Science is cool at the annual Cambridge Science Festival. Topical discussions from climate change to terrorism hold everyone's interest, plus there are hands-on experiments, demonstrations and exhibitions too. Over 100 events take place in venues across the city.
Held in the heart of the city, the biannual Cambridge Word Fest is warmly received in this illustrious literary landscape. Attracting well-known contemporary writers and artists, its programme of readings, talks and workshops caters to all ages.
Join hundreds of women on a 10-mile sponsored night walk from Shelford Rugby Club around Cambridge in aid of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. It's a good way to get fit, catch up with friends and support a great cause!
The Cambridge Beer festival is one of the oldest in Britain, attracting crowds of over 32,000 visitors. Hundreds of different ales and beers, ciders and meads are all available for sampling.
Strawberry Fair, held at Midsummer Common and now into its third decade, is a major musical celebration on the Cambridge calendar. Lasting eleven hours it's a full day's entertainment and then some, and it's free.
The Cambridge Midsummer Fair has been held on Midsummer Common since the early 13th century. Starting with a Mayor's Procession, the fair features the usual rides, a comedy marquee and live music as well as a number of market stalls.
From bright oil paintings of fen landscapes to ornate jewellery, Cambridgeshire's artists are making some fantastically creative works. See them for yourself when over 200 artists open up their workspaces and display their pieces during the Cambridge Open Studios.
As the name suggests, The Big Weekend is a full-fat three days of non-stop entertainment. Held at Parker's Piece, the programme is bursting at the seams with live music, marquees, funfair rides and fireworks and regularly attracts thousands of visitors.
Held annually in the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall, the Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the most famous in the world. Listen to the best traditional UK folk to North American country, blues, roots and jazz on three stages.
The Cambridge Summer Music Festival presents an impressive programme of classical music at the city's beautiful churches, chapels and art galleries. Performers range from chamber orchestras to opera, choir and chamber singers.
As a renowned centre of learning and literature, Cambridge is an appropriate setting for this festival dedicated to all things Shakespeare. Taking place every summer, it celebrates the Bard's brilliance with performances of some of his most famous works.
Dragon-boat racing is an ancient Chinese tradtion, where large teams of rowers compete on vessels each with its own drummers. A fun, friendly event, this festival on the River Cam welcomes participants of any level and supports East Anglia's Children's Hospices.
Cambridge Film Festival shows new features, shorts, documentaries, silent films and 70mm screenings at the Cambridge Arts Picturehouse and other city venues. Other events on the agenda include lectures, several masterclasses and a children's section.
The Cambridge Glass Fair is held at Chilford Hall Vineyard. More than 100 exhibitors from across Europe showcase glass collections from Georgian to Art Deco, Art Nouveau and contemporary work.
The Duxford Autumn Air Show at the Imperial War Museum Duxford hosts vintage bombers and fighters, modern aircraft and spectacular aerobatics to keep the whole family enthralled. Fun fairs, tank rides and bungee trampolines provide on-the-ground entertainment.
Brighten up dull autumn days with a visit to the Crafts and Gifts fair at Chilford Hall. With over 70 exhibitors in attendance, pictures, glass, clothing, toys, ceramics and hand-crafted furniture are among the items available.
Discover Cambridge's dark and troubled past on the city's annual Halloween Punting & Walking Ghost Tours. The Jack O'Lantern-lit punt trip along The Backs is followed by a scary guided walk around the city's most haunted places.
Budding botanists and green-fingered gurus should descend on Cambridge's Corn Exchange for Gardeners' Question Time - The Live Tour. In its inaugural year, the tour sees the experts from the BBC4 show tackle listeners' most taxing gardening gripes.
The Cambridge Bonfire Night at Midsummer Common has been run for more than 20 years by the city council. It claims to be the biggest free firework display in East Anglia, attracting around 30,000 spectators every year.
With the approach of winter, arts and craft enthusiasts have an extra incentive to attend the Chilford Autumn Quilt Festival at Chilford Hall. Dedicated entirely to quilts, visitors can learn all about this comforting and cosy accessory to the home.
The arrival of Christmas in Cambridge is heralded every year when the city turns on its impressive display of Christmas lights. Events take place throughout the city, all leading up to the big switch-on once night falls.
The Mill Road Winter Fair celebrates the quirky community spirit and multiculturalism that make this road in Cambridge so special. Restaurants along the street prepare special foods from different cultures, while locals show off their musical and artistic talents.
Celebrate Christmas in traditional style with Christmas in the Stable Courtyard at Wimpole Hall. This special event includes live Christmas carols played by a brass band as well as mulled wine, roast chestnuts and Santa's grotto.
The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College Chapel was first given on Christmas Eve 1918 and has been broadcast worldwide since 1928. No Christmas is complete without the dulcet tones of Once In Royal David's City.
Scudamore's Punting Company's Christmas & New Year Ghost Tour combines a spine-chilling, candle-lit punting tour with a spooky guided walk through Cambridge. It starts at the Mill Lane station and finishes at Market Square. Booking is recommended.
After the success of its inaugural year, Cambridge's Sculpture Promenade returns to the grounds of the Fitzwilliam Museum. A free installation of contemporary sculpture, it showcases works by some of the most talented artists working today.