Six quirky events across the UK this year from wife-carrying races to fake band shows
WITH the fun and frolics of the festive season behind us, it can be a tough time of year.
Why not plan a trip to one of the wacky festivals that take place in the UK each year?
From wife-carrying to chimney sweep celebrations, there’s a host of quirky events to enjoy.
SWEEPS FESTIVAL
Rochester, Kent
This celebration of British culture takes place from May 3 to 5. It recreates the traditional holiday of chimney sweeps, with live music, Morris dancers and theatre groups.
STAY: Bridgewood Manor Hotel & Spa. Double rooms from £179 on May 3, 2025. See bridgewoodmanorhotel. com or call 01634 201333.
ROYAL SWAN UPPING
River Thames
The annual Swan Upping ceremony takes place during the third week of July, and is a census of swans where mute swans on the River Thames are rounded up, caught, ringed and then released.
The Royal Swan Uppers, who wear the scarlet uniform of The King, travel in traditional rowing skiffs together with Swan Uppers from the Vintners’ and Dyers’ livery companies over five days from Sunbury to Abingdon.
STAY: The Thames Riviera Hotel near Maidenhead. Double rooms from £109 in July. See thamesriviera.com or call 01628 956 370.
UK WIFE CARRYING RACE
Dorking, Surrey
This quirky event run by the Leith Hill Trail Runners sees competitors tackle a 380-metre trail, ascending and descending by 15 metres. The next event is on March 16.
Runners do not have to carry their own wife and the winning couple qualify for the World Wife Carrying Championship in Finland.
STAY: Wotton House Country Estate Hotel in Dorking. Double rooms from £126 in March. See wottonhouse. co.uk or call 01306 730 000.
THE BIG FAKE FESTIVAL
Doncaster
Six live fake bands take to the stage in a giant marquee at Sandall Park on May 3.
Dive headfirst into killer riffs and vocal powerhouses, with performances from the Antarctic Monkeys, Kings Of Lyon, Stereotonics and Guns2Roses to name a few.
STAY: Holiday Inn Express Doncaster has free parking and breakfast included. Double Rooms from £86 on May 3. Go to ihg.com or call 00800 80 80 0800.
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF WORM CHARMING
Devon
Blackawton is the home of this wriggly winner, held each year on the Sunday of the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.
Teams walk in a procession to the George Inn to Toast the Worms and sing the Worm Song, before gathering as many of the creatures as possible from a small plot in 15 minutes!
There is also a dog show, fancy dress and live music.
STAY: Marine Hotel, Paignton. Double rooms from £79.73 on May 3. See marinehotel paignton.co.uk or call 01803 559778.
GRANITE NOIR
Aberdeen
Crime lovers can head to the granite city of Aberdeen from February 20 to 23 for one of Scotland’s leading literary festivals.
Steeped in history and the setting of many a crime drama, this is an atmospheric place to indulge in some classic whodunnit drama, with author conversations, workshops and panel talks featuring big names including Iain Stirling, Lucy Foley and Chris Whitaker.
STAY: Hilton Aberdeen TECA, double rooms from £161 on February 20. See hilton.com or call 01224 984111.