Newmarket Carnival kicks off the action, with a parade of floats set to leave The Severals at 1pm with carnival events taking place at the Rowley Mile racecourse.

This year's theme is the World of Music and Dance and the parade will include samba dancers and a marching band.

At the Rowley Mile, there will be a full programme of entertainment, including a licensed bar, refreshments, charity stalls, a bouncy castle and army assault course. A parade of classic cars will also be on show during the event.

During next week, there will be a host of festival events and Wednesday sees the start of the three-day July Festival race meeting, featuring Ladies Day and the Darley July Cup on Friday – the same day Richard Dunwoody is set to complete his epic 1,000-mile walking challenge.

Choirs from seven local schools – Ditton Lodge, Burwell Primary, All Saints', Kennet Primary, Swaffham Bulbeck, Swaffham Prior and St Felix, plus one from the Stagecoach theatre group – will be participating in a free concert night on the July Course on Monday, July 6, as part of the nine-day programme of entertainment.

Also performing will be two professional singers from Ria Kane Productions, Louise Byrom and Theodora Burrows, who will be bringing the glitzy world of musical theatre to the racecourse stage. Gates open at 5.30pm with the concert starting at 6pm.

Admission to the July Course is free and everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic, although there will be a cash bar in operation.

Musical talent will also be on show at the first Newmarket Outdoor Festival to be held at Newmarket College on Saturday, July 11.

A professional jazz group will start the event at noon followed by performances from St Felix and Scaltback middle schools.

Teenfest takes over later on, with acts aimed at 12 to 19 year olds on stage as well as showcasing local bands.

For a full preview of all July Festival events, see the Journal'sLifestyle supplement, visit www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk or call 0844 579 3010.