Alton Arts Festival

11/08/2026

AAF 2026, thank you 💛

It's one month since the festival wrapped, and we'd love to hear your thoughts...

Whether you attended all 40+ events (!) or none at all, we're really keen to hear about your experiences. Please take a few mins to fill out our feedback survey, we'd be ever so grateful.

Here's the link: https://forms.gle/dFseXFnqVMHnLCEu5

And, as always, thank you for being part of it.

12/07/2026

It's today! The final day of AAF26 has arrived. We hope as many of you as possible will join us for our closing party in the Public Gardens.

Can't wait to see you there!

11/07/2026

It's DAY NINE - and the last day of ticketed events for AAF26!

We're kicking off with a fabulous book binding workshop, which sold out in about a nanosecond when tickets went on sale back in March. Then the always-brilliant Dyad Productions return to Alton with A Room of One's Own - incredibly, there are still a couple of tickets available!

The remarkable Chris Riddell will be reading, drawing, and signing books in Goldfinch Books this afternoon, before we wrap up with Is Opera Boring at the Alton Maltings this evening.

It's going to be a wonderful day, Alton.

10/07/2026

Another packed itinerary for day 8!

We've got our final ArtBox session, with the utterly brilliant Callow. Then we're back at Freedom Through Expression for a sold-out introduction to Pastels with Alton Art Society. The most glorious lunchtime concert follows, with Cartref Chamber in the pleasantly cool St Lawrence Church Parish of the Resurrection .

Then into the evening, we have the sold out 'How to be the Perfect Couple' at Alton's Wessex Arts Theatre, AND the incredible Jordan Mackampa at the Alton Assembly Rooms. What a night!

Fair warning: the Assembly Rooms will likely be pretty warm tonight...! We're doing what we can, but we'd recommend bringing a handheld fan with you, having something cold to drink before you arrive, and donning your most breathable togs. We PROMISE Jordan Mackampa will be worth it!

09/07/2026

Make sure you head on down to Alton's Public Gardens this Sunday for our closing party! We've got a full day of entertainment planned for you... (well, six hours, at least!) along with food, drinks, and great vibes a-plenty.

With entertainment from: Rock Choir • Choirs led by Danny Gortler, Strictly Showtime, The Kings Pond Shantymen, Monkeys Into Darkness, Si Hitchenson, The Woodsmen, RELLiX , and Kingsmith

And sustenance from: Espresso, Peppones street food, Eazy Squeezy Lemonade, Gourmet grill catering , Let's Toast Mobile Bar Hire, and Surrey ICES

09/07/2026

DAY SEVEN, and the fun continues!

A reminder to pop in to Freedom Through Expression and catch the exhibition of our Schools Programme before it closes.

And then two delights for you this evening - as the sun goes down over the gardens of Jane Austen's House, there will be live jazz under the open sky... what could make that better, I hear you ask? Canapes is the answer, and oh boy are we delivering.

And over at Goldfinch Books, the brilliant Naima Bock is playing an intimate gig that will be something very special indeed. There are still a few tickets available for that one so nab a couple online or wander down after dinner to try on the door, because you'll be sad if you miss it.

We are FLYING through this festival now. It's all been a bit of a blur to us on the inside but we are loving every second. Hope you are too.

08/07/2026

08/07/2026

A busy busy schedule for day 6! And some huge treats instore:

The brilliant David Wilkins is back with Stone-carving in the Public Gardens, and we have our second ArtBox session at the Alton Community Centre. Also at the Community Centre is a showcase of Alton u3a's artistic and creative talents - do pop in and enjoy this free exhibition.

An editing masterclass in late afternoon, followed by the phenomenal Katherine Priddy - sold out - at the Alton Assembly Rooms this evening. We absolutely cannot wait!

07/07/2026

https://www.altonartsfestival.com/post/whoop-whoop-alton-arts-festival-kicks-off-with-a-bang

Alton Arts Festival opened this weekend with miles of homemade bunting crafted by local residents decorating the town – and with peals of laughter in the Assembly Rooms at Lucy Porter’s sold out gig on Friday night. The laughter, joy and celebration of the arts could be heard throughout the town...

07/07/2026

We've hit the half-way point! What's been your favourite thing so far?

We've got some big hitters on day five - the incredible Richard Walters performing his Songs from the Solent to a sold out audience at Goldfinch Books, and the hilarious Marcel Lucont at Holybourne Theatre. There are still a handful of tickets available for that one but move fast - they won't be around for long!

And the fabulous exhibition of children's work from the AAF Schools Programme is still on display at Freedom Through Expression, so please do pop in and have a look.

Stay hydrated, stay cool, and stay creative Alton!