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Encounter Festival 2024

WILD performers

Encounter Festival is back on the 21 - 22 September, for a weekend packed with engaging and amazing performances. 

This year the Encounter Festival gives you free outdoor theatre shows, games, and live music at various locations around Preston City Centre, local heroes on the Community and Traditions Stage outside the Guild Hall and as always, the signature Torchlight Procession will bring music and dancing through the streets and into the city centre.

Encounter Festival 2024 programme

Feast your eyes on all the upcoming events for Encounter Festival 2024 with the new programme for you to download now.

Encounter Festival 2024 Programme (PDF) [2MB]

For low cost parking at this event, head to Fishergate Shopping Centre's award winning Car Park - £2 for 2 hours or £8.50 all day.

Road closure notice

Pleas note, road closure notices are in effect for the Encounter Festival weekend. For more information please visit Preston City Council - Road Closures.

About the Encounter Festival

Established in 2015 as a legacy of the famous Preston Guild celebrations, the Encounter Festival has succeeded in delivering a plethora of fascinating, profound, and exciting performances - along with cultural experiences - to Preston city centre. This year's festival is set to be just as extraordinary.

The festival will take part around various locations in Preston city centre including the Flag Market, Winckley Square Gardens, and The MET. Many events are free to attend and do not need booking. Make sure to check the event's details before attending.

The Encounter Festival is funded by GOV.UK - UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Visit the Encounter Festival website

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Other City Centre events in 2024

This event is just part of a whole range of things to do in Preston City centre this summer.

To see more of what's on, take a look at Preston City Centre Events 2024 for more ideas of local fun days out.

Petting Zoo

21 September (11:45am - 12:45pm, 3:40pm - 4:40pm): A fun filled interactive day of musical activities.

WILD

21 September (12pm - 12:45pm, 3pm - 3:45pm): Showing what it means to be wild!

Magical Story Jars - Saturday

21 September (12pm - 3pm): A free drop-in activity designed to inspire kids to have fun playing with ideas and creating their own stories.

Let's Grow Preston Allotment Show

21 September (12pm, 4:30pm): An encounter you can take with you, with lots of information to learn for your own garden.

Wild Rumpus Giant Marble Run

21 September (12pm - 4pm): A simple but fantastic experience using upcycled materials.

Family Catwalk Extravaganza

21 September (12:45pm - 1:20pm, 2:20pm - 2:55pm): A fabulous celebration of self expression.

Community and Traditions Stage

21 September (1pm - 5:30pm): Featuring Preston People's Choir, Hussnain Hanif and The Nasheed Choir, the return of Urooj Qawwal and lots more.

Plot 17

21 September (1:25pm - 2pm, 3:50pm - 4:30pm): A hip-hop garden festival for families.

Betty Brown Bags

21 September (1:25pm - 1:55pm, 3:10pm - 3:40pm): Celebrating the strength and resilience of Northern working class culture.

Bollywood Dance Workshop with Jenish Patel

21 September (1:55pm - 2:20pm): A fantastic dance workshop to get you moving and grooving.

Same But Different

21 September (2pm - 3:50pm): An accessible silent disco DJ'd by The Fat Britney and Matthew Beautyman.

Music with Soulhouse Avenue and Buddha

21 September (6:30pm - 8:30pm): Feel the soul enter you with this musical sensation from Soulhouse Avenue and Buddha.

Torchlight Procession

21 September (7pm): Join us on Saturday night for our fabulous Torchlight Procession and Firework Finale.

Ribble of Dreams - imitating the dog

21 - 22 September (all day): Discover a digital trail through Preston.

The Invisible Man

22 September (11am, 12.30pm and 2pm): Introducing The Invisible man, The Man who isn't there!

Ski Band

22 September (11:35am, 1:25pm and 3:15pm): The Ski band are a five piece, mobile street band skilled in engaging with and entertaining festival and celebration crowds.

Everywhere's a Beach

22 September (12pm and 2pm): Join us for a day at the beach unlike any other in this high energy, outdoor circus theatre show!

Magical Story Jars - Sunday

22 September (12pm - 3:30pm): A free drop-in activity designed to inspire kids to have fun playing with ideas and creating their own stories.

Mughal Miniatures - Animal Paradise

22 September (12:45pm and 2:45pm): A vibrant outdoor performance event for all the family celebrating the exquisite traditional art of Indian and Persian miniature painting.