There are plenty of ways to get out and about in and around Calne this weekend, from live music and a free community singing event to a traditional fair in Marlborough and art exhibitions at Avebury and Lacock. Whether you fancy a night out, a wander around an outdoor sculpture gallery or something a little different, here are some ideas for Friday 16th to Sunday 18th October.
Live Music At The Ruze
The Ruze in Chippenham has two nights of live entertainment lined up this weekend. On Friday 16th October, Rockin’ The Ruze will see A Bottle Of Dog joined by three other bands from the Corsham School class of 1999, raising money for charity. Tickets cost £10, with the music starting at 6.30pm. On Saturday 17th October, the venue switches to a night of “whimsy and weird” with Professor Elemental, The Real Cheesemakers and Mellowmatic, promising an evening of nonsensecore and offbeat entertainment. Saturday’s event also starts at 6.30pm.
The Butterfly and Ivy Spirit Fayre - Saturday 17th October
Calne Town Hall will host The Butterfly and Ivy Spirit Fayre on Saturday, bringing together readers, healers, holistic practitioners and stalls selling everything from herbal remedies to pagan gifts. Organised by Bardware and friends, the event celebrates the Celtic month of the butterfly and ivy, with free workshops available throughout the day. Entry is free, workshops can be booked on the day, and refreshments will be available. The fayre runs from 11am to 4pm at The Strand.
Big Mop Fair - Saturday 17th October
Marlborough’s traditional Mop Fair returns to the High Street on Saturday, bringing another day of fairground entertainment to the town. The Big Mop follows the Little Mop held the previous weekend, with the Showmen’s Guild promising more of the bigger, scarier rides for visitors looking for a thrill. The fair is a long-standing local tradition and offers an option for families and visitors willing to travel a little way from Calne.
Sculpture Exhibition At Avebury Manor Garden - Until Sunday 18th October
Art lovers have one last chance to visit the sculpture exhibition at Avebury Manor Garden, which closes on Sunday. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the outdoor exhibition features works by more than 20 artists displayed throughout the garden’s 11 different areas. Visitors can explore the sculptures among the seasonal planting, and the artworks are available to buy. The exhibition is open from 10am to 5pm. Booking is not required, but normal garden admission applies; entry is free for National Trust members.
Three Choirs Concert - Saturday 17th October
Three Wiltshire choirs will come together at The Neeld in Chippenham on Saturday for a fundraising concert supporting the provision of a well at Mung'oma School in western Kenya. The event will raise money for WellBoring, which has helped bring safe water to more than 500,000 people in Kenya. Doors open at 7pm, with the concert starting at 7.30pm and finishing at 9.30pm. Tickets are available through the Neeld Box Office, by calling 01249 446699, or from the Town Hall.
Isla String Quartet - Saturday 17th October
Music lovers can enjoy an evening of chamber music by candlelight at St Anne's Church, Bowden Hill, near Lacock, on Saturday. The Isla String Quartet, formed at the Royal Academy of Music, will perform a programme featuring Schubert's Quartettsatz, Haydn's Emperor Quartet and Schubert's String Quartet No. 15 in G major. The ensemble has won several major competition prizes, including first prize at the 2026 International String Quartet Competition in Bad Tölz. The concert begins at 7pm, with tickets priced at £12.50. Capacity is limited, and early booking is recommended.
World Singing Day With The Calne Songbirds - Sunday 18th October
The Calne Songbirds are inviting residents to join them for an afternoon of singing in Calne Pocket Park on Sunday to celebrate World Singing Day. The singalong will feature popular, uplifting songs, and everyone is welcome to join in, regardless of singing ability. The event runs from 2.30pm to 3.15pm, with the Pocket Park café serving tea, coffee and cakes.
Photography Exhibition At Lacock
Visitors to Lacock can see a photography exhibition featuring images taken by renowned British photographer Martin Parr in the village during spring and summer 2025. The exhibition offers a portrait of contemporary Britain through photographs of Lacock and its community.
Ancient Pathways Art Exhibition At Avebury
Avebury’s 2026 artist in residence, Georgie Weedon, has created a new body of work inspired by the ancient stone circle, the surrounding landscape and Avebury Manor and Garden. The Ancient Pathways exhibition opened on Thursday 15th October and continues until Sunday 1st November.
1776: Secrets, Spies and the American Revolution – Bowood House
A new exhibition at Bowood House explores the connections between Lord Shelburne, Benjamin Franklin and the American Revolution, ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Lord Shelburne played a significant role in negotiating peace between Britain and America through the Treaty of Paris in 1783, but his friendship with Franklin also led to suspicions that the two men remained in secret contact during the war. Visitors can discover how spies on both sides used ingenious techniques to conceal messages, including invisible ink and hidden notes, before exploring the treaty's impact on Shelburne's career. The exhibition is available to view inside Bowood House, which opens from 11am to 4.30pm, with last entry at 4pm.
A number of regular community events are also taking place across the town throughout the week.
These include:
Rhyme Time at Calne Library
Pins & Needles knitting group
Toy and Brick Making sessions for toddlers
Board not Bored games sessions
Calne Library Brick Creators’ Club
Saturday Toddler Time
Calne Junior Parkrun
Table Tennis for Everyone
Feel Better With A Book
Calne Youth Club
FULL DETAILS OF ALL THE ABOVE EVENTS CAN BE FOUND IN OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.
More events including car boot sales and full details of the above listings can be found on the Calne News events calendar here.
If you would like to feature on our Events Round-Up please do let us know!
Want to know what’s on in Calne? Visit our local events page for listings and to find out how to add your own events for free. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news. Have you got a story for us? Email editor@calnenews.com.
