The Banbury Canal Festival is set to return this weekend with music, workshops, displays, and more.
The event, hosted by Banbury Town Council, will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6.
The canal way alongside Castle Quay will be transformed into a lively hub of events, displays, exhibitions, and performances.
Banbury Music Mix Radio will spotlight local talent, while The Mill Arts Centre will stage performances from the Black Eagles, Angie Mack’s Hula Hoop Show, and HENGE from Motion House.
There will be fairground rides for children as well as face painting and a number of different workshops to entertain families.
Running before, during, and after the festival will be various live performances, screenings, and crafts hosted at the historic Tooley’s Boatyard, by the Village Butty.
The Village Butty said: "Our stated aim is to increase the overall jollity of the nation, and what better way than by putting on wonderful entertainment in unique locations, and Tooley’s is certainly that."
The festival celebrates Banbury's growth throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, largely owed to its central position along the Oxford Canal.
The Canal Festival is a "true celebration of the town’s past, present, and future," the council said.
Castle Quay will be open for business as usual, offering its own range of attractions at the festival.
Oliver Wren, centre director at Castle Quay, said: "The Canal Festival is a cherished event within our community, and this year promises an eclectic mix of entertainment throughout the weekend for everyone to enjoy.
"We've arranged some family fun with a face painter, glitter tattooist, and balloon twister ready to get visitors into the festival spirit.
"Our entertainment is free, so be sure to stop by the centre and join in on the fun."
Bridge Street Community Gardens will also be busy with activities, with the Adderbury Morris Men performing throughout Saturday.
Guests are invited to explore cultural objects and stories from MultakaOxford, Pitt Rivers Museum, and the History of Science Museum, or bring their own vegetarian dish to the gardens between 1pm and 2.30pm.
A spokesperson for Bridge Street Community Garden said: "Banbury Community Action Group is excited to participate in this year’s Canal Festival.
"We’ll have a stall at the event, and we encourage everyone to follow us on social media for updates, including details about our ‘Around the World’ event happening at Bridge Street Garden on the first day of the festival."
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