From Sir Steve Redgrave's Henley Royal regatta, to Raymond Blanc's Thame food festival, the 80's day-glo of Rewind to a historical muster at Wallingford - here's the low-down on South Oxfordshire's 2015 events and festivals.....

Thame Country Show – 05 April 2015
Thame showground hosts three main arenas with an all-day entertainment programme of country sports and displays. Great choice of food and craft stalls, dare-devil stunts, scurry racing, blacksmiths' village, gundogs, fun dog show, re-enactments and field sports plus a superb falconry village with native and exotic birds of prey.

Dorchester Festival – 01 May 2015
The biennial Dorchester-on-Thames Festival focuses on professional events with broad appeal, hosting famous orchestras, popular bands, authors and celebrities. There's a Grand Opening and Tower Abseil, The Big Bash, with programme highlights including a food fair, cookery demonstrations, dance, art, comedy, concerts, live music and singing.

Wallingford Food Festival – 16 – 17 May 2015
A two day showcase of food and drink to try, taste, buy, enjoy and learn about. The line-up of local chefs provide cooking demonstrations of food from Japan, Brazil, India, Italy and France as well as the UK as well as promoting local food, and telling people where to get it and what to do with it.

Henley's Chelsea Fringe- 16 May – 06 June 2015
Henley's participation in the Chelsea Fringe brings an undeniably Henley flavour to the gardens & gardening event. The colourful programme starts with a Floral Flotilla on May 16, where boats will sail upriver to Marsh Lock then downriver to Temple Island before returning to Mill Meadows. On 03 June there's an evening of Floral Couture and Cocktails and a Floral Circus. Other events include a vegetable orchestra for children, healing garden, plant sales and floral art exhibitions.

Wallingford Festival of Cycling – 21 June 2015 (TBC)
Pilot event to encourage more people to take to two wheels, the event will utilise a long circuit and a short circuit for racing around Wallingford Town Centre expected to attract National and International racing cyclists in future years.

Wallingford Major Muster – 27 June 2015
The English Civil War Society returns to Wallingford where Roundheads and Cavaliers march through town to meet out on the Wallingford Castle Mound in a major battle re-enactment featuring cannon and horses as well as live in civilian and military encampments.  

The Royal Regatta – 01 – 05 July 2015
Henley's most famous, and most prestigious, annual event attracts visitors from all over the world. The 5 day Royal Regatta is one of the highlights of England's summer sporting calendar and social season. Thousands of people watch hundreds of international standard races including Olympic class crews, famous clubs and renowned schools. Aside from the rowing, visitors enjoy the unique garden party ambience and facilities within the Enclosures and along the riverbank.

Henley Festival – 08 – 12 July 2015
Henley Festival is a potent mix of music, art, culture, dining and location set in the town's beautiful riverside. A total of 5,000 tickets are available for each night of the black-tie event at this truly unique and quintessentially English event. Expect celebrity chefs' pop-up restaurants, champagne sipped beside the Thames, an armada of twinkling pleasure boats, dance, street theatre, art and sculpture, with fireworks traditionally following each evening's performance.

Art in Action – 16 – 19 July 2015
Annual arts festival featuring around 200 of the finest artists and makers demonstrating in marquees around the Waterperry estate.  There's also fine food and drink, performing arts, music and practical classes where visitors can have a go at some of the many artistic disciplines.

Thames Traditional Boat Rally – 18 – 19 July 2015
The Rally is a two day display of traditionally built boats, of any age, both powered and unpowered. Around 200 beautiful craft, including many of the famous Dunkirk Little Ships, attend each year. Highlights are the floating Illuminated Parade on Saturday night, sail-pasts of the various boat classes attending, bank-side displays, craft and produce, costumes, and vintage cars and bicycles.

Henley Fringe – 20 – 26 July 2015
Taking place two weeks before Edinburgh, Henley Fringe is an opportunity for performers to hone their acts prior to the big one. The town comes alive with a programme of comedy, drama, music, new writing and film all taking place in town centre venues. The festival also features films from around the world.

Rewind Festival – 21 – 23 August 2015
The annual Rewind festival is a massive party for the 80's taking place at Temple Island Meadows near Henley. Get your leg warmers out for a roller disco, funfair, kid zone and fireworks as Henley becomes awash with day-glow, smiles and tutus. Main stage highlights include OMD, the Human League, ABC, Soul to Soul and Go West.

Wallingford Bunkfest – 04 – 06 September 2015
A family friendly festival comprising musicians, dance and 'proper beer'. The Saturday Street Fair sees dance teams from across the country taking over the streets as well as roving Street Entertainers. Singers and musicians provide the entertainment on "The Singing Train" and all are welcome to come and join in. There are musical boats, and three nights of superb folk music.

Henley Show – 12 September 2015
Long established one-day Agricultural Show featuring cattle, sheep and poultry, show-jumping and showing classes as well as active displays of steam engines, birds of prey, foraging and live music. Crowd favourites include the Dancing Sheep Show and interactive food and farming activities.

Thame Food Festival – 26 September 2015
A wonderful showcase for local and artisan food and drink producers and retailers in the region. Expect over 150 exhibitor food stalls and street food to sample and buy from. Enjoy children's workshops, food based treasure hunts and competitions, a pop-up pub, restaurant and bookshop, music and an entertaining programme of demonstrations lead by Chef Raymond Blanc OBE.

Henley Literary Festival – 28 September – 04 October 2015
Considered one of the best literary festivals in the country, the intimacy of Henley's event gives it a distinctive personality. For seven days the Festival becomes the focus of the town, creating a buzz around topics including politics, current affairs, fiction, history, food and sport.

Thame Art & Literature Festival – 16 – 18 October 2015
Celebrate the written word, meet authors and talk about books plus workshops, exhibitions and a complete children's festival over 3 days in Thame. With 30 events crammed into three days, the TAL Festival covers plays, music, and poetry. Enjoy readings, debate, guided walks and author visits. 

Henley Living Advent Calendar – 01 – 24 December 2015
Like a children's Advent Calendar, a different window or door opens at 6:15pm promptly each evening for a 15 minute performance of song, carols, music, poetry, book readings, notes from local history or folklore, sketches or dance, all with a Christmas or winter focus.

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