Preston’s Encounter Festival secures Arts Council funding boost

Preston’s flagship cultural event, Encounter Festival, has been awarded £79,000 from Arts Council England marking a significant investment in the city’s creative future.

The funding will support the development of Encounter 2026 and lay critical groundwork for Preston Guild 2032. At the heart of this ambition is the iconic Torchlight Procession, widely regarded as the highlight of the festival, which will expand in scale, ambition, and community involvement.

Set to return on Saturday, 19 September, Encounter Festival is moving beyond a standalone annual event. It will begin establishing Preston as a national centre for processional practice, bringing together sector specialists and local artists to co-create large-scale work. Community participants will play a central role, gaining hands-on experience in design, making, and performance as part of a progressive skills development programme.

This year also marks the beginning of a wider strategic framework. Arts Council England’s backing will help develop a five-year plan to guide the evolution of Guild-ready skills across the city, including education partnerships, internships, apprenticeships, and professional training opportunities.

The aim is to build the workforce, infrastructure, and creative confidence needed to deliver an internationally significant Guild celebration in 2032.

The Arts Council England funding will also enable the 2026 edition of Encounter Festival to activate Preston’s Harris Quarter with a dynamic programme of music, family workshops, and outdoor performance.

These daytime events will build momentum towards the evening Torchlight Procession, where over 500 performers, community groups, and artists will transform the city’s streets in a large-scale celebration.

Adrian Phillips, Chief Executive at Preston City Council said: “As the countdown to Preston Guild 2032 begins, Encounter Festival is positioned as both a cultural catalyst and a strategic driver. With this latest investment from Arts Council England, that vision takes a significant step forward.

‘’With 800 years of Guild history as its backdrop, the festival will help shape a contemporary, inclusive, and globally relevant celebration - reflecting the people, stories, and creative energy of Preston and Lancashire.”