Calne Music & Arts Festival returns this October for its 52nd year, with more than 20 events bringing music, art, drama and spoken word to the town.
Running from 2nd to 11th October, this year's programme includes returning favourites alongside several new events, with performances and activities taking place at venues including Marden House and Calne Heritage Centre.
Festival Chairman John Boaler said the committee is “really excited” about this year's programme.
“We shall have our annual art exhibition that always fills the walls of Marden House, and, like last year, we will again be displaying 3D entries across the road at Calne Heritage Centre,” he said.
The Family Day on Saturday 3rd October will offer a full day of free activities for children, including music and drama workshops, while several new events have also been introduced to this year's programme.
Free Family Day - Saturday 3rd October
The festival's Family Day returns on Saturday 3rd October from 11am to 4pm, with a full day of free activities for children and families at Marden House.
The White Horse Samba Band will kick off proceedings at Calne Pocket Park at 10.45am, with a vibrant performance before a stilt-walker makes their way around town and into the festival.
At Marden House there will be music from Calne Silver Band, a magical musical story and the chance for young people to take to the stage during a new open-mic session.
Visitors can also get involved in craft activities, drama workshops from Stagecoach Performing Arts Chippenham, Melksham & Calne, and the return of Clare's Circus, with circus skills running throughout the day.
The workshop programme begins at 11.15am with Peter and the Wolf, a musical adventure brought to life through piano, flute and storytelling.
This is followed by Bring the Drama workshops at 12.15pm, 1.15pm and 2.15pm, with sessions aimed at different age groups.
The final session is Youth Voices Karaoke from 3.15pm to 4pm, aimed particularly at older children and teenagers. Participants can bring their own backing track or use live backing music.
Places for the workshops are limited but are free to book on the day.
Festival Trustee and professional pianist Jemima Palfreyman said the open-mic session came directly from conversations with local young people.
“The young people of Calne have told us what they want: an open mic session!” she said.
“This is especially designed for older children and teens, and they can either bring a backing track or we’ll provide live backing music for a range of popular songs.”
She added: “It’s important that Calne Music & Arts Festival is listening to what the people of Calne would like to engage with. This is Calne’s festival. Calne’s stage. Calne’s sound.”
Refreshments and light lunches will also be available throughout Family Day, with organisers encouraging new visitors to come along, whether for an hour or the whole day.
French Cabaret - Saturday 3rd October
Saturday evening sees one of this year's new events, with a French Cabaret at 7.30pm.
The evening will bring the atmosphere of Paris and the Belle Époque to Calne, with ‘Flaming Feathers’ Cancan dancers and French duo Frankie and Pete performing songs from the era on accordion and guitar, including music by Edith Piaf and Charles Trenet.
John Boaler said the new event is part of an effort to bring a broad range of entertainment to this year's festival.
Cartref Chamber Collective - Sunday 4th October
On Sunday afternoon, the Cartref Chamber Collective performs at Marden House at 3pm.
The young ensemble will perform highlights from Bruch's Eight Pieces and Mozart's Kegelstatt Trio, alongside works by Roberts, Brahms and D'Indy.
Life Drawing - Sunday 4th October
Art lovers aged 16 and over can take part in a Life Drawing session from 6pm to 8pm on Sunday.
Held in the main hall at Marden House, surrounded by the Open Art Exhibition, the session will feature a live model and a variety of poses, with some light tuition available.
Evensong - Sunday 4th October
Also on Sunday evening, St Mary's Church will host a free Choral Evensong at 6pm.
The service will feature psalms, canticles, readings and hymns, with the choir of St Mary's joined by Friends and supporters from across the town.
The Life & Style Of Van Gogh And Hockney - Monday 5th October
Monday's lunchtime event is an illustrated art talk exploring The Life & Style of Van Gogh and Hockney.
Art historian Gail Brown of Tangerine Art Talks, formerly from Calne, will look at the lives and styles of Vincent van Gogh and David Hockney.
The talk will explore their artistic approaches and the influence of different places on their work.
Calne Children's Choirs - Monday 5th October
Young singers from across the town will take centre stage at 6pm on Monday with a performance by Calne Children's Choirs.
The evening will feature St Mary's Young Voices, St Margaret's Chamber Choir and The Major Minors.
The Odd Couple - Monday 5th October
Calne School of Speech & Drama will perform scenes from Neil Simon's classic comedy The Odd Couple at 7pm.
The performance will be followed by readings from members of Calne Wordfest, bringing together drama and spoken word as part of Monday evening's programme.
Music Scholars Of St Mary's School - Tuesday 6th October
Tuesday lunchtime features a concert from the Music Scholars of St Mary's School, Calne, beginning at 12.15pm.
The young musicians will perform a varied programme showcasing their musical talents.
The Jake Leg Jug Band - Tuesday 6th October
Tuesday evening is the festival's Jazz Night, featuring The Jake Leg Jug Band at 7.30pm.
The five-piece band performs jazz, blues, ragtime and gospel using a mixture of traditional and vintage instruments, including washboard, harmonica, musical saw and jug.
The Dancing Violin - Wednesday 7th October
Violinist Philippa Mo makes her Calne Festival debut at Wednesday lunchtime with The Dancing Violin.
The performance explores the relationship between classical music and dance, with a programme including Bach's Chaconne, Prokofiev's Sonata for Solo Violin and works by Bartók.
An Evening Of Chamber Music With Brett Dean - Wednesday 7th October
For John Boaler, one of the highlights of the festival is the evening of Chamber Music led by festival Patron Brett Dean.
The concert features string players performing Shostakovich's 8th Quartet and Schubert's late String Quartet.
John described the Schubert work as “truly sublime”.
The evening forms part of a strong classical programme running throughout the festival, alongside the young trio performing on Sunday afternoon, The Dancing Violin on Wednesday lunchtime and Friday's piano recital.
Marlborough College Students In Concert - Thursday 8th October
Talented students from Marlborough College will perform at a lunchtime concert on Thursday 8th October.
The concert will feature a range of musical styles and instruments and provide an opportunity to hear some of the school's emerging young musicians.
Around The World In Eighty Images - Thursday 8th October
At 3pm on Thursday, local wildlife photographers Pam and Eddy Lane will talk about some of their award-winning photographs.
The pair will share stories behind their work and offer an insight into their experiences photographing wildlife, people and landscapes around the world, as well as some photography tips.
Silk Road Soundscapes – Thursday 8th October
Thursday evening brings Silk Road Soundscapes to Marden House at 8pm, performed by multi-instrumentalist Andrew Hurst.
Andrew specialises in classical guitar, lute and piano and studied at the Royal College of Music with Charles Ramirez, John Williams and Robert Sutherland. His career has included solo recitals, theatre composition and Baroque opera continuo, while he has also performed in ensemble concerts with Jane Ryan of the Julian Bream Consort.
Alongside his performing career, Andrew has a strong commitment to teaching and regularly presents extended improvisation concerts exploring instruments and musical traditions from around the world.
Piano Recital - Friday 9th October
Friday lunchtime features a Piano Recital by Mark Sandon-Williams, Head of Keyboard at St Mary's School.
His programme includes works by Chopin and Schubert.
Folk Evening - Friday 9th October
The popular Folk Evening returns on Friday 9th October, with The Magnificent AKs back by public demand following their appearance at last year's festival.
John Boaler said the group had been particularly popular last year and that tickets for this year's concert are selling out fast.
Artist Talk - Saturday 10th October
Saturday's programme includes an artist talk featuring Genevieve Sioka in conversation with local artists Rachel Heard and James Dobson.
The discussion will explore their work and artistic influences, giving audiences an opportunity to hear directly from the artists.
The Magic Of Opera - Saturday 10th October
The festival concludes on Saturday evening with another new event, The Magic of Opera, beginning at 7.30pm.
The performance promises an evening of much-loved songs from composers including Verdi, Puccini and Bizet, bringing the festival to a close with an evening of opera.
Alongside the programme of events, the festival's annual art exhibition will fill the walls of Marden House, while 3D entries will once again be displayed across the road at Calne Heritage Centre.
John Boaler said the festival offers much more than the individual events listed in the programme.
“In all there are over 20 events at this year's festival and surely something for everyone,” he said.
Tickets are modestly priced, with a bar and tea, coffee and cakes available each evening.
“The Festival is the cultural highlight of the year in Calne,” John said. “If you have been before I feel sure you'll be back. But if you have not yet discovered it, there are many treats in store just a short distance from home.”
The festival is run entirely by volunteers and was founded in 1974. It is a registered charity, number 276875.
Tickets can be bought online or from Bank House during September, or from Marden House once the festival is under way.
View the full Calne Music & Arts Festival 2026 programme
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