Tapestry Weaving
Until 14 July
The Base Greenham
In Alastair Duncan: Interactive Tapestry Weaving, Alastair has integrated interactive audio within his tapestries. Working across fibre, photography, and sound, he enjoys the textural and rhythmic aspects of weaving and explores themes that include landscape, architecture, conflict, communication, and interconnection. Visitors are encouraged to interact with and explore the artwork, which can be activated physically through touch or proximity. This triggers sensors to play soundscapes, some of which evoke the Welsh countryside while others play manipulated dialogue that acts as ghost-like traces of interactions.
Day Out With Thomas
13-14 July
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre
Thomas the Tank Engine, Percy, Sir Topham Hatt, Trevor, and Rusty & Dusty the Station Sweepers will be back for another First Class family day out with Thomas & Friends. Enjoy steam train rides with Thomas and Percy – real steam engines! Plus, there’s entertainment from Sir Topham Hatt and the rest of the Steam Team, miniature train rides, and much more for a wonderful day out for the whole family.
Kew The Music
8-14 July
Kew Gardens
The line-up for Kew The Music 2024 has been announced. On Monday, 8 July, there will be An Evening in Conversation with Monty Don, followed by MIKA on 9 July, Ronan Keating on 10 July, Passenger on 11 July, JLS on 12 July, Beverley Knight on 13 July, and An Evening with Richard Ashcroft on 14 July. The annual week-long festival of picnic concerts is set in the stunning UNESCO World Heritage site and has become one of the fixtures in the summer music calendar.
The Wizard of Oz
16-21 July
Milton Keynes Theatre
Following a summer season at the London Palladium, The Wizard of Oz flies into Milton Keynes Theatre. Join Dorothy, Toto, and friends on an unforgettable adventure down the yellow brick road to the merry old land of Oz. Featuring the iconic original score from the Oscar-winning MGM films, including Over The Rainbow, Follow The Yellow Brick Road, and We’re Off To See the Wizard – with additional songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice – this spectacular production will be a truly magical experience for all the family.
Weatherbys Super Sprint Day
20 July
Newbury Racecourse
The award-winning DJ, Sigala, makes his Newbury Racecourse debut on Weatherbys Super Sprint Day on Saturday, 20 July. Newbury’s famous Party In The Paddock returns to the Berkshire venue after the conclusion of racing with a headline set by one of the UK’s most respected and influential electronic music producers. The feature race of the day, the Weatherbys Super Sprint, is a fast and furious five-furlong dash for two-year-olds with a total prize fund of £250,000.
newburyracecourse.co.uk/sigala
Richard II
21 July
Waddesdon Manor
Join Unbound Theatre for a free performance on the grounds of Waddesdon Manor. This brand-new production of one of Shakespeare’s most incendiary plays is perfect for hardened fans and newcomers alike – think Shakespeare is all men in tights? Think again… Waddesdon Manor is the perfect venue to play host to captivating theatre.
Heathers the Musical
24-27 July
Theatre Royal Windsor
Due to overwhelming demand, following three smash-hit London seasons, and a national tour, Heathers the Musical returns to Windsor with its brand new 2024 UK touring cast. Welcome to Westerberg High, where Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers and her dreams of popularity may finally come true, mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody.
May The Toys Be With You
20 July–3 November
Discover Bucks Museum
On 20 July 2024, from a galaxy far, far away comes an absolute must-see for Star Wars fans and the silver screen… One of the UK’s finest collections of vintage Star Wars toys and original cinema posters is going on display in a stunning exhibition at Discover Bucks Museum. Back when the movie Star Wars broke box office records in 1977, no one could have predicted that the merchandising would go on to earn even more than the film itself. The toys of Star Wars took the world by storm and became the must-have playthings for an entire generation. From 1977 to 1985, an estimated 300 million action figures were sold, allowing children to re-enact the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo.
May The Toys Be With You is both a celebration of the now highly collectible vintage toy line and also of the iconic design work and art of the Star Wars movies. From X-Wing Fighters to lightsabers, these fantastical designs have fired our imaginations and stamped their place on our cultural landscape. For little kids and ‘big kids’ alike, this is an unmissable opportunity to view many rarely-seen Star Wars treasures. This exhibition has broken visitor attendance records at a host of museums around the country, and we’re excited for its first visit to Aylesbury.
Smoke and Fire Festival
20-21 July
Ascot Racecourse
Ignite your excitement at the Smoke and Fire Festival at Ascot Racecourse this month. Experience the UK’s biggest family BBQ event, featuring the World Butcher Wars™ with competitors from 17 countries, culinary delights by top pitmasters and chefs, including BBC Saturday Kitchen’s Matt Tebbutt, and vibrant live music. Don’t miss this unforgettable weekend!
