Inspiration
Unique Cambridge
From making your own gin with one of the world’s most innovative distilleries, to trying the best of the Cambridge food scene – here are some uniquely Cambridge experiences to seek out during your stay
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Festivals
( Events for:)
Open Cambridge
Discover Cambridge inventions past and present alongside some unmissable tours this September as Open Cambridge welcomes the public once again.
Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival
To celebrate Chinese New Year, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) has joined with new event organisers NewWave Events to launch the 16th Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival!
Cambridge Jazz Festival
The 7th Cambridge Jazz Festival takes place from 10 – 27 November 2022, making a much-welcomed return to a live, in-person festival programme that showcases local and global talent alongside a celebration of jazz icons. As ever, there is a hugely eclectic range of musical styles, including early and modern jazz, Latin, soul, funk, blues, and rock. Alongside a series of talks, workshops, jams and live painting.
Carnival! A sound and light show
As darkness falls, the lions begin to prowl! The Neo-classical facade of the university’s Senate House will be illuminated with stunning images of creatures large and small as part of our sound and light show, produced by the award-winning creative agency, Novak. The Kanneh-Mason family’s award-winning recording of Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals provides the soundtrack for a spectacular projection created using artwork produced by pupils from Castle, Arbury, St Matthews and Galfrid primary schools during workshops led by community artist Hilary Cox-Condron. Gather to watch the lions, the fish and the swan as they are brought to life through digital animation.
Cambridge Literary Festival
45+ events including David Dimbleby | Hugh Bonneville | Lady Brenda Hale | Nadiya Hussain | Ruth Jones | Jarvis Cocker | Ian McEwan | Kamila Shamsie | Philippe Sands | George Monbiot Esme Young | Jeffrey Boakye | Kate Mosse | Adrian Chiles | Sarah Churchwell | Abi Morgan | Reni Eddo-Lodge | Travis Alabanza | Luke Harding | Tessa Hadley | Mya-Rose Craig
Christmas Lights Switch On with Star Radio at the Market Square
On Sunday 20th November, we head to Market Square to turn on the city centre lights. The annual Big Switch On kicks off Christmas season this year with Star Radio taking control of stage, promising to entertain the crowds from midday. There will be a lively line up from local performing arts clubs, choirs and much much more. This year we are joined by Cambridge United and Mayor of the City of Cambridge – Councillor Mark Ashton to help switch on the Christmas lights.
Literary Afternoon Tea at the University Arms
Join us for a splendid and legendary University Arms afternoon tea in the company of best-selling novelists, Jo Browning Wroe and Francis Spufford and hosted by writer and broadcaster Alex Clark who will guarantee an inspiring conversation whilst you enjoy your lavish tea.
RAREfest22: The launch vent ‘Strictly Rare’
The evening launch of RAREfest22: 'Strictly Rare' An evening to challenge perceptions, dispel myths and imagine the possible.
Huntingdon Christmas Market 2022
Now that Christmas is just around the corner, we’re excited to invite you to Huntingdon Christmas Market 2022. This year, the event will take place from Friday 25th November – Sunday 27th November 2022, with the popular Christmas Lights Switch on scheduled for Friday 25th November at 6.30pm. Gold medalist, Jake Jarman will officially switch on the lights for everyone to enjoy.
RAREfest22: Science, Technology, Community, Arts
Immerse yourself in a bustling marketplace of 25 scientific, technological, medical and creative hands-on exhibitions. Watch live talks, panel discussions, monologues, film and even Genomics! The Musical!
Festive Arts & Crafts Fair
Discover unique, handmade gifts from local artists and support the work of local charity, Cambridge Community Arts.
Stapleford Granary Christmas Market
Supporting local makers and creators, craftspeople & collectors, our festive Christmas Market is back with pop-up food, mulled wine & music
Eddington Beer Garden 2023
A pop-up outdoor Beer Garden in Eddington Square, Cambridge is arriving for one weekend only from 28-29 April 2023!
Did you know?
In 1958, a group of engineering students managed to hoist an Austin Seven car onto the roof of Senate House, with the help of some clever calculations. It took the university a week to remove it – and will surely go down in history as one of the boldest student pranks ever!