Sunflowers will shine bright in Worcester this summer for the 2023 St Richard’s Hospice Celebration Garden at St Andrew’s Spire, raising funds for our care. Celebrate and remember the life of a loved one or a special occasion with a sunflower in this emotive display. Each sunflower is uniquely commissioned by craftsman Ed Alvis of Metal Art UK, at his workshop near Evesham. We’d love you to donate and make a sunflower sculpture your own this year if you feel able. Donors can take a sculpture home as a keepsake or a gift on our dedicated collection day. Thank you for helping us be there for patients and their loved ones when they need us most. This event is kindly sponsored by Blue Print Direct Mail. To purchase your sunflower visit: www.strichards.org.uk/celebration-garden.

Oh no – Percy’s all washed out and he needs you to colour him back in! Download a colour-me-in Percy below or grab one from the Tourist Information Centre or The Pod, Crowngate Shopping Centre and go as wild as you like putting him back to his full technicolour glory! Crayons, paint, feathers, sparkles…anything goes! Then take a snap of your work of art and email it to [email protected] or drop it in to the Tourist Information Centre. The entries will be judged in three different categories, 2-5 year olds, 6-9 year olds and 10 and over. The winners of each category will win a Paint-Your-Own-Pottery session for 4 people at the Museum of Royal Worcester. Pick between painting your own small plate or mug! Happy colouring! By entering, you automatically give us permission to display entries on The Worcester Festival’s website and social media. Personal information such as child’s full name and age will be redacted from entries.

Entries close on the 1st September at 12 noon.

Click below to download one of the forms:

Colouring Sheet – Artist Percy

Colouring Sheet – Flag Percy

Colouring Sheet – Lamp Post Percy

This event is kindly sponsored by

Download your form from below or pop to the Tourist Information Centre or The Pod, Crowngate Shopping Centre and follow the instruction to be taken on a tour around Worcester. The walk starts and finishes at the Guildhall. The walk is just a little more than a mile.

Answer the questions as you go and when you have finished you can 1) Hand it in at the Tourist Information Office (if open) OR 2) Email it to [email protected]. The first entry out of the hat will win a set of 6 handmade eco-friendly Christmas crackers donated by Eco Magpie. The following 2 out of the hat will win a Festival goodie bag!

Entries close on the 1st September at 12 noon.

Click below to download your form

Family Prize Quiz Trail 2023

This event is kindly sponsored by

Percy’s all over the shop! Throughout the Festival, find Percy the Peacock’s cheeky face in 20 shops in Crowngate to be in with a chance of winning a refurbished second-hand adult or children’s bicycle kindly donated by Bike Worcester! Even better – it’s completely free to enter! Download your form below or pop to the Tourist Information Centre or the Pod in Crowngate and when you have finished you can 1) Hand it in at the Tourist Information Office (if open) OR 2) Email it to [email protected].

Entries close on the 1st September at 12 noon.

Click below to download your answers form

Crowngate Percy Trail

This event is kindly sponsored by

Take a photo in and around Worcester during the Festival and email it to [email protected] with your name, address and phone number. Simple as that! There is a £30 St Peter’s Garden Centre Voucher for the winner and two runners up will each win a £20 St. Peter’s Garden Centre voucher. The photograph must be taken between the 12^th and 28th August. You cannot be a professional photographer. By entering, you automatically give us permission for your photograph(s) to be displayed on The Worcester Festival website and social media and in The Worcester News. The photo must be of a wild bird, animal, or insect, not a pet or domestic animal. You can enter a maximum of two photographs.

Entries close on 1st September at 12 noon.

This event is kindly sponsored by 

Purchase your Worcester Festival virtual balloon from the virtual balloon website and see how far it goes! The race will start at 6pm on Monday the 28th August and finishes at 6pm on the 4th September. Winners will be contacted by the 13th September. Balloons must be purchased before the race starts at 6pm on the 28th.

The 4 balloons that fly the furthest will win some amazing prizes. Prizes include:
1st Prize – Family Pass to West Midlands Safari Park!
2nd Prize – Afternoon Tea for two at G & Tea, Worcester and 4 tickets to a Jive lesson at Cool Moves Dance
3rd Prize – A climbing pass for up to 6 people at Redpoint, Worcester and a pass for up to 8 people for an hour’s session at The Buzz, Worcester
4th Prize – £25 Reflexology Voucher and 4 tickets to a Jive lesson at Cool Moves Dance

Purchase your balloon online here or pop into The POD in Crowngate Shopping Centre to buy in person.

Why not compete with your family, friends and colleagues and host your own competition and see whose balloon flies the furthest! All proceeds gathered from the race will go towards supporting the Worcester Festival and help us to continue to provide activities for many more Festivals to come.

If you picked up your free sunflower seeds from St. Peters this year then they should be in full bloom by August! Simply snap a photo of them and send them to [email protected] to enter our competition. If you haven’t picked up the seeds but still have some lovely sunflowers in your garden, then you can also enter! The competition has 3 categories, 1) Prettiest flower, 2) Largest Sunflower and 3) Sunflower grown in the most unusual place.
The winner of each category will win a grow your own kit kindly donated by St Peters Garden Centre, so you can keep up the great gardening!

Look out for Percy the Peacock every day of the Festival out and about on his travels, especially at weekends. Percy absolutely loves posing for photographs, so be sure to have your picture taken with him, whatever your age, and share your favourite #percypics with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! He’ll be giving out flags and posing for photos in the city centre, weather permitting. (Peacocks don’t like the rain!)

This event is kindly sponsored by 

Mon – Thurs 8am – 6pm, Fri – Sat 8am – 9pm, Sun – 8am – 4pm

Show your copy of the Worcester Festival event guide when you dine with us and you’ll receive a 10% discount.

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Dairy Free options are available 

Artwork created by Worcester Snoezelen members and other local artists. View and bid to win an original piece of artwork! Exhibition moves to Worcester Snoezelen 30 August to 10 September 2023. Auction proceeds support Worcester Snoezelen’s work, Worcester Snoezelen CIO is a registered charity (no. 1188079) offering multi-sensory therapy and inclusive arts for people with disabilities and additional needs. To browse lots, see the exhibition Facebook page www.facebook.com/snoezeyartauction.

Join the fun at The Hive and sign up for the FREE Summer Reading Challenge! Aimed at children aged 4 to 11 years, and running throughout the summer holidays, the challenge is to read six or more library books over the summer. There are stickers and other rewards for every book read and children who
complete the challenge receive a medal and a certificate! Come along to the Hive and find out how you can join in for FREE!

Image The Hive, Worcester. © JAMES WATKINS PHOTOGRAPHY 2012. LICENSED FOR USE BY UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER.

The Cathedral’s magnificent bells will ring out over the city to mark the opening of the 21st Worcester Festival. A team of 12 bellringers will perform without stopping for four hours, ringing over 5,000 changes. Church bells are the biggest and loudest musical instruments and Worcester’s peal, the fifth heaviest, is regarded as one of the finest peals in the world.

An adventure into wildlife and nature awaits you at Poppy’s Farm! At Poppy’s Farm at St Peters Garden Centre, you can find a nature trail to explore, animals to visit including pigs, goats, chickens, and bees, along with a whole range of insects as well as ideas to encourage wildlife to your own garden. Also onsite is Oliver’s Allotment, an area of inspiration & learning where you can see what fruit and veg, we’ve been growing this year. Poppy’s Café will be serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes & brand new, delicious flavours of ice cream. Poppy’s Farm also has a beautiful Yurt where you can enjoy your lunch, or just soak up the atmosphere. We’ll have an activity sheet for you to complete whilst exploring Poppy’s Farm, with treats for those that manage to finish! We look forward to welcoming you.

Wed, Thurs, Fri 8.45am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm, Open Bank Holiday Monday.

Try our homemade breakfast pretzel loaded with up to 3 fillings. Choose from Fried egg, bacon, mozzarella cheese. Served with ketchup or brown sauce on the side. Available until 3pm daily. Grab our Festival Special offer of a Breakfast pretzel for £6.95 and add any coffee or hot drink for only £2! (Please note additional cost for oat milk and/or syrups).

Vegetarian options available 

Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat 9am – 9pm, Sun 10am – 5pm

Worcester Festival Cocktails – Blue and Green cocktails inspired by the Festival Mascot – Percy the Peacock!

Vegetarian, Vegan and Diary Free options are available 

Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm, Sat 9am – 9pm, Sun 10am – 5pm

Choose any one of our delicious Paninis and a cocktail from the special selected summer Festival menu. Panini selection includes Tuna Crunch, Chargrilled Med Veg and Mozzarella, Ham Brie & Red Onion Chutney, Chicken Tikka & Cheese. Children options available with juice instead of cocktail.

Vegetarian, vegan and diary free options available

Pershore Plum Festival in Plum Alley is all about plums, live music and lots of plum food and drink. Join us in Chapman Court every Saturday throughout August and meet Plum Royalty and our famous mascots. There will be the opportunity to buy some Plum Festival merchandise, including our special jute bags and t-shirts. Get into the plum spirit ahead of the main festival over the August bank holiday weekend.

Browse over 20 quality craft and gift stalls set in the beautiful medieval cloisters.

Enjoy getting hands-on creative with family or friends with Paint-Your-Own-Pottery in our inspiring setting. You’ll have 90 minutes to relax and try out your artistic skills, choosing from a range of clay shapes to paint with ceramic colours. Mugs, figurines, and plates are popular choices. The Museum will glaze and fire items, ready for collection. If you have time, explore the Museum’s fun interactives and Family Explorer trails with backpack, before or after painting. Book your place at www.museumofroyalworcester.org/pyop or phone 01905 21247.

Christ in Majesty is a 13th Century scuplture that is rarely seen and about which so much is not understood. Filling nearly an entire wall of College Hall this sculpture was destroyed during the reformation but has recently been conserved. Come and take this rare opportunity to view it and find out more.

Come and celebrate “Left-Hander’s Day”! Left-handed resources will be on show and able to be purchased. We are also offering handwriting tuition. For handwriting tuition please book via email [email protected] or phone 07747605107.

Follow this self-guided tour around the historic streets of Worcester City Centre and learn about the rich history the City has to offer.

The tour can be collected from the Tourist Information Centre in the Guildhall or downloaded online.

Download the tour here! 

The Art Gallery and Museum’s popular activity bags are here all summer! Choose your bag of creative crafts: Make 80s friendship bracelets, a mini car, or a puppet of Albert the Albatross! Each bag has multiple themed activities inside, and the Activity Space is fully equipped for young creatives to get going on their making.

The exhibition will showcase the work of eleven professional visual artists, three local schools and a community art installation, totalling over 50 pieces of wonderful art around the cathedral. There will be a diverse range of media on show including textiles, glass, sculpture, paintings, and fashion design.

Enjoy our summer long play experience with site-specific interventions and a wide-ranging programme of events and activities. Explore our natural play area with our giant bird’s nest, chill-out with yoga and forest bathing in our meditative play space or get your creative energy flowing on stage on our South Lawn. Some extra activities may be subject to additional charges (see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/croome for details).

Image is copyright to National Trust, Rob Stothard.

Birds, butterflies, and angels are taking over for an exhibition filled with hope and aspiration… Sculptures of winged creatures and beings – created by contemporary artist Wayne Warren – will find their home in the historic Commandery throughout the summer months. Stand in front of huge angel wings in the Great Hall (Instagram at the ready!) and families can enjoy a programme of wing-inspired workshops over the school holidays.

For ticket price information visit the Commandery website. 

Throwing a spotlight on 25 glorious and exceptional objects bringing their fascinating stories to life, from the 1752 Wigornia cream jug, to Octar Copson’s iconic painted fruit platter and the Chicago Vase, that takes 8 people to lift! The Showstopper gallery and website trail reveals behind-the-scenes archive material and film clips giving fresh insights into the people behind the porcelain. For more information visit the Museum’s website. 

Severn Rising 2222 is an ambitious imagining through gaming, of what the City of Worcester, might look like 200 years in the future, where Worcester has been flooded, humans have left, and the city is consumed by nature. The Severn Rising 2222 project, challenges the residents of Worcester to learn more about climate change, pollution, and the direct impact it will have on their community. The game brings together beautiful, vibrant depictions of nature and
Worcester’s landmarks by artist Sarah Millin, with the game design skills of Andy Round of Paradise Multimedia.

Mon-Sun 10am – 5pm

Come and visit Churchfields Farm and Old Barn Cafe to receive 10% off any of our own Droitwich Salt and 10% off hot food. Our delicious field to fork menu includes our own home reared beef, pork, lamb, and award-winning ice cream (plus Droitwich Salt of course!)

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Diary Free options available. 

A tribute to Worcestershire motor-racing legend Peter Collins. Discover how a Kidderminster-born motor enthusiast became the rising star in the
Ferrari Formula One team in motorsport’s most glamorous and dangerous era. This exhibition tells Peter’s remarkable story through original
photographs and letters, and features touching personal items including his racing helmet and gloves.

Share your love of the 1980s with family and friends at this fun, nostalgic exhibition featuring iconic objects of this colourful era of great change.
Travel through the cultural landscape of 80s Britain – from Betamax to BMX, the Rubik’s Cube to the ZX Spectrum, the Thompson Twins to Transformers. This carefully curated time capsule of over 200 treasures showcases the youthful exuberance of this much-loved decade.

Grab your magical map from the Visitors Centre and see if you can spot all the enchanted fairy doors around the gardens! The trail is included in the price of entering the gardens. You can prebook garden tickets online here or buy them on the gate.

Follow the trail to find insects and bugs hidden around the Gardens. The trail is included in the price of entering the gardens. You can prebook garden tickets online at or buy them on the gate.

Mon 1pm – 8pm, Tue-Fri 11am – 11pm, Sat 10:30am – 11pm, Sun 12pm – 8pm

A pint of Vedett Pilsner imported 5.5% Belgian lager & a portion of crispy, golden Belgian frites with our house mayo for a tenner! Or a large portion
of Belgian Waffles & ice cream with chocolate bits & strawberry sauce, plus an ice-cold Coke for a tenner!

Vegetarian options available 

Come along and meet Worcester’s first citizen, Louis Stephen as they officially open the 21st Worcester Festival!

Historical tours of our captivating Cathedral, travel back through 1000 years of history, architecture and culture with our hour-long tour.

There’s no such thing as Greyfriars – Guided Tours available between 11.00 and 14.30, peeling back the layers of time to reveal the hidden stories
behind the façade of the late-medieval property. Tours last approx. 1 hour. The Old Oak Café will be open throughout the day offering wide selection of refreshments. Free spotter trails are available for children going on the guided tour.

Funky Faces has a range of fabulous designs! Choose from butterflies, flowers, super heroes and more, or ask for something bespoke. Children of all ages are welcome to have their faces painted for free, although the recommended minimum age is 3 years. Children younger than 3 are welcome to have a design painted on their arm instead. There is absolutely no upper age limit, so everyone can join in the fun!

This event is kindly sponsored by 

Thomas Bewick (1753 – 1828) was an artist-engraver and naturalist born at Cherryburn, Northumberland. He is famed for his miniature woodblock prints depicting rural life. Bewick developed his skill as an apprentice engraver, learning to cut lettering and small pictures on both wood and metal for trades including jewellers and cutlery makers. His in-depth knowledge of printing practises meant he was able to innovatively apply metal engraving processes onto wood, resulting in a level of detail never seen before. An indication of his humour and moral character can be seen through close inspection of the scenes, many offering commentary on important social issues of his time. We invite you to visit the exhibition at Croome and explore Bewick’s playful and
detailed depictions inspired by the natural world.

In 2023 Croome will host My Happy Place, an exhibition by independent textile group Threads. Throughout the year the display will evolve
in response to seasonal changes and physical, geographic and emotional changes that reflect the participants personal place of happiness.
Like so many others, Threads were not able to meet in person throughout 2020 and their online catchups just weren’t the same. My Happy Place represents a way of coming together in person to share common interests; to make work collaboratively and to be supportive to each other. The exhibition is their way of celebrating all that is wonderful about the world through the varied medium of stitch. For more information on how to join Threads, please visit their website on: www.threadsworcester.org.uk

This audio bird installation celebrates the lives of 7 birds depicted in Thomas Bewick’s wood engravings. Speaking from the perspective of the birds, voiced by artist Marcus Coates and six wildlife experts, they discuss topics from migration to predation, highlighting the challenges each species face today.

Image copyright National Trust, James Dobson.

A new interactive digital artwork by musician and composer Ruth Hopkins evoking Elgar’s love of the countryside. Families can explore the cottage garden at The Firs to make their own musical compositions inspired by nature. This is an ongoing artwork and continues throughout 2023 and beyond.

Image credit to National Trust, Trevor Ray Hart.

The fabulous Gugge 2000 are BACK for the Worcester Festival 2023! Get ready for live, loud and highly entertaining music from this hugely feel-good brass and percussion band of around 50 exuberant black-and-yellow costumed musicians, playing a vast repertoire of music in the Guggen style.

This event is kindly sponsored by

With over 150 songs in their repertoire the Worcester Ukulele Club are guaranteed to have you singing and dancing along. The perfect summer entertainment!

Tues, Wed, Sun 3pm – 12am, Thurs 12pm – 12am, Fri & Sat 12pm – 2am

Come and enjoy a delicious sandwich and wine or a pint for just £15! Perfect Summer treat.

We Love to Sing: If you enjoy singing a range of music, whilst raising money for good causes, come and join our friendly social group. For more details about membership or our concert programme go to www.worcestermalevoicechoir.org.uk.

Mon – Sat inside: 12-9pm outside: 12-8pm Sunday inside: 12-5pm

Come and enjoy The Diglis Local Burger: 2 4oz Smashed Hereford Beef Patties, Beef Fat Pear, Worcester Blue Cheese, Crispy Onions, Lettuce, Sliced Tomato, Onion, Pickles, Our Burger Sauce Served With Seasoned Fries and House Slaw.

Gluten Free options available 

Wed – Fri- 5pm – 9pm, Sat 12pm – 9pm, Sun 12pm – 5pm

Choose any main from our dynamic, fresh, 100% plant based menu and receive one of our delicious desserts for free!

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free and Diary Free options available 

The popular Worcester CAMRA festival is back for its 21st year between Thursday 10th August and Saturday 12th August at a new location within the Worcester Racecourse Grandstand enclosure. Still serving over 170 ales, over 100 ciders and perries plus fruit and grape wines. Live music will also be available as will food from various concessions stalls. Online sales via the website and on the gate on the day.

Mon – Sat 12pm – 10pm, Sun 12pm – 9pm

Lunch & early evening menu 2 courses from £14.50, 3 courses from £17.50! Monday to Saturday 12 till 5pm. Dates & Steaks menu Thursdays from 3pm, from only £31.95 per person for 3 courses. Sunday set menu, 3 courses from £31.95 per person. Large party celebration menu, for parties over 12 people, £32.95 per person! Our dishes are suitable for young guests however we also offer a young guest menu if needed 2 courses from £10.50, 3 courses from £13.50 served all day every day!

Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Diary Free options are available 

Closed Mondays, Tues – Sun from 12pm

We offer a 25% discount to NHS, 999, Armed Forces, Teachers and Carers on Classic Mains, Mains from the Grill, Burgers and Wraps, Salads, and Vegetarian/Vegan Meals. All we ask is that you bring some I.D. We would confirm that unless the card holder is paying for the whole meal, we shall not honor the discount to non-card holders nor allow the discount if the card holder passes their card to each person in their party.

Vegetarian, Vegan and Dairy Free options are available

Mon – Thurs 3pm to 11pm, Fri – Sat 12pm to 11pm, Sun 12pm – 11pm

Visit us and Enjoy 3 for 2 on our Bottled Beer (Corona, Budweiser, Asahi). You can also enjoy our offer of 2 for £10 on our refreshing and delicious Spritzes (Aperol, Campari, Limoncello). Join us on Sundays for live music.

Free Lunchtime Accordion and Guitar recital by Duo Chaimbeul.

The fabulous Gugge 2000 are BACK for the Worcester Festival 2023! Get ready for live, loud and highly entertaining music from this hugely feel-good brass and percussion band of around 50 exuberant black-and-yellow costumed musicians, playing a vast repertoire of music in the Guggen style.

This event is kindly sponsored by

The Jay Boys are Dad, Tony and Son, Duncan who have enjoyed performing their favourite songs – chosen from the last five decades – at local Jam nights during the last few years.

With over 150 songs in their repertoire the Worcester Ukulele Club are guaranteed to have you singing and dancing along. The perfect summer entertainment!

The fabulous Gugge 2000 are BACK for the Worcester Festival 2023! Get ready for live, loud and highly entertaining music from this hugely feel-good brass and percussion band of around 50 exuberant black-and-yellow costumed musicians, playing a vast repertoire of music in the Guggen style.

This event is kindly sponsored by

Come and see the new church garden in the heart of Worcester.

Historical tours of our captivating Cathedral, travel back through 1000 years of history, architecture and culture with our hour-long tour.

Join us for an exciting afternoon session of Painting and wine at Bottles Wine Shop, hosted by talented local artist Estee Angeline. This unique
event offers an opportunity to test your artistic skills whilst also enjoying your favourite wine. Estee will lead you through the step-by-step process, offering personalized instruction and encouragement to bring out your artistic best. As you explore your creative side, you’ll have the pleasure of sipping on your chosen wine- from crisp whites to velvety reds, Bottles Wine Shop offers an array of curated options to complement your painting experience. Whether you’re an experienced artist or a first-time painter, this session is designed to inspire and engage artists of all levels. Gather with like-minded individuals, meet new friends, and indulge in the joy of art and wine. Unwind, paint & sip.

Offer available Wed – Sat 5pm – 6pm

A choice from our current 2 or 3 course early evening set menu, the menu includes a free glass of house wine. Enjoy the summer weather with us. 2 courses £22.95 and 3 course £26.95.

Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free and Diary Free options are available.