family first saturdays – New in Cambridge

What’s on in Cambridge – February 2020

Well, it’s grey and gloomy as I write this but we got through January and there are definite signs of Spring now. I’ve noticed buds on the trees, little froths of blossom and the birds are chirping morning and evening. Read on for details of what’s happening in the city this month … this listing is not exhaustive but is an eclectic mix of events that come to my attention. I’ll update it through the month so do check back and if you are involved in an event that you’d like me to include, please get in touch via my Contact page.

River Cam Cambridge — A winter day on the towpath

1st 10am – 1pm Family Saturday: Plant Fibres. Create your own wall hanging to take home. Free activity for children, drop in event. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

1st 10.30am – 12 noon Learn 5-a-side chess. Free, drop in event, all welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Milton Road Library, CB4. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk

1st 10.30am – 4.30pm Cambridge’s Affordable Vintage Fair. Vintage, handmade, reworked and retro. Fashion, accessories and collectables from the 40’s to the 90’s. Guildhall, Market Square. FB: Cambridge’s Affordable Vintage Fair

1st 12 noon, 1pm and 2pm Children’s Workshop: Chinese Calligraphy. Celebrate Chinese New year and learn how to create characters with Chinese brushes and ink. For children aged 8+, must be accompanied by an adult. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

1st 12 – 4pm Family First Saturday: Chinese New Year. Celebrate Chinese New Year with family activities which include lion dance, animals of the zodiac trail, lantern making, paper cutting. Free, drop in. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

1st 2 – 4pm “Undiscovered beauty spots within an hour’s drive of Cherry Hinton”. Talk from Peter Green, Walks Co-ordinator, National Trust. All welcome, free entry, contribution invited towards expenses. Food for Thought Cafe, Cherry Hinton Baptist Church Building, corner of Fisher’s Lane and Cherry Hinton High Street.

1 – 23rd Snowdrop Trail. Discover more about snowdrop science, history, folklore and cultivation when you follow the Garden’s snowdrop routes. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

2nd – 28th The Minerva Festival. A city wide celebration of music composed by women and non-binary people. http://www.theminervafestival.org

3rd 7 – 10pm An evening at The White Hart Country Inn, Fulbourn. A two course meal and live entertainment for £20. Fundraiser for Camsight http://www.camsight.org.uk

4 – 8th 7.45pm My Fair Lady. Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society. ADC Theatre, Park Street http://www.adctheatre.com

6th 11am – 1pm Twentieth-century First Editions Exhibition. The Old Library, Magdalene College will be open for visitors to these historic book-lined rooms, with displays of items from the College’s special collections and archives which are rarely seen in public. Free entry, no need to book. Magdalene College, Magdalene Street.

7 – 16th Ahbab Festival. A festival of music, film, food and culture from the Middle East and North Africa. Cambridge Junction and multiple venues across the city. FB: @AhbabFestival

8th 1 – 4pm Chinese New Year Crafts. Celebrate Chinese New Year with CFT Chinese School. Decorate a paper lantern, paint a panda and try your hand at Chinese calligraphy and pictograms. Free, drop in event for families. Parents/carers must stay with children. Cambridge Central Library, Lion Yard

8th 7pm Hungarian Music for Cello and Accordian. Cambridge Szeged Society. Free entry, retiring collection. Church of Our Lady and English Martyrs, Hills Road.

8 – 9th 11am – 4pm Rowan Art Exhibition. Buy original art at this “Celebrate Your World” art exhibition. Pictures from amateur and professional artists on sale at £45 each, raising funds to support Rowan’s student artists. Chesterton Community College, Gilbert Road, CB4 http://www.rowanhumberstone.co.uk

9th 8.30pm King’s Voices Lent Concert. Haydn, Beethoven and Reger. King’s Voices with the King’s College Symphony Orchestra. King’s College Hall http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk

10th 7.45pm Seeking to know: A humane philosophy of science and religion. Speaker: Professor Andrew Steane, Physics Department, Oxford University. Part of the Science Meets Faith series. Wesley Church, Christ’s Pieces. Free entry, retiring collection.

15th 1pm Come and Sing Faure Requiem. For singers of all ages and abilities who can read music. St Catherine’s College Music Society. McGrath Centre, St Catherine’s College, Trumpington Street http://www.eventbrite.co.uk

15th 7 – 9.30pm Winter Mindfulness around the Campfire. Simple guided meditations, opportunities for reflection, discussions, poetry and games exploring our relationship with the natural world, around a campfire. Byron’s Pool, Trumpington http://www.mindfulness-of-nature.com

18th 7 – 8.30pm Cafe Sci Cambridge: The Genetics of Depression. Free, non ticketed. Espresso Library, East Road. FB: Free event: The Genetics of Depression

19th 4.30 – 7.30pm Twilight at the Museums at the Botanic Garden. Bring your torch for a night time adventure around the Glasshouses and discover some seriously freaky plants. Free, no charge for entry after 4.30pm, no need to book. The Garden Shop and Cafe will be open until 7pm. Botanic Garden, Brookside http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

19th 4.30 – 7.30pm Twilight at the Museums: De-lightful! Take a journey through light and dark at this annual Twilight event which takes place across University of Cambridge Museums. Discover torch lit treasure, sensory activities, interactive theatre, stories, dance and studio art creativity. Free event. http://www.museums.cam.ac.uk/events/twilight_museums

21 – 22nd 12 – 5pm Cambridge Antiquarian Book Fair. Old books, prints, maps and manuscripts. Guildhall, Market Square

21st 6.30 – 8.30pm Cam Lates: Garden Kitchen Takeover. Explore the diverse plant collections in the Glasshouse Range which will be filled with imaginative illuminations. Food and drink from The Garden Kitchen. Booking essential. Botanic Garden, Brookside http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

21st 8pm St John Passion. St John’s College Music Society with Trinity College Music Society. St John’s College Chapel. Tickets on the door.

22nd 11am – 5pm Cambridge’s Craft and Flea. Local produce, street food, collectables, crafts, vegan and more. St Barnabas Church, Mill Road

22nd 2 – 6pm Board Games Afternoon. LGBTQ+ board games social afternoon. Free admission. Cambridge Central Library, Lion Yard

25 – 29th Stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s “The Waves”. Pre-show talk on 28th. ADC Theatre, Park Street. http://www.adctheatre.com/whats-on/play/the-waves/

27th 6 – 9pm Student LATE: Love Art After Dark. A dynamic programme of art events, performances, live music, pop up talks, behind the scenes tours plus creative arts and crafts activities. Cash bar and snacks in the Courtyard Cafe. Free but booking essential. Student ID card required. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street http://www.loveartafterdark-event.getqpay.com

29th 6 – 9.30pm Mastana. South Asian cultural performances ranging from dance to music to fashion, acting, magic and more. Guildhall, Market Square http://www.fixr.co/event/82327218

29th 7.30pm Harmony in Harlem Jazz Orchestra. Duke Ellington’s Primping for the Prom. St Andrew’s Baptist Church, St Andrew’s Street. Tickets on the door or from http://www.hhjazz.co.uk

What’s on in Cambridge – January 2020

As I compile this listing, we are in that beautiful lull between Christmas and New Year when you don’t quite know what day it is and meals are a smorgasbord of leftovers from the fridge. It’ll be time to get fully functional again soon enough and to help us out of hibernation, there’s lots going on in the city as we welcome in a new decade. I’ll update this listing through the month so do check back sometimes and let me know if you’d like your event to be included. Happy New Year to all!!

4th 10am – 1pm Family Saturday: Crazy Cone Creations. Use twigs, paint and wire to make a crazy cone work of art. Drop in event, no need to book. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

4th 2 – 4pm Family First Saturday: Marvellous Mythology. Fun activities and art making. Free. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

6th 7.30pm An Orthodox Christmas Wassail with Chela and Buska, the Cambridge Georgian choirs. Jesus College Chapel. Free entry with retiring collection for Georgian charities.

7 – 11th Merrily We Roll Along. Festival Players. Robinson Theatre, Hills Road. http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/festivalplayers

11th 5 – 8pm True Tales for Change. The Cambridge Commons raises awareness of and tackles inequality in Cambridge. In collaboration with Pivotal, they have commissioned five local artists and a songwriter to create works inspired by conversations with Cambridge people who have experienced inequality. Public exhibition continues 12 and 13 January. The Escape Community Space, The Grafton Centre. FB True Tales For Change

12th 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Practical art making workshops, no experience necessary. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

12th 4.30 – 6pm Free Singing Workshop with Cambridge Jazz Festival Choir, a community vocal group singing jazz, soul, gospel and more. No auditions, no need to read music as songs are learned by ear. St Matthew’s Primary School, Norfolk Street, CB2 FB: Free Singing Workshop with the Cambridge Jazz Festival Choir

14th 2 – 4pm Tour for blind and partially sighted adults: Fantastic Fans. Go behind the scenes with a conservator for a rare opportunity to touch a variety of fans from the collection. Guide dogs and companions welcome. Free but booking essential by email to education@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

14th 7.30 – 8.45pm Going It Alone: the new breed of writer/independent publisher. Author Sue Grossey tells us what it’s really like to be your own researcher, writer, designer, editor, publisher and marketing department. Milton Road Library, Ascham Road. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk

14th 7.30 – 9pm Mackays – the history of a local store. Talk from Duncan Mackay describing exciting projects and turbulent times for one of Cambridge’s favourite family businesses. Ross Street Community Centre, Ross Street. http://www.millroadhistorysociety.org.uk

15th 1.15 – 2pm “To eat or not to eat”: Vegetarianism and veganism in Europe, 1500 – 1800. A talk with Dr Melissa Calaresu, “Feast & Fast” exhibition co-curator. Free. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

16th 7.30pm (doors and bar from 6.30pm) January Jazz: Sirkis/Bialas International Qt. Cambridge University Centre Wine Bar, Granta Place. http://www.cambridgejazz.org

18th 12 – 4pm The Eddington ‘Feel Good’ Festival. Free activities to help you relax and unwind including yoga, meditation, barre ballet, dance sessions, health talks plus a chill out area with free refreshments from Eddie’s Cafe. Free event, booking essential. Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington http://www.eddington-cambridge.co.uk

18th 1 – 2pm British Sign Language exhibition and library tour. Join one of the exhibition curators for a guided tour of The Rising Tide: Women at Cambridge exhibition, followed by an introductory tour of the wider University Library. BSL interpretation provided by the Cambridge Deaf Association. Free, suitable for all ages, under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult. Booking required by email to hap40@cam.ac.uk Cambridge University Library, West Road

18th 2 – 5.30pm Literature Cambridge Study Day on Toni Morrison’s great novel “Beloved” (1987), a powerful account of the traumatic effects of slavery. Two lectures and a round-table seminar. Stapleford Granary, CB22 http://www.literaturecambridge.co.uk

18th 2pm and 4pm My Musical Magical Hat. Family concert for age 5+. How do you choose which musical instrument to play? Do you choose it or does it choose you? Find out as Tim, Ruth and the Cambridge Phil reach into the world of the magical musical hat. Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.cambridgephilharmonic.com

19th 1 – 4pm Reflections on Homelands/Alternative Symposium. Reflect on the themes and ideas of Homelands: Art from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. An informal afternoon with introductions to the exhibition and displays, a practical art workshop which will explore the nature of home and displacement plus a conversation to share personal stories and experiences. Free, all ages. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

21st 2 – 4pm Tour for blind and partially sighted adults: Fantastic Fans. Go behind the scenes with a conservator for a rare opportunity to touch a variety of fans from the collection. Guide dogs and companions welcome. Free but booking essential by email to education@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

25th 10.30am – 4pm Kettle’s Yard Welcome Day. Discover your local gallery with a day of mini programme highlights: tours, talks and workshops for those new to Kettle’s Yard. Also with British Sign Language and audio described introductions. Free, all ages, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

25th 11am Chinese New Year Celebration. Arts and craft workshops, zodiac fortune telling, food tasting, lion dance at 12pm and more. Lion Yard Shopping Centre with Cambridge Chinese Cultural School.

25th 11am – 5pm Worth the Weight Vintage Kilo Sale. Men’s and women’s vintage clothing from the 60’s to the 90’s. £15 per kilo. St. Paul’s, Hills Road, CB2 FB: Worth The Weight Vintage Kilo Sale Cambridge

25th 2 – 6pm Board Games Afternoon. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Cambridge Central Library. £2 per ticket.

25th 8pm Im Abendrot. Strauss and Mahler. The Empyrean Ensemble. Trinity College Chapel. http://www.adcticketing.com

26th 10.30am – 4pm Cambridge Vegan Market. Over 40 stalls selling vegan food, clothes, drinks, cosmetics and more. Guildhall, Market Square. http://www.veganmarkets.co.uk/cambridge

26th 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Practical art making workshops, no experience necessary. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

26th 7.30pm Sinfonia of Cambridge with St John’s College School Chamber Choirs. Respighi, Vaughan Williams, Tchaikovsky. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.adcticketing.com

29th 7.15pm True Stories Told Live. Local storytellers and a musical turn. NCI Club, Holland Street, CB4 FB: True Stories Told Live Cambridge

30th 5 – 9pm LATE: Food, Faith and Wellbeing. Panel discussion on the role of fasting in religion, talk from Wintercomfort on food and homelessness, poetry reading, 30 minute meditation session and a cacao ceremony. The Cafe Health and Wellbeing menu includes non-alcoholic drinks and vegan food. Free, booking required. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

30th 5.30 – 7pm As is your due: 50th anniversary of women’s admission to the University. Talk and film recording the 50th anniversary celebration of women’s admission to the University of Cambridge, when in 1998 more than 800 women who matriculated before 1948 returned to Senate House to collect their degrees retrospectively. Documentary followed by a Q&A with director, Lucy Thane. Booking essential. Cambridge University Library, West Road http://www.lib.cam.ac.uk

30th 7.30pm (doors and bar from 6.30pm). January Jazz: Clovis Nicolas/Steve Fishwick Qt. Cambridge University Centre Wine Bar, Granta Place. http://www.cambridgejazz.org

31st 7.30 – 9pm Zoology Late: Acoustic Spaces/Threatened Places. A programme of music with University of Cambridge New Music Group. Booked required. Museum of Zoology, Downing Street. http://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk

What’s on in Cambridge – September 2019

September always feels to me like a time of new beginnings and although it’s never easy to get back into top gear after the hazy drift of summer days, the slight nip in the morning air reminds us that it’s time to crack on. There’s lots of fun stuff happening in the city this month, which should help us ease back into routine. I’ll update this listing through the month so do check back and please get in touch if you know of an event that I can add to it.

Acorns on Jesus Green Cambridge — Acorns on Jesus Green

1st – 29th Cambridge Festival of Cycling. A month of events celebrating our city’s cycling culture. Over 20 cycling themed events, including social bike rides, bike maintenance and photography workshops, a film night showing the documentary “Motherload” and the Cargo Carnival. Most events are free or have a minimal charge. http://www.cambridgefestivalofcycling.org

1st 10.30am – 12 noon Walking Tour: Hidden Cambridge and the Museum of Cambridge. http://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk

1st 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

3rd 7.30pm Shoot for the Moon. Improvised comedy night with the Ministry of Unplanned Occurrences. Pay what you want. Blue Moon Pub, Norfolk Street, CB1

5th 6 – 7.30pm “Mindfulness on the Meadows”. Practise mindfulness of nature and meditation with Claire Thompson. Stourbridge Common. http://www.mindfulness-of-nature.com/workshops-in-around-cambridge

7 – 8th 10am – 5pm Wimpole Autumn Craft and Produce Fair. Crafts, food stalls, live music, beer tent serving local ales, face painting. Wimpole Estate. FB Wimpole Autumn Craft and Produce Fair

7th Cambridge Dragon Boat Festival. In aid of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. River Cam, Ditton Meadows, Fen Ditton. http://www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk

7th 10am – 1pm Family Saturday. Plants of the Pharoahs. Find out about plants used by the Ancient Egyptians, including plants used to make paper and to help preserve bodies. Free event. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

7th 10.30 – 11.15am “Sharing Stories”. A friendly family story telling session with stories from around the world told, read and sung. Free, drop in. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Milton Road Library, CB4. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk

7th 12 – 4.30pm Stourbridge Medieval Fair. Traditional dancing and singing, stalls, crafts and talks. Visit the Chapel (which is shut for most of the year). http://www.cambridgeppf.org/Event/cambridge-medieval-fair

8th 11.30am – 4.30pm Knit for the River. Free, drop in, all ages welcome, no need to book. Museum of Cambridge, Castle Street. http://www.museumofcambridge.org.uk

8th 3 – 5pm Jazz and Brass in the Parks. City of Cambridge Brass Band. Cherry Hinton Hall. http://www.cambridgelive.org.uk

9th 7.45 – 9pm Talk about the history of Cambridge Railway Station by Rob Shorland-Ball. Cambridge Museum of Technology, Pye Building. Tickets £3 on the door. Enter via Cheddars Lane entrance. http://www.museumoftechnology.com

10th (until 9th October) Open Eco Homes. Advice from local householders and experts, householder led tours and low energy home workshops. http://www.openecohomes.org

10th 7.30 – 9pm “Archeology found by the public”. Talk from Mill Road History Society with Dr Helen Geake, well known for being party of Channel 4’s Time Team. Ross Street Community Centre. http://www.millroadhistory.org.uk

11th 6.45 – 9pm Cafe Sci Cambridge: Gut bacteria and human health. Using genomic tools to study gut microbiome to help us understand its role in health and disease. Free, non-ticketed. Espresso Library, East Road. http://www.publicengagement.wellcomegenomecampus.org/cafe-scientifique-cambridge

13 – 14th Open Cambridge. Discover the local history and heritage of Cambridge with special access to places that are normally closed to the public or charge admission. http://www.opencambridge.cam.ac.uk

15th 9.30am Bridge the Gap. A charity walk through Cambridge University College grounds. The route is wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Raising funds for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill. http://www.arhc.org.uk/bridge-the-gap.asp

15th 9.30am – 12.30pm An Introduction to Mindfulness of Nature with Claire Thompson. Mindfulness based exercises, meditations, walking, games, discussions and poetry. Trumpington Meadows Nature Reserve. http://www.mindfulness-of-nature.com/workshops-in-around-cambridge

15th 10.30am – 5.30pm Dog Day. Free ice cream for kids with a dog. Gift stalls and more. Benets Cafe, King’s Parade.

15th 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

15th 3 – 5pm Jazz and Brass in the Parks. The Brass Funkeys. Jesus Green. http://www.cambridgelive.org.uk

16th 6 – 7.30pm “Mindfulness on the Meadows”. Practise mindfulness of nature and meditation with Claire Thompson. Stourbridge Common. http://www.mindfulness-of-nature.com/workshops-in-around-cambridge

17th 5.30 – 7.30pm Circuit Social. A creative evening for 18 – 25 year olds. Make some art, meet new people and discover more about Circuit, the young people’s programme. All welcome, no previous art experience needed. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

17th 7.30pm Poetry in the Pub with John Clegg and Steve Xerri. CB1 Poetry. Blue Moon Pub, Norfolk Street, CB1 http://www.cb1poetry.org.uk

18th 7.30pm True Stories Told Live. NCI Club, Holland Street, CB4. FB True Stories Told Live Cambridge

19th 7.30pm Clara Rackham – her life and achievements. A talk by Professor Mary Joannou (ARU). Milton Road Library, CB4. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk

21st 9 – 10am Day of Peace Meditation. On International Day of Peace, gather for meditations to find inner peace and to cultivate feelings of peace of others in our families, our communities and across the world. White Lotus Meditation. The Bodywise Studio, Gwydir Street. http://www.whitelotusmeditation.co.uk/classesandcourses

21st 10.30 – 11.15am “Sharing Stories”. A friendly family story telling session with stories from around the world told, read and sung. Free, drop in. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Milton Road Library, CB4. http://www.friendsofmiltonroadlibrary.org.uk

21st 10.30am – 4pm Artsfest 2019. A day of workshops in printmaking, life drawing, papercloth, drawing, exploring abstraction, creative writing, expressive lettering and drop in sewing plus an all day cafe. Early booking advised as workshop places are limited. St Paul’s Church, Hills Road. http://www.stpaulsartsfest.org

21st 11am – 5pm Literature Cambridge Study Day: Reading The Waves. An intensive day of lectures and a seminar on Virginia Woolf’s lyrical novel of 1931, with leading scholars. Stapleford Granary, CB22. http://www.literaturecambridge.co.uk/waves

21 – 22nd 10am – 5pm Cambridge Food, Garden and Produce Show. Parker’s Piece. Free entry. Oakleigh Fairs. http://www.oakleighfairs.co.uk

22nd 10.30am – 5pm Milton Country Park Autumn Festival. Seasonal food, craft, activities, music and entertainment for the family. http://www.miltoncountrypark.org/autumnfestival

25th 6 – 9pm Zoology Late: Board Games. Animal inspired board games and bar. Free, no need to book. 18+ Museum of Zoology, Downing Street. http://www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk

26th 6 – 9pm LATE: The Greatest Showman. Special screening of The Greatest Showman to complement a new exhibition about Giovanni Belzoni, the 19th century explorer and circus showman. Fitzwilliam Museum. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

28th 10am – 4pm Worth The Weight Vintage Kilo Sale. Vintage clothing at £15 per kilo. St Paul’s Church, Hills Road. FB Worth The Weight Vintage Kilo Sale – Cambridge

29th 3pm rehearsal, 7.30pm performance. Come and Sing Carmina Burana. Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.cambridgephilharmonic.com

29th 10am – 5pm Cambridge Chinese Community Mid-Autumn Festival. Parker’s Piece. http://www.cambridgechinacentre.org

King's College Cambridge — This chestnut tree at King’s College is 160 years old!

What’s on in Cambridge – June

Well, Summer has arrived here in Cambridge and there’s loads happening in June …. outdoor celebrations as well as indoor activities, many of them free, for those rainy days (hopefully there won’t be too many of those!), lots of music, something for foodies and scientists, in fact something for everybody. I’ll update this listing as the month unfolds so please do get in touch through my Contact page if you know of an event that I can list here.

Midsummer Common Cambridge — Midsummer Common bathed in sunshine

1st 10am – 1pm Family Saturdays – Messy Mud. Get messy with mud, make mud pies and have a go at mud painting. Free event. Botanic Garden. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

1st 10.30am – 11pm Strawberry Fair. Popular volunteer run music and arts event on Midsummer Common. Free entry. http://www.strawberry-fair.org.uk

1st 2 – 4pm Family First Saturday. Activities and art making on the theme of “dazzling doodles”. Free, drop in. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

1 – 2nd 12 – 4pm Drop in drawing activities for all ages and abilities. Free, no booking required. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

2nd 5.30pm Songs of Song. Ancient songs in praise of music, from the British Isles c.600 – 1200. Two voiced harmonies to harp and lyre. The Round Church. http://www.cambridgelive.org.uk

7th Museum of Technology reopens. Cheddars Lane. http://www.museumoftechnology.com Read more about the Museum of Technology here

8 – 9th 10am – 5pm Cambridge Town and Country Fair. Parker’s Piece. Free entry. http://www.oakleighfairs.co.uk

8 – 9th 11am – 5pm Open Garden at 49 New Square, CB1. Free entry and refreshments. All proceeds to Red Balloon Learner Centres.

8th 10.30am – 1.30pm Flower Crown Workshop. Make your own flower crown. Includes refreshments, an out-of-hours visit to the House and all materials. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

8th 11am – 5pm Arbury Carnival. Procession at 12 noon, leaving from Armitage Way. http://www.arburycarnival.org

8th 11am – 8pm Cambridge Pride. Jesus Green. Parade starts from Jesus Lock at 11am. FB: Cambridge Pride 2019

8th 1pm Membra Jesu Nostri. Buxtehude. Erasmus Chamber Choir and Ensemble. St Clement’s Church, Bridge Street. Free entry, retiring collection.

9th 11am and 2pm Science on Sundays. Plant genetics from Mendel to Monsanto. Free, informal, drop in monthly plant science talk (30 minutes). Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

14th 7.30pm The Hague String Trio. Schubert, Beethoven, Krasa and Klein. The Auditorium, Gonville & Caius College. Tickets on the door. http://www.thehaguestringtrio.com

15th 10am – 4pm Eddington Discovery Day. Free fun activities and games plus a Soup Disco. Market Square and Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington. http://www.eddington-cambridge.co.uk

16th 3 – 5pm Jazz and Brass in the Parks. Cambridge Groove Orchestra and Cambridge Jazz Festival Choir. Jesus Green. http://www.cambridgelive.org.uk

18th 7.30pm – 10pm Music: Na-Mara. Folk duo Na-Mara tell the story of the “Basque Children” through words and music. Mill Road History Society. Old School Hall, St Barnabas Church, Mill Road. http://www.cambridgefolkclub.co.uk

19th 7.30pm True Stories Told Live. NCI Club, Holland Street. FB: @cambridgetruestories Read more about True Stories Told Live here

20 – 23rd Wimpole History Festival. A weekend of history and heritage for the whole family with talks, debates, book signings, performances, historical walking tours, workshops, activities and events. Wimpole Estate. http://www.wimpolehistoryfestival.com

21st 6pm Summer Night Market and Open Air Cinema (Peter Rabbit/Mamma Mia Here We Go Again). Free event. http://www.cambridgebid.co.uk/open-air-cinema-night-market

21 – 28th Chesterton Festival, including Community Fun Day (22nd). http://www.chestertonfestival.wordpress.com Read more about last year’s Festival here

22nd 10am – 4.30pm Zoology Live! Live animals, hands on activities and expert lightning talks for all ages. Free, drop in. Museum of Zoology, Downing Street. http://www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk

22nd 7.30pm Coronation Anthems. Handel, Boyce and Blow. Collegium Laureatum. West Road Concert Hall. tickets@collegium.org.uk

23rd 3 – 5pm Jazz and Brass in the Parks. Cambridgeshire Youth Jazz Orchestra. Jesus Green. http://www.cambridgelive.org.uk

23rd 6 – 7pm In Good Company. Music for a summer evening, with traditional and classical pieces. The Lucy Cavendish Singers. Sidney Sussex College Chapel. All proceeds support the work of Cambridge City Foodbank. http://www.lucycavendishsingers.org.uk Read more about Cambridge City Foodbank here

23rd 7.30pm Singing on the River. A selection of madrigals, part-song and close-harmony from The King’s Men. Back Court, King’s College. Bring a picnic! Tickets from shop@kings.cam.ac.uk or 01223 769340. http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/concerts-at-kings

24th 7.30pm A Midsummer’s Day Concert of Georgian Song. Chela and Buska, the Cambridge Georgian choirs. Emmanuel United Reformed Church, Trumpington Street. Free entry with retiring collection. Tickets from chelatickets@gmail.com. http://www.georgianchoircambridge.wordpress.com

28 – 30th Foodies Festival, Parker’s Piece. http://www.foodiesfestival.com/cambridge

Chestnut tree at King's College Cambridge — The chestnut tree at King’s College is 160 years old!

What’s on in Cambridge – May

It’s set to be another busy month here in Cambridge with so much going on from steampunk to poetry, comedy to ceilidh and everything in between! Read on for more and please do get in touch through my Contact page if you know of an event I could add in to the listing. 1st … Continue reading “What’s on in Cambridge – May”

Wisteria in Cambridge — It’s wisteria hysteria season here in Cambridge!

1st 4 – 8pm Student Discount Event, 25% off at Tindalls Art and Graphics, King Street

2nd 8pm St Matthew Passion, J S Bach. Singers from Trinity, St. John’s and King’s. Cambridge University Bach Ensemble. Trinity College Chapel. Tickets on the door.

4th 2 – 4pm Family First Saturdays. Fun activities and art making for the family on the theme of “Toot, toot, beep”. Free, drop in. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/calendar/whatson/2019-05-04/family-first-saturdays-40

5th 10.30am – 4pm Cambridge Vegan Market. Food stalls, lifestyle brands, cosmetics, ethical clothing, charities and more. Guildhall, Market Square. http://www.veganmarkets.co.uk/cambridge Read more about Cambridge Vegan Market here

5th 10.30am – 11pm Steampunk in Cambridge V11: May the 5th be with you! The seventh annual Steampunk in Cambridge event. Museum of Technology, Cheddars Lane. http://www.museumoftechnology.com

6th 9am meet for 10am departure. The Reach Ride, a bike ride to the 800 year old Reach Fair. Free. Organised by Camcycle. Assemble in front of the Guildhall, Market Square. http://www.camcycle.org.uk/reachride

7 – 12th Cambridge Festival of the Voice. Cambridge Early Music. http://www.CambridgeEarlyMusic.org

7th 8pm Rhapsody in Blue. Cambridge University Wind Orchestra and Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.adcticketing.com

8th 3 – 8pm Spring Student Night, Grand Arcade. Discounts, DJ, freebies, drinks. www. grandarcade.co.uk

11th 10.30am – 4pm Eat Cambridge. Annual food and drink festival celebrating Cambridgeshire’s independent food scene. Followed by two weeks of fringe events. Guildhall, Market Square. http://www.eat-cambridge.co.uk

11th 11am – 5pm Open Gardens, Christ’s Pieces Residents’ Association. 8 gardens open in Parker Street, Victoria Street, Clarendon Street, Orchard Street and New Square. In aid of Jimmy’s Homeless Project East Road and the Cambridge Children’s Charity. £10 ticket on the day for all gardens (children are free) from the Unitarian Church, Emmanuel Road. Tea provided.

11th 4pm A Spring Concert with Rolling Thunder. CSD Brass. Free, retiring collection. St Luke’s Church, Victoria Road

11th 7.30pm Symphony 3, Mahler. City of Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, St Catherine’s College Girls’ Choir and St John’s College School Senior House Chamber Choir. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.adcticketing.com

11 – 12th Jesus Green Lido Open Weekend. Everyone is welcome for a free swim this weekend as the Lido reopens for the summer. http://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/cambridge/jesusgreenlido Read more about Jesus Green Lido here

12th 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

15th 8 week course Learn Improv. Improvised theatre and comedy classes for beginners. Facebook: RedCapeImprov

15th 5 – 9pm Late at the Fitzwilliam. An after hours evening at the Museum, including talks, the Long Road Sixth Form College 2019 Graduate Art Foundation Show, late night shopping, wine and tapas. Free. Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street. http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/calendar/whatson/late-fitzwilliam-2

15th 6 – 9pm Museum at Night. Explore the Museum of Zoology after hours and experience the natural world after dark. Age 18+ Free, no need to book. Museum of Zoology, Downing Street. http://www.museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk

16th David Parr House reopens. A terraced house and arts and craft movement treasure which was home to Victorian decorative artist David Parr. 186 Gwydir Street, CB1. http://www.davidparrhouse.org Read more about David Parr House here

16th 7.30pm Poetry at the Pub. Readings from two poets, open mic floor spots and books for sale. Blue Moon, Norfolk Street. http://www.cb1poetry.org.uk Read more about Poetry at the Pub here

17th 2pm and 4pm Puss In Boots. A ballet for children. 2pm is a Relaxed Performance. Northern Ballet. Cambridge Corn Exchange. http://www.cornex.co.uk

17th 6 – 9pm Drink and Draw. After hours sketching in the Cast Gallery with a glass of wine. Adults only, free, drop in. Materials provided, all abilities welcome. Museum of Classical Archeology, Sidgwick Avenue, CB3. http://www.museums.cam.ac.uk/events/drink-and-draw

17th 6.30 – 9.30pm LATE guest curator: Oscar Murillo. Creative workshops, pop up talks, music, a performance by Oscar Murillo, cocktails and refreshments. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk/events/late-oscar-murillo/

18th 10am – 5pm Festival of Plants, with live music and pop up food trucks. Botanic Garden, Brookside. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

18th 7.30pm Mass in B Minor, J S Bach. Cambridge Chorale and Academy of Ancient Music with soloists from Amici Voices. Trinity College Chapel. Tickets on the door or from http://www.cambridgechorale.org.uk

18th 7.30pm From London to Venice: Fusing Poetry and Music. Monteverdi, Grandi, Strozzi, Caccini, Ferrari and Merula. Clare Hall, Herschel Road. Tickets from Porters’ Lodge or music@clarehall.cam.ac.uk

19th 5.30pm and 7.30pm The Pelicantata, narrated by Sir Tony Robinson. Come dressed as your favourite Roald Dahl character! Cambridge Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and Chorus. Choirs from Chesterton Community College and Sawston Village College. West Road Concert Hall. http://www.cambridgephilharmonic.com

19th 6pm The Time of Gifts. Spring themed Medieval and Renaissance songs, traditional Spanish pieces with classical and contemporary works. The Lucy Cavendish Singers. Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington. http://www.lucycavendishsingers.org.uk

20 – 22nd Pint of Science. A worldwide science festival which brings researchers to your local pub to present their scientific discoveries. Various venues around the city. http://www.pintofscience.co.uk/events/cambridge

20 – 25th Cambridge Beer Festival. Cider, perry, mead and English wine also available at this CAMRA festival. Opening times vary. Jesus Green. http://www.cambridgebeerfestival.com Read more about Cambridge Beer Festival here

23rd 7pm “Guess the Toppings” pizza evening. Guests will be blindfolded and have to guess the pizza toppings. Fundraiser for Cam Sight. The Punt Yard, Quayside. http://www.camsight.org.uk/event/guess-the-toppings-evening Read more about Cam Sight here

24th 6pm – 10.30pm Summer Night Market and Outdoor Cinema, showing Coco and Mamma Mia. Free. Market Square. http://www.cambridgebid.co.uk/open-air-cinema-night-market

25th 10.30am – 4.30pm Affordable Vintage Fair. Over 30 traders selling shop quality vintage, handmade, reworked and retro with fashion, accessories and collectables from 1940s – 1990s. Guildhall, Market Square. Facebook: @JudysAffordableCambridgeVintageFair

25th 7pm until late. Ceilidh. A charity evening in aid of the World Land Trust. St. Paul’s Church, Hills Road Tickets from becky.lockyer21@gmail.com

26th 12 – 4pm Studio Sunday. Artist led workshop for families. Free, drop in. Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street. http://www.kettlesyard.co.uk

26th Cambridge Fringe Festival. A community oriented comedy festival focusing on stand up and improv. Free entry to shows. Various venues around Mitcham’s Corner, CB4. Facebook: @FringeCambridge

Newton's apple tree at Trinity College Cambridge — Newton’s apple tree blossoming at Trinity College