The Old Town Arts Festival had been a key event on Swindon’s calendar for more than 24 years, but it was put on hold in 2020 when the world entered a global pandemic.
After making a successful comeback in 2024, the festival is now preparing to return to town from Saturday, June 1, 2025, for a whole week of free or cheap family events.
The festival will kick off at the start of June with a family fun day in Town Gardens offering food, drink, live music, workshops, market stalls and more.
Celebrations will then continue throughout the week with a variety of fringe events, all centred around the arts, before concluding on June 8 with a street party for all on Wood Street.
Wood Street celebrations were a hit with locals in 2024 (Image: Newsquest) “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, and sessions,” said a spokesperson for the Old Town association.
“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.”
Here’s the full schedule and location of the 2025 festival events, which you won’t want to miss.
The festival has something for all ages (Image: Dave Cox)
Old Town Arts Festival 2025: Events, times and locations
Saturday, June 1
- Family Fun Day – 12pm to 5pm in Town Gardens. Expect food and drink, live music, workshops and makers markets.
- Swindon Brass Band concert – 3pm in Queens Park. Free to enter.
- Old Railway Path Guided Walk – 3pm to 5.30pm, leaving from The Wheatsheaf. This is a 3.4 mile walk, costing £2 which will be donated to Prospect Hospice.
- Comedy at the Bowl – 7pm at Town Gardens Bowl. Tickets cost £11.
Sunday, June 2
- The Fender Stratocaster Music Talk by Jamie Stapleton – 8pm at The Tuppenny pub. Free to attend.
Monday, June 3
- Make and Cake – 7-9pm at Artsite on Theatre Square. Tickets are £15 on the door.
- Jazz Night – 8pm at the Royal Oak in Old Town. The session will be led by award winning musician Dennis Rollins MBE and is free to attend.
Tuesday, June 4
- Brush and Bloom – 11.30am to 1.30pm in Old Town Library. This is guided acrylic painting session which is free to attend, but you must book online.
- Organ Recital – 1pm at Christ Church. Free to attend.
- Steamrollers 5k social run – A free running event leaving at 6.15pm from Tap & Brew pub.
- Sarah McQuaid – Live music at Swindon Arts Centre, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £16.
Wednesday, June 5
- Upcycled Arts and Crafts – A free drop-in creative session of little ones at Old Town Library from 11am to 1pm.
- Online Safety Talk – 3pm at The Kings Arms. Free to attend.
- Sofa Screening of ‘Captain Fantastic’ – 7pm at Create Studios. Tickets cost £5.
- Sonny’s Quiz – 7pm at Sonny’s. A £2 donation is encouraged.
Thursday, June 6
- Story and Rhyme Time – A stay and play session for babies and toddlers, being held from 11am to 12pm at Old Town Library. Free to attend.
- Embroidery Club (Jane Austin edition) – 1pm to 3pm at Old Town Library. Tickets cost £5 and include materials and refreshments.
- Meet the authors at Bert’s Books – 4pm at Bert’s Books with author Alexandra Strick and illustrator Steve Antony. Free to attend.
- Harry Apps in Concert – Swindon-born West End star Harry Apps will return home for one night only for an evening of musical theatre favourites. 7.30pm at Swindon Arts Centre. Tickets cost between £16.50 – £19.50.
Friday, June 7
- Story Explorers with Kate Claxton – A free storytime and crafts event. 10am to 12pm at Old Town Library.
- Christ Churst Eco Fair – 12pm to 4pm at Christ Church. A free family friendly event showcasing local environment-focused groups.
- Art workshops with Let’s Create – Workshops at several times across Friday and Saturday, starting from £3.
- Anytime Fitness open weekend – A free drop in event from 1pm to 4pm on Friday and Saturday. Guided gym tours, free passes and a chance to win spin-the-wheel prize games.
- Honeybee and Flower Art Workshop – A guided acrylic workshop from 2pm to 4pm at The King’s Arms. Tickets cost £12 and the age limit is 12+.
- Family Fun Dance – 3pm at Equippers in Swindon. No experience necessary, just easy-to-follow routines and upbeat music.
- Photography Exhibition Preview – 7pm to 9.30pm at Oink Gallery on Victoria Road. The exhibition will run until June 14.
- Roxy Magic – Live music at Swindon Arts Centre from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £23.
Saturday, June 8
- Park Yoga – A free outdoor yoga session in Town Gardens (note: not the usual Queens Park location) from 9.30am to 10.30am.
- Brush and Bloom – A free guided acrylic session for adults. 11am to 1pm at No 4 Studios.
- Music For Miniatures – Under-the-sea themed music session for pre-schoolers. 11am at Town Gardens Bowl.
- Town Gardens Heritage Tours – 45 minute tours leaving at 1pm and 6pm from Town Gardens. £2 for adults, under 16s go free.
- Cirencester Band Live in the Park – 3pm at the Town Gardens Bandstand. Free to attend.
- Pete Allen Jazz Night – Live music at the Swindon Arts Centre from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £21.50.
- Wood Street Party – Live music, stalls, art sessions and more on Wood Street. Free to attend.
