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Festivals and Country Shows in the New Forest

If you are planning on visiting The New Forest then you won’t want to miss some of our festivals and country shows that take place throughout the year.

One of our not-to-miss events has to be the annual New Forest and Hampshire County Show. Taking place towards the end of each July, this three day festival offers agricultural fun and entertainment in the heart of The New Forest at Brockenhurst. See show jumping, meet prize-winning livestock and browse the large retail sections and marquees. There’s also local crafts, some tasty food and drink as well as cookery workshops and a family-fun area. This event brings the New Forest National Park all together and is a fantastic celebration of the traditions and culture of the local area, plus a fantastic opportunity for visitors to experience it. The Show will be back in 2022!

Calling all foodies

Keep up with the updates from the Milford on Sea Food Week, which takes place over a week usually in late March or early April, in previous years TV stars and celebrity chefs, including previous winners of MasterChef have made appearances with food demonstrations.

Or, enjoy delicious Local Produce at Lymington Seafood Festival. This festival takes place over a weekend in the summer and brings with it innovative food and drink, lots of music and lots of opportunities to taste some of the seafood that is caught nearby. If you aren’t keen on your seafood then that doesn’t have to stop you visiting, there are plenty of food and drink options available to suit a range of tastes.

On the edge of The New Forest, the town of Christchurch comes to life with its annual Christchurch Food Festival. The Festival attracts over 70,000 visitors and includes cookery demonstrations, a food and drink weekend and much more. There are usually celebrity chefs that make appearances including Lesley Waters and Dean Edwards.

Are you a dog lover?

Then you are going to love Dogstival. The new festival for dogs and dog lovers held at Burley Park in the heart of the New Forest get ready for an action packed weekend. The event is taking place on 5 and 6 June in 2021. Watch amazing displays in the live arena. Learn more about your best friend at "The Dog House" behaviour stage. Have a go activities such as Flyball and the K9 Aquasports dock and dive pool. Pop to the Dogstival Lounge for guest speakers talks. Indulge in some retail therapy from over 200 stands, fabulous food & drink from New Forest producers, or just relax and enjoy the live music and vintage fun fair!

Celebrate the arts and culture of The New Forest

Whether it’s enjoying music at one of our festivals or admiring art and sculpture, there are any ways to celebrate the arts and culture of the New Forest.

The New Forest Folk Festival is a small, family-run festival which punches high with some of its folk acts.

Visit resident artists, ceramicists and sculptors in the Hampshire Open Studios - taking place for two weeks in August each year. There are many exhibitors who are based in the New Forest who will open the doors of their studios where you can see them at work. There are also opportunities to buy the works - perfect if you are looking for something as a memento to your stay in the New Forest. Other venues include exhibition space at Lepe Country Park, the St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Forest Arts Centre and the Salt Marsh Gallery in Lymington.

The Curious Arts Festival takes place at Pylewell Park in Lymington. This festival brings with it novelists, historians, comedy and lots of music. Camping and glamping opportunities to stay in the grounds of the festival are also possible with pre-booking.

Led by the New Forest National Park Authority, the New Forest Arts Festival brings with it storytelling, workshops, poetry, exhibitions and talks at various locations around the National Park.

As you can see, there are lots of ways to immerse yourself in the culture of The New Forest. Take a look at the listings below for more details of what’s on including other smaller festivals that we may not have mentioned. Alternatively, use the date search on this page to search for what’s on when you are planning on visiting.

With entertainment and workshops for all the family, the New Forest Fairy Festival in Burley Park brings with it music, artists, exhibitions and a healing area. You will also find lots of fancy dress and opportunities to buy new costumes and accessories.

Get active with us

If you love to get outside then why not join us for the annual New Forest Walking Festival in October? Organised by the New Forest National Park Association, you can take part in guided walks throughout the Forest, a perfect way to meet likeminded people, to keep fit and to experience parts of the Forest that you are perhaps unfamiliar with. Walks vary in length and location, this is a fantastic way to explore our national park.

If you fancy something faster paced then there’s the annual New Forest Marathon (with shorter running races as well) plus a variety of cycling events taking place.

Visitors staying over the festive period can watch the traditional New Forest point-to-point which takes place on Boxing Day. It featured in the Channel 4 TV series, a Year in the New Forest.

Although not technically in the New Forest, Cowes Week is one of the major events on the Isle of Wight’s calendar. You can see many of the yachts and boats that are taking part on the Solent from the seawall at Lymington.

Keep an eye on our listings below for details of any other upcoming sporting events.

Calling all petrol heads

If cars are your thing then Beaulieu is the place to go. Look out for various car rallies and car festivals taking place throughout the year from amazing supercar weekends through to classic cars and campervans.

Motorcyclists are not left out either, Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum at New Milton regularly has bike meets and bike events.

Anyone with a VW camper should keep a look out for the Hythe Dubfest. With music, family entertainment and a celebration of this iconic vehicle!

Are you an event organiser?

If you are an event organiser, please submit details of your event here so we can add it to our site.

Also, if you would like to be kept up to date with events taking place in the New Forest every week then make sure you sign up to our Weekly What’s On Enewsletter!

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Festive Fun at Marwell

Location:

Colden Common, Winchester

Wrap up warm and get closer to the wonders of the natural world with a magical visit to Marwell Zoo this winter. Meet our hundreds of exotic and endangered animals from Amur tigers and snow leopards to meerkats and penguins, run wild in our five…

Venue

Marwell Zoo, Winchester

Dates

From:

1 Dec 2021to3 Jan 2022Open 10:00 - 16:00

More Details
New Forest Discovery Walk (Millyford)

Location:

Emery Down

Meeting at Millyford Bridge Car Park this walk will explore the wildlife, habitats, traditions and history of the New Forest. The walk will pass through ancient woodland to Acres Down with panoramic views across the New Forest to the distant Isle of…

Dates

From:
7 Dec 2021Open 10:00 - 13:00
From:
14 Dec 2021Open 10:00 - 13:00
From:
21 Dec 2021Open 10:00 - 13:00

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New Forest Discovery Walk (Lymington)

Location:

Lymington

The walk will follow the Lymington River and the seawall to Oxey Marsh taking in panoramic views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight, Hurst Castle and The Needles. The return route via the 'ancient highway' and Normandy Lane will give plenty of…

Dates

From:
9 Dec 2021Open 10:00 - 13:00
From:
16 Dec 2021Open 10:00 - 13:00
From:
23 Dec 2021Open 10:00 - 13:00

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The Artisan Collective Fair

Location:

BROCKENHURST

Join us this December for an unforgettable festive day out that will bring together unique creators, makers, designers and producers featuring a selection of gift, craft and food stands to shop from.
Find everything from delicious artisan food and…

Venue

National Motor Museum Beaulieu, Beaulieu

Dates

From:

10 Dec 2021to12 Dec 2021Various Opening Times

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Holly Hatch and Sloden Explorer

Location:

Fritham

Route description: Join us for a New Forest walk that takes in a wide variety of habitats and provides some stunning views. The route passes through Holly Hatch and Sloden Inclosures, and features ancient Yew trees, historic landscape features, and…

Dates

From:
11 Dec 2021Open 09:30 - 12:30

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Wet Felting

Location:

Lymington

Discover the amazing techniques and tricks used to create incredibly detailed and picturesque pieces of artwork using Merino dyed wool, silks and felt! This delicate media can create some of the softest (excuse the pun) and warmest pieces of art…

Dates

From:
11 Dec 2021Open 13:00 - 16:00

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Christmas Activity Trail

Location:

Bransgore

Come and get festive with Avon Tyrrell!
Our Christmas Activity Trail takes place on the 11th December with a variety of different times available to book.
Have a merry and bright time climbing, doing bushcraft activities and many more joyous…

Dates

From:
11 Dec 2021Open 10:00 - 12:00
From:
11 Dec 2021Open 11:00 - 13:00
From:
11 Dec 2021Open 12:00 - 14:00
From:
11 Dec 2021Open 13:00 - 15:00

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Pilley Christmas Fair

Location:

Lymington

Over 25 stalls offering local gifts and crafts. From books to candles, art work to pet treats!
A great place to visit to do some Christmas shopping.
£1 entry on door, children free
All proceeds to Oakhaven Hospice

Dates

From:
12 Dec 2021Open 10:30 - 16:00

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Winter Bird Walk with Bird Aware Solent

Location:

Exbury

We will discover the often hidden world of overwintering waders ducks & geese who must not only survive winter here but ensure they stock up on enough food to complete long migrations back to northern breeding grounds. This walk is intended for…

Dates

From:
12 Dec 2021Open 10:30 - 13:30

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Advanced Christmas Flowers Morning Workshop

Location:

New Milton

Join Sarah Wilkins and her colleague Kara for an advanced techniques Christmas Workshop...
During this workshop, Sarah and Kara will demonstrate how to make a Christmas door wreath and a table arrangement with a difference! Using fresh flower…

Dates

From:
13 Dec 2021Open 09:00 - 14:00

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Festive Flower Arranging Workshop

Location:

Boldre

Come and create your own festive arrangement to dress your table centre or to give someone as a Christmas gift. We'll be using foliage and seasonal flowers. Container, foliage, flowers, some decorative sundries and a tea/coffee voucher for Mabel's…

Dates

From:
14 Dec 2021Open 10:00 - 12:30
From:
16 Dec 2021Open 10:00 - 12:30

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New Year's Day Ride In

Location:

Bashley Cross Road, New Milton

Come and join us to welcome the New Year.
Reduced museum entry for today only.

Venue

Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum, New Milton

Dates

From:
1 Jan 2022Open 11:00 - 14:00

More Details
Go Adventure Activities

Location:

Bransgore

Our Go Adventure Activities are the perfect experience for the young and the young at heart. From High Ropes to Archery and Climbing to Bushcraft- there is something for everyone!
Sessions are 90 minutes and availability is listed in the calendar…

Dates

From:
8 Jan 2022Open 09:10 - 10:50
From:
8 Jan 2022Open 13:40 - 15:20
From:
8 Jan 2022Open 13:40 - 15:20
From:
15 Jan 2022Open 15:30 - 17:00
From:
15 Jan 2022Open 15:30 - 17:40
From:
16 Jan 2022Open 09:00 - 10:50
From:
16 Jan 2022Open 11:00 - 12:30
From:
22 Jan 2022Open 09:10 - 10:40

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The 62 Group of Textile Artists

Location:

Lymington

The 62 Group of Textile Artists
Conversations: People, Places, Materials, Object
15 January – 26 February 2022

Exhibiting in Lymington for the first time this highly regarded group of Textile Artists work explores the working relationship that…

Dates

From:

15 Jan 2022to26 Feb 2022Open 10:00 - 16:00

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J & A Artisan Country Craft Fairs

Location:

Hants

Well established Artisan Craft fair, everything is all handmade.

Dates

From:

15 Apr 2022to17 Apr 2022Open 10:00 - 17:00

From:

28 May 2022to29 May 2022

From:

4 June 2022to5 June 2022

From:

30 July 2022to7 Aug 2022

From:

15 Oct 2022to16 Oct 2022

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J & A Artisan Country Craft Fairs

Location:

LYNDHURST

Well established craft fair where everything is all handmade , which over the last ten years has given us a great reputation and repeat customers.

Dates

From:
24 Apr 2022Open 10:00 - 05:00

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BBC Gardeners' World

Location:

Beaulieu

Tickets will be on sale soon for BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair taking place in the stunning grounds of Beaulieu from Friday 29 April to Sunday 1 May.
What better way to inspire your gardening year than by attending this event in Spring. Set in…

Venue

National Motor Museum Beaulieu, Beaulieu

Dates

From:

29 Apr 2022to1 May 2022Open 10:00 - 18:00

More Details
J & A Artisan Country Craft Fairs

Location:

Lyndhurst

Artisan Craft Fair

Dates

From:
22 May 2022Open 10:00 - 05:00
From:
26 June 2022Open 10:00 - 05:00
From:
24 July 2022Open 10:00 - 05:00
From:
13 Nov 2022Open 10:00 - 05:00
From:
4 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 05:00

More Details
Dogstival

Location:

Romsey

Dogstival, The Coolest Dog Show in town is back with a special Jubilee edition on the 4th & 5th June 2022 at a stunning new venue of Broadlands Park, Romsey! The ultimate day out for you and your dog the festival is jam packed with have a go…

Dates

From:
4 June 2022Open 09:30 - 17:30
From:
5 June 2022Open 09:30 - 17:30

More Details
Lymington Seafood Festival

Location:

Lymington

A fabulous family day out jam packed with delicious food, drink & shopping from the region's top local producers.
Full schedule of live music across the weekend including UK Queen tribute on Sat 16th July or why not relax and soak up the atmosphere…

Dates

From:
15 July 2022Open 11:00 - 20:30
From:
16 July 2022Open 11:00 - 20:30
From:
18 July 2022Open 11:00 - 18:00

More Details