Stroud Festival

Stroud Arts Festival is a charity promoting and supporting all types of artistic activities throughout the Stroud District. Founded in 1946, it’s the ‘grandparent’ of all the wonderful festivals this area has to offer. It brings the best of music, poetry, drama, art and dance to Stroud and the Five Valleys.

Founded in 1946, known as the ‘grandparent’ of all the Stroud Festivals, each year the charity distributes funds on behalf of the Margaret and Netlam Bigg Trust in order to support and promote the Arts in Stroud and the Five Valleys. In the last 20 years, this local couple’s generous legacy has seen over £300,000 poured into delivering world-class events, funding local talent and facilitating programmes in collaboration with other local arts organisations.
Stroud Arts Festival has played a pivotal role in establishing some of the key Festivals in Stroud, including setting up Stroud Book Festival and sponsoring the creation of Hidden Notes, Stroud’s Contemporary Music Festival.