Midsummer Festival will return on Sunday 22 June, with the festival seeking to build on a successful first edition held last summer.

Organised by Milton Keynes City Council to coincide with the summer solstice, from 10am on 22 June Midsummer Boulevard East will once again be transformed into a vibrant hub of music, arts and family-friendly activities inspired by themes of renewal, healing and health.

The festival will feature live music, street theatre, folklore-inspired art, and hands-on workshops, all free to enjoy. Visitors can also indulge in delicious pop-up street food curated by local food blogging star Sophie etc., with food available throughout the day and into the evening.

Midsummer Boulevard East will be closed to traffic during the event. Diversion signs will redirect motorists, and buses will operate from alternative stops outside The Point on Lower Tenth Street.

While a full programme is still being finalised, highlights already confirmed include Leap Then Look: A new interactive art commission, Bernadette Russell: A captivating storytelling performance reclaiming the image of fairies as wild, punk-spirited protectors of the earth and Wild Rumpus and the Pavilion of the Hopeful Sun: Hosting the ‘Ceremony of the Seed’.

MK City Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Culture and Innovation, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said “We’re delighted to bring the Midsummer Festival back this year after its incredible success in its first outing. The team is working on what promises to be an action-packed day with activities for everyone to enjoy. We want to do something really special this time out, so if you’re a local artist or have a creative mind, get in touch and help us put on another fantastic display.”

The city council is inviting artists, creatives, and cultural organisations to submit ideas for a new commission to feature in the festival programme. Those interested can apply on the city council’s website.