Thousands expected in city for Godiva Festival

The Godiva Festival is set to bring tens of thousands of people to Coventry this weekend, as the city prepares for its annual three-day music and arts celebration. Organized by Coventry City Council, the festival will take place at War Memorial Park from Friday, July 4th, to Sunday, July 6th. The event has grown significantly since it first began in 1997 as a free, one-day gathering. Now, it is one of the biggest family-friendly festivals in the region, offering a wide range of entertainment, including live music, dance, street performances, craft activities, sports sessions, and a variety of food and drink stalls.

This year’s festival features an impressive lineup of headline acts. On Friday, singer-songwriter Marc Almond will take the stage, joined by other well-known performers such as Heaven 17 and Heather Small. Saturday’s main attraction is the electronic group Clean Bandit, who have achieved four number one singles in the UK. They will be joined by Nathan Dawe, Rose Gray, and a special guest appearance from Neville Staple of The Specials, a legendary Coventry band. The festival will close on Sunday with a performance by Birmingham rock band Ocean Colour Scene, along with Rick Parfitt JR and the popular dance group Diversity.

The Godiva Festival is named after Lady Godiva, a famous figure from Coventry’s history. According to legend, she rode naked on horseback through the city over a thousand years ago to persuade her husband, the Earl of Mercia, to lower taxes for the people. The festival honors her legacy and the city’s rich cultural heritage. While the event was originally free and ticketless, the council introduced ticket charges in recent years to help cover costs. This year, standard day tickets start at £15, and weekend passes begin at £49. 50. Children under five and carers can attend for free. The council has also invested £330,000 to support the festival this year.

Performances will take place on the Main Stage and the Cov Stage, which will showcase local talent. There is also the Cov ConneX Kingston Stage, introduced last year, which gives young musicians from Coventry the chance to perform in front of a large audience. This stage is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, with a grant of nearly £30,000.

To attend the festival, visitors must present a valid ticket and may be asked for photo ID at the entrance. Each person is allowed to bring one bag, no larger than an A4 sheet of paper, and all attendees will be subject to security checks. There are also age restrictions in place, following incidents at last year’s event. The War Memorial Park is about a ten-minute walk from Coventry Railway Station, and there will be signs to guide festival-goers. National Express Coventry offers frequent bus services to the park from the city center and the University of Warwick. For those driving, parking is available on site for £15 per day.

The Godiva Festival is a highlight of Coventry’s cultural calendar, attracting visitors from across the region and beyond. With its mix of music, arts, and community spirit, the festival promises to be a memorable weekend for everyone involved.