A feast of Borough events for 2019
There’s an exciting programme of events that will make the Borough a must-visit destination in 2019 – so get the dates in your diaries now!
The Point Summer Social kicks off the summer programme offering accessible outdoor events and activities to be enjoyed by the whole family. It runs for six weeks from Saturday 22 June until Sunday 4 August.
Eastleigh Unwrapped - Saturday 22 June. This free annual outdoor festival marks the start of The Point's Summer Social and will fill Eastleigh town centre with street circus, aerial theatre and stunning interactive performances, all to a live music soundtrack.
Thursday evenings are dedicated to the Sounds of Summer with DJ sets taking place at the outdoor pop-up bar and barbecue.
Friday evenings are Garden Sessions with a line-up of live local bands.
Saturdays are Family Days, with morning activities in the Drama Club and Arts Club, where children aged 5+ can try their hand at drama, puppetry, circus skills; and movie fans can enjoy a line-up of special cinema experiences screened under the stars in the Outdoor Cinema.
Sundays are Wellness Days with yoga for beginners and intermediates.
June
The Sorting Office Summer Open Studios – Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June, Sorting Office, Wells Road. The town’s artist and designer-maker studios will showcase artworks, design and craft made locally, with demonstrations and lots to see, do and buy. More details
Growfest - Saturday 22 June, Royal Victoria Country Park. A free music festival for the community to promote inclusion for individuals with learning and physical disabilities. More details
Fair Oak Carnival - Saturday 29 June. More details
July
Hedge End Carnival - Saturday 6 July. More details
The Eastleigh Chilli Fiesta - Saturday 13 July, Leigh Road Recreation Ground. Summer gets even hotter with the arrival of the Eastleigh chilli festival in July. Featuring the best in chilli-based food and drink, live music and the notorious chilli eating contest. Stalls will offer sizzling sauces, chilli jams, curries – and even chilli beer. More details
Eastleigh Mela - Sunday 21 July, Leigh Road Recreation Ground. The celebration of the Borough’s Asian and other cultures comes to the Leigh Road Recreation Ground, with traditional music, dance, culture and mouth-watering cuisine. The event is organised by the Eastleigh Asian Welfare & Cultural Association. More details
August
A Day at the Beach – throughout August, Market Place. Combine a day at the seaside with a visit to the town centre shops and restaurants as the Eastleigh BID once again bring the beach to the town centre, with real sand, deck chairs, ice cream and entertainment, creating an authentic holiday atmosphere. The kids will love it!
Beyond the Stage Summer School - Monday 5 to Friday 9 August, The Berry Theatre. For young aspiring theatre makers, the Berry theatre will give 11-16 year olds a chance to experience everything that goes into creating a performance for the stage. From scriptwriting and costume making to sound and lighting design, participants will be offered a real taste of how professional theatre works. More details
European Aerial Dance Festival – Monday 5 – Friday 17 August. The Point hosts the 9th annual European Aerial Dance Festival (EADF) - a world-class training event that offers aerialists of all levels the opportunity to learn new skills in professional workshops. More details
Bursledon Regatta - Saturday 24 August. More details
September
Pride in Eastleigh – Saturday 7 September, Leigh Road Recreation Ground. Eastleigh Pride’s debut celebrating the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community was a huge hit last year and the 2019 event promises to be event better. More details
D-Day/World War 2 Anniversary Event – Saturday 14 September, Leigh Road Recreation Ground. Following the success of last year’s Eastleigh Remembers, which marked the centenary of the end of the First World War, the theme continues with an event for all the family commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the start of the Second World War 80 years ago.
Bishopstoke Carnival - Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 September. More details
Eastleigh Film Festival – Monday 23 to Saturday 28 September, at various venues. In 2018 we scared people with a screening of The Cabin in the Woods in Itchen Valley Country Park, showed My Beautiful Launderette in…naturally..a launderette, brought Chicago to the region’s foremost jazz venue and turned the interior of a hairdressers into a cinema for Steel Magnolias. Movie fans adored last year’s Eastleigh Film Festival, and new surprises are promised for 2019. More details
November
Christmas Light Switch-On - Saturday 16 November. The switch-on of Eastleigh’s festive lights display is always hugely popular, with entertainment, Santa’s Grotto, live music and a variety of market stalls delivering a great, free day out for all the family. Santa Claus will lead Eastleigh’s traditional Christmas Light Parade and the festivities will be rounded off with a spectacular firework display.
Stay up to date with events throughout the year by signing up for our weekly Borough News bulletin – or follow us on Twitter @eastleighbc or Facebook: www.facebook.com/EastleighBC .