Prescot Festival is back and better than ever for 2026

Creating the perfect mix of music and arts for Prescot Festival is a fine science, we chat to Treasurer Laura Howard to hear more.

Treasurer Laura Howard said:

“Each year seems to surpass the one before”

“which leaves us wondering how we can top the one that’s just gone.”

“It is always a challenge. But it’s on for 10 days which gives us two weekends and the days in between which is realistically enough to keep it interesting and leave people wanting more.”

“And we try to keep it fresh by always introducing new acts, as well as bringing back old favourites.”

With a rare mix of jazz, choral music, big band sounds, a stage play – new this year – a barn dance, and more, Prescot Festival is thriving.

This year’s celebration of music and culture is being held from Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 28 and it’s the 22^nd year for the event which was presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in November 2025.

“That was exciting,” admits Laura. “It recognised that everything we do is done by volunteers and while it’s me and my husband – Dr Robert Howard is founder of the festival and a composer, conductor, teacher and musician – who do the day-to-day running, it was a lovely way to thank everyone for what they do and celebrate that we can do this because of the hard work and dedication of so many other people.”

Highlights this year include a Brass Spectacular with the Clock Face Miners Heritage Brass Band making their debut and opening the festival at Prescot Parish Church with a concert of classics, popular melodies and foot-tapping film favourites.

Also new to the festival this year is the Easy Street Big Band which is presenting an evening of swing and big band tunes on Friday, June 26.

Laura smiles:

“Easy Street is a St Helens-based band who’re reminding us of the golden age of big bands with music from Glen Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington,”

“It’s also a very special concert because we’ll be officially presented with the King’s Award during this event so there’ll be wine and cake too!”

Popular acts returning include South Liverpool Orchestra who will be performing the Festival Finale on Sunday, June 28.

She said:

“It’s their 50^th year so it’s wonderful that we can combine our final night with their anniversary. There’ll be cake – again! – and everyone will be given flags and it will have a real Last Night of the Proms feel.”

Folk band Two Left Feet are back with their traditional Barn Dance at St Paul’s Church on Thursday, June 25; Prescot Carnival will be held on Sunday, June 28, on Brown’s Field, and children will be involved in the Primary Schools’ Choir Festival on Monday, June 22, at the Parish Church.

Making even more sure there’s something for all ages too, this year’s Short Story Competition includes a new category for under 17s ‘to make sure it’s accessible and inclusive’.

Shakespeare North Playhouse is involved more than ever this year with a play by Lee Clotworthy in the Studio on June 23-24: Out the Woodwork tells the story of Lottery winner Pat whose life on a Huyton estate is turned upside down when she scoops the big one; and Afternoon Opera is in the Garden on Wednesday, June 24.

There’s plenty to keep everyone entertained which explains the hard work for all those who keep it going year after year.

But Laura says:

“We do it because we love arts and live music and being able to organise things that, selfishly, we want to see. We basically devise a programme that we want to watch ourselves and it’s fantastic to be able to do that in the beautiful Prescot Parish Church, and other buildings and places.

“Prescot is on the up, and we now have the brilliant Shakespeare North Playhouse, but in terms of a live music offering Prescot Festival is really the heart of the town.”

Tickets are already on sale with limited numbers for certain events and can be bought (cash only) at the Poco Bar & Café in Eccleston Street; on the door (being mindful that smaller venues might have sold out).