Windsor's long association with Royalty sees even more event and festival celebrations in 2016 as part of HMQ90 and Shakespeare 400. Highlight events are.....

Windsor Castle: Shakespeare in the Royal Library   13 February 2016 – January 2017
Windsor Castle marks the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare with a special display in The Drawings Gallery. The exhibition will include works of Shakespeare collected by the royal family, accounts of performances at Windsor Castle, and art by members of the royal family inspired by Shakespeare's plays. It will examine aspects of the playwright's life, work and influence and celebrate his longstanding connection with the royal court.

Windsor Spring Festival                 12 – 20 March 2016
Eight days of Music, Walks, Talks and Community Performances taking place at prestigious venues across Windsor.

Stanley Spencer: Visionary Painter of the Natural World    24 March - 31 October 2016
This collection of paintings explores Spencer's consummate skill in a series of exquisitely executed flowers, garden vistas and landscapes, while figurative and spiritual scenes movingly remind us of Spencer's visionary leanings.

Daffodils in the Royal Landscape            March – April
The Valley Gardens is the spring showcase for the magnificent and largest display of naturalised daffodils in England. The Daffodil Valley marks the start of the internationally renowned spring season at The Royal Landscape. From a scattering of bulbs and seeds fifty years ago, the daffodils have spread to become probably the largest display of their kind in England.

Royal Windsor Horse Racing                 11 April – 17 October 2016
The 2016 season features 27 race meetings including the popular Monday Race nights. There is live music post-racing at 15 fixtures throughout the season, the return of popular themes including Gentleman's Day, Ladies Day, Family Fun Day and special race meetings celebrating HMQ90 as well as the 150 Anniversary of Royal Windsor racecourse.

Royal Windsor Horse Show                11 – 15 May 2016
This feast of all things equestrian takes place in the beautiful private grounds of Windsor Castle. It combines top sporting and competition action within a spectacular venue and is a fantastic day out whether you are interested in horses or not.

HMQ90                        12 – 15 May 2016
A spectacular equestrian-themed party in the private grounds of Windsor Castle is one of the nation's flagship events for The Queen's 90th birthday. The four-night theatrical show will be a celebration of The Queen's life, her love of horses, her dedication to the Commonwealth and her deep involvement with the Armed Services.

Let's Rock the Moor                     21 May 2016
Known as The Retro Festival, this family friendly celebration of the 80s takes place at Marsh Meadow in picturesque Cookham. Household name headline acts, local bands, children's entertainers from BBC/ITV, a Circus, children's rides, an 80s themed children's play area and multiple bars.

Order of the Garter Service          13 June 2016
Colourful service for the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry, founded by Edward III in 1348. The knights walk to St George's Chapel, wearing their traditional blue velvet robes with red hoods and black velvet hats with white feathers. A fanfare of trumpets announces the main foot procession. Bands of the Household Division play as the procession passes dismounted squadrons of the Household Cavalry, lining the route in their scarlet ceremonial uniforms. The chapel service is relayed via loudspeakers to the crowds followed by an open-carriage procession.

Royal Ascot                         14 - 18 June 2016
Royal Ascot is a national institution. Tradition, pageantry, fashion and style combine for a highlight of the British social calendar where £5.5 million in prize money will be won over five days of racing.  Each day The Royal Procession makes its way from the Golden Gates, along the racecourse and into the Parade Ring. After the last race, racegoers celebrate their winnings singing around the bandstand.

Celebration of the Rose                June – July 2016
Celebrate The Savill Garden's glorious collection of roses, centred on the contemporary Rose Garden. The garden provides an intense sensory experience with roses specially chosen for their scent, strong colours and repeat flowering from a walkway that appears to 'float' above them.

Swan Upping                         19 July 2016
The annual census of the River Thames swan population, this historic ceremony dates from the twelfth century, when the Crown claimed ownership of all mute swans. On passing Windsor Castle, the rowers stand to attention in their boat with oars raised and salute "Her Majesty The Queen, Seigneur of the Swans".

The Savill Garden open-air theatre            22 June – 24 July 2016
Watch your Head theatre company performs Shakespeare's 'As you like it' on an immersive journey through Britain's finest ornamental garden. The comedy unfolds as company and audience moves to different locations before concluding with a triple wedding culminating in a boisterous, acrobatic, musical celebration. Takes place Wed – Sun inclusive – start 7pm.  

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Family Raceday    06 August 2016
Britain's premier jockeys' competition where four teams of top jockeys battle against each other in a thrilling six-race showdown, the four teams are: Great Britain and Ireland; Europe; the Rest of the World; and The Girls team. There will also be activities to keep the whole family entertained, from fairground rides to urban display workshops.

Red Bull Air Race World Championship        13 – 14 August 2016
One of the most vibrant and exciting sports on the calendar returns to Ascot and showcases elite pilots to a worldwide audience. The competitors race in high-performance airplanes between 15 and 25 meters above the ground and navigate a challenging obstacle course of Air Gate pylons at speeds of up to 370 kph.

Sculpture at The Savill Garden             01 Sept – 31 October 2016
A two month display of imaginative sculpture by UK artists forms a trail around the Garden. Each piece depicts an aspect of the natural world, flora or fauna in representational or abstract form, and is placed where the surroundings shows it to best effect through the two month display.

Ascot Festival of Food and Wine Raceday        02 – 03 September 2016
Combine great racing with fantastic food. Wine connoisseurs give expert advice on how to choose a wine to suit your palate, while the Festival of Food celebrates local produce with over 30 stalls. Racegoers can shop between races and use the “Shop & Drop” facility to collect later.

Eton Open Water Swim                 03 September 2016
Featuring five distances up to the iconic 10k 'swimmers marathon', the clear water, marker points and lines of sight make Eton's Dorney Lake a great place to try a first open water swim or seek time improvement in one of the longer disciplines.

Concours of Elegance                    02 – 04 September 2016
The most exceptional cars from all over the world, gather to help celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's 90th birthday with a spectacular display in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle.

Windsor Castle – Fashioning for a Reign: 90 years of style from The Queen's Wardrobe exhibition Sept 2016 – Jan 2017
In celebration of The Queen's 90th birthday, Windsor Castle hosts a special exhibitions of magnificent evening gowns and elegant day ensembles worn at official events will be contrasted with fancy-dress costumes worn by the young Princess Elizabeth for wartime family pantomimes at the Castle.

Windsor Fringe Festival                23 September – 08 October 2016
The Fringe offers a mixed programme of the arts and entertainment: music of all kinds, drama, visual arts (including photography and sculpture), film, poetry, informative walks in Windsor, gastronomy – and even conkers. Many young artists, such as soprano Dame Emma Kirkby and jazz musician Jamie Cullum, cut their teeth in the Fringe, and went on to become household names.

Windsor Festival                      18 September – 02 October 2016
A premier celebration of music, literature and the arts, Windsor Festival attracts distinguished artists from around the world to perform in distinguished venues including Windsor Castle's Waterloo Chamber, St George's Chapel, the Eton College Chapel and the Theatre Royal.

Windsor Running Festival                24 – 25 September 2016
Run one of the world's most picturesque courses on traffic-free roads around Windsor Great Park, with the start and finish on The Long Walk and with fantastic views of Windsor Castle as a backdrop. Windsor Running Festival incorporates a Running for Women 10K and a Half Marathon.

Ascot Racing and CAMRA beer festival         30 September – 01 October 2016
The 10th Ascot Racecourse Beer Festival in association with CAMRA; expect more than just exciting Flat racing at this extensive regional Beer Festival as you sup on an array of over 280 real ales, cider and perries.

Windsor Contemporary Art Fair            November TBC
Considered one of the most prestigious arts events in the Thames Valley and held at Royal Windsor racecourse. The event showcases contemporary and fine art at its best from both well-established names and new talent all under one roof with prices ranging from £40 - £4,000.

Windsor on Ice                    November – January TBC
Situated in Alexandra Gardens, the covered main rink has an outside ice skating track, viewing area, festive food court and under-cover attractions, so non skaters can relax and stay warm. Ice-guides to teach basic skating techniques, are available with advance booking for £30 per session. Open daily 10am – 9pm. Closed 25 Dec.

LaplandUK                              November – December 2016 TBC
LaplandUK brings an unforgettable and immersive Christmas experience for young children – which 97% of visitors rate as the UK's most magical Christmas Experience to Whitmoor Forest in Windsor Great Park. Open on selected dates between November and Christmas Eve 2016.

For events and visitor information in Royal Windsor, visit www.windsor.gov.uk

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