About Encounter

With a packed programme of events and things to do, Encounter is a festival not to be missed...

Encounter Festival is an authentic voice for Lancashire and the North West, celebrating the breadth of the County's diverse cultural offer with high quality and high profile arts.

Taking place every other year at the end of September, Encounter Festival sees the city of Preston buzzing with life and alight with creativity.

The past Encounters have seen an array of spectacular performances, inspiring arts and impressive music, bringing spectators to their feet.

History of Encounter Festival

Preston City Council staged its first Encounter Festival in 2015 as a pilot. The weekend event showcased the work of artists from across the Lancashire County and community activities, drawing in 20,000 attendees.

Recognising the potential of the event to grow and impact the communities, artists and arts organisations of Lancashire, as well as attract visitors into the County, it was agreed the event should become a bi-annual cultural festival.

Following the pilot, the first full scale Encounter Festival was hosted in 2016
The pilot led to the first full scale festival in September 2016
Brief Encounter event in September 2017 to maintain the momentum, keep the spirit alive and launch next years festival
Second full scale festival in September 2018
Brief Encounter September 2019
Third full scale festival in September 2021
Fourth full scale festival in September 2022
Fifth full scale festival in September 2023

Past Encounters

Relive past Lancashire Encounter festivals through our photos and videos on former events.

View Past Encounters

Encounter Festival Evaluation reports

To Encounter a flavour of past Encounter Festivals check out the evaluation reports and event videos pages:

Why visit Encounter?

The Encounter Festival not only brings together the city of Preston, it also brings together the Lancashire County and those further afield. The bustling streets and opportunities to get involved create a memorable and vibrant weekend, with local artists and performers sharing their talent with the crowds.

Whatever the summer festival brings, you'll be sure to have an unforgettable Encounter.

Plan your Encounter experience

See Your Visit if you are visiting Preston from afar - or even nearby! Here you will find inspiration for your trip and advice on travelling to and around the city. You can also pay Visit Preston a visit for accommodation and information on places to eat and drink, as well as other things to see and do in your spare time during your visit.

Without Walls

The Encounter Festival is a member of the Without Walls Associate Touring Network.

Without Walls is the UK's largest commissioner of outdoor arts shows, taking inspiring new work to audiences all over the country and beyond.

For more information visit Without Walls

Arts Awards

Encounter Festival is pleased to announce we are an Arts Award Supporter offering a range of opportunities for young people who are completing their Arts Award.

Arts Award's unique qualifications support young people to develop as artists and arts leaders inspiring them to connect with and take part in the wider arts world in any art form - from fashion to digital art, pottery to poetry.

The programme develops creativity, leadership and communication skills and is open to anyone aged up to 25 years through 5 different levels:

Discover
Explore
Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Throughout the festival you will find a variety of art forms and activities that can contribute to your Arts Award suiting the participation, watching, reviewing and find out elements of the Awards.

Find out more about the Arts Awards

Encounter Festival Sponsors

Arts Council England Preston City Council Lancashire County Council Without Walls HM Government - UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Arts Council England

Thank you to Arts Council England who have assisted in ensuring the sustained growth and success of Encounter, through financial support (£90,000). These vital contributions will help create a dynamic and sustainable platform for artistic excellence and cultural celebration. Arts Council England are the national development agency for creativity and culture. With a strategic vision in Let's Create that by 2030 England will be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. The Arts Council England invest public money from Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver on its vision.

See more (Link to Arts Council England)

Preston City Council

Encounter Festival is part of the Preston City Council city event programme, which has received £156,000 this year from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

See more (Link to Preston City Council)

Lancashire County Council

Thank you to Lancashire County Council who have assisted in ensuring the sustained growth and success of Encounter, through financial support (£10,000). These vital contributions will help create a dynamic and sustainable platform for artistic excellence and cultural celebration.

See more (Link to Lancashire County Council)

Without Walls

Encounter Festival is a partner in Without Walls, a consortium of festivals and arts organisations bringing fantastic outdoor arts to people in towns and cities across England.

See more (Link to Without Walls)

HM Government - UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF or the Fund) is a central pillar of the UK government's ambitious Levelling Up agenda and a significant component of its support for places across the UK. Encounter Festival has received £156,000 this year from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

See more (Link to HM Government - UK Shared Prosperity Fund)

Arts Council England Arts Council England