The parade during Marsden Cuckoo Day in Marsden, West Yorkshire.

Marsden Cuckoo Day Festival

Time of year: April

Lead contacts: Sharon Turner and Angela Boycott-Garnett


Key information

Marsden Cuckoo Festival celebrates nature’s spring renewal and is traditionally on the last Saturday in April.

Legend says villagers built a tower to trap a cuckoo, but it escaped as the final stones were laid, hence “it was nobbut one course too low.”

This is a family-friendly, community event where local groups fundraise, and entertainment includes Morris dancers, musicians, choirs, poetry and street performers.

At 3pm the cuckoo processes around the village with the bands, schoolchildren, performers and visitors. The day ends with the duck race and more performances.

Funded by the village’s own Cuckoo’s Nest charity, the duck race and community support.


Contact information

Phone number: N/A

Email: cuckooday@gmail.com

Website: N/A

Social media: www.facebook.com/MarsdenCuckoo

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Performers during the Marsden Cuckoo Day parade in Marsden, West Yorkshire.
Marsden Silver Prize Band marching during Cuckoo Day in Marsden, West Yorkshire.