Old Town Festival 2025 kicks off this Sunday, 1 June, with the much-loved Family Fun Day in Town Gardens - a refreshed celebration of culture, creativity and community in the heart of Old Town.
Running from 12–5pm, this year’s festival brings back everything locals love, with a bigger spotlight on the arts and the park itself.
This year, the festival expands its focus to include more theatre, visual arts, storytelling, and nature-based activities—all centred around the beautiful Town Gardens—alongside returning family favourites and community entertainment.
Attendees can expect a packed day of live performances, food and drink from local vendors, free creative workshops, nature activities, a family-friendly quiz trail, community stalls and a vibrant local makers’ market run in partnership with Mama’s Events. A revived Town Crier Competition will see aspiring criers from across Swindon perform live before an audience.
One of this year’s standout features is The Enchanted Garden story walk, co-created by children in Swindon and award-winning author Kate Claxton of Really Rather Wild. Inspired by the flora and fauna of Town Gardens, the collaborative story will be on display from 1–8 June. Visitors can come and see the children's ideas and artwork come to life.
The festival will be officially opened by the newly appointed Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Fay Howard, who said: “Old Town Festival is a fantastic celebration of Swindon’s community spirit and creative energy. It brings together people of all ages and backgrounds, and I’m honoured to be opening this year’s festival in such a beautiful and historic setting. I look forward to seeing Town Gardens come alive this Sunday.”
Art takes centre stage with free creative sessions from Deepti Arora, Hazel Paine of Swindon ARTventurers, free taster sessions from local artists promoting Swindon Open Studios (September 2025), and Sue Bardwell (Artsite) promoting Swindon Arts Fringe (16-29 June).
Inspire Enrichment will also be running workshops, designed to support wellbeing and creativity for all ages, as well as a photography competition. Live performances at the Bandstand and a DJ in the Bowl picnic area round out the day’s celebration of Swindon’s vibrant creative scene.
New for 2025 is a stronger focus on sustainability, in partnership with Plastic Free Swindon.
“After each Old Town event, we fill around 10 bins with single-use plastics and mixed waste,” said Kris Talikowski, Chair of the Old Town Business Association.
“This year, we’re encouraging visitors to bring reusable cups and containers, and to use recycling bins where available.”
Visitors can enjoy free drop-in nature workshops from Swindon in Bloom, and explore biodiversity with Swindon Climate Action, who will be promoting the upcoming Wiltshire Climate Summit (20–21 June) as well as helping children make free bug houses to take home.
The Family Fun Day launches a full week of Old Town Arts Festival events, running from 1–8 June. Highlights include the Old Railway Path Walk (1 June), a variety of free and low-cost creative workshops, a online-safety talk by visiting speakers Helen and Andy from The Cybershow UK, and the Christ Church Eco Fair (7 June). The festival wraps up with the popular Wood Street Party on Sunday 8 June, complete with great food, live performances, and a community atmosphere.
View the full programme and book tickets at:
www.thisisoldtown.com/old-town-festival
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