One of the highlights will take place tomorrow night when jazz icon Acker Bilk performs an evening of jazz from 7.30pm with his acclaimed Paramount Jazz Band in the beautiful setting of Central Park – and the event is completely free.

The clarinet player, who was honoured with an MBE for services to music in 2004, hit the big time with smash single Stranger On The Shore, and will open the festival in style.

In 1961, Stranger On The Shore became the first-ever single to simultaneously top the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, and he has since enjoyed a lengthy career.

Anyone with an interest in classical music, or anyone who has ever wondered what all the fuss is about, should get down to Central Park on Sunday, where the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will present a breathtaking programme of classical favourites, with acclaimed violin soloist So-Ock Kim.

This concert, which is also free, will begin at 8.30pm.

Last year's Lunchtime Music concerts were a huge success, and will be continued with this year's festival.

Every day from Monday until Friday, July 4, there will be performances from 1.05pm until 1.55pm, enabling people to enjoy high quality music during their lunch hour.

There will be three performances in Cathedral Square which are free of charge:

• Solid Steel on Monday, June 30;


• Oyster Opera on Wednesday, July 2;


• Ronak Mela Baja on Friday, July 4.

As part of the Lunchtime Music programme, St John's Church will play host to the string quartet Hereward Ensemble on Tuesday, July 1 (£3 on the door) and the acclaimed pianist Richard Allum on Thursday, July 3 (£3 on the door).

Another highlight of the Peterborough Festival will be the Young Voices Summer Fantasy Concert on Wednesday, July 2, at 7.30 pm, at Jack Hunt School in Ledbury Road. The Peterborough Young Singers will be joined by other singing youth groups from across the city, to present an enjoyable programme.

Admission to the concert costs £8 (£6 for concessions) and tickets are available from the Tourist Information Centre. For more information or to book tickets, call 01733 452336.

The River Nene itself will be the venue for music on Tuesday and Wednesday at 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

Key Ferry Cruises are running special cruises featuring musical performances as part of the festival's musical programme.

Admission costs £8.50, and each cruise boards 15 minutes prior to departure.

The Key Ferry Cruises' passenger ship Mandolin will be moored right next to the Key Theatre in the city centre. There is a licensed bar and toilet facilities on board the Mandolin (please note: there are steps down into the passenger saloon). For more information or to book your place on one of the Key Ferry Cruises, please call the Tourist Information Centre, Minster Precincts, Peterborough PE1 1XS or call 01733 452336.

Full Peterborough Festival previews, listings and converage - peterboroughtoday.co.uk/festivals