Hospital Radio Basingstoke (HRB) is Basingstoke’s hospital health and wellbeing community radio station covering this year’s Basingstoke Festival. The station broadcasts around Basingstoke and the local area on DAB. Listen on your DAB+ radio, online via the HRB website or Tune In App, via your smart speaker. They are also of course around the hospital on bedside radios.
Tune in to HRB for all the news of what’s happening at this year’s Basingstoke Festival and listen out for local artists who will be interviewed on the station too!
Thursday 18 June 8pm – Preview show
Sunday 21 June 3.20pm – Look back at weekend one
Thursday 25 June 7pm – Highlights of weekend one and preview of the 2nd weekend
Sunday 28 June 3.20pm – Look back at weekend two
Thursday 2 July 4pm – Highlights of weekend two and preview of weekend three
Sunday 5 July 3.20pm – Look back at weekend three
Saturday 11 July 5pm – Highlights of the whole 3 weeks.
Every year, I am given the immense honour and privilege of producing the Basingstoke Festival opening parade. I’m not going to lie, it is a mammoth task, a whirlwind of creativity and something that fills me with absolute excitement, terror and joy.
This year, our theme is Mystical Beasts, a concept that is incredibly close to my heart. To us, mystical beasts symbolise everything that makes Basingstoke great: the idea that you can be a little bit different, unique or quirky and still be warmly welcomed into the heart of our community.
When you look back at history, this is exactly what parades were always meant to do. They were initially performed as a way to join people from completely different backgrounds together. Take the Notting Hill Carnival, for example – it was originally created so that immigrants arriving in London, who were facing immense friction and division, could find a shared voice and feel truly connected to the place they now lived in. Art and culture possess this incredible, unifying power to bridge gaps and heal divides when words fail.
That is precisely why we chose to have absolutely no age limit on our first ever design competition this year. We wanted every single person in our community, from toddlers with crayons to grandparents with a lifetime of stories, to feel included and valued.
We were absolutely blown away to receive over 70 entries from our talented public, which we have narrowed down to five incredible finalists. We cannot wait to officially welcome this brand-new, community-designed Beast of Basingstoke to the streets.
Right now, we are already working with over 300 inspiring young people to bring the rest of the vision to life. The energy behind the scenes is electric, with Brownies, Guides, Rangers, Squirrels, and Beavers all pouring their hearts into the preparations alongside three brilliant primary schools, charities, local dance troop and drama clubs all getting involved.
But the magic isn’t complete just yet, we are still looking for more people to join in. Whether you want to march with us or help us build the spectacle, we are officially opening our doors at the Creative Emporium in Festival Place for our brand-new Parade Club. Running every single evening in the week leading up to the big day on Friday 19 June, it’s the ultimate creative hub. You can come in to craft your very own wings, unicorn horns and head dresses to wear in the procession, or lend a hand with the finishing touches on our giant puppets.
Parade Club times:
Monday 15 June from 5pm to 7.30pm
Tuesday 16 June from 3.30pm to 6pm
Wednesday 17 June from 3.30pm to 6pm
Thursday 18 June from 5pm to 9pm
Friday 19 June from 2pm to 5pm (parade starts at 5.30pm)
I am so incredibly proud to guide this wonderful parade. Whether you drop into the Creative Emporium to create with us or cheer us on from the pavement, we can’t wait to see you when the spectacle kicks off at 5.30pm on 19 June!
Start your summer with three vibrant weekends of free street performances for all the family at the award-winning Basingstoke Festival, from Friday 19 June to Sunday 5 July 2026.
See free shows, workshops and events pop-up in Basingstoke town centre and other locations across the borough. This year’s programme is packed with free street theatre that surprises, dance that dazzles, circus and aerial spectacles, live music to lift your mood, inspiring performance poetry and charming storytelling.
Here’s a little bit more about some of the shows in store – expect laughter, colour and unforgettable moments for all ages as you experience the magic of outdoor arts!
Spectacular opening weekend
The fun begins on Friday 19 June with an evening of magic, music and myth at this year’s spectacular opening parade, the Parade of the Mythical Beasts. Watch and join the celebrations as over 20 community groups, local schools and more than 500 marchers launch the 15th year of Basingstoke Festival. Enjoy the sounds and unmistakable energy of Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, the thunderous rhythms of the Basingstoke Silver Band Cavaliers and the Royal British Legion Band, as the joyful street party winds its way through Basingstoke town centre.
The excitement carries on as Mr Wilson’s Second Liners continues the party vibe performing 90s club classics at the end of the parade. Tit for Tat Circus will then bring the mischief and mayhem with their new show, A Disorder of Knights, ending the evening with a bang and kickstarting three weekends of fantastic festival fun!
Big performances, big energy and big moments
Over the three weekends, audiences will have the chance to discover incredible national performers who have performed all over the globe and shows from talented local artists. Here’s just five announcements from this year’s programme:
Festival favourites Autin Dance Theatre will return with Zig Zag!, a joyful performance that blends physical comedy and acrobatics using simple wooden reels.
Local Pumpkin Pantos will also return this year with Alice in Wonderland, taking audiences through a topsy-turvy world with musical numbers and pantomime chaos.
One of several new acts for this year is Pirates of the Carabina showcasing Pirate Taxi – a fabulous circus show taking place in, on and around an old-school London taxi.
Hydropunk by Artizani is a multi-sensory interactive installation where performers and audiences can collaborate to create a spectacular water sculpture-machine. Despite leaks and spills, the water is precious and needs to last and audiences will be asked to help save 1,000 litres.
We are thrilled to announce the return of NoFit State to this year’s Basingstoke Festival! They joined us last year in War Memorial Park with their boisterous show SABOTAGE. This year, they are back with their free show BAMBOO, a spectacular, high-impact, high-skill circus production.
Local companies Scratch Built Productions and Junk Jodie will also be performing at the festival. Family-friendly The Magical Toy Hospital offers audience participation, while those feeling crafty can join Junk Jodie’s Fashion-IFFICENT and take their creations to the catwalk.
There will be much more on offer across the three weekends, including comedy, circus skills, interactive installations, performance poetry and storytelling. Full schedules for each weekend will be available on the festival website and social media.
Whether you want to pack a picnic and enjoy a whole day of free entertainment or simply follow the sounds and creativity and stop by for a performance or two, mark your calendars and get ready to be a part of Basingstoke Festival as it celebrates 15 amazing years of creativity, culture and shared experiences. This is a celebration for everyone.
Start your summer with three unforgettable weekends of free street performances for all the family at this year’s award-winning Basingstoke Festival from Friday 19 June to Sunday 5 July.
We’re celebrating 15 years of creativity, culture and shared experiences and you’re invited to be part of it! Everyone is welcome to enjoy free performances in Basingstoke town centre on festival Saturdays, with exciting shows popping up across the borough on festival Sundays.
Get ready for an extraordinary experience at Basingstoke’s free outdoor arts festival. There will be laugher, surprises, thrills and spills as street theatre, circus, music, storytelling and dance performances turn everyday spaces into stages.
This year’s Basingstoke Festival programme will bring together national artists who have performed across the globe and the best of local talent and kicks off the launch weekend with a colourful opening parade on Friday 19 June.
Get the dates in your diary for three weekends of festival fun. Stay for an hour or stay all day, whether you want to pack a picnic and enjoy a whole day of free entertainment or simply follow the sounds, colour and creativity and stop by for a performance or two – join us as we come together to celebrate the creative spirit of Basingstoke.
Can’t wait? Neither can we! Keep an eye on the Basingstoke Festival social channels and www.BasingstokeFestival.co.uk for programme announcements coming very soon…
Reflecting on the past 15 years of Basingstoke Festival makes me smile. When I think about Basingstoke’s arts and culture landscape, it’s now hard to imagine it without the festival playing such a central role. It has become a staple event for the town.
The format has remained largely the same over the years: three weekends – the last two weekends in June and the first weekend in July – with some midweek events woven into a fully packed programme for those who just can’t get enough at the weekends. The aspiration for the festival has always been bold. From the outset, there were visions of a month-long programme that felt closer to a fringe or international festival, something you might associate with Salisbury, Brighton or even Edinburgh. And in many ways, Basingstoke has always punched above its weight culturally for a town of its size.
We are incredibly lucky to have such strong cultural assets: a world-class international concert hall, a national touring theatre company based in the town, a living history museum that attracts visitors from far and wide, visual artists with national profiles, and spectacular dance companies.
Over the years we’ve played with content and format. In its early days, the festival essentially brought together what was already happening in the town, strengthening and spotlighting an existing commitment to arts and culture. Now, bold outdoor arts programming sits at the heart of the festival, helping us reach new audiences while continuing to excite long-standing fans who return year after year.
I’ve been involved since the very beginning, back in 2011, when the festival was called Basingstoke Live Fringe. At that point, it was a way of highlighting other exciting events taking place alongside the music festival, Basingstoke Live. Proteus created the first-ever summer Shakespeare experience in the Walled Garden for that festival, while Fairfield Arts Centre, Central Studio, Milestones, the Willis Museum and Anvil Arts all enhanced their already packed programmes to be part of it.
That same year, when Balloons Over Basingstoke came to an end, Council and Cabinet made the decision to create a new festival for the town. The aim was to promote arts and culture locally, develop something fresh and create a new brand for the town: Basingstoke Festival. The brand has stayed remarkably consistent and we still use that same logo today.
It has grown into far more than a council place-marketing initiative. It brings together events and experiences and has become a key date in the diary for many people, with regular attendees planning their summer holidays around it so they don’t miss out on the most curious and memorable experiences, often in the most unusual places. Who remembers Ben Mill’s Boat, listening to a story on the boating lake in Eastrop Park?
I never imagined it would grow in the way it has, especially considering how little budget there was in those early days. By 2012, the festival had its own coordinator and continued to promote the rich arts programme happening across June and July in Basingstoke. End-of-year dance shows filled The Haymarket, street theatre appeared in The Malls Shopping Centre, and dance workshops by Kala The Arts were just some of the programme highlights. These elements still exist today in one form or another but back then you could feel the first signs of national artists starting to knock on the door, keen to include Basingstoke on their festival circuit.
The festival grew year on year, and by 2015 it received its first Arts Council England funding. That year saw the creation of an opening parade, working with Emergency Exit Arts and Proteus. I was involved in helping over 600 young people take part in workshops and parade through the town centre all the way to Eastrop Park. It was a long walk, especially for walkabout artists and primary school children, but the format isn’t too different from today’s opening parade.
It rained on the big festival launch day in May that year. I remember it well, partly because it was my birthday, but also because so many participants still turned up and performed despite the weather. We don’t do a launch now – we go straight in with the bang and buzz of an opening parade. What I love most about the opening parade is how it brings all sides of our community together in an event that truly shouts about arts and culture in Basingstoke. There’s always such a nice vibe, and no matter what the weather, it feels like the start of summer, which is exactly why we used that as our tagline last year. And who remembers the giant disco turtle coming up Wote Street? That was a sunny day. There was barely enough room to squeeze it into Market Place, but it showed just how powerfully the arts can enliven our town centre.
Basingstoke Festival 2011 Disco Turtle
Outdoor arts have continued to shape the festival and now make up the largest part of the programme. One of the brilliant things about outdoor arts is that it’s usually free and can be totally unexpected. You can stumble across it on the high street and watch for as long as you like, then carry on shopping or head to a café for a coffee. It’s often something you wouldn’t normally buy a ticket for, but because it’s there, it sparks curiosity. Even if you don’t realise it at the time, it almost always leaves a lasting impression.
Outdoor arts doesn’t just engage new audiences; they often reach people who don’t usually get the chance to engage with arts and culture at all. From young children to retired residents, everyone can enjoy street theatre, circus, visual arts, dance or music. While many people travel long distances to attend, something we’re incredibly proud of, the festival remains rooted in its local community. Last year’s NoFit State Circus production Sabotage drew audiences from over two hours away, as it was one of the only UK runs of the show. There was something very special about Basingstoke sitting between the Biennale Internationale des Arts du Cirque in Marseille and the Galway International Arts Festival.
Many outdoor arts projects also invite audiences to take part and become performers themselves. At the council, our cultural framework guides our arts and culture strategy, and we believe it’s just as important to actively participate as it is to experience the arts as an audience member. Some people would rather watch from the sidelines, and that’s absolutely fine, but others relish the chance to join in.
One of my favourite participatory moments was Autin Dance Theatre’s Parade: The Giant Wheel. Seeing a huge hamster wheel move down London Street, powered by eight professional dancers and 20 community performers, was unforgettable. The cast ranged from Ben, aged five, to a retired performer in her seventies. This intergenerational group, from all walks of life, came together to create something that moved many audience members to tears. What else are the arts for if not to provoke that kind of response?
Parade the Giant Wheel from Autin Dance Theatre at Basingstoke Festival 2023
In 2015, Mimbre Acrobats first performed in the town with The Bench. It was the first time I’d seen Queen Mary’s College dance students perform directly in the high street, alongside professional artists they had learned from. Projects like this now feel second nature; something we see regularly but at the time it felt incredibly special.
Basingstoke Festival truly supports our place. It brings people into the Top of the Town, our shopping centres and our parks, supporting local businesses and making the town centre feel vibrant and alive. Having produced events in the town centre for over 20 years, I can honestly say it’s at its best when it’s busy and filled with exciting activity.
We’ve always spent time carefully shaping the programme, with a strong focus on reaching and expanding new audiences. I’ve loved commissioning D/deaf artists to run projects and perform outdoors at the festival. Our audiences are as diverse as Basingstoke’s population, and artists like Jeanifer Jean-Charles and Chad Taylor (last year’s highlights) have filled our streets and parks with powerful stories that reflect that diversity and enrich the festival.
Patois – Jeanefer Jean-Charles at Basingstoke Festival 2025
The festival has also become a space to explore local, national and international issues. From climate change to migration, if there’s a story to tell through the arts, Basingstoke Festival provides a platform to share it.
So where are we now, 15 years on? Basingstoke Festival is recognised as one of the top 10 most important outdoor arts festivals in the UK. We’re known for supporting artists to develop new work and for providing supportive audiences who aren’t afraid to offer constructive feedback. We’ve helped develop local and national artists whose work now premieres at the festival before touring nationally. Artists such as Scratch Built Productions, Sarah Thomas-Lane, Junk Jodie and Pumpkin Pantos all call Basingstoke home, while taking work developed here across the UK and beyond.
We’re welcoming international artists back to Basingstoke and reaching over 12,000 people across three back-to-back weekends; a unique model that’s virtually unheard of on the festival circuit. Basingstoke’s arts and culture scene is as distinctive as the town itself.
And what’s new for 2026? We’re continuing our commitment to sustainability, ensuring the festival’s impact on climate change is minimised. Last year we introduced an eco-zone and this year we’re planning eco-experiences across an entire weekend. We’re also deepening our commitment to diversity and inclusion through a special celebratory weekend of shows and continuing to champion dance, circus and spoken-word; three artforms that remain under-accessed in Basingstoke. We are also looking to engage young people who wouldn’t normally engage in arts and culture through projects and shows that are using science, technology, or engineering. Who says that scientists can’t also be artists?
As the town launches its bid to become Town of Culture 2028, sharing the story of the pride we have in the place so many of us call home, the festival remains, for me, a brilliant showcase of why Basingstoke truly deserves such recognition. Long may residents and visitors alike continue to enjoy brilliant art, culture and live experiences right on our doorstep, and here’s to many more years of Basingstoke Festival being part of that story.
There’s much more to come over the next few months as the programme is finalised. For now, save the dates and watch this space.
Blog created January 2026.
Ross Harvie Arts and Culture Manager Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
As the curtain closes on Basingstoke Festival 2025, we celebrate how our town came alive with opportunity. As part of the Basingstoke Festival 2025, a new initiative – the Creative Work Experience Project – connected students from six local schools with arts organisations to co-create performances and exhibitions. It was a celebration of creativity; a platform into the future.
This initiative was made possible thanks to funding from Hampshire County Council and The Careers and Enterprise Company, with Hampshire Careers Hub partnering with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Basingstoke Festival. This project blended hands-on experience with workplace insight. Over two weeks, young people took part in workshops, rehearsals, placements, and performances – gaining a front-row seat to what it means to work in the creative sector.
Why does it matter?
Because the creative industries are one of the UK’s fastest-growing economic sectors, contributing over £124 billion in 2023 and employing 2.4 million people. Yet, there’s a growing demand for fresh, diverse talent and a clear need to prepare young people for creative careers that are often misunderstood or overlooked.
The Creative Work Experience Project helps address this. Through participation, students develop key employability skills identified by The Careers and Enterprise Company:
Communication: Whether performing, presenting ideas, or writing event reviews, young people sharpen how they express themselves.
Teamwork: Creative projects demand collaboration from stage design to ensemble acting.
Problem Solving: Live events rarely go perfectly. Adapting and thinking on your feet is part of the learning.
Self-Management: Rehearsals and deadlines call for independence and time discipline.
Creativity: A key employability skill, it fuels innovation and flexible thinking with skills being developed every time students imagine, design, or perform something new.
Crucially, this work aligns with the Gatsby Benchmarks, which are widely recognised as a framework for delivering high-quality careers education. Students connect with employers, gain authentic workplace experience, and learn how school subjects, especially the arts, translate into future career paths.
In addition to everything they gain from the experience, participants also work towards the Bronze Arts Award, a nationally recognised qualification that celebrates commitment to arts learning and showcases transferable skills on CVs and personal statements.
“I had a really great time on Saturday helping. It built up my confidence in talking to strangers and I practised my customer service skills. It was good fun. My favourite bit was listening to the Philharmonia performance again.” Participating student from Dove House Academy.
Illustration by the students of Dove House Academy
“This experience is really fun. I would definitely do this again if I had the chance. The activities and shows you see are amazing. You have to have a lot of confidence when performing and also concentration.” Costello student.
“This is a really fun experience. It has definitely made me re-think of what I can do in the future. I would very much like to do this again. It was really fun to learn different types of skills and activities, both as a performer and as an audience member.” Costello Student.
“This project has been an incredible opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in the creative arts industry. Through hands-on work experience, collaboration with professional artists, and the chance to earn a Bronze Arts Award, they’ve not only developed valuable skills but also gained real insight into future careers in the arts. It’s been inspiring to see their confidence and creativity flourish.” Costello Creative Arts Head of Faculty.
These kinds of partnerships put Basingstoke on the map, not just as a place that hosts culture, but as one that creates it. They give young people a reason to imagine their future here, where creativity is both celebrated and employable.
Although Basingstoke Festival 2025 has come to a close, beyond the captivating performances and applause we witnessed the next generation of creative professionals in action and the kind of local innovation that keeps our town thriving.
Rachel Parker Employment and Skills Officer Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Dance and Movement Workshops with Autin Dance Theatre
Want to perform at Basingstoke Festival?
Join over 100 performers in Autin Dance Theatre’s exciting new production, Up in the Sky!
No dance experience? No problem! Head along to the open creative workshop with Autin Dance Theatre to learn the choreography and be part of something spectacular.
Everyone is welcome of any age, whether you are 8 or 80. This is your chance to shine!
As part of the Basingstoke Festival Parade, participants will dance through the streets before coming together for a powerful group performance under Autin Dance Theatre’s Giant Aerial Rig, just before the company’s main show ‘Up in the Sky’.
Workshop Highlights:
Accessible and inclusive mass movement techniques
Body percussion and clapping rhythms
Object manipulation with silk scarves
Upper-body gestures symbolising unity and support
Themes of migration, resilience, hope, and community
This is an unmissable opportunity for people to participated in a community event, move together, celebrate diversity, and bring energy to the festival!
The performance will take place as part of the opening evening of the Basingstoke Festival on Friday 20 June at the Amphitheatre at Festival Place in Basingstoke. Autin Dance festival are once again premiering their work in Basingstoke, previously bringing Parade the Giant wheel and Eko in Out of the Deep Blue (pictured below)
Parade: The Giant WheelOut of the Deep Blue
About Autin Dance Theatre
Autin Dance Theatre is an independent arts organisation established in Birmingham in 2013. Under the helm of Director/Choreographer Johnny Autin, the Company produces innovative and aspirational artistic performances and provides extensive learning and participation programmes in the community. They work with exceptional local and national dance artists to deliver work across the UK and beyond.
All workshop leaders hold clear enhanced DBS checked and public liability insurances. Their practitioners are fully trained and experienced in delivering workshops suitable for people of all ages and abilities.
Johnny Autin (Artistic Director)
Johnny is an established International Dance Artist and award-winning Choreographer based in Birmingham (UK). Originally from France, he has collaborated with creatives and companies throughout Europe, as well as touring work worldwide. As a dance maker, he is regularly commissioned by organisations and universities to create new work with professionals and vocational students, and he has over 20 years of experience as a workshop leader and educator. He is the founder and Creative Director of Autin Dance Theatre (est. 2013).
More recently, he developed and created the touring sensation ‘Out of the Deep Blue’ featuring 13-foot Sea Giant Puppet Eko and also ‘Parade – The Giant Wheel’. Johnny is a dedicated trustee on the board of Dancefest (Worcester), and Associate Artist at Midlands Arts Centre. He believes in dance as an agent for positive social change. His choreographic process is often influenced by socio-political statements and engaged towards positive, empowering and inspiring artistic experiences to audiences.
Natasha Boyes (Education Coordinator)
Natasha is a UK-based circus and dance artist with a strong foundation in Rhythmic Gymnastics. Competing at an elite level for 10 years, she also performed nationally and internationally.
She trained in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre at Circomedia, specialising in aerial straps, solo and duo acrobatics, and dance. Since graduating, Natasha has primarily worked in outdoor arts, collaborating with companies such as Citrus Arts (2023), Full Tilt Aerial (2022), Bassline Circus (2022), and Above and Beyond (2022). Currently, Natasha is the Education Coordinator at Autin Dance Theatre, where she leads and develops educational outreach projects. Passionate about inclusivity, she strives to create environments where all participants feel valued and supported—whether in teaching, performance, or creative projects. Alongside her artistic work, she is also a freelance social media manager and press officer for extreme sports teams.
More information about the company can be found on the website www.autindt.co.uk or on social media pages @AutinDT.
We’re taking the festival ‘Out and About’ on the road again. Expect pop-up performances and magical moments not just in the town centre, but tucked away in parks, villages, and unexpected places across the borough. Keep your curiosity switched on.
Out and About performances will take place on the Festival Sundays:
We are in full swing behind the scenes getting everything ready for this year’s Basingstoke Festival. It’s going to be a summer of creativity and celebration as Basingstoke Festival returns for its fourteenth year! Perhaps you’ve noticed some of our social media teasers and tasters, well here’s a little more about some of the things we have in store for you.
You will find shows popping up in Basingstoke town centre and across the borough over three weekends. We work hard to keep much of the programme free and as varied as possible for all ages to find something to enjoy. This year’s programme is no different – there is circus, dance, acrobatics, street theatre and more, it’s weird, wacky and wonderful!
New for this year’s programme only, the fantastic NoFit State will be pitching up their Big Top Tent in War Memorial Park with their award-winning large-scale circus spectacular SABOTAGE for 10 whole days throughout the festival, from Friday 20 to Sunday 29 June 2025. These performances are ticketed and can be booked at: https://www.nofitstate.org/shows/sabotage-basingstoke/
SABOTAGE NoFit State
Also new for this year, pop into the Basingstoke Festival Eco-zone. This year’s festival supports a summer of all things green as we try to do our bit for the climate, highlighting issues through new shows by local artists Scratchbuilt Productions and Junk Jodie.
Autin Dance Theatre return with their brand-new experience ‘Up in the Sky!’ A unique show blending aerial dance, dynamic storytelling, and flying props to captivate audiences of all ages. A breathtaking performance not to be missed, exploring themes of resilience and hope. Witness dynamic aerial choreography and captivating storytelling on a striking seven-metre truss structure in the heart of our town centre. The team who brought you Eko the Giant puppet in Out of the Deep Blue and the giant Wheel that travelled through the Top of the Town in Parade:The Giant Wheel, this new show will see over 200 young people join in the opening performance.
Autin Dance Theatre – Up in the Sky
Other returning festival favourites include:
Tit for Tat who had us on a mission to protect literature during last year’s festival
Simple Cypher who performed their feel-good, family-friendly show Roll Model at Eastrop Park in 2023
LAStheatre who had us clapping our pans in 2022 at Rascally Diner
This year keep an eye out for debut performances from Harvey Juggling, Chad Taylor Dance and Farm Yard Circus.
Farm Yard Circus
Alongside national and international acts, we are incredibly proud to support local artists, home-grown in Basingstoke and Deane.
Join Scratchbuilt Productions, Becky Kitter and over 500 young people from across Basingstoke in a colourful spectacular of movement and sound as they celebrate all things nature and the environment at the festival opening parade.
Junk Jodie will be premiering her new show BEE Insect-AZING
Basingstoke Heritage Society, Debbie Reavell will lead a historic walking tour focussing on one of our more famous residents, Jane Austen.
We’re also continuing to take the festival beyond the town centre – so get ready to explore pop-up performances and surprise encounters in parks, villages and public spaces you might not expect.
The full programme is coming very soon. So, get the dates in your diary, tell your family, remind your mates, and maybe even invite someone who’s never experienced the festival magic before. Let’s make this summer one to remember!
We can’t wait to see you out there!
Basingstoke Festival May 2025
Basingstoke Festival is part of Without Walls, a network of organisations bringing innovative outdoor arts to towns and cities across England. Find out more on withoutwalls.uk.com.
Start your summer with Basingstoke’s award-winning free annual celebration of art, culture, heritage, community and outdoor arts. Join us over three weekends from Friday 20 June to Sunday 6 July as we fill the streets with creativity and energy. Performances will pop-up in Basingstoke town centre and other locations across the borough and will be free to watch.
Immerse yourself in the magic of live performances, whether you want to pack up a picnic and enjoy a whole day of entertainment or pop by for a performance or two, join us to discover new artists and celebrate the creative spirit of Basingstoke.
Henge by Motionhouse at Basingstoke Festival 2024
The opening parade will set the scene of this year’s festival with a green, sustainability and inclusivity theme. Pop by an ‘eco-zone’, alongside a programme of new acts and some familiar Festival favourites who will explore environmental and nature themes in their shows. Expect performances ‘blooming’ with fun, energy and the weird, the wacky and the wonderful.
Basingstoke Festival brings together the best of Basingstoke’s local talent alongside national artists who have performed across the globe. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, entertainment, or simply a captivating experience, Basingstoke Festival promises something for the most inquisitive minds with large scale installations, street theatre, circus, dance and other activities to take part in.
Tape That by Hands Down Circus at Basingstoke Festival 2024
Get ready for an unforgettable experience. Can’t wait? Neither can we! Keep an eye on the Basingstoke Festival social channels and www.BasingstokeFestival.co.uk for programme announcements coming very soon….
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
