A new display at Museum in the Park will take visitors through eight decades of Stroud Arts Festival history, from its beginnings as a small religious-drama event to its development into an international celebration of the arts.
Stroud Arts Festival and the World of Netlam Bigg opens at the museum in Stratford Park, Stratford Road, Stroud, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. It will remain on display until Sunday, December 20, 2026.
From town festival to international event
The display marks the festival’s 80th anniversary. According to the museum, the event began in 1947 as a small town festival of religious drama before growing to encompass art, music, drama and poetry.
Objects from the museum collection will tell the story of the festival and its “extraordinary founder”, Netlam Bigg. The display will also examine the festival’s influence on Stroud’s arts scene, offering local visitors a chance to explore the cultural history behind one of the town’s long-running festivals.
Visitor information
The display will be presented in the Collectors’ Room at Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stratford Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 4AF. Admission is free, although donations are welcome.
The museum warns that the Collectors’ Room is sometimes closed for school visits. Visitors making a special journey are advised to check before travelling.