There are lots of opportunities for all to get involved, whether it’s meeting some of the animals, taking part in the tractor tug-of-war or in the family fun area. Look out for The Kitchen by Chewton Glen, where you can see live cookery demonstrations, sample local produce in the local produce market and shop to your heart’s content in the antiques and crafts area, or at the many trade stands. Tickets are available to book now and are at a discounted rate until 18 July.


Image - New Forest & Hampshire County Show

Just a few weeks later, you can also enjoy the Ellingham Show, which takes place on Saturday 13 August at Somerley Park, Ringwood. This year, the show celebrates its 75th anniversary. Check out the timetable of events being run throughout the day including horse shows, a dog show, Shetland pony racing and a scarecrow competition. There will be displays of classic cars, vintage farm machinery and steam engines and an area selling local crafts. Tickets will be on sale soon. 


Image - Ellingham Show

If you are a steam fanatic then you’ll love the Netley Marsh Steam & Craft Show, near Totton, held on 22-24 July. Celebrating its 50th year, this show features a working steam area, tractors, classic cars and motorbikes, a miniature railway, live music and lots more. There’s even a fireworks display on the Friday night! Tickets are on sale now.

Love your motor vehicles? Then head to Beaulieu

Beaulieu is famed for its National Motor Museum. The museum regularly hosts various car meets throughout the year themed by different types of car. One of the most popular motoring events in Beaulieu’s calendar is the annual Beaulieu Supercar Weekend. If you love your sports cars and dream of owning your own one day, then you’ll love this weekend. This year, the Supercar Weekend takes place on 6-7 August. A must-see highlight for all event goers is the demonstration runs. See these incredible machines put through their paces along Beaulieu’s Chestnut Avenue as drivers test their supercars acceleration and breaking. Demonstration runs will take place daily at 11.30am, 1pm and 3pm. One or two-day tickets are available to purchase in advance or on the day. If you can’t make this weekend, do take a look at other events in Beaulieu’s calendar and see if your favourite vehicles feature.


Image - Beaulieu Supercar Weekend

Make a break of it

If you want to make the most of your festival trips, then you may want to book some accommodation nearby. Take a look at our places to stay and plan your festival break. We strongly advise booking your accommodation well in advance, particularly for some of the bigger shows and festivals as it’s likely to book up very early.

Find out about even more events

Check out our website to see hundreds more events taking place in the New Forest over the summer months! And make sure you sign up to receive our Weekly What’s On Enewsletters, giving you jam-packed weekly updates about upcoming events in the New Forest.

Wishing you all a great festival season ahead!