Organised for the community, by the community
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Maidenhead Festival
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Statement from Festival Chairman
The Maidenhead Festival, as we have cherished it over the years, will not be returning in 2025. This decision, shared by Festival Chairman Lisa Hunter, reflects mounting challenges, primarily around funding and logistics, as costs continue to rise, and safety regulations become more stringent. The event’s sustainability has also been hindered by changes in local infrastructure, such as the development around Kidwells Park and the potential lifting of the alcohol covenant, which would bring added security demands and costs. Despite tireless efforts from dedicated volunteers and supporters, sustaining the festival in its current form has become increasingly difficult.
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However, this is not the end of Maidenhead’s community celebrations. The festival team is committed to reinvesting their efforts into Maidenhead’s cultural landscape in new ways. By focusing on grassroots arts programs, empowering local venues, and hosting smaller events throughout the year, the team aims to celebrate and strengthen the community’s creative spirit.
This shift is envisioned as a fresh beginning, an opportunity to build lasting arts initiatives that will continue to bring people together and honour the essence of Maidenhead Festival in a sustainable, community-driven format.
So watch this space as our new and exciting plans unfold!
This shift is envisioned as a fresh beginning, an opportunity to build lasting arts initiatives that will continue to bring people together and honour the essence of Maidenhead Festival in a sustainable, community-driven format.
So watch this space as our new and exciting plans unfold!
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"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
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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.
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"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 HunterAs 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 such a big community event that does so much to support many local groups and organisations and gives the opportunity for local up and coming musicians to perform. It is brilliant to be able to support this amazing, free and fantastically fun town event. 
Amy KnightI 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! 
Raaj LoyalBorn 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 enjoyed 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 there this summer!
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Steph JamesI have lived in Maidenhead all my life and through my job as Town Manager have got involved with loads of great community events and got to know lots of people who are doing amazing things for the town in their own time.
The Festival Committee works tirelessly throughout the year to make sure the town has it’s own community Festival that’s free for everyone to enjoy. We hope you have a great time at this year’s event and spread the word to everyone to come and join us. 
Jonny WalkerHello Wembley.....I mean Maidenhead....I am Jonny Walker :)
I have the privilege of hosting Maidenhead Festival each year I am very much looking forward to it. I am excited to introduce to you all the great acts that we have to offer & to party with you guys in the evening. The best things in life are FREE so come along & enjoy this lovely weekend. 
Joyce DelasalleAs 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. Prior to retiring, I worked as a company accountant based in Marlow, working for a leading international distribution company. I am really happy to be part of the Maidenhead Festival Team as The Maidenhead Civic Society have taken part in the festival for a number of years. |
Martin TrepteI’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 event that brings enjoyment to so many people and is a brilliant thing to be involved in. 
Jane WrightMy 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 annual Festival is such a fabulous event and I am delighted to be part of a great committee that works all year to deliver this amazing free event for those who live, work and visit our town to enjoy. See you in July! 
Portia ChanHiya, I first got involved in Maidenhead Festival 2 years ago through Maidenhead Bridge Rotary.
I was very new to Maidenhead at that time, 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' and was very impressed that there were so many volunteers dedicated to bettering the world! 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
Past Festivals
2023
2017
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2022
2016
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2019
2015
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2018
2014
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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”
- Tim Gough, from Nottingham
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