When, where and how - everything you need to know about Preston's Encounter Festival

The countdown is on for Encounter Festival, as the full programme is unveiled for Saturday, 19 September, promising a packed day of free outdoor performances, interactive installations, family activities and a spectacular Torchlight Procession in the centre of Preston.

Presented by Preston City Council, Encounter Festival transforms the city centre into a free open-air stage, bringing together a mix of internationally acclaimed artists, local talent and cultural experiences for audiences of all ages.

Encounter Festival will officially begin with a ceremonial opening by the Preston Town Crier.

The Flag Market will come alive with a diverse programme of performances and installations from noon until 5pm.

Visitors can experience the immersive world of Hydropunk by Artizani and Tender Foot Theatre, while Levantes Dance Theatre presents the uplifting outdoor performance HUG.

Audiences can also enjoy the quirky antics of Ramshacklicious' Mr & Mr Burn, explore the interactive sound world of Noisy Noise Noise, and discover the curious creatures of The Ugly Bugs Wingding by Enter Edem.

Making appearances throughout the day and into the evening will be the spectacular Arachnobot by Tim Davies Design, roaming the city centre ahead of the evening celebrations.

The Harris will also host a programme of free activities between noon and 5pm.

Magician Russ Brown will entertain audiences with walkabout performances from 1pm to 4pm, while Encounter Voices perform from 2pm.

Visitors are also invited to take part in the Preston Portrait Challenge from 11am with opportunities to watch artists at work creating their own portraits in The Studio.

Encounter Festival's key commission for 2026 sees the Torchlight Procession led by a unique homage to Preston and its history.

Horrockses on Stilts is inspired by The Harris' upcoming exhibition, Horrockses Fashions: Everyday Glamour & the Art of British Ready-to-Wear, which opens on Saturday, September 19.

The exhibition explores how the Lancashire-based company fused couture sensibilities with high-quality printed cottons to create highly sought-after dresses.

Preston-based circus and entertainment company, Wolf Entertainments & Events, led by Joshua Holden, have been commissioned to create oversized Horrockses-style dresses for eight stilt-walkers.

As the afternoon draws to a close, festival-goers are encouraged to enjoy Preston's food and drink offer before the evening programme begins, with restaurants across the city centre providing the perfect place to dine ahead of the night's events.

Keep the fun going at Animate, Preston's new leisure destination in The Harris Quarter.

Choose from a wide range of restaurants to enjoy exclusive Encounter Festival food and drink offers, or challenge friends and family to a game of bowling while you wait.

Music lovers can also enjoy the Recklinghausen Concert at The Guild Hall Atrium from 6pm to 7.15pm.

This unique international orchestral collaboration will bring together the Preston Symphony Orchestra and the Youth Symphony Orchestra of the City of Recklinghausen in a special performance.

Celebrating 70 years of the twinning partnership between Preston and Recklinghausen, the concert will feature talented musicians of all ages performing a varied programme of orchestral music. Tickets are available to purchase through The Guild Lounge website.

As darkness falls at 7.15pm, anticipation builds and the whole city transforms into a celebration for the Torchlight Procession.

Stilt Walkers, drummers, Morris Dancers, carnival troupes, uniformed groups, musicians and puppets will light up the city from Moor Park, down Deepdale Road and Church Street, until the procession finishes in front of The Guild Hall.

Encounter Festival's illuminated, custom-made Arthur Wharton puppet will return, alongside Brazen, the all-female brass band created as an Encounter Commission in 2024.

The procession will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display at 9pm, bringing this year's festival to a memorable close.

Councillor Hindle, cabinet member for culture and arts at Preston City Council, said: "Encounter Festival is a fantastic opportunity to bring our city centre to life through the power of outdoor arts and performance.

“This year's programme showcases the incredible creativity of artists from across the UK alongside opportunities for local people and visitors to come together, explore new experiences and enjoy culture in our public spaces.”