Downton Cuckoo Fair 2025

The annual Downton Cuckoo Fair has been running for over a quarter of a century in its current format and attracts up to 20,000 people to our village for Maypole, Morris dancing, and folk entertainment.

The event also features over 300 craft stalls and craft demonstrations, line dancing, street entertainment, music, the Downton Brass Band, and plenty for the children.

Traditionally the arrival of the cuckoo was seen as the onset of good weather and the Downton tradition of “opening the gate” to let the cuckoo through is the basis of the fair.