Lovers of the arts, community and entertainment will be delighted by the news that Reigate Summer Festival is taking over the town again this midsummer, on the weekend of June 19-21. In fact, you may already be a part of it, such is the all-inclusive nature of this exciting event.

New for this year are a sustainable fashion show, Conscious Couture, a comedy workshop for the aspiring stand-up, a photography exhibition and hip-hop dance workshops for all ages.

This adds to the established menu of live music, drama, dance, film, literature, poetry, art and cultural history, all amounting to a weekend of wall-to-wall entertainment and amazing performance opportunities for local talents, young and old.

Good for the town

The festival takes place in venues throughout the town centre, from Pilgrim Brewery across to Savills, from Parkside up to Tunnel Road and beyond. It brings valuable footfall to local shops, bars and restaurants and creates memorable scenes in places like Tunnel Road, the Old Town Hall and Cage Yard, where three of the main music stages can be found.

It also supports three local charities: Renewed Hope, Loveworks and Reigate Community Centre.

More and more high street businesses are responding to the call to join the party and throw open their doors to be venues for the festival, putting on music, poetry, exhibitions and whatever else the creative mind can conjure up. And thanks to the sponsorship of local businesses and grant funders, all these entertainments are provided for free, with just a few exceptions (see details below).

What’s on?

The programme for this year’s festival is filling up fast, with everything listed on the RSF What’s On page. This now lists local entertainments all year round, so it’s well worth bookmarking to keep abreast of everything that’s going on in and around Reigate.

Here’s a snapshot of what you can look forward to for the festival weekend.

Music

With five stages hosting live music from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, you’ll find every genre on show, from choirs to crooners, bands to barbershop. Check out the smaller Fringe venues and the Busk Stops for more musical performances throughout the weekend.

Film

Everyman Cinema hosts Reigate Film Festival, which features screenings of short films by local filmmakers and Reigate College students on the Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Comedy

Comedy Cottage is back at Reigate Priory FC, with a programme of comedians on the Friday evening. On Saturday, it’s running an afternoon comedy workshop for aspiring stand-ups, or anyone who wants to sharpen up their public speaking. Both are ticketed events – see booking details below.

Fashion

On Saturday afternoon, the Ivory Lounge becomes a catwalk for Conscious Couture. Think pre-loved, handmade, reimagined. Design a show-stopping look, own the runway and compete for the ‘Most Creative Outfit’ crown.

It just so happens that Lisa, our Digital Marketing Consultant, is organising the Conscious Couture Fashion Show. Here’s what she shared about the event:

“You don’t have to be brilliant at sewing to take part (although those who are are very welcome!). Anyone who enjoys thrift shopping or loves reworking garments can enter an outfit. We want the event to celebrate local fashion creativity and be genuinely inclusive.”

Poetry

RAW poetry launched in 2025 to provide a platform for local poets, and after a successful debut in Basil’s wine bar at last year’s festival, it’s back in the same venue on the Saturday afternoon.

Literature

Reigate Library and Waterstones host literature events, including local authors reading from their works for various ages.

Drama

The Community Stage hosts drama from local schools and societies and there are drama workshops on offer at Somers Hall. See booking details below.

Dance

Ballet, Latin American and Thai dancing are on this year’s schedule, with a spectacular show by Salsabug in Tunnel Road on Saturday evening. as well as a series of hip-hop dance workshops, run by professional choreographer Lindon Barr, at Society.

Art

Reigate Community Centre hosts an exhibition of art from Reigate College on the Saturday afternoon and Adam’s Gallery invites local artists to exhibit their work.

Photography

Curated by Reigate Photographic Society and hosted by Savills Reigate, the photography exhibition marks the entrance to the festival for anyone arriving from the Church Street end. You can also enjoy a display of RPS sporting photography on-screen in Simply Sports’ shop window.

Local history

The Reigate Society has organised a rare opportunity to view the Museum Room and Holbein Hall at Reigate Priory on festival Saturday. The museum has a collection of local history and domestic items as well as period costumes. The Holbein Hall features a magnificent Tudor fireplace and beautiful 18th century staircase.

Workshops

As well as the comedy, drama and dance workshops already mentioned, there is a menu of other workshops that you can sign up for to help develop your own creative talents. All the workshops are ticketed – see booking details below.

Stuff for kids

Don’t think the nippers have been overlooked. You’ll find a range of events for U12s, including poetry, literature, music, workshops. And of course, if they’re prodigious players of the piano, they can come and perform!

Join the party

There are many ways to get involved in Reigate Summer Festival, all of which can be found on the website.

Anyone interested in performing or submitting their film or fashion item will find the relevant application form on the Get Involved page.

If you want to book comedy tickets or a workshop, you can do that here – but hurry!

And to keep up with all the news, subscribe here and follow @ReigateSummerFestival on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Reigate Summer Festival is run by volunteers on a non-profit basis and just about all of it is free, thanks to the generosity of:

New Music Nights, Reigate College, Reigate Architects, House of Building Group, Kütchenhaus, Good Consulting Co, The Ivory Lounge, Savills Reigate, Simple Floors, The Thornton Group, The Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust and The Pilgrim Band Trust.

Anyone can show their appreciation and add to the festival budget by making a donation at Crowdfunder.