Fantastic fireworks, loads of live music, family activities and much more returns from 13 to 15 July
The Big Weekend is one of the best-loved events in Cambridge’s summer calendar. From 13 to 15 July, Parker’s Piece comes alive with music, fireworks, stalls and attractions, as thousands flock to join the fun of this three day extravaganza, organised by Cambridge City Council and local charity Cambridge Live.
Friday
Main stage line-up
8pm: Ultimate Elton and the Rocket Band
9pm: Right Said Fred
10pm: Fireworks
As soon as you clock off work on Friday, it’s time to party!
Make a beeline for Parker’s Piece for an evening of fab live music which kicks off with local favourites Swagger: a funked-out five-piece who always get the crowd grooving with their repertoire, which features covers of classics from the 50s through to current chart hits.
They’re followed at 8pm by Ultimate Elton and the Rocket Band, hailed by record producer, Stuart Epps as ‘simply the best Elton tribute you will see or hear anywhere’. Expect a whistlestop tour of The Rocket Man’s best bits, from Crocodile Rock to Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.
Friday’s music finishes, in cheesetastic fashion, with a visit from 90s heroes Right Said Fred – the multi-platinum and Ivor Novello award-winning band responsible for monster hit I’m Too Sexy. After that, all eyes will turn to the sky for the Big Weekend’s spectacular fireworks display at 10pm. If you’ve still got dance moves to pull, mosey over to the ever-popular BPM silent disco, which runs on both Friday and Saturday nights this year.
Saturday
Main stage line-up
6.45pm: The Turbans
8pm: Mad Professor and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry
9pm: Neville Staple Band
The fun continues on Saturday, with plenty to enjoy for the whole family – whether you fancy tasting your way around tempting treats at the French market or getting active in the sports zone. The ARM Gaming Hub returns for computer-based activities in conjunction with Cambridge Regional College, while you can make some shapes in the Dance Marquee and get hands-on with interactive science in the University of Cambridge’s TTP sponsored Fun Lab, too.
Bookworms young and old will love storytelling at The Big Read, plus if you fancy getting creative, there’s artsy, crafty fun aplenty in the University Museums of Cambridge Make and Create tents.
If you fancy just kicking back and soaking up some great live music, catch the next big thing at the local bands stage, which will be blasting out great live music throughout the day.
Up on the main stage meanwhile, The Turbans bring their globally inspired doo-wop sounds at 6.45pm, followed by legendary reggae producer and performer Lee “Scratch” Perry with fellow heavyweight Mad Professor. Rounding things off at 9pm, there’ll be classic ska and reggae from The Neville Staple Band.
Sunday
Main stage line-up
4pm: RSVP Bhangra
5pm: Imran Khan
6.15pm: Sony Ji – East Beatz West
Sunday is all about the Cambridge Mela: a joyful, colourful celebration of Asian culture. Enjoy music, song and dance in the Mela Performance Marquee, with acts including Natyanjali Dance School, Sanskruti School of Dance, Indian Cultural Society and Cambridge Chinese Community Centre.
The Bangladesh Welfare and Cultural Association Stage will offer local, national and international stars of the Asian music scene, plus on the main stage there’s UK bhangra superstars RSVP Bhangra, DJ Sonny Ji. East Beatz West, and the headliner, Dutch-Pakistani Imran Khan.
There’s also a Mela traders’ marquee full of Asian arts and craft stalls, charity stalls and activities. There’s a melting pot of cultures to be found in the dance marquee on the Sunday, with demos and workshops throughout that range from Scottish, Polish and Greek dance to belly dance, classical Indian, Cuban salsa and more.
Plus, the sports zone continues on Sunday with World Cup football activities, and the CAMVote100 Marquee will celebrate 100 years of women gaining the right to vote with a line-up of performances from inspiring women.
