This year's Hitchin Festival dates have been announced as Saturday, July 1 through until Sunday, July 30

Local groups and artistes have already been sending in their events for inclusion in the programme.

A record number of Lunchtime Concerts are scheduled with eleven taking place across the four weeks including the Jubilate Choir, Tom Coates & Ben Ward, Catherine Wilmers & Jill Morton, Heather Fuller, Alban Duo, Campion ensemble, Clifton Hughes, Joanna Lam, Galliard Trio, Nick Evans-Pughe And Masa Tayama.

These all take place in St Mary's Church starting at 1pm on the day of the vent and are free but with a collection to support the artistes, the church and our festival.

Other events already booked are evening concerts by Hitchin Band, Hitchin Chamber Orchestra, Hitchin Light Orchestra, Caritas Harmony, Hitchin Concert Band, Benslow Music plus an 'Elvis' night.

There will be a film season; a presentation on Gertrude Lawrence - one of Britain's brightest theatrical stars in the first half of the 20th century.

There will also be a tribute to the late Judi Billing - with journalist, author and broadcaster Steve Richards bringing his 'Rock 'n' Roll Politics' show to Hitchin prior to his Edinburgh Festival run.

Hitchin BID will be promoting events on Festival Saturdays including Hitchin Art Hub Fair on Saturday, July 1 in conjunction with Chalking Churchgate; Eats & Beats on Saturday, July 8 around Bucklersbury and Sun Street; Hitchin Eco Day on Saturday, July 15 and North Herts Pride Market on Saturday, July 29. Street Food evenings will be on July 6 and July 20..

This is just a flavour - there are a number of regular organisers still to notify - but if you are thinking of hosting any event during July and want it to be included in the programme, we need the details before April 21.

Email [email protected] or drop your details into the Information Office marked for the attention of Hitchin Festival or contact Glyn Doggett or Keith Hoskins 

Website: www.hitchinfestival.co.uk NB information will be listed after 21/04