Royston Arts Festival 2025 takes place from 19th – 28th September, with over 50 events for all ages and interests, many of them free. Here are some of this year’s highlights:
Live Music
The Opening Night Concert on Friday 19th September features 6-piece multi-instrumental ‘Tin Giants’, plus ‘Bird In The Belly’ a 4-piece band from Brighton with 3 critically acclaimed albums under their belt.
Hungrytown are a USA based duo who have a rich sound that straddles indie folk, psych and ‘60s pop, performing at Meldreth Village Hall on Saturday 20th September.
Smith and Brewer have toured with 10cc, Ralph McTell and Fairport Convention, and performing at the Old Bull Inn on Thursday 25th September.
Revd Dr Steven Sivyer returns to provide an organ recital in Royston Parish Church on Friday 26th September, and the Festival closes with the Finale Concert, featuring music and song performances from Royston Town Band, WomenSing with Royston Ukulele Band, the Revd Dr Steven Sivyer, and pupils and students from King James Academy, Royston and Freman College, Buntingford.
Exhibitions
A variety of exhibitions: from the students at KJAR, Royston Photographic Society, Royston Arts Society, Jennie Vee Students Art, Royston Printmakers, old photographs, artefacts and drawings at Royston Cave, The Royston Trio Open Studio: with Sue Hartga, Joan Munden, and Sue Sanders, and photography by Royston-based artist Jean Kosse.
Talks
Discover the works of E.H. Whydale at Royston Museum, which now holds the largest collection of Whydale’s work in the world.
Enjoy Indian and Tunisian cookery experiences.
The Royston Book Fair features 30 local writers showcasing their books, with talks and readings covering fiction, non fiction and poetry.
Author talks from Kay Blayney and Katy Fraser.
Discover the history, and future, of making a cleaner planet with Johnson Matthey, who have pioneered clean air technology for over 50 years.
Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies present a talk on King James I and his links to Royston and Hertfordshire, at Royston Library.
Drama and performance
CADS make a welcome return with a surreal black comedy, followed by cabaret-style entertainment.
Jude Simpson performs her poetry show “A Noise Annoys”, bursting with joyful humour and witty wordplay.
Civil War re-enactors in 17th century costume will appear at various festival venues on Saturday 27th September.
Gala in the Gardens
Expect children’s entertainment, free face painting and henna art; music; food; workshops and a wide range of stalls, hosted by Royston Rotary Club on Saturday 20th September.
Workshops
Writing, glazing, painting, print making, drama and craft workshops are on offer.
Children-friendly events
Many of the featured Festival events are family friendly, but specifically for children, enjoy Gala in the Gardens, creative workshops at Royston Museum, performing arts workshops from Stagecoach and Theatretrain Royston, and crafts at Royston Library.
A printed copy of the programme of events has been delivered to you along with your copy of The Listing September magazines.
For the full programme, dates, times and booking information, or visit: creativeroyston.org | FB & Insta
