Old Town Festival 2026
The lineup
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Fringe Events Week - 31st May-8th June 2026
Fringe Week showcases Swindon’s creativity through a diverse programme of intimate events and workshops across Old Town. From live music and theatre to heritage walks, art sessions, and talks, the week brings together local talent and community voices for an exciting series of small-scale cultural experiences.
See full listings below
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Wood Street Party - Sunday 7th June 2025
The festival’s grand finale, the Wood Street Party transforms Swindon’s historic high street into a lively pedestrian zone filled with live music, street food, performance, and family entertainment. With a buzzing, summer atmosphere, it’s a joyful day celebrating community spirit in the heart of Old Town.
Wood Street, 12-5 pm
Old Town Arts Festival full list of upcoming events
Start your Sunday with free outdoor yoga sessions in the peaceful surroundings of Queen’s Park. Running every Sunday morning from May through to September, these welcoming sessions are suitable for all abilities, whether you’re a complete beginner or a regular yogi. Enjoy fresh air, gentle movement and a chance to relax and recharge in the heart of the community. Sessions begin at 9:30am and are completely free to attend.
Get creative with this fun and relaxing wine glass painting workshop led by artist Deepti Arora at The Bank. Taking place from 10:30am–12pm, the session offers a chance to design and paint your own beautifully personalised glassware in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Suitable for all skill levels, the workshop is perfect for anyone looking to try something artistic, social and unique. Advance booking is required via deepti_arora27@outlook.com
Bring the whole family to Up In The Air at Swindon’s Town Gardens Bowl, a joyful baby-friendly concert designed especially for little ones and their grown-ups. Featuring live flute, oboe and piano, this relaxed musical adventure explores the wonders of the sky through playful, uplifting music inspired by birds, sunshine, rainbows and more. Babies and toddlers are free to crawl, dance, cuddle or nap as families enjoy a gentle and welcoming introduction to live music together.
Discover the hidden history of Town Gardens on this fascinating 45-minute guided tour exploring the park’s little-known stories, secrets and heritage. Taking place at 1pm and 6pm, the tour offers a fresh perspective on one of Swindon’s most loved green spaces, bringing its past to life through engaging storytelling and historical insight. Tickets are £2, with free entry for under 16s. Advance booking is available via towngardens-swindon.co.uk.
Enjoy a wonderful afternoon of live music in Town Gardens as Swindon Brass perform as part of the Music in the Parks series. Playing from 3pm–4:30pm, the band will fill the park with uplifting brass favourites and community spirit in a relaxed outdoor setting. Perfect for families, music lovers and anyone looking to enjoy a summer afternoon in the heart of Swindon, this free event offers a great chance to experience local musical talent in one of the town’s most beautiful green spaces.
OLD TOWN IS HOSTING AN OLD TOWN COMEDY FESTIVAL DURING AND AFTER OUR OLD TOWN FESTIVAL
Award-winning comedian and podcaster Stuart Goldsmith brings his latest Work In Progress show to The Hop Inn in Old Town. Known for his sharp observational humour, quick wit, and insightful storytelling, Stuart is testing brand-new material ahead of future tours and recordings. Expect an intimate evening of fresh comedy, unexpected laughs, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process of one of the UK’s most respected stand-up performers. A great opportunity to catch new material before it reaches larger stages.
Get a first look at Paul Hilleard’s Edinburgh Fringe Show Preview as he brings his latest hour of comedy to The Hop Inn. Packed with fresh jokes, sharp observations, and stories honed on the UK comedy circuit, this preview offers audiences the chance to see the show before it heads to one of the world’s biggest comedy festivals. Expect a relaxed atmosphere, plenty of laughs, and an exciting glimpse of a Fringe-bound performance in development.
Join comedians Alex Farrow and Ian Murphy for a special double-bill preview show at The Pulpit. As they prepare to take their latest material to summer festivals and beyond, both comedians will be showcasing brand-new sets packed with sharp writing, clever observations, and plenty of laughs. This intimate preview offers a rare chance to see fresh comedy in development and experience two accomplished performers testing their newest ideas before wider audiences.
Catch award-winning comedian Eric Rushton as he brings a Work In Progress show to The Hop Inn. Known for his distinctive delivery, inventive writing, and offbeat perspective, Eric is developing brand-new material in an intimate setting where audiences can experience the creative process firsthand. Expect a mix of fresh ideas, sharp jokes, and unexpected turns as one of the UK's most exciting comedy talents tests out his latest work ahead of future performances and festival appearances.
Acclaimed comedian Ivo Graham returns with a brand-new Work In Progress show for 2026. Renowned for his brilliantly crafted storytelling, self-deprecating humour, and razor-sharp observations, Ivo is testing fresh material in the intimate surroundings of The Hop Inn. Expect an evening of intelligent, heartfelt, and consistently hilarious stand-up as one of the UK's most popular comedy voices develops his next show. A rare opportunity to see new ideas take shape before they reach larger venues and festival stages.
Bella Humphries brings her hit show Big Sister Energy to The Hop Inn for an evening of warm, witty, and relatable stand-up comedy. With sharp observations, candid storytelling, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, Bella explores modern life, relationships, and the chaos of adulthood through the lens of everyone's favourite big sister. Charming, honest, and packed with personality, this is a chance to catch a rising comedy talent delivering a show full of humour, heart, and plenty of big sister wisdom.
Fresh from winning fans across the UK, Hannah Byczkowski brings her new work-in-progress show Killer to The Hop Inn. Known for her infectious energy, sharp wit, and brilliantly honest storytelling, Hannah is developing brand-new material in an intimate setting before taking it to wider audiences. Expect big laughs, unexpected twists, and the chance to see one of comedy’s most exciting voices shaping her latest show. A must-see preview packed with humour, personality, and plenty of surprises.
Abi Clarke brings her distinctive brand of comedy to The Hop Inn for an evening of sharp observations, relatable stories, and brilliantly awkward humour. Known for her hugely popular online content and engaging live performances, Abi combines candid storytelling with a fresh take on modern life, relationships, and everyday frustrations. Charming, quick-witted, and effortlessly funny, this intimate show is a chance to see one of the UK's fastest-rising comedy talents live on stage and up close.
Kick off the weekend with the Big Friday Showcase, a packed night of stand-up featuring a hand-picked line-up of talented comedians from across the comedy circuit. Taking place at Christ Church Community Centre, this special showcase promises a variety of styles, fresh perspectives, and plenty of laughs throughout the evening. Whether you're a dedicated comedy fan or simply looking for a great night out, expect top-quality entertainment, a lively atmosphere, and a fantastic introduction to some of the best acts performing today.
Can comedy hold the secret to a longer life? Join David Hoare for How To Live To 100, a hilarious and thought-provoking show that explores humanity’s obsession with longevity. Blending sharp stand-up, storytelling, and a healthy dose of curiosity, David takes audiences on a funny journey through the myths, advice, and absurdities surrounding growing old. Packed with laughs and unexpected insights, this afternoon show offers an entertaining look at what it really takes to reach three figures.
Levi Childs brings Feral Daydreams to The Hop Inn, a distinctive stand-up show filled with imaginative storytelling, sharp observations, and a delightfully unpredictable perspective on modern life. Blending surreal ideas with relatable experiences, Levi takes audiences on a journey through the strange thoughts and wild tangents that emerge when reality and imagination collide. Funny, inventive, and full of personality, this is a chance to catch an exciting comedian delivering a unique hour of comedy in an intimate setting.
Hasan Al-Habib brings his acclaimed show Stuck In The Middle (East) With You to The Hop Inn for an evening of sharp, insightful, and laugh-out-loud stand-up. Drawing on his experiences of identity, culture, and life between different worlds, Hasan combines clever observations with charismatic storytelling to explore what it means to belong. Packed with warmth, wit, and plenty of relatable moments, this engaging show offers a fresh and funny perspective on modern life and cultural expectations.
Greg Winfield presents Dog Person, a charming and hilarious stand-up show exploring life, relationships, and the unexpected lessons we learn from our four-legged companions. With sharp writing, relatable stories, and a warm, engaging style, Greg examines what it really means to be a "dog person" and why our pets often understand us better than we understand ourselves. Whether you're a devoted dog lover or simply enjoy great comedy, expect an entertaining hour packed with laughs, heart, and plenty of canine-inspired observations.
Join James Dowdeswell for Beers Of A Clown, a uniquely entertaining stand-up show that combines his love of comedy with his passion for Britain's pub culture. Known for his laid-back charm, quick wit, and brilliantly observed storytelling, James shares hilarious tales inspired by life on the road, real ale adventures, and the characters encountered along the way. Relaxed, funny, and full of personality, this is an ideal show for comedy fans who appreciate sharp humour served with a generous splash of pub wisdom.
What does it really mean to be normal? In Is Normal, James O'Donoghue takes a funny and thoughtful look at the behaviours, habits, and assumptions we all take for granted. Through sharp observations, clever storytelling, and plenty of self-deprecating humour, James explores the strange realities of everyday life and the often-blurry line between ordinary and absurd. Warm, relatable, and packed with laughs, this afternoon comedy show offers an entertaining perspective on the quirks that make us who we are.
Anything can happen when President Obonjo takes to the stage. In this special crowd work show, the self-proclaimed president delivers his trademark blend of bold improvisation, quick-fire wit, and unpredictable audience interaction. Drawing comedy directly from the room, every performance is completely unique, creating hilarious moments that can never be repeated. Expect sharp banter, spontaneous laughs, and plenty of surprises as one of the comedy circuit’s most distinctive characters turns the spotlight on the audience.
Alex Kitson brings Now Look Here to The Hop Inn, a smart and engaging stand-up show packed with sharp observations, thoughtful storytelling, and plenty of laughs. Known for his warm stage presence and clever writing, Alex takes a closer look at the everyday moments, misunderstandings, and contradictions that shape modern life. Blending wit with insight, this entertaining show offers a fresh perspective on the world around us and showcases one of the comedy circuit’s most accomplished emerging voices.
Tadiwa Mahlunge brings his acclaimed show Hakuna Ma Tad Tad to The Hop Inn for an evening of sharp, confident, and effortlessly funny stand-up. Known for his laid-back delivery and brilliantly observed comedy, Tadiwa explores family, identity, everyday life, and the strange situations we all find ourselves in. Blending personal stories with clever insights and a unique perspective, this engaging show showcases one of the UK's most exciting rising comedy stars. Expect big laughs, relatable moments, and plenty of charm throughout.
Be among the first to see Sandro Ford’s latest material as he previews his upcoming UK tour at The Victoria. Known for his energetic stage presence, sharp punchlines, and engaging storytelling, Sandro is fine-tuning a brand-new hour of stand-up before taking it to audiences across the country. Expect a night of fresh comedy, big laughs, and an exclusive glimpse into a show still taking shape. An ideal opportunity to catch exciting new material in an intimate live setting.
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NEWS
The Old Town Festival 2025 came to a powerful close on Sunday 8 June, with over 4,000 people filling Wood Street for the ever-popular Old Town Festival Street Party. The event marked the grand finale of a week-long programme of creative events, performances, and workshops that brought over 10,000 people together in celebration of local culture, community and the arts.
The revived Old Town Arts Festival launched on Sunday 1 June with a record-breaking 4,650 attendees at the Family Fun Day in Town Gardens, marking the start of a refreshed week-long programme of arts and community activity across Swindon’s Old Town.
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If you would like to become a sponsor, see our sponsorship options and get in touch.
If you would like to book a stall at the Family Fun Day on June 1st, please email us.
If you would like to book a craft stall at the local makers market, please book here.





Enjoy a vibrant community celebration packed with live entertainment, creativity and fantastic local food. Inspired by the much-loved September Street Food Festival, the event will showcase talented local performers on stage alongside art sessions, activities and special events hosted at venues across the area. Visitors can also explore a wide range of food and drink stalls from local independent vendors, making it the perfect day to relax, discover new talent and celebrate the community together.