Ely Scene

3 July – 9 July 2025

July 03, 2025

Hello you 👋

July’s arrived and Ely’s got that early summer sparkle. This week brings riverside celebrations, live music, creative workshops and community moments that make this city shine. Whether you’re out and about or planning your weekend, here’s your round-up of what’s on.

🎟️ Events This Week

  • 🚣 Ely Aquafest – Jubilee Gardens & Lavender Green 

    Ely’s annual riverside festival returns with raft races, stalls, and live entertainment along the River Great Ouse. Takes place on Sunday 6 July from 12pm - 5pm at Jubilee Gardens & Lavender Green. Free entry for all ages.

  • 🔬 Family Science Day – Prickwillow Engine Museum

    Prickwillow Engine Museum hosts a hands-on afternoon of experiments, fossils, and children’s activities for budding scientists. Takes place on Sunday 6 July from 12pm – 4pm. Entry is free, with donations warmly welcomed.

  • 🍺 Ely Pubs – Past & Present Tour – departs Oliver Cromwell’s House 

    Discover Ely’s brewing heritage on a guided stroll visiting historic pubs, lost taverns and reimagined inns. The tour runs on Monday 7 July at 6:30pm, ending with a drink at The Prince Albert. Tickets £22, includes your choice of a beer or wine.

  • 🎭 Broadway Comes to Ely – St Mary’s Church
    Ely Choral Society and Youth Choir present an uplifting evening of musical theatre favourites, conducted by Andrew Parnell. The concert begins on Saturday 5 July at 7:30pm. Tickets £20, includes a summer drink (U18s £5).

  • 🎨 Introduction to Indian Block Printing – Centre E, 24 Barton Rd
    Get creative with this hands-on workshop using hand-carved wooden blocks to design your own textile print. No experience needed and all materials provided. Saturday 5 July, 10:30am – 12:30pm. Booking is essential.

  • 🎵 VocEly Community Choir Concert – Little Downham Village Hall
    Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of rock, pop, musicals, sea shanties and more from local voices and small groups. The concert takes place on Sunday 6 July from 2:30pm. Free entry, with refreshments available to purchase.

👋 Local Picks

  • ⛪ Organ Recital – Ely Cathedral

    Experience the magnificent sound of Ely’s pipe organ with a recital by Stanley Godfrey, the Cathedral’s graduate organ scholar. The program spans classical favourites in the soaring acoustics. Sunday 6 July, 5:15pm, Free.

  • 🛥️ Cruise the Ouse - Liberty Belle Cruises

    Enjoy a lazy summer boat trip with Liberty Belle Cruises from Ely’s waterside. Half-hour river cruises depart daily from 11am, no booking needed, just hop on by The Maltings. Adults £8, Kids £5 for a relaxing ride with scenic views of the Cathedral and riverside wildlife.

😊 Good News in 60 Seconds

  • 🏍️ Bikers Boost Charity

    A community fun day hosted by the Totally Unstable Scooter Club at Ely City FC raised £500 for youth charity Break. Cambridge tech company Xaar matched the donation, bringing the total to £1,000. Over 160 people attended, showing Ely’s incredible community spirit.

  • 🏉 Local Rugby Club Scores Big

    Ely Tigers just secured a major new partnership with local estate agents Pocock & Shaw. The multi-year deal means the Tigers’ home ground will now proudly be called Pocock & Shaw Park. This sponsorship boost will help support grassroots rugby in our community. Go Tigers!