A live showcase of the best of Watford’s community and culture will officially kick off the Watford Fringe Festival 2026, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary.
An extraordinary live line-up of great theatre, music, comedy, dance, family fun-filled shows and more is planned across the whole of the month of July, right on local doorsteps.
And to give a flavour of what’s on offer for audiences, there will be live performances on a grand stage at the Pondside on The Parade, Watford High Street this Saturday (4 July) from 3-9pm.
This is a FREE event, just turn up and soak in the buzzing atmosphere of live, summer entertainment.
The festival programme itself starts on Friday, 3 July at St Mary’s Church with Heart & Music, featuring West End performer Ashleigh Fleming alongside local singers in a celebration of musical theatre favourites and contemporary hits. And the final show is a teen edition of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, staged at the Watford Palace Theatre on 1 and 2 August.
In between there’s everything from pre-Edinburgh shows to renowned stand-up comics, music from international recording artists, award-winning acts, premieres of new material, returning favourites, family fun and local talent.
Highlights include:
- MUSIC: Southern Beauty – a collective of talented musicians founded and fronted by Alison Wheeler (the female vocalist from the multi-million album selling band The Beautiful South)
- THEATRE: Every Brilliant Thing – hot on the heels of the Tony-nominated Broadway revival featuring Daniel Radcliffe, catch this one-of-a-kind solo show where a man looks back at his life and the glimmers of hope that carried him through.
- DANCE: Flamenco from Spain – an unforgettable night of flamenco music, singing and dance with prize-winning artists from Andalusia, Spain
- COMEDY: Mitch Benn: Asking Elvis – the comedian resurrects Elvis from BBC Radio 2’s legendary “Steve Wright in the Afternoon” show, to answer hunks of burning questions about life, death, cheeseburgers and everything in between
- FAMILY: The Amazing Adventures of a Girl called Red – a fabulous retelling of the familiar Red Riding Hood tale was originally a smash hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with a full cast of characters and puppetry.
The Festival is organised by the Watford Pump House in partnership with Watford Borough Council and sponsored by Watford Town Centre.
To book tickets and for more information on this year’s Watford Fringe Festival, just visit https://www.watfringe.co.uk/
