Royston Arts Festival returns this September, bringing a month of creativity, performance and community events, with the main festival weekend running from 24th–27th September. With over 30 events for all ages and interests, many of them free, there’s plenty to discover.
A printed copy of the full programme will be delivered with The Listing this month.
Exhibitions
Visitors can also enjoy a wide variety of exhibitions, including work by students from KJAR, Royston Arts Society, Royston Photographic Society, beautiful quilts by Priory Quilters, and artwork at the new Nicholas Penn Fine Art Gallery.
Film
Enjoy an unforgettable outdoor screening of the much-loved classic E.T. at St Mary’s School for a little movie magic under the stars.
Live Music
Music lovers are in for a treat, with a fantastic range of performances throughout the festival. Thursday’s Band bring their spellbinding mix of free-flowing strings, locked-down guitars and vocal harmonies to The Old Bull Inn, with mostly original songs seasoned with folk, country, Cajun and classical influences. Revd Dr Steven Sivyer also returns to Royston Parish Church for an organ recital, while award-winning folk duo Megson will perform a gentle and entertaining concert especially for younger children. Although the festival officially closes with the Finale Concert, the music continues with 3Folk at the Museum in early October.
Workshops
From printing your own lino designs on Royston Museum’s Victorian printing press and joining the Demo Day to taking part in writing exercises with Royston Writers’ Circle, creating mythical creature-themed print drawings, exploring birdsong, cells and stars with Nature Nell, and trying taster workshops in dancing, acting and singing with TheatreTrain, alongside dance, film, story sharing and photography with BEEE Creative, there are plenty of opportunities to get creative throughout the festival.
Talks
There is plenty to discover throughout the festival, from exploring ‘folk’ music through festival podcasts and learning about the preservation of minority writing cultures, and the threats they face from digital tools and AI, to a beginner’s guide to collecting original art with confidence, and a fascinating tour and talk at Royston Cave, where you can hear the theories behind its origins and decide for yourself. Royston Library will be hosting Daniel Light, author and climber in conversation about The White Ladder, his award-winning history of mountaineering.
Literature
Meet your next favourite author at the Royston Book Fair, where more than 20 local writers will be showcasing their books, spanning fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Younger readers can also enjoy a fun storytelling session and book signing with Helen Rose, celebrating her new rhyming storybook, The SuperSonic Fart, at Bow Books Kids.
Drama and performance
Drama and performance also feature in this year’s festival, with CADS presenting two one-act comedies inspired by Shakespeare, while Jude Simpson marks the end of her ten-year role as Home-Start’s Poet in Residence with a special celebratory performance.
Family-friendly events
Many of the festival events are suitable for all ages, with younger visitors especially well catered for. Highlights include Gala in the Gardens, hosted by Royston Rotary Club on Saturday 26th September, with children’s entertainment, live music, delicious food and stalls; the outdoor film screening E.T.; an entertaining concert from award-winning folk duo Megson; printing workshops at Royston Museum; performing arts workshops from TheatreTrain Royston; storytelling with Helen Rose at Bow Books Kids; and creative crafts at Royston Library.
Click the cover image below to view the full programme, dates, times and booking information, or visit: creativeroyston.org
