Information and Tickets
Gloucester Tourist Information Centre, Southgate Street, tel 01452 396572
Gloucester Guildhall, Eastgate Street, tel 01452 503050
Bob Wilson’s Funfairs present
Family Funfair Friday
17th July – Sunday 2nd August, Gloucester Park
All the fun of the fair! From the biggest and best new white-knuckle thrill machines to traditional children’s rides, from side-shows and arcades to toffee apples and candy floss, Bob Wilson’s internationally renowned travelling funfair brings the park to life with laughter, screams and smiles all round!
Opening Times
Weekdays from 2pm – 10.30pm, Saturdays from 1pm – 11pm, Sundays from 2pm – 9pm
Big Saver Tuesdays: all rides £1
Tuesdays 21st + 28th July
Not valid in conjunction with any other offer
Gloucester Carnival Procession 2009
Saturday 18th July, Gloucester Park, leaving the park at 3.30pm, FREE
Gloucester’s community carnival procession has been bringing a party to the city streets for 73 years, and returns for 2009 in a blaze of colour, sights and sounds.
Expect wonderful costumes, floats, performances, music and surprises. City schools, community groups, clubs, dance troupes and individuals are all busy preparing carnival entries as we speak, so come and see the fruits of their hard work and support this fantastic community celebration.
Festival Comedy: Jo Caulfield
Saturday 18th July, Gloucester Guildhall, 7.30pm, £6 advance
One of the UK’s best stand-ups, Jo has featured regularly on TV’s Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You, and brings this special preview of her new Edinburgh Fringe Festival show to Gloucester. Plus guest Demitris Deech. www.jocaulfield.com
In association with World Jungle
World Together Festival 2009
Sunday 19th July, Gloucester Park, 2pm – 8pm, FREE
The World Together Festival 2009, programmed by World Jungle, is all about bringing together and showcasing the wealth of talent and expertise available from our richly diverse cultural communities of Gloucestershire. This year the festival will include a variety of stalls selling crafts, food from around the world and will offer information and fun taster activities.
A packed programme of live performance and dance will be the highlight of the event. The Kulcha Stage will feature local youth groups including Gloucester's own Increase the Peace and the Together Stage will showcase a wealth of professional local talent from across Gloucestershire, reflecting the diversity of the area's different cultural groups. www.worldjungle.org.uk
One Act Festival 2009
Tuesday 21st – Saturday 25th July, Kings Theatre, Kingsbarton Street,
With over fourteen drama groups taking part, this year’s One Act Festival will be an event not to be missed. The groups involved have a wide age range and come from all over the county, promising a broad and exciting range of one act plays. With at least three groups performing each night, the festival will be terrific value for money.
7.30pm each night, tickets £7.50 adults, £5 senior citizens, £3 under 18s, £25 season ticket, tel 01452 544044 or e-mail grahamlint@blueyonder.co.uk or on the door on the night
New for 2009! Beach in the Park
Gloucester Park, Wednesday 22nd – Thursday 30th July, 12noon – 7pm, FREE
The seaside comes to Gloucester Park, complete with donkey rides, sandcastle competitions, and Punch and Judy shows and storytellers from 2pm – 3pm each day. Play in the sand, lounge in a deckchair or visit the Big Red Fun Bus* for more fun in the sun!
*A charge applies for the Big Red Fun Bus
Street Theatre at The Mall: Bruce Airhead
Thursday 23rd July, The Mall Gloucester, 12noon + 2pm, FREE
Get ready for an unforgettable performance featuring one very talented man, a giant balloon and a funny, clever and surprising show! As seen on BBC1’s ‘When Will I Be Famous?’ with Graham Norton and on CBBC’s ‘The Slammer’, Bruce Airhead is one of the most amazing street acts you’ll ever see!
Music in the Park
Saturday 25th July, Gloucester Park, 2pm – 10pm, FREE
A free music festival comes to the park with beer tent, food and even its very own beach! Featuring ska/reggae/dub collective Pama International (fresh from supporting The Specials), American blues stars Lightnin’ Willie and the Poorboys, new pop sensations Dolly Rockers and amazing headliners Kings Ov Leon, an electrifying tribute to the world’s hottest rock band! Confirmed artists: The Rinky Dinks, Dolly Rockers www.thedollyrockers.com, Duke www.myspace.com/dukeofficial
Pama International www.pamainternational.co.uk, Lightin’ Willie and the Poorboys www.lightninwillie.com, Kings Ov Leon www.myspace.com/kingsovleon|
Gloucester Rhythm & Blues Festival 2009
Saturday 25th July – Sunday 2nd August, for further information visit www.gloucesterblues.co.uk|
Animal Relentless Bike Tour
Sunday 26th July, Kings Square, 11am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 2.45pm, 4pm, FREE
The legendary Animal Relentless Bike Tour returns stronger than ever to Gloucester - mixing the incredible skills of former World Champion Bike trials rider Martyn Ashton with the spectacular jumping style of Sam Pilgrim, this is one event not to miss! Plus opportunities to win VIP Animal and Relentless Tour gear, MBUK magazines and Muc-off bike cleaner. www.animal.co.uk|
Severn Valley Cycling Workshops
Monday 27th, Tuesday 28th + Wednesday 29th July, Gloucester Park, 2pm – 4pm, FREE
Learn to sharpen your cycling skills, have fun and become a safer cyclist over three afternoons. Bring your own bike and helmet and join in all three sessions or just drop in for one. For further information call 01452 700417.
Festival Family Comedy: The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre
Tuesday 28th July, Gloucester Guildhall, tickets £5, show starts 2.30pm, suitable for ages 12 and over
The comedy double act that has to be seen to be believed! Stars of BBC3's Comedy Shuffle and Upstaged, MTV's Best Show Ever and favourites on YouTube bring you songs, sketches, socks and violence. Including an entire Shakespeare play in its entirety (slightly abridged) and special guests Kraftwerk. ‘For sheer energy and laughs per hour, these comic stockings are the biz – denier miss it’ **** The Scotsman
www.myspace.com/scottishfalsetto|
NHS Gloucestershire presents
Change 4 Life
Eat Well, Move More, Live Longer
Wednesday 29th July, Gloucester Park, 2.30pm - 6.30pm, FREE
Get down to Gloucester Park for a day of fun and fitness; mess around with food, get involved in activities including salsa and football, take health checks, pick up freebies and find out lots of great ways to stay active for life! www.nhs.uk/change4life|
Street Theatre at The Mall: The Gorillas
Thursday 30th July, The Mall Gloucester, 11am, 1pm + 3pm, FREE
Tread carefully in The Mall today; two wild Mountain Gorillas and their intrepid explorer friend will be waiting for you! Come and meet these highly realistic, sometimes lazy, often very lively primates, and see if their explorer guardian can keep them under control. Funny, surprising, clever and with an important environmental message, the Gorillas will amaze and amuse both young and old!
Forest Of Dean Explorer Scouts present
Kwahadi: Native American Dance and Music
Friday 31st July, GL1, 7.30pm, adults £7.50, children and concessions £5, tickets available from GL1 box office on 0845 6434203
An explosion of colour and dance from a 50-strong troupe of Native American scouts, bringing their sensational show to the UK for the first time. Be swept up in the history and culture of these incredible performers. Plus special guests One String Loose. www.kwahadi.com|
The Friends of Hillfield Gardens present
5th Annual Hillfield Swings
Friday 31st July, Hillfield Gardens, London Road, gates 6pm, music from 7pm, tickets £5 (accompanied children under 16 free), bring your own picnic and seating
Following last summer’s sell out event, some of Gloucestershire's most accomplished musicians are back to present glorious Big Band hits and lots more. With a line up of 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, piano, bass, guitar, drums and vocals, the band romps through classics by Glenn Miller, County Basie and Duke Ellington and gets funky with some reggae Jazz Jamaica. There will be a free jive lesson during the interval, so wannabe jive aces can dance through the second half in style in the glorious setting of Hillfield Gardens.
Comedy at the Quays
Friday 31st July, Coots Bar & Cafe, Gloucester Docks, doors 8.30pm, show starts 9pm, tickets £8 advance, £10 on the door, available from Gloucester Tourist Information Centre, Coots Bar & Cafe and at www.ticketmaster.co.uk, strictly over 18s – this show may offend, free parking in Gloucester Docks
A brand new comedy club night comes to Gloucester Docks. Comedy at the Quays launches with a great night of stand-up featuring three top acts from the UK comedy circuit, and takes place at Coots Bar and Cafe, located between the National Waterways Museum and the new Gloucester Quays designer outlet. If the weather’s on our side the show will be staged outdoors in Coots’ courtyard, but in the event of the Great British Summer letting us down (we speak from experience here), we’ll move into the bar! Food will be available on the night. Check www.gloucesterfestival.co.uk for confirmed line-up.
Line up subject to change without notice.
In Association with Heart 102.4
Festival Firework Spectacular
Saturday 1st August, Gloucester Park, entertainment 7.30pm, fireworks at 9.30pm, FREE
Get ready for Gloucester Festival’s traditional firework finale – and what a finale it is! The UK’s best firework company present a huge display using the latest digital technology, all set to music and featuring the most spectacular pyrotechnics you’ll see anywhere on the planet! Come and join Heart 102.4 for the build up to the fireworks with music and games from 7.30pm featuring the station’s presenters.
In association with Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucestershire Housing Association
Jamaican Independence Day Kite Festival and Celebration
Sunday 2nd August, Gloucester Park, 2pm - 8pm, FREE
The sky’s the limit at Gloucester Park for this most unique celebration of Jamaican Independence Day. Come along and be dazzled by a professional kite flying display, or get the kids involved in special kite-making workshops. The event will also feature DJs, food, circus activities, games and lots more.
Diary of Events (major events in bold italics)
July
Fri 17th
Fun Fair opens Gloucester Park 2pm
Sat 18th
Carnival Procession Around city 3.30pm
Touch Rugby Tournament Over Causeway Rugby Field tbc
Jo Caulfield (Festival Comedy) Gloucester Guildhall 7.30pm
Sun 19th
World Together Festival Gloucester Park 2pm
Robinswood Hill Five Mile Fell Race Robinswood Hill 10.30am
Weds 22nd
Beach in the Park opens Gloucester Park 12noon
Thurs 23rd
Street Show: Bruce Airhead The Mall Gloucester 12noon, 2pm
Sat 25th
Music in the Park Gloucester Park 2pm
International Blues Trail begins Gloucester Park 8pm
Sun 26th
Animal Relentless Bike Tour Kings Square From 11am
Mon 27th
Severn Valley Cycling Workshops Gloucester Park 2pm
Tues 28th
Severn Valley Cycling Workshops Gloucester Park 2pm
Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppets (Comedy) Gloucester Guildhall 2.30pm
Weds 29th
Severn Valley Cycling Workshops Gloucester Park 2pm
‘Change 4 Life’ Family Activity Day Gloucester Park 2.30pm
Thurs 30th
Street Show: The Gorillas The Mall Gloucester 11am/1pm/3pm
Festival Seven Mile Road Race Pilot Inn, Hardwicke 7.30pm
Fri 31st
Hillfield Swings Big Band Night Hillfield Gardens 7pm
Kwahadi: Native American Dance + Music GL1 7.30pm
Comedy at the Quays (comedy club) Coots Bar 8.30pm
August
Sat 1st
Firework Spectacular Gloucester Park 9.30pm
Sun 2nd
Jamaican Independence Day Kite Festival Gloucester Park 2pm
Gloucester Festival 2009 is organised by Marketing Gloucester Ltd on behalf of Gloucester City Council
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