The Year Ahead

2012 promises to be another eventful year in the always-exciting town of Stratford-upon-Avon. This town, often regarded as a unique cultural centre and noteworthy for its historical significance as the home of William Shakespeare, tends to have a very full events calendar, and this year will be no exception. Whether you’re into music, festivals, theatre, art, or just about any other sort of cultural display, there should be something for you in the town. Here is a brief look at some of the more noteworthy events and times of the year.

To begin with, the Royal Shakespeare Company runs some of the world’s best theatrical performances throughout the year. You can find schedules for particular plays and events online, but this is certainly something to keep your eye on when looking for entertainment in Stratford.

In early February, Valentine’s Day is always a noteworthy event in charming towns like Stratford-upon-Avon. This isn’t to say that these towns do more or less for the holiday – it’s perfectly normal to celebrate simply by ordering some flowers from
Marks & Spencer and spending a nice evening with your loved one. However, for people who appreciate charming, historical settings and strong culture, Stratford can be a great place to spend this holiday.

In April, the town celebrates Shakespeare’s birthday with a week of activities including the Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival, which has become an annual event perfect for those who appreciate history and literature. The festival essentially brings together enthusiasts on the arts, as well as samples and collections of literature and visiting authors, all to be celebrated at a town famed for being the home of arguably the greatest writer in history.

Throughout all of the seasons of the year, Stratford is also home to its famed Farmer’s Market, which is not only a place to shop for groceries, but a place to spend an afternoon. With scenic surroundings and tasty offerings, the Stratford Farmer’s Market has become quite a draw over the years.

In July the River Festival lights up, not only the river banks and gardens, but the whole town, with its many colourful boats and summer celebrations

In August of 2012, a unique Shakespearean performance is coming to Stratford that is well worth noting among the many other theatrical performances that will take place. A Russian version of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” helmed by Dmitry Krymov, will be in town, and will surely put a few new twists on the popular drama.

Also in August of this year, the Midlands History Festival will be running near Stratford. For those who enjoy such events, there are few better draws, for areas that have seen significant history over the years invariably produce the most fascinating and engaging festivals.

Despite the wide selection of events and activities listed above, they represent merely a fraction of the cultural activity that will take place in Stratford this year. In the meantime, however, if you are a person who appreciates British history, literature, and indeed the arts in general, you would do well to pick out an event or two and make sure that you participate in some of Stratford’s 2012 cultural offerings.