What a Fantastic 10^th Watford Fringe Festival

Marking ten years of outstanding creativity, the Watford Fringe Festival returned this July with an exciting month-long programme of live performance. Bringing together theatre, music, comedy, dance, family entertainment and more, the festival continues to showcase a vibrant mix of
award-winning local talent, award-winning acts and internationally recognised performers to the heart of Watford.

Nearly 1,700 tickets sold with 164 performances across 25 venue spaces spread across the whole of July. We enjoyed an extraordinary live line-up featuring 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.  

First launched in 2016 to support and champion local creative talent, the Watford Fringe Festival has flourished into an established platform for artists from across the UK and beyond, while continuing to nurture performers from the local community. Over the past decade, the festival
has expanded year on year, as well as continuing online during the pandemic – becoming a key part of Watford’s cultural calendar. Originally held in October, the Festival moved to July in 2024 to bring even more events and activity under the Fringe umbrella throughout the summer.

Organised by the Watford Pump House in partnership with Watford Borough Council and sponsored by Watford Town Centre, the festival continues to thrive thanks to the support of its venues, volunteers and local partners. Participating venues include Watford Pump House, Watford Colosseum, Watford Palace Theatre, West Herts College, Lanchester School, and St Mary’s and St John’s Churches, transforming the town into a hub of creativity and live entertainment.

Watch this space for news of the Watford Fringe Festival 2027!