Warwick and Stratford District annually host a number of important festivals catering for the area and visitors from all over the country. Warwick has been a festival town attracting major musical names since the 1950's and this year the Leamington Spa Competitive Festival celebrates its centenary.

Principal Festival Dates for 2010

Leamington Music Festival Weekend 30 April – 4 May

Concerts in Leamington's Royal Pump Rooms celebrating the Schumann and Chopin bicentenaries and the music of Mendelssohn, Weber and other early Romantics. The artists include the Schubert Ensemble of London, Ensemble 360 and Roderick Williams baritone accompanied by Andrew West plus the Guarneri Piano Trio, the Wihan String Quartet and Martin Kasik piano from the Czech Republic.

Leaflet to be published in February and booking on 01926 776438 opens later that month.

Please visit www.leamingtonmusic.org or call 01926 497000

Kenilworth Festival 8 – 16 May

Please visit www.kenilworthfestival.co.uk to see latest programme developments.

Leamington Spa Competitive Festival

The Festival takes place 14 May – 26 June.

Gala Centenary Concert Saturday 6 February at 7 30 Piano Recital by Mark Bebbington and Concert and Interview with soprano Emma Bell on Sunday 27 June at 3 00 at the Royal Pump Rooms. Tickets from 01926 615420.

Spring Sounds in Stratford upon Avon 28-31 May

Tasmin Little and the Orchestra of the Swan. Visit www.springsounds.co.uk

Stratford on Avon Music Festival Midsummer Music 16 & 17 July

Pasadena Roof Orchestra and John Lill, Piano

Please visit www.stratfordmusicfestival.com

Warwick Folk Festival 23-25 July

Please visit www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk

Warwick Words 1-10 October

The literary Festival with occasional concerts. Please visit www.warwickwords.co.uk

Stratford on Avon Music Festival 2-9 October

The 2010 Festival includes concerts by Natalie Clein, Nikolai Demidenko, Crispian Steele-Perkins and the Handel Players, and James Bowman.

Please visit www.stratfordmusicfestival.com

A great area to visit and stay in.

The Warwick and Stratford area is well served by motorways and railways. For accommodation please visit www.shakespeare-country.co.uk or call 0870 160 7930