What’s on

Midsummer Festival returns for its third year on Sunday 21 June, bringing a day of free, high-quality entertainment for all ages to the heart of Milton Keynes. Set along Midsummer Boulevard, this magical celebration of the summer solstice is packed with joyful, creative and memorable experiences – the perfect way to spend Father’s Day together.

Expect a jam-packed programme of performances, installations, workshops and activities, designed to delight children, families and curious minds alike.

Free entry | Family-friendly | 10am–8pm

Free face-painting throughout the day!

What’s on

Following the success of its first Midsummer Festival last year, Milton Keynes City Council is holding its second family-friendly free Midsummer Festival.

On Sunday 22 June from 10am–10.30pm, Midsummer Boulevard East will be transformed into Festival central for a free event inspired by midsummer themes of fantasy, folklore and fairy tales.

Music, street theatre, and summer solstice-inspired art will take place alongside free making workshops. Fantastic pop-up street food curated by Sophie etc will be available throughout the day and into the evening. Find out more

FAQs

Any questions?
Smiling person wearing colorful fabric strips and holding blue fans at a festive outdoor event.
A web of coloured string with two children playing in it.

Handmade Productions

A web of coloured string with two children playing in it.

The Wandering Oracles

Two people in large white rabbit costumes walk with a child and adults on a wooded path.

Moon Hares by Alice Boland-Rhodes

Colorful maypole with red, purple ribbons and three yellow baskets with green and red streamers.

The Wound and Woven Maypole – Jenny Steele

SPECTACLE & PERFORMANCE

Midsummer Boulevard | From 10am–7pm

This year we welcome acclaimed creative company Handmade Productions, whose magnificent larger-than-life puppets will parade through the city in two spectacular processions – combining dance, music and masterful puppetry to mark the longest day of the year.

Day time parade
2pm

Closing parade
7pm

The Mud Plant Rave by Institute of Thrifty Ideas
A joyful, immersive performance inviting audiences to reconnect with nature through movement, ritual, music and shared experience. Don’t forget to collect your wireless headphones!

Performance times
11am and 5pm

Silent disco | Drop-in
2.45–3.45pm

Look out for returning favourites and roaming characters bringing mischief and magic throughout the day, including The Wandering Oracles and the playful Moon Hares.

A web of coloured string with two children playing in it.

CANOPY by Lorna Rees Company

A pile of colorful tarot cards featuring various suits and the Ace of Pentacles card on top.

The Oracle of Milton Keynes by Aminah Alhamdu

Group wearing headphones dancing outdoors with colorful costumes and natural props in a forest setting.

The Mud Plant Rave – Institute of Thrifty Ideas

Colorful maypole with red, purple ribbons and three yellow baskets with green and red streamers.

The Wound and Woven Maypole – Jenny Steele

Two hands using small gardening tools to dig soil in a marked rectangular plot outdoors.

Time Team Milton Keynes by Mark Wyman & Suzy Round

Two people outdoors, one pouring water from a pottery jug into the hands of the other.

A Space to Rest by Lesley Asare & Katie Fields

People outdoors at a table crafting with yarn and circular wooden tools on a sunny day.

Clayground Collective

INTERACTIVE ART & INSTALLATIONS

Midsummer Boulevard | From 10am–7pm

CANOPY by Lorna Rees Company
Step into an enchanting sound world exploring our connection with trees. Wander between 24 suspended sonic pods filled with music, stories and ideas gathered from over 500 contributors. Collect a trail sheet, explore at your own pace, and share your own thoughts with the CANOPY Caretaker.

The Oracle of Milton Keynes by Aminah Alhamdu.
Help create a unique, collaborative oracle card deck inspired by the city – a playful, creative take on myth-making and fortune-telling.

The Wound and Woven Maypole by Jenny Steele
‍A vibrant, interactive sculpture at the heart of the festival. Help create this evolving artwork through weaving and tassel making across the day.

Time Team Milton Keynes by Mark Wyman & Suzy Round
‍Join a playful ‘archaeological dig’ uncovering the imagined hidden history of Milton Keynes beneath your feet.

A Space to Rest by Lesley Asare & Katie Fields
‍Pause and recharge in a calm, multi-sensory environment, surrounded by plants grown and foraged by local communities.

Clayground Collective invites you to explore a mythological ‘underworld’ of Milton Keynes through clay – a chance for all ages to get creative and make something by hand.

Workshop times: 10am–4.30pm
Photo opportunity: 4.30–5.30pm

Person reading from a paper to a group standing on a forest path surrounded by green leafy trees.

House of Stories curated by MK Literary Festival

Three detailed faerie marionette puppets posed outdoors with a stone building and trees behind.

The Five Fae on the Longest Day by Alice Boland Rhodes

Stories, Folklore & Imagination

The Pavilion of the Hopeful Sun | From 10am–7pm

House of Stories, curated by MK Literary Festival. Enjoy family storytelling, readings and open mic sessions, exploring folklore, history and identity.

Terrie Howie – Family Story Telling Session
11.30am–12pm and 3.30–4pm

Hagstone workshop
12–1pm

Owen Staton – Time Between Times
1.15–2pm

MK Tales – Open Mic Performance, spooky stories encouraged!
4.15–5pm

Steph Lay – City of Secrets
5.15–6pm

Find out more here

The Five Fae on the Longest Day by Alice Boland Rhodes.

A charming marionette puppet show for children and families, where five woodland fae must save their Midsummer celebration – whimsical storytelling for all ages.

Performance times
10.30am, 2.45pm and 6.15pm

Group of people crafting with yarn, sticks, and sunflowers at a light-filled workshop table.

Flower crown making with Branch-out MK

Four corn dollies made from braided wheat tied with colored ribbons on a yellow tablecloth.

Corn dolly workshops with Milton Keynes Arts Centre

Children engaged in arts and crafts with colorful strings and face paint at a lively workshop.

Positive Affirmation Badges led by MK Gallery. Artwork by Our Studio member Frankie.

Get Hands-On

Workshop Tent | Drop-in | From 10am–6.30pm
Flower crown making with Branch-out MK
10am–12.30pm
Corn dolly workshops with Milton Keynes Arts Centre
1–3.30pm
Positive Affirmation Badges with MK Gallery
4–6.30pm

Join Sarah Hunt and young artists from MK Gallery’s inclusive Our Studio programme for an afternoon of positive affirmations! Design your own badges and craft your own flags, celebrating all things Midsummer and wonder of you.

Group of people crafting with yarn, sticks, and sunflowers at a light-filled workshop table.

Meeo host for SLQY sessions

Four corn dollies made from braided wheat tied with colored ribbons on a yellow tablecloth.

SLQY – Tanya Travers

Children engaged in arts and crafts with colorful strings and face paint at a lively workshop.

SLQY – SAJE

Children engaged in arts and crafts with colorful strings and face paint at a lively workshop.

SLQY – Essy Maliya

Children engaged in arts and crafts with colorful strings and face paint at a lively workshop.

SLQY – Selah Sound

Children engaged in arts and crafts with colorful strings and face paint at a lively workshop.

Virginia Kettles

Children engaged in arts and crafts with colorful strings and face paint at a lively workshop.

Juniper

LiVE MUSIC

Bandstand | From 12–7pm

We are pleased to welcome the return of local creative collective SLQY who have programmed a mellow mix of Neo Soul, Jazz, Gospel, Hip Hop and R&B. Hosted by Meelo.

The early evening music programme will host both Virginia Kettles and Juniper to bring the festival to a close before the final parade.

SLQY – Meelo
Host

Meelo is a rapper, singer, and songwriter with a distinctive style and sound that transcends traditional genres. Fusing melodic rap with a soulful tone, Meelo delivers a unique musical experience rooted in raw emotion and authentic storytelling. With a sound that refuses to be boxed in and lyrics that speak to the human experience, Meelo is steadily carving out his own lane in music, one impactful release at a time.

SLQY – Tanya Travers
12–12.30pm

British-Zimbabwean artist Tanya Travers delivers soulful vocals, timeless R&B influences, and uplifting summer sounds. From nostalgic favourites to smooth feel-good covers, her performances are all about good energy, connection, and creating the perfect vibe – as she gets ready to return with new original music.

SLQY – SAJE
12.30–1pm

SAJE is UK-based artist and producer with roots in Zimbabwe, whose music defies boundaries and redefines genres. Blending introspective Rap with the soulful textures of contemporary RnB, and Gospel, SAJE crafts a sound that’s as unique as it is profound.

SLQY – Essy Maliya
1–1.30pm

Essy Maliya is an independent R&B artist blending soulful melodies with smooth, contemporary sounds shaped by both her Nigerian roots and British upbringing. Inspired by artists such as Aaliyah and Summer Walker, Essy brings a fresh and honest approach to UK R&B, pairing sultry vocals with emotion-filled storytelling that captures the experiences of love, growth and young adulthood.

SLQY – Selah Sound
1.30–2pm

Selah Sound is a Milton Keynes-based gospel collective blending soulful Gospel with the sounds of contemporary R&B, neo-soul and hip-hop. Inspired by the creativity and energy of Sunday Service Choir, Kirk Franklin & other gospel artist legends, Selah Sound brings a fresh and heartfelt sound that stays true to the core of gospel music.

Virginia Kettles
4–5pm

Rolling Folk gives Virginia an outlet for songs beyond Merry Hell’s repertoire, offering the same songwriting quality in a more intimate setting. Joined by acclaimed fiddle player Clare “Fluff” Smith and her husband and bandmate John, she brings new depth to her musical and lyrical vision.

Juniper
6–7pm

Juniper are a Birmingham-formed 6-piece perhaps best described as orchestral Celtic & contemporary folk. Their powerful sound is built on intricate yet accessible arrangements, evoking soaring orchestral textures which meld seamlessly with the fire of a Celtic session.