Hat Fair will return in 2027

Hat Fair is gearing up for an exciting return on 3 – 4 July 2027

Hat Fair, one of Winchester's most distinctive events, normally explodes onto Winchester’s streets on the first weekend of each July.

As many people know it is taking a breather in 2026 but behind the scenes there is lots going on to ensure its return in 2027 as promised.

Play to the Crowd, the charity that runs Hat Fair as well as Theatre Royal Winchester, is using its 'Pause with a Purpose' to great effect to secure the future of Hat Fair.

We have been remodelling how we think of Hat Fair within our wider operation as an arts and education charity. We now see it as a fundamental part of our broader community engagement work beyond our building.

The Hat Fair festival will be the moment in the year where much of our work in and with local communities culminates. It will also be the moment where new community projects and ideas spring from.

The interface between local community performers, local creatives and visiting national and international performers will be much stronger as a result.

We are now clear what the purpose of Hat Fair is going forward and have four clear intentions:

• Hat Fair will be an international example of Outdoor Arts as a tool to enhance place making
• Hat Fair will be known nationally as a supportive testing ground for new work and ideas
• Hat Fair will offer a bespoke professional development strand for emerging Outdoor Arts makers
• Hat Fair will focus on creative access and nurturing talent for emerging local and national artists

This clarity will help us as we seek investment and partnerships to ensure the longer-term future of Hat Fair beyond 2027. We have already begun these conversations and will continue them over the next six months.

If you would like to be part of this dialogue or would like to support the future of Hat Fair contact kirstie@playtothecrowd.co.uk or call 01962 844 600.

In the meantime, Deryck, our CEO and Artistic Director and Rose, our Festivals and Projects Producer are going to Festivals up and down the country as well as abroad as we look for the most exciting professional Outdoor Arts performance to bring to Winchester in 2027.

You know what they say, 'anticipation makes the heart grow fonder' and we know there is great affection for Hat Fair in Winchester and the surrounding area. We would love to bring together some groups of local people to understand what makes Hat Fair so special as we continue to plan for the future.

Finally, if you are missing Hat Fair so much you can't wait until next Summer, we have just put on sale our Hat Fair Cabaret event at Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 15 January 2027. This is curated by and stars the much-loved Street Comedy duo and is a fundraiser to help us stage Hat Fair on 3 and 4 July 2027.

Tickets are available at theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk

Hope to see you there and do put 3 – 4 July 2027 into your calendars right now!