'Battle of the Choirs' added to packed Maidenhead Festival programme of events

Exciting musical and community events, including a new ‘Battle of the Choirs’, feature in Maidenhead Festival’s 2026 programme.

Since the end of the annual two-day Maidenhead Festival in Kidwells Park in 2024, the team behind it has switched focus to more frequent but smaller community events.

The 2026 programme builds on the success of last year and aims to promote local live music and strengthen the festival’s connection with local venues, artists and the community.

The programme kicks-off in the Easter school holiday with the return of the Maidenhead Festival Sound Lab.

Running in the Nicholsons Centre on April 8-9 in partnership with Berkshire Music Trust and Pianoz, it will allow budding musicians – or the merely curious – to take part in a variety of musical workshops from DJ-ing and drumming to trying the ukulele.

Aimed at all ages, the event will also again feature a piano for people to come along and play – just like in the TV show.

And children and adults with additional needs will be able to try out the Cosmo Switch — a tactile, light-up device that allows musical exploration through games on an iPad.

Sound Lab will be followed on Saturday, July 18 by the Battle of the Choirs, a new event that will see local choirs go head-to-head on stage, performing short, high-energy sets to impress both judges and the audience.

Think Battle of the Bands — but for choirs.

​It will take place in the amphitheatre near Maidenhead library, with the winning choir invited to perform live at Maidenhead’s Christmas lights switch-on.

Saturday, August 22 sees the return of Maidenhead Festival Live and Local: Summer Sounds – the chance to relax in the sun and soak up live performances from some of the area’s best acoustic artists in the laid back setting of the town’s Waterside Quarter.

Expanding on the success of last year, the team are planning to close the road so audience members can kick back in deck chairs and enjoy a pop-up bar and ice cream stand.

There will also be a craft station for children, funfair rides, mini golf and free boat rides, subject to availability, courtesy of the Friends of Maidenhead Waterways.​

On Saturday, September 19 is the flagship Maidenhead Festival Battle of the Bands. Taking place once again in Maidenhead United Reform Church Hall, in West Street, it will see talented bands from all genres go head-to-head – with the public voting for the winner in a great showcase for live music.

The victors will also get to perform live at the switch-on of Maidenhead’s Christmas lights on Saturday, November 21, where the festival team will once again be organising the entertainment throughout the day.

This will include acoustic artists, choirs, bands, dance groups and performing arts schools appearing in the Desborough Theatre and on a main outdoor stage helping the community get into the Christmas spirit.

Festival chairman Lisa Hunter said: “Our new-look Maidenhead Festival focuses on bringing vibrant, accessible arts experiences to the heart of Maidenhead — and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

“Together we aim to make Maidenhead shine brighter than ever.”

For more details of each event, including details of how to register to perform, see: maidenheadfestival.org.uk

The festival would like to thank its sponsors Maidenhead Tutorial College, Lillibrooke Manor and PQA Maidenhead for their support.