MAIDENHEAD FESTIVAL

Maidenhead Festival

At Maidenhead Festival, we are proud to be organised for the community, by the community. Our heart has always been rooted in celebrating grassroots arts and culture — creating a space where creativity thrives, local talent shines, and everyone feels welcome.

In 2026, we are proud to present a refined Maidenhead Festival: a focused programme of key events across the town that strengthens our connection with local venues, businesses, artists and residents, while laying strong foundations for future community-led projects and accessible arts experiences for all.

Our new-look Maidenhead Festival focuses on bringing vibrant, accessible arts experiences to the heart of Maidenhead — and there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Together, let's make Maidenhead shine brighter than ever!

Upcoming Events

Each year, Maidenhead Festival brings the community together with an exciting programme of live music, arts, and family fun. Here’s a look at what' you've got to look forward to in 2026!

🎶 Maidenhead Festival Sound Lab: 8th & 9th April 2026
In 2026, Sound Lab is open to everyone — not just musicians. Whether you are completely new to music or simply curious, all are encouraged to have a go and explore a wide range of instruments, from trumpets and pianos to clarinets and saxophones.

We are also delighted to be bringing back the much-loved Piano Sessions — think The Piano, but right here in Maidenhead — alongside engaging, hands-on activities designed especially for under-5s. Come along, get involved, and discover what inspires you.

Sound Lab - Full Details

🎭 Battle of the Choirs: 18 July 2026
A brand-new event for Maidenhead. Think Battle of the Bands, but for choirs. Local choirs go head-to-head on stage, performing short, high-energy sets to impress both judges and the audience. Expect bold arrangements, big voices and an electric atmosphere. This is not a traditional concert — it’s competitive, entertaining and designed to engage audiences of all ages.

Battle of the Choirs - Full Details

☀️ Live and Local: Summer Sounds: 22 August 2026
This August, Maidenhead Festival has teamed up with The Waterside Quarter to bring you Live and Local: Summer Sounds — a celebration of music, sunshine, and community spirit right in the heart of town. Relax, unwind, and soak up the summer vibes as some of the best local acoustic artists take to the stage for a series of laid-back, feel-good performances.

Bring your friends, grab a coffee, glass or wine or an ice cream, and enjoy the sounds of Maidenhead’s talented musicians filling the air with melodies, right in the town centre.

Live & Local - Full Details

Battle of the Bands - Full Details

🎸 Maidenhead Festival Battle of the Bands: 19th September 2026
Back by popular demand, Battle of the Bands is one of Maidenhead Festival’s flagship events. This high-energy night celebrates emerging artists across all genres — from indie and rock to electronic and acoustic. Bands compete live, with the audience voting for the winner.

Prepare yourself for an electrifying night that champions the incredible local talent Berkshire has to offer. Battle of the Bands is a celebration of emerging artists at the very cutting edge of the new music scene — an unmissable event packed with energy, excitement, and community spirit. And best of all — the audience gets to vote for the winner! Expect a night of unforgettable performances, fierce competition, and great vibes.

Maidenhead Festival Stage Takeover at the Christmas Lights Switch-On: 21st November 2026
The finale of our festival year sees Maidenhead Festival hosting a Stage Takeover at the town’s Christmas Lights Switch-On. Across multiple stages, including the Desborough Theatre during the Christmas Market and the main outdoor stage, audiences will enjoy performances from Acoustic artists, Choirs, Bands, Dance groups and Performing arts schools

This magical event celebrates creativity, community and Christmas spirit, attracting thousands of residents into the town centre.

Thank you to our Partners

Thank you to our Sponsors

"What a fantastic event-great atmosphere, great stalls, great music and great food. Thanks to all concerned”

- Ivor Peksa, Facebook Review

Support Festival: Play to Win

Windsor & Maidenhead Community Lottery is an exciting new weekly lottery that raises money for good causes in the Royal Borough, with at least 60% from each ticket sold going to the cause.

Tickets for the lottery cost just £1 per week, with a top prize of £25,000!
A draw takes place every Saturday night. Match all 6 numbers and you win the JACKPOT!

Get your tickets now 👇👇👇

Get your lottery tickets

"I can't believe all this entertainment is free. What a wonderful weekend we've all had as a family”

- Richard Burnett, Facebook review

THE TEAM

Maidenhead Festival is organised for the community, by the community. We have a small team of dedicated volunteers who fundraise, plan, organise and make festival happen each year, none of whom are paid. Festival is a standalone event, it is not a council-run or funded event.

Lisa Hunter

As a member of Maidenhead Bridge Rotary Club the local community is always at the front of my mind. Coming up with ideas on how to improve the local area, fundraising for local causes and volunteering my time to improve the lives of others.

When the chance to join the festival team came about I couldn't refuse.

I’m proud to head up the team that pulls together a range of community events that do so much to support many local groups and organisations and gives the opportunity for local up and coming musicians to perform.

Amy Knight

I moved to Maidenhead about 8 years ago and to meet more people locally I volunteered for various organisations/charities in the area, including Maidenhead Festival. I enjoyed supporting the festival so much that I joined the committee to help organise!

I feel very lucky to be part of such a passionate group of people organising great things for our community!

We look forward to seeing you at the next festival event!

Raaj Loyal

Born and brought up in Maidenhead, and via joining Maidenhead Bridge Rotary, I volunteered to help with the set up of Maidenhead Festival for the past two years. I really enjoy being part of the team and helping it all come together for the local community.

I have experience of organising events, albeit on a smaller scale via meetup, so I thought it would be great to join the organising team that helps to make the festival what it is... an amazing free event for the town to enjoy!

I look forward to seeing you at this years season of events!

Jane Wright

My day job as Manager of The Nicholsons Centre puts me at the heart of the community and what a fantastic community we have in Maidenhead!

The Festival is such a fabulous organisation and I am delighted to be part of a great committee that works all year to deliver amazing free events for those who live, work and visit our town to enjoy.

Joyce Delasalle

As a proud resident of the community for more than 50 years, I am thrilled to be part of the Maidenhead Festival Team.

I moved to Cookham in 1969 and have always been heavily involved in the community. For six Cookham Festivals, I served as Treasurer and organizer of volunteers. Since my move to Maidenhead in 1994, I became the Membership Secretary for the Maidenhead Civic Society and have held that position for over a decade, playing an active role in organising events for our members.

Martin Trepte

I’ve been involved with the festival almost since it began and am a former chairman of the event in its previous incarnation as Maidenhead Carnival.

I'm the former Editor of the Maidenhead Advertiser, where I worked for the best part of three decades. I’m involved in lots of other community organisations such as Rotary and the Talking Newspaper Association.

Maidenhead Festival is a fantastic organisation that brings enjoyment to so many people and is a brilliant thing to be involved in.

Portia Chan

I got involved in Maidenhead Festival through Maidenhead Bridge Rotary. I was very new to Maidenhead and volunteering at the Festival helped me to familiarise with the community and connect me with the locals! I liked the idea of 'organised for the community, by the community'.

I want to give back to the community and learn from the brilliant locals, hence I became one of the organising team members. I'm looking forward to collaborating with the team and different business parties to make Maidenhead Festival even stronger.

"Can't believe it's a free event with everything you need. What more could we ask for?"

- Marie Taylor, Maidenhead Resident

We come to see family this time every year as we simply love Maidenhead Festival. I go from stall to stall seeing what is on offer. The food has been great this year. It's great to see the town put something like this on”