Preston Arts Festival returns for its 23rd annual outing this month with a variety of arts activities, workshops and events.

Taking place from Sunday 15 to Sunday 29 September, events covering art, drama, music, dance, poetry and more will run at a number of venues across the city and beyond.

Pre-launch activities on Saturday 14 September will include craft fairs in Fishergate and St. Georges shopping centres, dancers outside the Market Hall, and an artists en plein air event at the Flag Market.

The festival is organised by Preston Arts Association (PAA), a self-funded not for profit organisation.

PAA’s mission is to promote, support and celebrate the rich diversity of culture and creativity in contemporary and traditional art forms.

Read on to see what events will be taking place over the two weeks. For more information, visit the Preston Arts Association website or follow the Preston Arts Association and Festival Facebook page.

Sunday 15 September

• A free launch concert featuring South Ribble Strings and Preston Opera will take place at St George’s Church in Preston City Centre from 2pm. There will be refreshments, raffles and PAA member tables to peruse, plus a retiring collection at the end.

Tuesday 17 September

• Katy Bradley (KTB) Evening Talk and Tea is a talk about musical comedy from Arthur Askey to Victoria Wood. Admission includes a beverage and a scone. From 7pm at The Village Teapot in Walmer Bridge with tickets priced at £10.

Wednesday 18 September

• Talk by Preston author Christie J Newport at Lost Bar and Pizzeria at 2pm with entry £5
• Oil painting demonstration at St Margaret’s Church at 7.30pm

Read more: What’s on in Preston for Heritage Open Days 2024

Thursday 19 September

• Illustrator’s event at Lost Bar and Pizzeria at 7pm

Friday 20 September

• Open singing class with Joyce Tinsley at The Venue, Hoole Village Memorial Hall at 10.40am

Saturday 21 September

• The Damson Poets at The Continental at 7pm
• The Portrait Challenge on the Guild Hall concourse at 12pm
• KTB Choir with Lostock Hall Band will perform a ‘Last Night of the Proms’ style concert at Walmer Bridge Village Hall at 6pm
• Circle Dancing with Rosemary Forest at Galloway Hall in Fulwood at 12.45pm

Sunday 22 September

• Preston Symphony Orchestra at St. Leonard’s Church in Penwortham at 7pm

Monday 23 September

• ShowChoirNW concert at Fulwood Lawn Tennis Club at 7.30pm, fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support
• Preston Folk Dance Club open taster session at Galloway Hall in Fulwood at 7.30pm

Tuesday 24 September

• Portraits Art Opening and Prize Giving at The Artistry House in Winckley Square at 5.30pm

Wednesday 25 September

• SMILE (Preston) open crafting activities session at Ingol Church at 9.30am
• Fired 4U adult pottery painting open taster session at 15-17 Hennel Lane, Walton-le-Dale, at 7pm
• When We Are Married, a farcical comedy by Preston Drama Club at Preston Playhouse at 7.30pm. Runs until Saturday 28 September

Read more: Preston Orpheus Choir’s call out for new members ahead of autumn restart

Thursday 26 September

• Hand Drawn and Quartered illustrators event at Lost Bar and Pizzeria at 7pm
• KTB Musical Theatre presents a cabaret evening at Chorley Little Theatre at 7.30pm

Friday 27 September

• Archive readings on the topic of sport at Lancashire Records Office at 2pm

Saturday 28 September

• All That Jazz singing workshop at Broughton and District Club at 2pm, followed by a performance to a public audience at 7pm

Sunday 29 September

• Together – The Finale will see a closing ceremony take place at Lostock Hall Conservative Club at 12pm. There will be a variety of performances by singers and dancers, plus food, stall and tables

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.

Read more: See more of what’s on in Preston

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to contactus@blogpreston.co.ukami for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.