Signal Festival is returning for a second year

Swindon’s only festival dedicated to showcasing and celebrating youth arts is back this summer for its second year.

Signal Festival, organised by Prime Theatre, is a partnership between the town’s venues, organisations, and freelancers, all working together to support, showcase, and inspire young creatives aged 11–25.

Running from Friday 25 July to Saturday 2 August, Signal Festival will offer a varied and engaging programme of performances, workshops, and exhibitions across Swindon — from music to photography, creative writing, and more. The festival promotes talent and opportunity through a dynamic and accessible mix of performance, participation, professional development, and pop-up events.

Following its successful launch last summer, the 2024 edition of the festival collaborated with 61 local organisations and artists to deliver 90 events, attracting over 4,000 attendees and showcasing 170 young artists across 21 venues. The festival is curated and managed by a team of Young Senior Producers, who lead on programming, organising, and promotion.

Clarissa Boyce-Johnson (24), one of the festival’s returning producers, said: “It's wonderful that Signal is returning for another year, and I'm so grateful to be part of the producing team.

“Signal is so important for young people because it grants them access to creative mediums and outlets, while also instilling hope that they can make something of themselves in Swindon.”

This year, Signal Festival will welcome a team of new producers and volunteers to work alongside those returning from last year.  Louise Aust (22), who is joining the production team for 2025, said: “After taking part last year as a performer, I’m delighted to be a Senior Producer for this year’s Signal Festival.

“Being a local performer, I’ve seen firsthand the immeasurable passion and talent in Swindon, and I’m proud to be part of a festival that highlights opportunities for young people and showcases all the wonderful things they bring to the creative arts.”

Signal Festival will soon be recruiting a team of paid trainee producers to assist with the planning and delivery of the festival — a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience in festival production, while shaping the festival’s programme and the experience of its audiences and participants. The festival is also calling on local organisations to get involved by hosting events or delivering activities as part of the week-long programme.

Mark Powell, Artistic Director of Prime Theatre, said: “After last year’s success, we’re back encouraging other organisations and artists to come together for a week and show our commitment to new talent. It’s a celebration of the creativity already thriving in Swindon and the rising stars of the future.”

Artists and organisations interested in participating can visit the ‘Get Involved’ section of the Signal Festival website to sign up.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, said:
“I couldn’t be more delighted that Signal Festival is returning for another year. It’s a unique event that combines a sheer love of the arts with real opportunities for young people to expand their skills.

“Ultimately, I want everyone in Swindon to feel that they’re entitled to great art — both as an experience and as a career — and that’s what Signal is all about.”

Signal Festival 2025 will run from Friday 25 July to Saturday 2 August, with events happening at venues throughout Swindon. Learn more at signalfestival.co.uk or follow @signalfestivalswindon on Facebook, Instagram, and other social platforms.