THIS year’s festival scene will see the return of some familiar favourites and some new events in Winchester as festival popularity booms post-Covid.

The city is in store for a variety of food, music, literature and light celebrations every month until Christmas.

The Festivals in Winchester group, which brings organisers together, is overseen by Winchester Business Improvement District manager Sarah Davis who is optimistic for the season ahead.

She said: “We’ve definitely recovered post-Covid. The appetite in Winchester for people to come and get involved is fantastic and explains the wide variety we have on offer.

READ MORE: Tickets: Ibiza Orchestra Experience and Sausage and Cider Festival

“Numbers did slow down with Covid but now we’ve got a lot of the regular festivals coming back as well as new ones that the city hasn’t seen before.

“People need a reason to come back. If people come at Christmas they get that Christmas experience which is fantastic in Winchester but festivals give people a reason to come back all year round and it’s great for the locals too.

Hampshire Chronicle:

“New this year is Winchester Books Festival which will bring start-up and established authors in and that kind of event is essential for kids.

“Also, we’ve got the first-ever Winchester Food Festival in partnership with Hampshire Fare. It’s going to be a proper homegrown celebration and allow visitors to get the whole experience of local food and drink businesses.”

List of Winchester’s upcoming festivals and events:

Church Times Festival of Faith and Literature – February 24 to 26. For more go to winchester-cathedral.org.uk

The Elements Luxmuralis at the Cathedral – March to 11. For more go to winchester-cathedral.org.uk

Winchester Books Festival – April 21 to 23. For more go to winchesterbooksfestival.com/

Winchester Chamber Music Festival – April 28 to May 1. For more go to winchesterchambermusic.com

Winchester Triathlon – May 1. For more go to reesleisure.co.uk

Winchester Mayfest – May 20. For more go to winchester-mayfest.org.uk

Alresford Watercress Festival – May 21. For more go to watercressfestival.org

SEE ALSO: Alresford Watercress Festival to return for 19th year

Winchester Race For Life – May 21. For more go to raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org

Royal Logistics Corp Parade – June 1

Winchester Business Excellence Awards Gala Event – June 1. For more go to winchesterbusinessawards.co.uk

Cheese and Chilli Festival – June 3 and 4. For more go to cheeseandchillifestival.com

The Grange Festival – June 8 to July 2. For more go to https://thegrangefestival.co.uk/.

Ted X – June 17. For more go to tedxwinchester.com

Great Big Green Week – June 10 to 18. For more go to greatbiggreenweek.com

Hat Fair – June 30 to July 1. For more go to hatfair.co.uk

Independents Month – July 1 to 31

Hampshire Food Festival – July 1 to 31. For more go to hampshirefare.co.uk

Winchester Food Festival – July 9

Peddle, Paddle, Pace – July 9

Foodies Festival – July 14 to 16. For more go to foodiesfestival.com

Wickham Festival – August 3 to 6. For more go to wickhamfestival.co.uk

Boomtown – August 10 to 14. For more go to boomtownfair.co.uk

Ibiza Orchestra – August 18. For more go to ibizaorchestraexperience.co.uk

Sausage and Cider Festival – August 19. For more go to sausageandciderfest.co.uk/winchester

Mucky Weekender – September 8 to 9. For more go to mucky-weekender.co.uk

Winchester Heritage Open Days: Creativity Unwrapped – September 8 to 17. For more go to winchesterheritageopendays.org

Winchester Sporterium – September 23. For more go to reesleisure.co.uk

Winchester Marafun – September 24. For more go to reesleisure.co.uk

Winchester Green Week – September 23 to October 1. For more go to winacc.org.uk/projects/winchester-green-week

Diversity and Inclusion Week – September 25 to October 1

Winchester Poetry Festival – October 13 to 15. For more go to winchesterpoetryfestival.org

Winchester Fashion Week – October 16 to 21. For more go to winchesterfashionweek.co.uk

King Alfred Weekend – October 2023. For more go to hyde900.org.uk

Winchester Bonfire and Fireworks – November 16. For more go to winchesterbonfire.co.uk

Christmas Lights Switch On – November 16. For more go to winchesterbid.co.uk

Kingsgate Village Lights Switch On – November 23

Christmas Lantern Parade – November 24