Hat Fair – the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts – is back for another summer, this year on Saturday 5 July.

Taking place in Winchester city centre, this year's festival return to its roots with a focus on the busking/Hatter element the festival takes its name from – putting a hat out after a performance to collect donations from the audience.

After celebrating its fiftieth birthday in style last year, the 2025 festival will reminisce on its beginnings in 1974 as a hatter’s event and the programme will feature a line-up of street performers, experts in clowning, magic, physical comedy, acrobatics and audience participation.

This year’s event will also celebrate the charity’s year-round engagement work with diverse local communities, providing a platform for groups and individuals to showcase their talent.

Join in with this annual celebration showcasing community groups, local singers, musicians, comics, choirs, dance troupes and more.

The charity that runs Hat Fair – Play to the Crowd – was recently designated a Theatre of Sanctuary – recognising the work the charity does with diverse communities and those who are recent arrivals to our country. Nowhere celebrates and welcomes that community work better than Hat Fair. Play to the Crowd is a registered arts and education charity based in the heart of the historic city of Winchester, Hampshire incorporating Hat Fair, Theatre Royal Winchester and Playmakers.

Image credits: Adrienne Photography