Festivals, Events & Nights Out

Film, festivals, culture and fabulous food. From community street festivals to big-name acts, Telford knows how to get the crowd jumping – and keep it well fed! 

We’ve got a 12,000 capacity arena, much-loved community theatres, lively outdoor venues and a vibrant, year-round calendar of festivals, shows and events. Plus, an array of restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes and street markets to wine and dine you on nights out with family and friends.

Keep an eye on our What’s On pages to find out more about our most talked-about events of the year. You’ve no excuse for boredom here!

5 of the best nights out in Telford 

1.    See the stars at the QEII. The QEII arena in Telford Town Park rings out with some of the most famous voices in the world. It also hosts top-of-their-class athletes competing in big sports events and cultural and community classics such as the Balloon Fiesta, Carnival and outdoor summer film festival. And the cocktail bars, restaurants and clubs of Southwater are just a stone’s throw away.

2.    An evening of culture and food at the Orbit. Drop in for a coffee or a movie at the new Orbit Theatre, in the historic town of Wellington. It’s home to art spaces and a super-comfy, 63-seat independent cinema that curates an irresistible selection of arthouse, classic and current blockbuster films. There’s always something interesting to see – and something delicious to eat in the café, which serves food from its sustainable kitchen garden. Or you can feast on street food at Wellington Late Night Market or have a pre-show dinner at The Walnut.

3.    Join a cultural celebration. Telford is one of the most vibrant multi-cultural communities in the region. Our calendar is packed with a variety of annual cultural events and festivals that highlight and celebrate traditions, food, art, folklore, movements and religions from around the world, such as Black History Month, Windrush Day, Chinese New Year and Holi the colourful Hindu Festival of Spring. 

4.    Eat and drink the night away! Looking for a stylish celebration in a fine restaurant? Check out Restaurant Severn on Ironbridge High Street or The Red House in Lilleshall. How about a cosy gathering in a pub? The Golden Ball is Ironbridge’s oldest pub. Or a timeless experience in a brew house? All Nations brew house has been brewing on this site since 1789 – in the 1970s, it was one of the last surviving four brew houses in the UK. Whatever your taste buds are in the market for, Telford dishes up the goods – and they’re usually fresh, local and seasonal.

5.    Feel that festival vibe. There’s always plenty going on in Telford, but it’s our community street festivals that create the biggest buzzes. They’re a great way to get to know us, and we’re a fun crowd! The annual Festival of Imagination celebrates Ironbridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site through an eclectic mix of art, poetry, performance and talks. Look out for Summer Music and Park Festival and the array of rural shows, including the rightly popular Newport Show.