EXPECT the unexpected at this year’s Basingstoke Festival.

The near month-long event returns for a seventh year and will once again feature a range of more than 100 diverse events throughout the town.

This year the theme for the festival, which runs from Friday, 15 June to Sunday, 8 July, will be Art in Unexpected Places.

Run by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the event ensures that visitors to the town will uncover a wealth of talent in places you wouldn’t expect, from shops and businesses, to libraries and parks, across every corner of the borough.

Deputy leader of the borough council, who is responsible for art and culture, Councillor Terri Reid, said: “This year, the festival offers world class experiences including a performance by Rufus Wainwright and amazing street theatre to outdoor acts popping up in the most unexpected places.

“We are delighted to welcome the highly-acclaimed Stopgap Dance Company and the award-winning Ballet Cymru who will present a sparkling, refreshing ballet based on the classic fairy tale Cinderella – and this is just a sample of the incredible line-up we have this year.  

“There will also be the usual ‘home-grown’ focus on local talent including artists, theatre practitioners, singers and musicians.

“We are delighted that once again we will be reaching out to every corner of the borough through the Festival in the Community programme, and we urge local residents to get in touch so that they can participate in the festival, which grows in size and popularity each year.” 

The festival will celebrate the heritage of the borough in addition to hosting the ‘Festival in the Community’ local event for a second year, helping to bring arts and performances to underused places. There is still time for groups across the borough to apply to host one of these events.  

To keep up to date with the latest news from Basingstoke Festival 2018, follow @BstokeFestival on Twitter and Instagram, like ‘Basingstoke Festival’ on Facebook or visit basingstokefestival.co.uk.