For the past 50 years, the Salisbury International Arts Festival has drawn people into the city for culture, spectacle and fun. Centuries before the Festival emerged, however, the Salisbury Giant and his companion Hobnob were providing a similar draw, enlivening public events and providing a focal point for processions and pageants. In 2024, we want to celebrate that long tradition by introducing the original Salisbury Giant to a new friend, Patch.

Join us on Sunday 26^th May as we welcome this new Giant to our City. Parading down Milford Street, music, dance and song will bring Patch into the Market Square for the start of our City Encounters weekend and two days of free performance and craft activity.

This opening weekend will herald the start of two weeks of fabulous music, circus, comedy, spoken word and theatre that will be spilling out of our buildings into the streets and spaces of Salisbury offering something for everyone.

The festival starts on the 26th May until the 9th June and we can’t wait to see you there.