Come and celebrate the opening of the 2025 Festival and watch the Festival Parade as it moves through Newbury culminating in the Market Square! Working in partnership with the Corn Exchange Newbury & 101 Outdoor Arts this promises to be a vibrant celebration to mark the opening of the Festival, led by the Giant Bandmaster Puppet.

The Bandmaster will start her walk through town at the Methodist Church where she’ll be with a company of dancers and a ‘cello player. She’ll then make her way down Northbrook Street and will meet various other musicians along the way – that will include members of the East Woodhay Silver Band, Good Vibes Music Academy students and Uteam Ukelele before culminating in a performance in the Market Square with members of the Metronomes Steel Orchestra.

We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Festival Parade!