Good morning, Cheshire 👋 

July has well and truly landed - and it’s brought sunshine and local goodness with it. Whether you're craving festivals, food, a bit of peace and quiet, or planning a fun day with the kids, we’ve got your week sorted.

Let’s get into it!

In this week’s Cheshire Buzz:

• Giant puppets & activity-packed festivals

• Summer tunes, from Britpop to choral classics

• Foodie weekends & pride celebrations

• Quick bites of local news

• Hot new openings and cultural gems

• A peaceful lakeside retreat in Congleton

🎉 What’s On This Weekend

🎪 Crewe Day Festival
3-6 Jul, Crewe (Main day is Sat 5th Jul)
A return of the free family-favourite carnival procession with giant puppets, community dancing & fun for all ages.
👉 Details

🎶 The Brit Fest
4-6 July, Chester Racecourse
Expect 80s throwbacks, pop anthems and all the cheesy sing-alongs you can handle - festival fashion optional, enthusiasm essential!
👉 Details

🍽️ Tatton Park Foodies Festival
11-13 July, Tatton Park
Michelin-standard demos, artisan tastings and premium producers. Savour worldwide flavours without leaving the county!
👉 Details

💡 Chester Festival of Ideas
3-6 July, venues across Chester
A thought-provoking mix of talks, workshops and hands-on learning to spark curiosity in kids and big kids alike.
👉 Details

🏳️‍🌈 MaccPride
5 July, Macclesfield town centre
An uplifting community celebration featuring DJs, speeches, rainbow parades and cheerful inclusivity - bring your best vibes!
👉 Details

🎶 Tributes on the Hill
4-6 Jul, Mickledale Farm, Frodsham
A tribute-band weekend with 80s/90s acts, chart-toppers like Coldplay and Michael Jackson, plus a family fun day on the Sunday. 
👉 Details

🎊 Hide & Seek Festival
5 July, Capesthorne Hall
Bustling boutique festival featuring indie bands, street food stalls and children’s craft zones in the lush hall grounds.
👉 Details

📌 Quick Bites

🎪 Holmes Chapel Summer Spectacular - Sunday 6th Jul, 12-4 pm. A summer fete full of stalls, music, kids' entertainment, and local community spirit. 👉 Details

📡 Jodrell Bank Dome Show - 5th & 6th Jul @ Jodrell Bank (between Chelford and Holmes Chapel). An amazing interactive astronomy show “The Great Solar System Adventure,” ideal for curious kids and adults. 👉 Details

🎶 Summer Choral Classics
5 July, 9:30 - 6pm, Chester Cathedral
Sit back and soak up exquisite choral harmonies in one of Cheshire’s most magnificent acoustic venues. 👉 Details

🏃‍♀️ Protein Rebel Running Festival
5 July, Aqueduct Marina, Church Minshull
A fun run through scenic Cheshire trails; not a pro athlete? No problem - just bring trainers and smiles. 👉 Details

🥳 Langley Village Fete
6 July, Langley, Macclesfield
Traditional fete in Langley with stalls, games and local charm - the kind of relaxed summer fun that hits just right. 👉 Details

🍰 Local Spotlight: Snugburys Ice Cream Farm, Hurleston

Nestled on Park Farm since 1986, Snugburys has grown from a farmhouse kitchen into Cheshire’s iconic ice‑cream destination, drawing over 300,000 visitors each year.

Their award‑winning flavours, 35 and counting, are crafted in a purpose‑built dairy powered by solar panels and a heat-recovery system.

What makes Snugburys extra memorable is their giant straw sculptures - past creations include a Dalek wizard and Millennium Dome, earning them a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

It’s not just ice cream - it’s art, a scenic farm setting, and a bit of Cheshire quirk all rolled into one delightful family‑friendly trip.

🔗 snugburys.co.uk

🔥 Hot & New

☕️ AI-Powered Coffee Drive-Thru - Coming soon, Cheshire (exact location tbc)
An innovative new concept combining a drive-thru coffee shop with AI ordering - perfect for fast mornings and those who prefer not to talk to anyone in the mornings! (Source)

✒️ Creative writing with Joy Winkler - 16th July at Tatton Park. Craft twisty, character-driven stories with Chester’s former laureate Joy Winkler in this hands-on workshop exploring plot, intrigue and deception. 👉 Details

♟️ Geek Retreat - Opening soon, Cheshire (location tbc). A geek culture cafe/board game haven is coming - expect tabletop events, collectible cards and friendly banter.

🎧 First UK swim-up bar & Ibiza-style DJ sessions - Enjoy poolside cocktails (and DJs every Saturday from 5 July - 30th Aug) at The Manor House Hotel & Spa’s swim-up bar. 👉 Details

🌟 Community Highlights

• Malpas named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2025. The village has been recognised for its beauty, history, amenities, and strong community spirit. 
  

• Food Festival shortlisted for award - Nantwich Food Festival is a finalist in this year’s Cheshire Life Awards for ‘Specialist Venue/Event of the Year’ - winners announced 21 July. (source)

• “We Still Need You”: New veteran support project. Launched on the 27th June, this Cheshire East-funded project supports ex-service personnel and their families with mental health, community reintegration, and dedicated local services. 👉 Details
  

• Move Joyfully this July - A month-long campaign by Cheshire West & Chester council, encouraging fun, everyday movement (walking, dancing, rollerblading) to boost wellbeing and community spirit. 👉 Details

💎 Hidden Gem: Astbury Mere Country Park, Congleton

Tucked just west of Congleton, this former sand quarry is now a serene haven centred on a 43‑acre lake - ideal for gentle lakeside walks, community canoe sessions, and warming coffees at the on‑site café. With flat, well‑maintained paths, weekly parkruns, wildlife spotting and even angling opportunities, it's a versatile escape that feels much further from town than it is.

The park has won accolades like Natural England’s country park accreditation and the Royal Forestry Society’s Gold Award for Community Woodland of the Year 2024! Proof of its quiet charm and community care.

👉 Visit Astbury Mere

That’s it for this week.

Thanks for reading The Cheshire Buzz! See you next Thursday - same time, same inbox.