Broadway Arts Festival
Broadway
Events Experience
Date: 6 – 15th June 2025
The Broadway Arts Festival is a family-friendly, biennial event that celebrates the unique and artistic heritage of the village. It was forged by a famous colony of American writers and artists. They found inspiration here during the late 19th century. William Morris, famed in the Arts & Crafts movement, spent time in Broadway during the 1880s. He adopted Broadway Tower as his studio.
Visiting friends, including American journalist Lawrence Dutton, took little persuading after a walk down to the village, that Broadway was a charmed spot. The colony of artists soon followed, and Broadway became their summer creative retreat. Additionally, writers, poets and performing artists flocked to the village, drawn to Broadway’s creative spirit. Many felt that they had discovered a treasured part of ‘old England’. There are many legendary stories of this time gone by. From Evelyn Waugh enjoying the Lygon Arms, M W Turner sketching the countryside near Evesham and JM Barrie enjoying that most English of pastimes, playing cricket on the village green.
Today, the festival is a wonderful celebration of this time and takes place in different locations throughout the village. Alongside the diverse range of workshops, outdoor theatre on the village green, exhibitions and talks, visitors can also enjoy live music and garden tours. One of the most popular events is artBEAT, a 3-day showcase held over the opening weekend. This features some of Britain’s finest artists and artisans offering demonstrations and the opportunity to purchase their work.
The Broadway Arts Festival also has an outreach programme that plays an important role in the local community. Local schools in Broadway, Chipping Campden and Evesham enjoy a variety of creative and performing arts activities and workshops throughout the year.
Tickets are always popular for this festival and will go on sale in March 25 for the June event.
