Tickets are now on sale for the first ever Alton Arts Festival, with celebrities coming to the town throughout the ten-day celebration.

Guests will include comedian Richard Herring, world-renowned musician Cara Dillon, author and activist Laura Bates, Guinness World Record breaking beatboxer Testament, an intimate performance from ‘electric soul queen’ Carmody, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage with his band LYR, comedy legend Arthur Smith, and former Waterstones Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell.

The not-for-profit celebration is totally run by volunteers, and it will host activities such as Alton Choir Festival, hands-on painting, stone sculpting and writing workshops, ComedyClub4Kids - and many more.

The multi-arts, multi-venue festival offers an opportunity for fans to catch special shows from their favourite artists and discover new ones in the town’s unique and intimate venues, including Goldfinch Books, Jane Austen’s House, HSDC Alton, Chawton House, Holybourne Theatre, the Assembly Rooms, the Alton Maltings, the Community Centre, and Alton’s churches and green spaces.

Festival chair Annie Lancaster, said: “We are so thrilled to be putting the first events on sale for the inaugural Alton Arts Festival, and to share more of the incredible line-up of artists and creatives coming to Alton this summer. This is a festival of discovery. We hope everyone can find new artists and new interests through an eclectic array of gigs, discussions, workshops, and events. 

“We’ve worked hard to keep ticket prices as affordable as we possibly can, and there will also be free events across the 10 days to ensure everyone in Alton and the surrounding areas can get involved with this exciting event. We’re so grateful to our venue partners for their support in this. Alton’s unique venues, spaces and places will create moments of real magic. We can’t wait to see how the community responds to 10 days of creativity and celebration.”

Alton Arts Festival will take place from July 5-14. 

Tickets to many events are available now at altonartsfestival.com and more events will be announced and go on sale in March.