Excitement builds as Calne prepares for 51st Music & Arts Festival

The countdown is on in Calne, where in just over two weeks the town will once again come alive with music, art and performance as the 51st Calne Music & Arts Festival opens on Thursday 3rd October.

For more than half a century the festival has been a highlight of the local calendar, drawing audiences from across Wiltshire and beyond. What began as a small community celebration has grown into the county’s longest-running festival of its kind, offering a programme that blends international talent with homegrown creativity.

This year promises something for all tastes. Families can look forward to the ever popular free Family Day on Saturday 4th October, packed with activities for children. Evenings will showcase an eclectic mix of folk, jazz, tango and opera, alongside a special classical concert led by the festival’s patron, acclaimed composer Brett Dean. Local favourites including Calne Choral and St Mary’s Music Scholars also feature, while theatre, poetry, life drawing and illustrated talks add further variety.

The Open Art Exhibition will once again run throughout the week, filling local spaces with around 250 works by artists from the area. For many, it is a chance to see familiar names alongside new talent, and perhaps even take home a piece of local art.

Festival Chairman John Boaler commented:  "We are really excited at the variety and quality of this year’s events. Some of these are free, several cost just £5, while tickets for the evening concerts are mostly priced at just £12.

"The Festival does not aim to make a profit, merely to cover its costs. Many of those appearing are professional musicians. Think what it would cost to see them perform in Bath or Bristol, to which you can add train fares or petrol and parking charges, and certainly have to pay  higher ticket prices.
Magnificent AKs
 
"We aim to celebrate music and the arts providing entertainment in Calne, at very reasonable prices. The Festival really is too good to miss. So please come along and enjoy The Hip Cats, The Magnificent AKs, Mozart’s ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’, St Mary’s Music Scholars or whichever of the 25 events on offer you think you will most enjoy. We promise you won’t be disappointed.”
 
Music Scholars of St Mary's School
 

Brochures detailing the full line-up are now available at locations across town, including the Library, Lansdowne Strand and Heritage Centre, with tickets on sale at the Festival Box Office in Bank House or online at www.cmaf.org.uk.

All of the events taking place throughout the festival have been added to the Calne News Events Calendar too with links to book your places - keep up to date HERE.

Want to know what’s on in Calne? Visit our local events page for listings and to find out how to add your own events for free. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news. Have you got a story for us? Email editor​@​calnenews.com or contact us here.