Festival fever returns to Hitchin this July with a month-long programme of events including concerts, exhibitions, walks, talks, comedy, theatre and more, all under the banner of 'Hitchin Festival'.

Hitchin Festival has been running each year since 1991 and this year sees its biggest programme since being taken over by community interest organisation Hitchin Creative.

Over 100 events are taking place across Hitchin, these include, special concerts from (among others); Hitchin Chamber Orchestra, Hitchin Symphony Orchestra, Hitchin Concert Band, The British Clarinet Ensemble, Hitchin Band, North Herts Guild of Singers and Caritas Harmony, a number of talks and tours from Hitchin Historical Society, talks from a number of local authors including two events from author Matt Adcock under the banner of 'Once Upon a Hitchin', Hitchin Library celebrating 100 years of Hertfordshire libraries, a week of Comedy from the Mostly Comedy team, Shakespeare's Twelfth Night from the Queen Mother Theatre, free reformer class from Every One Active, plus the return of the popular Lunchtime Concert series which this year takes place at Walsworth Road Baptist Church.

The Market theatre in Sun Street is also hosting its first ever off-shoot Fringe Fest with a range of one-off events including magic, comedy, music and theatre.

Plus, it's the return of the popular Hitchin Creative Art Trail, which sees Hitchins local shops turned into galleries with artists displaying their work across town. Maps can be collected from the Visit Hitchin Office or downloaded online, and all artwork is available for sale from the artists.

The whole programme kicks off with Hitchin Creative Day on 28th June. The Hitchin creative team who are behind putting the festival together will be in the town centre with a celebration of creativity, offering music, art, crafts and more from 10am - 4pm.

Festival organiser Glyn Doggett says, "this year's festival is set to be our biggest since Covid and it is lovely to see a number of new organisations running events, including more for children and young people", he continued, "the festival is a great showcase for the fantastic range of arts and culture on offer in Hitchin all year round and we want to encourage everyone to pick up a programme and take a look because there's something in there for all!".

Hitchin Festival is sponsored by Consilium Financial Planning and supported by Visit Hitchin.

You can pick up a programme from the Visit Hitchin Shop opposite St Mary's Church or from several other places around town, you can also read it online at www. hitchinfestival.co.uk.