Contrary Life

Contrary Life is a website covering quirky events across the UK.

  • Home
  • About
  • Events by region
    • North East
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
    • East Midlands
    • West Midlands
    • East
    • London
    • South East
    • South West
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
    • Wales
Home > Archives for Free events

Archives for Free events

Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Another Fine Fest 2017 - Ulverston - Cumbria - Contrary Life

Lip-sync challenges and live street art at Another Fine Fest

Today and tomorrow, Ulverston will come alive with everything from live street art to lip sync challenges as Another Fine Fest returns to the Cumbrian town…

Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival

Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival rolls into town

Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival turns almost every space and venue into a stage and brings singing groups together with songs celebrating the sea and Cornish culture…

World Custard Pie Championship 2016

Teams face up to the World Custard Pie Championships

The World Custard Pie Championships take place every year in Kent and the 2022 contest is happening this weekend and will see around 2,000 ‘pies’ being thrown…

Whole Earth Man v Horse 2016

It’s Man v Horse as a gruelling race gallops through the scenic Welsh countryside

If you’ve ever wondered whether man or horse is better at racing over mountainous terrain, then head to the Welsh town of Llanwrtyd Wells this weekend to find out…

Geffrye Museum herb garden - photographed by Jayne Lloyd

Grassroots gardening, botanical wonders and crafty events at Chelsea Fringe

This May, the grassroots and community-led Chelsea Fringe takes place with a host of quirky and soul-nurturing free and family-friendly events…

Flatpack Festival 2022, Design by Keith Dodds and Illustration by Jacques Kleynhans

Solo cinema and scientific sounds at Flatpack Festival

Flatpack Festival brings an eclectic mix of shows, screenings and activities that surprise and delight audiences to venues across Birmingham…

World Dock Pudding Championship 2017

Competitive cooking at The World Dock Pudding Championship

Keen foodies gather in Yorkshire for a breakfast cooking battle with a difference as The World Dock Pudding Championship takes place…

British Asparagus Festival

Have a green spring with the British Asparagus Festival

Did you know, it’s the beginning of asparagus season in the UK? And in the Vale of Evesham, this means it’s the start of a two-month long celebration with a host of quirky characters and unusual events…

Shoot Festival

See blossoming talent at Shoot Festival this spring

This spring, discover Coventry’s brightest new creatives and performers at the city’s Shoot Festival…

Wray Scarecrow Festival - Contrary Life

A scarecrow celebration in Wray

For ten days each spring, the village of Wray in Lancashire is overrun with colourful characters as they host their fun and quirky scarecrow festival…

Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering - Ray Alexander

Party like a peasant with Morpeth’s Northumbrian Gathering

You may not have heard of Morpeth, but every year they host a gathering to celebrate the crafts and traditions of Northumbria…

Audio Tales in Lincolnshire

Take a wander outdoors in Lincolnshire with Audio Tales

An ambitious new arts project is giving you the chance to get out and about on an interactive arts trail. Audio Tales takes you through areas of Lincolnshire you might otherwise miss…

Maldon Mud Race - Essex

Mucky stuff at Maldon Mud Race

If you fancy watching something a bit different this weekend, then how about cheering on the brave competitors at the Maldon Mud Race?

Whitby Goth Weekend 2017

Go gothic in Whitby for the weekend

The Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby is steeped in history with its atmospheric Abbey and connections to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. So, it’s the perfect location to hold a goth festival…

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 76
  • Next ➡

Curiosity of the Week

Woodhenge, Stonehenge’s lesser-known neighbour
Woodhenge - ©English Heritage, Historic England Photo Library

You have heard of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, but have you heard of its lesser known neighbour, Woodhenge? Find out more in our latest Curiosity of the Week…

Top Story

The World Egg Throwing Championships are no yolk
World Egg Throwing Championship 2016

Are you a tosser? If so, you may want to head to Lincolnshire this weekend as the 15th World Egg Throwing Championships takes place…

What are you looking for today?

  • Alternative Sport
  • Art
  • Cabaret and Circus
  • Cinema
  • Classes, Workshops & Talks
  • Club Night
  • Comedy
  • Dance
  • Exhibitions and Installations
  • Fairs and Markets
  • Festival
  • Food & Drink
  • Heritage and History
  • Interview
  • Literature
  • Museum
  • Music
  • Nature and Outdoors
  • Review
  • Science and Technology
  • Theatre
  • Walks and Tours

Sign up to our Newsletter

Copyright © 2022 · Contrary Life