Wiltshire Creative has announced plans for this year’s Salisbury International Arts Festival.

The festival will take place from Sunday, May 26 to Sunday, June 9, opening with the City Encounters event on the first weekend, beginning with Patch’s Parade, featuring the character of Patch the Giant, who lives underneath Milford Street Bridge but dreams of venturing out into the exciting city of Salisbury to meet other giants.

Full programming for the festival will be announced at a later date with tickets on sale in March.

SEE ALSO: Major mobile network provider to shut down 3G network across Salisbury

Following the success of the community chorus in 2023’s The Tempest – last year’s flagship production which took place in Churchill Gardens – Wiltshire Creative is once again inviting the community to get involved.

There are many opportunities to take part in Patch’s Parade. For those interested in participating, there is a Discovery Day with free workshops for musicians, singers, and movers on Saturday 2 March at Salisbury Playhouse from 10:30am.

Wiltshire Creative is also on the lookout for volunteers to join in the festivities with puppeteering and chaperoning at the parade. 

Wiltshire Creative and partners are also bringing back the Family Fiesta at Bemerton Heath in February half term.

This free community event will take place on Monday, February 12 at Harlequins Football Club in Bemerton Heath between 11am and 3pm, with activities including balloon modelling workshops, art workshops, shows and entertainment for the children.

February half term will also see the addition of Get Creative – Make Music, a music workshop for children aged seven to 11, as well as the return of SK Shlomo with their award-winning new solo show Breathe.

For more information go to wiltshirecreative.co.uk.