A CANVAS SUMMER IN COVENTRY

Coventry is a city of firsts. The first bike, the first jet engine, the first twin city. It’s a city of progress. Once home of watchmaking, textiles and Lady Godiva. It’s a cultural giant. The birthplace of 2 Tone Music and Philip Larkin. Coventry is a city like no other – one of the largest student hubs in the UK, the UK City of Culture for 2021 and a city of thinkers, doers and difference makers. It’s a place to make your mark.

So why not join us in Coventry this summer? Here's our top 5 events to check out plus, we're offering all 22/23 Canvas Coventry residents a 25% discount for up to 7 weeks if you arrive early for summer.*

1) DANIEL LISMORE EXHIBITION

18th Feb-26th June - Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

Raised in Coventry, Daniel Lismore is an artist, designer, perfumer, stylist and human rights warrior. A truly spectacular and immersive experience, this UK premiere celebrates the intersection of art, architecture, world cultures, beauty and fashion.

The show, titled Be Yourself; Everyone Else Is Already Taken, will feature fifty 3D life-sized pieces modelled on the artist's 'life as a living sculpture'. Lismore’s sculptural ensembles, each fashioned from his personal collection of over 7,000 curiosities, will be displayed alongside his personal archive of photography, film and found objects. Many artworks are on display for the first time and reflect the artist's multi-dimensional identity - platforming themes of personal expression and self-preservation.

Daniel who's been described by Vogue as "England's most eccentric dresser" said he has a strong emotional connection to the Coventry venue at Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.

2) BBC RADIO 1'S BIG WEEKEND

27-29th May - War Memorial Park

As part of the city’s spectacular closing month as UK City of Culture, Coventry is hosting Radio 1's Big Weekend for 2022, three years after the last live Big Weekend festival. Get ready as some of the biggest artists on the planet will be performing at Coventry’s War Memorial Park with more than 80,000 adoring fans from across the UK expected over the three-day event.

Here's just a few of the amazing artists to expect:

CALVIN HARRIS, ED SHEERAN, AITCH, ANNE MARIE, SAM FENDER, KSI, HARRY STYLES, GEORGE EZRA, CHARLI XCX, DERMOT KENNEDY, FOALS, YUNGBLUD, DISCLOSURE, PETE TONG & MANY MORE...

Our very own Coventry-born rapper Pa Salieu is also performing and shared his excitement for the event, saying "It's a city full of so much vast culture, it will be sick and Coventry will appreciate it!"

3) COVENTRY CATHEDRAL'S 60TH BIRTHDAY

25th June - Coventry Cathedral

It's not just Queen Liz's Jubilee this year... it's also our beloved Coventry Cathedral's! Coventry Cathedral first opened it's doors 60 years ago this year and we're all invited to the big birthday bash.

Enjoy a series of events leading up to the big day, including virtual gatherings, a Thanksgiving service plus a Diamond Jubilee feast of locally sourced food with dancing and a DJ. Attendees are also encouraged to bring photos and memories of themselves at the cathedral to drop into a time capsule - imagine where you'll be in another 60 years?!

Then on the big day (Saturday 25th June), there'll be an official birthday party filled with music, games, arts and crafts, bouncy castles and birthday cake (of course)!

Check out all the details for the Coventry Cathedral Diamond Jubilee celebrations here. 

4) WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL

21st-24th July - Castle Park, Warwick Castle

The annual Warwick Folk Festival celebrates the heart of folk, presenting the very best in traditional and contemporary folk arts. This year, the festival will be held at Castle Park in the world-famous Warwick Castle, with stunning views across the banks of Avon. Expect a weekend of superb music, camping, workshops, singing, dancing, sessions and giggles at what is one of the friendliest and established folk festivals around.

Here's just a few of the amazing folk artists to expect:

SHOW OF HANDS, SETH LAKEMAN, SPIERS & BODEN, THE YOUNG'UNS, NANCY KERR, WILL POUND & JENN BUTTERWORTH & MANY MORE...

There's camping available from the Thursday afternoon, so you can enjoy a whole weekend of folk arts, crafts, music and more. Or opt for a regular weekend ticket and you can travel in from your new Canvas Coventry room in around 20 mins. 

5) ASSEMBLEY FESTIVAL GARDEN

All summer - Assembly Festival Garden

Coventry's Assembly Festival Garden first opened as a pop-up space in July 2021 as part of the City of Culture celebrations. Since opening, the pop-up has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors for some of the most exciting theatre, comedy, circus, children’s shows, music and more.

The Garden has played host to some of the biggest names in music, comedy and circus, including the English premiere of Choir of Man, the return of international artists with the spectacular Circolombia, as well as one-off performances from stars of The Specials, Neville Staple, Nish Kumar, Rob Beckett and hometown favourite Hazel O’Connor.

The Assembly Festival Garden has also been the place to catch some of the summer’s biggest events on the big outdoor screen, including the UEFA Men’s European Football Championships final, Ed Sheeran’s exclusive performance at Coventry’s HMV Empire and the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms which saw the city take centre stage in the national television celebrations.

Some of our favourites events include Coventry Pride and Motofest, plus the hosting of Coventry Uni’s freshers’ ball. Check out everything to expect this summer here to avoid missing out.

LIFE AT CANVAS COVENTRY

With three options for Coventry student accommodation and apartments for young professionals too, the whole city's a Canvas. We chose Canvas Arundel House, Canvas City Point and Canvas City Club so that you can experience the best of Coventry. Next generation student living in Coventry with space to thrive and amenities that impress, just minutes from Coventry Uni and Uni of Warwick. Apartments for young professionals to live their best life. All three locations are within the hustle and bustle of the city centre, but with everything you need to check out and enjoy life at a more relaxing pace.

With modern, furnished en suites, studios and apartments covering a range of budgets and available on a variety of contracts, choosing a room at Canvas Coventry couldn’t be easier. You can also select if you’d like a lower, mid, upper or penthouse level room, and even if you’d like a view across the city.

Our Canvas locations offer all-inclusive bills, round-the-clock security, unrivalled facilities and friendly social spaces to make sure you get the most out of student life in Coventry.

Don't forget, we're offering all 22/23 Canvas Coventry residents a 25% discount for up to 7 weeks if you arrive early for summer.* Chat to our team for more details on finding the perfect room type or to find out more about life as a student in Coventry this summer.

*Terms & conditions apply