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About the festival
The Wargrave Village Festival is a bi-annual celebration of all things Wargrave.
Inspired by the late Revd John Ratings, vicar of St Mary’s Church, the festival was first held in the summer of 1975 and has been a major feature of village life since. From relatively modest beginnings, it has grown to offer a staggering array of events and now extends to over 35 events held over three-weeks in June. Centred on Mill Green, these events are now held in locations across the village.​​
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Festival Aims
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The festival aims are in keeping with the original community ethos ‘By Wargrave - For Wargrave’ and endeavours to:
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Provide a social experience that enhances and supports our community
To provide a structure within which local societies and charities can hold fund-raising events
To support other charitable causes where we can afford it
To keep the festival financially sustainable and viable for the future
We are not profit-making, but we aim to maintain a cash reserve that enables us to fund the set-up and operation of future festivals.
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TRADITION
The festival offers the local community an occasion to look forward to: an event that defines our village identity and is accessible to the community.
giving
The festival provides the local community with the opportunity to give back - providing much needed support to local community groups.
JOY
Soak up the energy, spirit, joy, vibrance and happiness the festival offers.
TOGETHERNESS
The festival brings the community together, it connects the village and helps build new friendships.
2026 theme "Once upon a Village"
In 2026, the festival theme, 'Once upon a Village' inspired by the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh and the 100th anniversary of the births of Elisabeth Beresford and Michael Bond who created the Wombles and Paddington, respectively. The 2026 Festival will be a celebration of storytelling, community, timelessness, imagination and, of course, happy endings.
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The 19-day long festival will feature a host of fun-filled family delights, dazzling formal events, spirited theatre and musical performances, roving culinary delights, a sporting extravaganza, an ultimate ABBA Party, as well as the traditional Wargrave Festival Parade through the historic village, celebrating all that makes up this splendid community.
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The Festival is a not-for-profit event where every penny raised goes to community organisations improving the quality of life in the village through education, sport and culture.
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Roisin & Mark
We just love Wargrave Festival! There is always a great variety of events to keep everyone happy. So much planning goes into it, and this is evident by how professional the event is run.
Fiona & David
We love going to the Comedy Night. It's a great night out with friends and always top-class acts.
Annie & James
I look forward to the festival every other year. All my friends do. We love whiling away a summer afternoon listening to jazz and dancing late into the night at the festival Ball.
