Festival spotlights

From beast-hunting trails and centuries-old crafts to steampunk adventures and quirky scarecrow festivals, there's still plenty to discover before this year's celebration draws to a close. Whether you're looking for history, creativity or something a little unexpected to do with the family, friends or by yourself, these final events are not to be missed.

Can’t get out and about? Then stay in and check these online events out! Whether you want a 5 minute dip into stories on social media or to settle in for a live talk – from treasure hunts to rescue stories and family history tips, there’s an option for you over the festival.

Do you know who started the Paralympics? Where Drag came from? How to read the symbols in African textiles? What about the link between Laundry Basket Lucy in 1851 and John in 1951? Are you ready to explore some stories that don’t often get told – be prepared, whilst some are joyful, and curious, others are poignant and challenging, but all are important. Explore more with these events over the festival.

Do you want to make a difference? Not just explore over the festival, but get involved in something bigger? Then why not try one of these events – whether you want to support nature, create a community artwork, or share your stories, adding your voice to the record, there’s an invitation for you to contribute this September.

Heritage Open Days isn’t just for daylight hours! From twilight walks and museum lates, to music, stargazing and stories from beyond the grave, this year’s festival is packed with opportunities to discover local history once the sun has set. Whether you’re looking for a unique evening out after a long day at work, or a chance to see familiar places in a whole new light – check out these awesome after-hours events!

The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker? Or how about the arsenic mixer, the stage performer and the rescue worker? Whatever career piques your interest, we have a story to tell and an event to visit! Explore the lives of past professionals and meet the modern experts as this year’s Heritage Open Days highlights the extraordinary in our ordinary working lives.

What happens behind the scenes when we care for our heritage? Go behind strongroom doors and step in to specialist studios at these events chosen by Icon (The Institute of Conservation). Discover the skills, stories and people helping to preserve the things that matter to us and see conservation differently this September.

From finding a quiet space to enjoying a relaxed performance in historic churches. Getting hands on with museum collections or taking a sign language tour of a restored house. There is something for everyone to explore among the kaleidoscope of free offers this September. Be inspired with these highlights and search for more using the filters in our event directory.

Ready for some history, music, and mischief?! Then take inspiration from this curious collection of highlights chosen by social media sensation, Inspector Organ. He’s on a mission to explore the pipe organs of the world, and other fascinating objects and places along the way! Heritage Open Days has a whole load of amazing offers for such a quest, and these are his top picks.

From escape rooms to cosy crafting - discover an exciting programme of unique events. New Wave returns for a county-wide youth takeover of heritage spaces in Leicestershire.

What links palace secrets, retro tech, rare books and climate change discussions? They are all part of our amazing heritage kaleidoscope waiting to be explored this September. From curious collections and locations to thought-provoking stories - we challenged the Kids in Museums Youth Panel to choose a favourite event from our listings and this is their fascinating selection.

From a week in the life of laundry ladies on a Devon estate to years with the nurse who travelled abroad and married a soldier in the Crimean War. Leading family history website, Findmypast, has worked with sites across England to uncover new stories of our extraordinary everyday history. Come discover them this September and take inspiration for exploring your own history – each site will have free access to Findmypast’s amazing records.

From crafts to carnivals and police boxes to printing, Kids in Museums have picked a selection of unique experiences and exciting events for some September days out inspiration!

Time for a (bookish) treasure hunt! It’s the National Year of Reading, so from Thomas the Tank Engine to Hercule Poirot, let’s discover the places that inspired some of our favourite characters. Then why not find a lovely library to pick up your next read, or admire the jewels of their rare book collections!

History doesn’t just live indoors! Enjoy a breath of fresh air this September and discover some of England's historic gardens, landscapes and wild places.

Are you ready to go behind the strong room door, and discover ‘what’s in the box’? If there even is a box! From papers and scrolls to brass instruments, badges, silk textiles and spoken words, not all archives are the same. Let’s explore a few that are opening up for you this September and the stories they can tell.

Whether you're looking for nostalgia, adventure or breathtaking views, these events all deserve a place on your Heritage Open Days bucket list.

Ready? Set?... Go! Yes the event directory is now live, with over 1,600 events for you to hunt through. The team’s first picks range from immersive theatre exploring food histories to a church open day showcasing local farming lives (including a ‘giant’ legend from the 17th century). Heritage Open Days is back on 11-20 September - it’s your passport to explore, so save the dates and make your picks!

Can’t travel to that great event? Fancy catching something quick whilst waiting at a bus stop? Whether you want to explore behind the scenes of classical buildings or re-discover a lost canal, we have an event for you. Try one of these great online options – from daily social media posts to live webinars, you just need to click to connect to more!

Have you heard of the pioneering roadbuilder who was blind? The South Asian women who joined the army in WWII? What about the late Victorian queer poet who earned a state pension? Here are some great events shining a light on important, but lesser known histories over the festival.