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Newbury Spring Festival kicks off with spectacular community Parade

A giant puppet, wearing green and holding a conductor's baton.

Last Saturday (10 May), we followed the mesmerising giant band master as she made her way through Newbury Town Centre to launch Newbury Spring Festival 2025.

We had a blast at the Festival Parade - marking the start of Newbury Spring Festival which is bringing a fortnight of world-class music and performance to 18 venues around Berkshire, including Corn Exchange Newbury. This year's fantastic programme was showcased at the parade, with captivating performances throughout the event, bringing everyone together through the power of music.

Conducted by a giant bandmaster, the parade involved over 50 talented local musicians and performers. The celebration featured dance troupes; RS Dance Company and Dance with Sonia Brown; expert musicians including East Woodhay Silver Band, Good Vibes Music Academy students and Uteam Ukelele; ending with a performance in front of the Corn Exchange from the talented steel pan band, Metronomes Steel Orchestra.

Working in partnership with 101 Outdoor Arts, this fantastic event was a vibrant start to the beginning of this year's Newbury Spring Festival.

For a full list of the Newbury Spring Festival programme, take a look here.

A giant puppet, wearing green and walking down a high-street with Union Jack banners behind it.
Image Credit: Milly March
A woman and a man performing with steel pan drums.
A giant green puppet behind a group of female dancers in colourful skirts.

'The 101 Outdoor Arts team thoroughly enjoyed creating this event for Newbury Spring Festival and would like to say a huge thank you to the huge number of creative people from across Newbury involved in bringing it together including: 7 puppeteers, David Risely as The Green Man, the 2 bunting wranglers, Leonie Adams on Cello, Reuben Spencer Dance Company, Valentinos' Street Band, Jo Brydon on Sax, Matteo Leone on Drums, Good Vibes Music Academy, Nicole Thelma Grace on vocals, Sonia Brown Dance Company, The UTeam Ukulele Band, East Woodhay Silver Bands, Metronomes Steel Orchestra, the amazing volunteer team and Katherine Lewis.'

Danielle Corbishely, Head of 101 Outdoor Arts and Outdoor Programmes

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