Celebrating community and arts in Old Town
The Old Town Festival was a staple event in the Old Town calendar each year and has been running for over 25 years. The festival which was originally run by the Old Town Business Association soon got too big, and formed a separate committee latterly run by the Commonweal PTA. After Covid, the Association revived the festival in 2024 in new format, with a variety of activities and events.
In 2025 we would like the festival to be a wider platform for local talent, artists, organisations and provide a bigger opportunity for the community to be engaged in the festival through workshops, events, sessions. A variety of locations and activities will be on offer, whilst honouring the spirit and essence of what the festival was all about - bringing Old Town together.
Festival Programme:
The festival starts off on 1 June with a celebration of Old Town’s iconic Victorian park - the Town Gardens.
Between 12 and 5 the day will feature nature workshops by Swindon in Bloom, nature-inspired art workshops by local artists Deepti Aurora, arts & crafts by Hazel Paine of Swindon ARTventurers, and a Town Gardens Story Walk by local author Kate Claxton. Artsite and Open Studios will also have a presence and will be promoting their upcoming events.
The bandstand will feature local musicians and performers, and the Town Gardens Bowl will be the main family picnic area. Local food, drink, and community stalls between the north entrance and the Bandstand will offer refreshments and family friendly activities. A local makers market by Mamma’s Events will be behind the Bowls Club.
Throughout the whole week between 1st and 8th June a whole programme of fringe events will give our community lots to see and do.
The festival concludes with Street Party on Sunday, 8th June, between 12 and 5, which will see a format on Wood Street that is popular for the September Street Food Festival, with local food and drinks stalls and a musical stage.
If you would like be involved by sponsoring the event or volunteering, please email us.
Stay tuned for more details on the festival!
Our Sponsors for the event:
We love The Kings and all they do for Old Town. We are proud to have them on board as Gold Sponsor for Old Town Festival 2025.
If you’d like to become a sponsor for a Friends of Old Town event in 2025, go to our sponsorship page.