Winchester Hat Fair 2025

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The arts and education charity, Play to the Crowd, has announced that Hat Fair – the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts – is back for another summer, this year on Saturday 5 July.

The festival that takes place in Winchester city centre and which celebrated its fiftieth birthday in style last year will this summer return to its roots with a focus on the busking/Hatter element the festival takes its name from – putting a hat out after a performance to collect donations from the audience.

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

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