Watford Fringe Festival is returning for its 10th year this summer, with a packed programme of theatre, music, comedy and family entertainment across the town.
The festival includes over 70 performances across July, from pre-Edinburgh shows to renowned stand-up comics, music from international recording artists, award-winning acts, premieres of new material, returning favourites, and local talent!
For the first time, a number of popular events taking place in Cassiobury Park, including The Big Bandstand, The Sword in the Stone and Big Jiveswing, will feature as part of the festival programme, helping to showcase the breadth of cultural experiences available in Watford.
As part of this year’s programme, three popular events taking place in Cassiobury Park will be included within the festival lineup.
The Big Bandstand series returns from 14 June to 20 September 2026, bringing live music performances to the park throughout the summer. Featuring a variety of bands and genres, the programme offers free entertainment for visitors to enjoy in one of Watford’s most popular green spaces.
Families can also enjoy The Sword in the Stone on 28 June 2026, an outdoor theatre performance bringing the classic story to life in the surroundings of Cassiobury Park. The production promises a fun and engaging experience for audiences of all ages.
Later in the summer, Big Jiveswing returns to the park on 26 July 2026, offering an afternoon of live swing music, dancing and vintage-inspired entertainment.
By bringing these events together under the Watford Fringe Festival programme, organisers hope to showcase the variety of arts and cultural experiences taking place across Watford this summer, while encouraging more people to get involved in local events.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “Watford Fringe Festival has become an important part of our town’s cultural calendar, and it’s fantastic to see it celebrating its 10th year in 2026. Bringing popular events such as The Big Bandstand, The Sword in the Stone and Big Jiveswing into the festival programme highlights the incredible range of arts and entertainment available in Watford. Whether you’ve supported Watford Fringe Festival over the years or are planning your first visit, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this summer.”
For more information about the Watford Fringe Festival and the full programme of events, visit: https://www.watfordactually.com/annual-events-lineup

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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.watford.gov.uk ’














