Events and Festivals in Coventry

Coventry is a real hub for cultural events, particularly music, with lots of different genres represented. The city and county host innumerable events and festivals throughout the year, and the wealth of arts venues mean that there's bound to be something on whenever you happen to visit.

Godiva Festival

The Godiva Festival is one of Coventry's major events. This is a free music event, set within the scenic War Memorial Park. The festival name is of course a reference to none other than Lady Godiva, whose famous figure rode through the Coventry of myth and legend. The festival started life in the late 1990s, and is now a three day program crammed with bands and musicians performing. The festival kicks off with a procession in which people parade all the way from the city centre to the park. Unlike some UK music festivals, the Godiva encompasses a wide range of music genres, including rock, folk, hip hop and reggae, so there's something for everyone.

Jazz Festival

Coventry Jazz Festival comprises one of the foremost jazz events in the country. The festival program is varied and extensive, with a host of events both free and at set ticket prices. The Jazz Festival makes the most of some of Coventry's most remarkable locations, using these as venues, including the Cathedral itself. The event normally takes place in May, so you can enjoy some top quality music in the sunshine if you time it right.

Caribbean Festival

Coventry's Caribbean Festival takes place in July, also at the War Memorial Park. The event started back in the early 90s and has consistently grown. The festival is a real celebration of Coventry's cultural diversity, with food, arts, music and pretty much everything cultural represented. This colourful experience is a must see if you're in the area during this time of year, it's guaranteed to make you feel good.

Regardless of whether you happen to visit Coventry during the year, even when there are no specific festivals on there are always a great selection of live arts performances. If you're a sports fan, the city is also an excellent fun one, with football, ice hockey, American football and rugby just some of the activities on the go at any one time. Whether you want to watch a top sporting event or want to get involved yourself, the facilities here are really fantastic.