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 Commonwheel 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 with a celebration of Old Town’s iconic Victorian park - the Town Gardens.
The day will feature nature workshops by Swindon in Bloom, nature-inspired art workshops by local artists, and a Town Gardens Story Walk by local author Kate Claxton.
There will be two stages, the bandstand featuring local musicians and performers, and the Town Gardens Bowl featuring local dance groups, as well as being the main picnic area. Local food, drink, and community stalls between the north entrance and the Bandstand will offer refreshments and family friendly activities.
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, 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 but this time with an addition of art workshops sand exhibitions being held at local venues.
To book a stall for 1st of June at the Town Gardens or 8th of June on Wood Street please visit our Book a stall page or 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.