Residents looking for something to do around Stroud this weekend can choose from an experimental music festival, a traditional village fete and one of the district’s most distinctive annual celebrations.
The three events take place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, according to the Stroud Times weekend guide, published on 18 September 2026. Hidden Notes Vol. 6 is centred on Stroud town centre, while Horsley Fete and Painswick Feast offer community-focused days out elsewhere in the district.
Hidden Notes brings music, film and installations to Stroud
Hidden Notes Vol. 6 runs from Saturday 19 to Sunday 20 September at St Laurence’s Church and other venues in the town. Organisers Alex Hobbis and Adam Hinks have assembled a programme of contemporary classical and avant-garde music for the sixth edition of the festival.
The programme includes music, film, talks, art installations and discussions. Among the headline performances are an appearance by Breton musician and composer Yann Tiersen and the world premiere of a new work by double Grammy-winning percussionist and composer Dame Evelyn Glennie.
At the SVA Goods Shed, Squidsoup will present Infinite, described as an immersive four-movement randomised spatial musical composition combining light, sound and technology.
Horsley Fete returns on Saturday
Horsley’s Village Fete, Craft and Produce Show takes place on Saturday afternoon from noon until 5pm. Activities are spread across Priory Fields, the village hall and Horsley Church, also known as the 3 in 1.
The annual event is set to include a barbecue, afternoon teas, vintage cars, a bouncy castle, a dog show, rare-breed livestock, music and dancing. Visitors can also watch a tug of war, buy drinks from the red bus bar and enter a raffle.
The village craft and produce show will run at the same time at the church, giving the afternoon both a traditional fete programme and a showcase for local entries.
Painswick Feast mixes food and ancient tradition
On Sunday, Painswick Feast runs from 11am to 5pm in the churchyard, beneath the town’s 99 yew trees. The event brings together residents and visitors for live music, food and drink, stalls, games and family activities.
The programme includes a dog show, teddy bear zipwire and apple pressing, as well as the specially baked puppy dog pies associated with Painswick Feast Day.
The day ends with a procession around the churchyard before the Clypping tradition takes place. Participants join hands in a circle around St Mary’s Church. After the service, children of the parish share special Clypping Buns.
The guide says community organisers can find details on how to suggest events for future editions of the weekly Stroud-area listings.
