The 46th Newbury Spring Festival will open in joyful, community-driven fashion on Saturday 10 May with an inaugural Festival Parade, bringing music and dance to the heart of the town.
Created in partnership with Corn Exchange Newbury and 101 Outdoor Arts, this new event sets the stage for an exciting two weeks of music and celebration. Generously supported by Greenham Trust, the Festival Parade reflects the collaborative spirit and community focus at the heart of this year’s programme.
This year’s Parade will be led by the striking Giant Bandmaster puppet. The event will begin at 4.30pm at the Methodist Church with a lively dance performance by Reuben Spencer Dance Company to awaken the Giant and launch the procession.
A rich and varied musical line-up follows, with artists stationed along the route contributing to a celebratory soundtrack of strings, brass, percussion and woodwind. The programme includes performances by local cellists, saxophonists, street bands, ukulele players, and youth ensembles. Audiences will also encounter saxophonist Joe Pollard and the East Woodhay Silver Band, bringing brass and wind music to multiple locations along the street.
Adding to the rhythm and energy of the event, performances by community bands, drummers, ukulele groups and Good Vibes Music Academy students will energise audiences and bring further variety to the afternoon before culminating in a performance in the Market Square with members of the Metronomes Steel Orchestra and Sonia Brown Dance Company greeting the giant bandmaster puppet in the Market Place.No tickets are required for the Parade, which will take place in Newbury town centre during the afternoon of Saturday 10 May.
The opening night will continue with performances across venues in Newbury from the English Chamber Orchestra and The Nat King Cole Story, launching the full 2025 Festival programme in style.
Further details about the Parade and the full Newbury Spring Festival 2025 programme are available at www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk
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