Winchester Brew - 5th February '26

Hello February. The month of half-term plotting, Valentine’s side-quests, and the first proper signs that winter might eventually loosen its grip. If you are out and about this week, keep an eye out for the early snowdrops too. They are basically nature’s way of saying, “hang in there, we’re rendering spring.”

Our Roaster’s Choice is COWfest: a city-wide children and families festival with The Arc at the centre and partner venues across Winchester, packed with shows, crafts, music and inclusive activities (plus free entry for children at The Great Hall and Winchester City Museum). Elsewhere this week, there’s big-stage drama and cinema classics, a splash of science comedy at the Cathedral, and a strong Saturday night line-up with Suzi Ruffell and Mark Morriss (The Bluetones).

Have a brilliant week, and if you spot something we should include next time, hit reply and tell us what’s brewing.

🐮🎈 COWfest 2026!. The Children of Winchester Festival, returns with a joyful programme of creative, playful and inclusive activities for children and families across the city.

Across the weekend at The Arc, families can enjoy Relax Kids Winchester with Jules for ages 3–5 and 6–10, Moo Music for toddlers, and Comedy Club 4 Kids in the Performance Hall. Creative drop-in activities include junk modelling and paper crafts with Mimosa Montessori, tote bag printing with Berkshire Printmakers, and crafts with The Arc and Winchester Library.

Music sessions with Winnall Rock School run throughout Saturday, while Sunday features Jiggy Wrigglers for babies and young children, alongside inclusive sports sessions with District Sports.

It’s also a city-wide festival, with partner venues joining in. Highlights include free entry for children at The Great Hall (with Westgate Museum) and Winchester City Museum throughout the weekend, plus bookable activities elsewhere, including a family show at Theatre Royal Winchester and under-5s and climbing sessions at Winchester Sport & Leisure Park.

When: Saturday 7th February and Sunday 8th February

Where: The Arc and across Winchester

How much: £7

Sponsor: A message from our supporting partner.

A curated list of events from the next seven days. We try to only include events that still have availability, though things can sell out quickly so best to check ahead. Cheapest adult ticket price option shown unless otherwise stated.

🌻🖼️🌻 Van Gogh Alive Winchester: Step into Vincent’s vivid world, Winchester Science Centre, runs until late March. Immerse yourself in the most visited multisensory experience in the world as his masterpieces come to life, giving you the sensation of being amongst his paintings. £30

🌞🖼️ Here comes the Sun Helios: An art installation by Luke Jerram, Winchester Cathedral, until 1st March. The Helios artwork by artist Luke Jerram is coming to Winchester for the first time in January 2026. Pop in to the cathedral to marvel at its beauty or join one of the many events and activities that will be taking place in the sunshine, from pilates to silent discos.

🎭 Bringing the Outside In - Theatre for Life, The Arc, on Monday at 7:00 PM and Tuesday at 2:30 PM. Amber is alone. She’s not turned up for the first day of her final year of sixth form. She’s terrified of the climate crisis, and everyone knows it. Bringing The Outside In is a soul-stirring exploration of fear, hope, and the importance of community in a changing world. £12

🎭 Romeo and Juliet, Theatre Royal Winchester, on Monday at 7:00 PM and Tuesday+Wednesday at 1:30 PM and 7:00PM. A full-scale production set in a world of rivalry, rebellion, and forbidden love. Experience Shakespeare’s greatest love story in all its breathtaking intensity, with fierce sword fights, searing emotion, and a romance that burns against the odds. £14.50

🎬 Cinema Screening: Rear Window, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 2:00 PM. When professional photographer J.B 'Jeff' Jeffries is confined to a wheelchair with a broken leg, he becomes obsessed with watching the private dramas of his neighbours play out across the courtyard. A classic! £12

🖼️ Queering Connections: Folding Space: Japanese and UK Artist' Books workshop, Winchester Gallery, at 5:00 PM. Drawing workshop based on the Folding Space exhibition using Kujibiki technique with artist Noriko Suzuki-Bosco

🖌️🍷 Paint & Sip Late Nights, Bella Crafts, at 6:00 PM. Every first Thursday of the month with drink and nibbles on arrival. You can also bring your own bottle (optional) £7.95

🎤 Kevin Precious: The Reluctant Teacher, The Arc, at 6:30 PM. Kevin Precious used to be a teacher. He enjoyed the teaching part; it was the stuff that goes with it that was a drag. The show is a funny overview of the pitfalls and pratfalls that go with Kevin’s former profession of teaching; with a bit of pedagogical stuff (ooh-er) thrown in for good measure. £13

🎭 National Theatre Live: Hamlet, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 7:00 PM. Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare's famous tragedy. National Theatre Deputy Artistic Director, Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky's Edge, Operation Mincemeat) directs this sharp, stylish and darkly funny reimagining. £17.50

🎤☀️ Festival of the Spoken Nerd, Winchester Cathedral, at 7:30 PM. Join science comedy phenomenon ‘Festival of the Spoken Nerd’ for the greatest show under the Sun – literally!  £25

🎶🎓 Ukulele Improvers, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 12:00 PM. Ukes for All host a series of intermediate ukulele classes. There’s no complicated theory or having to practice scales and things like that. Simply learn by playing songs in a friendly and relaxed environment and having a lot of fun. £13.50

🎶 Acoustic Cafe | Polly Gone Wrong + Katy Hooper + Daisy Freya, The Arc, at 6:30 PM. Join us for a curated evening of music - our monthly event brings amazing and delicious artists into our cafe space. Bar and cafe open throughout - get there early to grab a seat and be entertained £7

🎤 Bingo & The City, The Nutshell, at 8:00 PM. Tracey Collins (aka Audrey Heartburn) is back with musical comedy bingo sensation Bingo & The City with Samantha Groans! Get ready for a whole lot of sass, sequins and scandal as the queen of bingo balls brings her outrageous songs, jaw dropping stories, and hilarious bingo games to The Nutshell!  £18

🎶 Drum and Bass, The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. The rare appearance of a Drum and Bass night at The Railway! A mighty fine line up of local Drum and Bass DJs and producers providing a night of fat tunes and heavy rollers, hosted by Griser MC! £6

🖼️ Mapping the Familiar with artist Mark Jones, The Arc, from 9:30 AM. Join artist Mark Jones at the City Space to celebrate the opening of his exhibition Mapping the Familiar at the City Space. It’s free entry but you can book ahead.

🥾🌳 Mottisfont Estate Walk & Beyond, Starts at The Bear and Ragged Staff, at 9:45 AM. Enjoy some of the best of the Hampshire Countryside on this beautiful and varied walk through farmland, woodland and along the River Test. The walk is approx 8 mile long, will be taken at a good pace, suitable for people of a moderate fitness level. £2

🎭 Amazing Animals, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM. If you love animals, then you are going to love this show. A show dedicated to and celebrating all creatures great and small. The heart-warming show packed full of music, comedy and amazing animal effects is suited to all ages from toddlers to grownups. £20

🏉🍷 Six Nations Saturdays, Abbey Mill, from 1:00 PM. Join us at Abbey Mill for Six Nations rugby, shown live in our atmospheric city-centre space. Expect big screens, great food, flowing pints and a relaxed matchday crowd - the kind of Saturday that turns into an afternoon well spent.

📚 War Cloister Tour, Winchester College, at 2:00 PM. Winchester College’s War Cloister is the largest private war memorial in Europe. These thought-provoking tours bring to life the stories of the pupils and teachers from Winchester. The tours also explores the architecture, symbolism, and impact of War Cloister today. £15

🛍️ General Auction, Badger Farm Community Centre, at 2:00 PM. We hold popup auctions in and around Winchester. Sellers drop their items off in the morning. We open for viewing at 12:30pm. The auction starts at 2pm. We settle up immediately afterwards and it’s all done in a day!

⚽ Winchester City FC vs Malvern Town, Hillier Way, at 3:00 PM. Come and support the Citizens in their next home match. £13.50

🎶 Loud and Clear Night in Winchester - No Alcohol or Drugs, Unit 12 CIC, Winnal Lane, at 7:00 PM. We bring together DJs, dance music, an awesome sound system, and custom reactive visuals to create an uplifting rave experience without alcohol or drugs. Expect high energy, deep bass, and a friendly, welcoming crowd.

🎶☀️ Canticle of the Sun, Winchester Cathedral, at 7:30 PM. A unique opportunity to hear beautiful music by the internationally acclaimed Winchester Cathedral Choir with themes of creation, the sun and the solar system, as you marvel at this breathtaking ‘Helios’ art installation. £15

🎤 Suzi Ruffell: The Juggle, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 8:00 PM. It's hard to be good all the time. A good mother, a good daughter, a good partner, a good friend, a good person. This is a stand-up show and a support group! The Juggle is a brand new tour from confessional multi-award winning comedian Suzi Ruffell. £22

🎶 Mark Morriss (The Bluetones), The Railway Inn, at 8:00 PM. With thirteen hit singles and three top ten albums under his belt, Mark will be back with a mix of new songs and Bluetones favourites, served up with infectious humour and affable charm. £15

📚🤝 Winchester’s Writing Group: Writing session, The South Downs Social, at 10:00 AM. Come along to get to know a friendly group of fellow writers. Chat about writing and ongoing projects. Share ideas and advice. We're doing an hour of writing this week, so please bring a laptop.

🧶❤️ Needle Felting | Heart Garland, Bella Crafts, at 11:00 AM. Celebrate creativity and connection in our Needle Felting Heart Garland Workshop just in time for Valentine’s Day. £30

⚽ Winchester City Flyers FC vs Abingdon United Development, Charters Community Stadium, at 2:00 PM. Come and support the Flyers in their next home match. £5

🏛️ The Tower Tour, The Hospital of St Cross, at 2:00 PM. Step beyond the public view and uncover the hidden heights of the Hospital of St Cross on our Tower Tour – a rare and exclusive experience.  £20

🧘 Sunday Sundown Self Care Sessions, Elevate Fitness Studios and Cafe R0st, at 5:00 PM. Think relaxed Ibiza evenings, think relaxing yoga, think about time after class with your community. Finish your weekend by joining us for a calming yoga session followed by chilled socials. £10

🎬🍷 Film Society: My Beautiful Laundrette (1987), Cabinet Rooms, at 6:00 PM. Over 18s only. Book in advance. Drink included. £15

🧘🌞 Rise and Shine: Morning Pilates under the sun, Winchester Cathedral, at 7:00 AM. These uplifting mat-based Pilates classes will flow beneath the glowing Helios artwork, blending mindful movement, history, and the energy of the sun in one of Winchester’s most iconic settings. £20

📚 Winchester College Treasure Tour, Winchester College, at 1:30 PM. Explore the treasures of Winchester College’s collections, including works of art and rare books that are not normally on public display. £15

🎲🤝 Board Games Social, Mythic Games, at 6:00 PM. We’re excited to launch our brand new Board Game Social in Winchester! Join us for an evening full of excitement, laughter, and friendly competition. £5

🎶🎤 Roots open mic night, The Railway Inn, at 7:30 PM. Winchester's longest running open mic night. Free entry every Monday. Signups from 7.30pm, music from 8.00pm.

🤝 In Crowd Coffee, Theatre Royal Winchester, at 10:00 AM. Drop in to Theatre Royal Winchester for a catch up with our staff team and enjoy some freshly brewed coffee and delicious treats alongside your fellow Members. It's the perfect chance to mingle, share stories, and start your day off right!

🎬 Winchester Film Society: Flow, Winchester Science Centre, at 7:00 PM. Flow is a story set in a land devoid of people, a post-human timeline as the Earth heals itself from our transgressions. This painterly, silent film takes you on a journey to the world left behind. £8

🥣🎓 Copper Bowl Workshop with Emily, The Colour Factory, at 2:00 PM. Pop along to Emily’s workshop in the new studio and learn how to transform a simple sheet of copper into a functional vessel, a handmade bowl. This workshop will take 3 hours; all materials are included but you have the choice to purchase additional pieces of metal. £75

🎭 Chesil Youth Theatre Presents, Chesil Theatre, at 7:30 PM. Two short plays by the Chesil Youth Groups. £18

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