Hat Fair 2025 Announcement

We’re thrilled to announce that Hat Fair – the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts – is back for another summer on Saturday 5 July 2025. 

Festival Returning To Its Roots

Last year saw our festival celebrate its 50th birthday in style, and this year it will return to its roots with a focus on our Hatters (buskers) and their brilliant street performances. After all, it’s where the festival takes its name from – putting a hat out after a performance to collect donations from the audience. 

The 2025 festival will reminisce on its beginnings in 1974 as a hatter’s event and the programme will feature a line-up of street theatre, experts in clowning, magic, physical comedy, acrobatics and audience participation. 

This year’s event will also celebrate our charity’s (Play to the Crowd) year-round engagement work with diverse local communities, providing a platform for groups and individuals to showcase their talent. 

Hat Fair Continues Despite Loss Of Funding

Two years ago, our charity lost regular Arts Council England NPO (National Porfolio Organisation) funding and Play to the Crowd has worked hard to keep the festival alive and developing.  

This year the programme will take place over one day due to funding challenges, but Hat Fair 2025 promises to be as joyous as ever.

Words From Hat Fair Director Andrew Loretto

‘The arts, along with other public services, face a huge funding and sustainability challenge in the current climate. Despite that, and with goodwill and support from our communities and partners, I’m looking forward to staging a one-day Hat Fair. 

‘Recently the charity that runs Hat Fair – Play to the Crowd – was designated a Theatre of Sanctuary – recognising the work the charity does with diverse communities and those who are recent arrivals to our country. Nowhere celebrates and welcomes that community work better than Hat Fair.’ 

Join In

We are looking for local talent in and around Winchester to perform at Hat Fair 2025, an incredible Outdoor Arts festival in Winchester City Centre.

If you're a singer, musician, comic, member of a choir or dance troupe, or have another short performance you want to show the public, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply visit Perform at Hat Fair 2025 | Playmakers
Deadline Tue 11 March

Support Hat Fair 

Anyone who is interested in investing in the festival so that it can remain a part of the city’s cultural calendar are welcome to contact Fundraising Manager, Becca Moore, at becca@playtothecrowd.co.uk 

Hat Fair 2025 will take place Saturday 5 July 2025. Full line-up to be announced.