Cultural events and groups in Devizes, Wiltshire 

The Lawrence Art Society web page. is hosted by Devizes Heritage. Click on the blue link.

 Devizes Events from the past 

Above: Devizes Street Festival and Carnival Parade Saturday, September 3rd, 2011

This page aims to record what is happening today in the market town of Devizes.Community groups may send their own photos for inclusion on the site. Two groups so far have used DH to provide theirown web pages; the Lawrence Art Society and Devizes Chamber Choir.  This feature is only just beginning (May 2011) and it is hoped that this will develop over time. Links to community arts and cultural groups are included.

Devizes Festival is an annual extravaganza of cultural events. In 2011 it is on from June 1st to June 19th. Here is a link to the Devizes Festival website and the varied daily programme.  

Devizes Community cultural LINKS (click on the blue links below)

Devizes has a long history of Carnivals and fairs. There is an active group working with the Town Council to provide Devizes with regular and fun fairs.The carnival organisers have an excellent Carnival website. 

 White Horse Opera is a Devizes group providing local opera since 1990. 

The Wharf Theatre Devizes. This was formed as a dramatic society. It now hosts regular performances of plays on the historic Kennnet and Avon wharf side. 

EVENTS - the most recent are given first

Devizes Street Fair - August 2011

Devizes Chamber Choir's Christmas concert in St. John's Church, Devizes 

Saturday 11th December 2010 at  7.30pm in St John’s Church, Devizes. An excellent audience of over 110 people attended the concert and joined in with the group Carols. We all enjoyed an early  piece of French music with a surprisingly modern feel.

The choir under their director, Margaret Henry, with Tim Hutchings at the organ, gave a vgood performance of Charpentier’s “Messe de Minuit” to a large and appreciative audience. In this mass Charpentier weaves tunes from several old French folk songs into choruses and solo items. The excellent soloists for this performance were: Sopranos; Kathy Adams and Jane Francis, Alto; Bridget Green, Tenor; Richard Hathway and Baritone; Paul Whelehan

The second half of the programme included several French carols and three arrangements of early English carols by Peter Cook. Tony Jones provided flute obligato for John Rutter’s ever popular Shepherds Pipe Carol. Devizes Chamber Choir  

The Lantern Parade November 26th, 2010

This annual event is organised by the town Council. It marks the start of the Christmas season in Devizes and the switching on of the Christmas lights. Church group s,schools and others create the lanterns in workshops throughout the Town. The lanterns are varied and have wonderful shapes; they are lit by LEDs. In 2010 the parade started in the Brittox, passed through the Market Square, went to the Wharf and ended back  the Market. This year the parade went via the Wharf to celebrate the 200th birthday of the opening of the Kennet and Avon canal. There is photogallery of photos - click on the blue link. 

Below left Santa Claus, alias the Mayor, appears on the Bear balcony prior to swithching on the Christmas lights. Right: Fireworks provide a colourful backdrop to the Lantern festival in Market Square, Devizes. The white circles are snow flakes, the big ones are nearest the camera.