Encounter Festival has secured £90,000 from Arts Council England (ACE) for the 2025 edition.
Preston’s cultural celebration – which will return on Saturday 20 September – will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year, after it was set up in 2015.
The event has been packed into a one-day programme instead of a weekend long festival.
The one-day programme will be packed with performances, new artist commissions and engagement across the city centre – it has previously operated across a weekend with events spread across the city centre and a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Read more: Preston’s SpudBros announce global expansion with 30 to 40 franchises planned
Esther Ferry Kennington, executive producer of Encounter Festival said: “I’m so pleased to see Encounter Festival continue to be delivered annually and this year we celebrate 10 years since the first event.
“The world has changed a lot in those 10 years, as has our approach, but we’re as excited as ever to deliver our iconic torchlight procession and this year we’ll be developing the festival village on the Flag Market with great shows and music, food and drink.”
Key highlights of the festival are set to include a brand new piece from Raggle Tangle Arts which combines music, storytelling and performance as well as new commissions from Preston artists in the popular torchlight procession.
Read more: Preston record label Crackedankles hosting two-day festival at The Ferret
This year the procession will also include a giant puppet of Arthur Wharton, the world’s first Black professional footballer and former Preston North End player, developed in partnership with Preston North End FC.
With investment from ACE, the festival will also develop a ‘Festival Village’ across the Harris Quarter, creating a hub where visitors can gather, explore performances, enjoy local food and drink, and take part in workshops.
The village aims to encourage audiences to stay in the city throughout the day and evening, boosting footfall for local businesses and hospitality.
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See more of what’s on in Preston
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
