Be curious!
What's on at the 2026 festival
Dive into a world of arts - there's something for everyone.
Explore talks, performances, experiences and more!
Be Curious!
You can buy tickets online via the buttons below or or phone 01332 340156 (Option 5) to buy tickets over the phone
This webpage is for grown-ups. Events for children can be found by selecting Family Fun from the main menu.
Paddock Pass
You must have one to get in!
Enjoy a voyage of discovery as you walk under the ancient gatehouse arch of Repton's Augustinian Priory and on to the main Festival site, where you might explore the living Viking encampment and see families carry out their daily routines, cooking, weaving, candle-making and blacksmithing. Possibly making rope out of nettles!
Witness combat displays in which highly skilled, trained and rehearsed warriors present high quality, flamboyant fighting routines live, on land once occupied by Viking invaders.
Enjoy free, live, family festival and street theatre performances from Rhubarb Theatre. Also included with the Paddock Pass are various entertainments for children.
Admire the beauty of the grounds and gardens now surrounding The Old Priory, in which King Edward I stayed in 1291 and Queen Elizabeth II visited in 1957.
Grab a bite to eat and visit the bar before heading off to your next scheduled event at the Repton Festival 2026.
Tickets are free but still need to be ‘purchased’ so that we can monitor attendance numbers. Tickets are specific to the day. Please contact info@reptonfestival.co.uk to book Paddock Passes for groups of more than ten people.
Tickets are specific to the day | 10.00am to 5.00pm
Free
The Paddock
Stirred, not Shaken!
The opening night of the 2026 Festival promises a spectacular, immersive celebration of cinema and sound. A Back to the Future DeLorean sets the scene outside the entrance, and stepping inside leads into a glamorous world of film and fun.
The evening moves into a vibrant concert of iconic film music performed live by the Burton Concert Band, with much‑loved scores paired with matching film clips. Acclaimed vocalist Tom Clamp adds to the atmosphere with performances that echo the drama and allure of the silver screen.
Cabaret-style seating creates an intimate setting, complemented by at‑table service and themed cocktails.
A prize will be given for the person/couple/family that is best dressed as a movie icon!
Please note that there is no wheelchair access up to Pears School and approximately 18 steps.
Friday 3rd July | Doors open 6:30pm
£20. Reserved Seating.
Pears School
John Tothill
John Tothill has emerged as one of the most distinctive comic voices of his generation, praised for a mischievous, erudite style that blends high‑energy whimsy with sharply crafted writing. His recent show This Must Be Heaven drew exceptional acclaim, described by The Telegraph as a “superlative stand‑up set… at this rate, stardom beckons” ★★★★★, with The Times noting how “funny and charming and revealing” he makes the craft appear ★★★★. Earlier work such as Thank God This Lasts Forever and The Last Living Libertine cemented his reputation, earning five‑star reviews for a voice “like no one else’s” (The Guardian) and performances “as intellectually stimulating as they are side‑splittingly funny” (EdFestMag ★★★★★). His latest hour continues this trajectory with characteristic elegance and gleeful theatricality.
Saturday 4th July
7.30pm
£15
Tithe Barn
Desert Island Wines
with Helen Lederer
An evening with comedian, actor and writer Helen Lederer, whose career spans the alternative comedy boom to her memorable role as Catriona in Absolutely Fabulous. She has appeared widely across television, radio and stage, and is an established author and commentator.
In this Desert Island Discs -style interview, five selected wines replace records, each choice prompting stories and reflections from her life and career. Helen brings authority as well as humour to the format, having written as a wine columnist for publications including The Oldie.
She is also the author of Not That I’m Bitter, her acclaimed memoir exploring resilience, rejection and longevity in a competitive industry. Alongside her creative work, she founded the Comedy Women in Print Prize, supporting new female voices in comedy writing.
Expect sharp insight, strong storytelling and candid observations throughout—an engaging blend of conversation and guided wine tasting, led by one of the UK’s most distinctive and enduring comic voices.
‘Helen Lederer is the third funniest woman in the world’ – DAWN FRENCH
Helen will be signing copies of her latest book after the show.
The audience will be able to sample five wines over the course of this event.
There is no wheelchair access to the Library and approximately 8 steps.
Sunday 5th July
5:00pm
£25
The Library
Flies!
Erica McAlister, Diptera (Fly) curator at the Natural History Museum, is one of the UK’s most distinctive science communicators, known for her quick wit and infectious enthusiasm. She has built a massive following through broadcasting, public events and award-winning outreach.
This talk takes a subject many would usually avoid—flies—and makes it unexpectedly absorbing and consistently funny. From bizarre behaviours to improbable survival tricks, these insects prove far stranger (and more entertaining) than their reputation suggests. The talk will draw on her book ‘Metamorphosis’ to examine how flies have driven advances in fields as varied as forensics, agriculture, medicine and space research, and why they are increasingly central to modern biological science.
A sharp, offbeat hour that prioritises curiosity and enjoyment, with plenty to spark conversation afterwards.
There is no wheelchair access to the Library and approximately 8 steps. Erica will be signing copies of her latest books after the show.
Saturday 4th July
3pm
£12
The Library
Lorna Rose Treen
Lorna Rose Treen is a character comedian, writer and professional idiot. Writer for Saturday Night Live UK. Creator/star of BBC Radio 4's award-winning Time of the Week. Next Big Thing Award nominee 2026. Comedians' Choice Awards Best Show nominee 2025. Dave's Funniest Joke of the Fringe winner.
'The buzziest of the buzzy' New York Times
★★★★★ Observer, Telegraph, Standard, Independent
Saturday 4th July
6:00pm
£15
Tithe Barn
Ben Pope
Ben Pope (“utter delight” ★★★★ – Fest) is an award‑nominated stand‑up comedian and bookseller whose work blends crisp writing with a warm, theatrical presence. His comedy has appeared on Comedy Central, BBC Three, and BBC Radio 4, where he has written for The News Quiz and DMs Are Open. A regular headliner across major London clubs and a familiar face at the Edinburgh Fringe, he has built a reputation for smart, playful material delivered with bright, bookish charm. This new hour brings together freshly‑coined jokes, stories, parody literature and lyrical rants shaped by his love of language. Critics consistently highlight the craft: “Pope is superb company” (★★★★ Evening Standard), “Beautifully constructed” (★★★★ Scotsman), “Could an audience with the actual Pope offer as much” (★★★★ Telegraph)
Minimum age 16.
Saturday 4th July
9pm
£15
Tithe Barn
Sarah Dunant: the amazing life of Isabella d’Este
Award‑winning novelist, broadcaster, and cultural commentator Sarah Dunant brings her acclaimed blend of “flawless historical scholarship and beguiling storytelling” to The Marchesa, her exploration of the formidable Renaissance patron Isabella d’Este. Dunant’s work has been translated into more than thirty languages, adapted for radio, and widely praised for its vivid reimagining of women’s lives in history. Her Renaissance novels have become international bestsellers, and her research‑rich approach has shaped major BBC series and public talks on art, power, and the past.
In this illustrated event, Sarah reflects on the ideas and discoveries that underpin the novel, tracing the interplay of politics, creativity and female agency in 15th‑ and 16th‑century Italy. Isabella emerges as a commanding presence: the leading female art collector and patron of her time - she ran a famed court, was a fashion icon and a cunning political operator. Isabella left behind a magnificent collection of paintings, sculptures, books, instruments and curiosities having employed Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian and Michelangelo amongst others. Isabella played an important role in Mantua during troubled times for the city. When her husband was captured in 1509 and held hostage in Venice, she took control of Mantua's military forces and held off the invaders until his release in 1512. As a ruler, Isabella appeared to have been much more competent than her husband.
There is no wheelchair access to the Library and approximately 8 steps
Sunday 5th July at 11:30am
£12
The Library
Famous Authors,
Live on Stage!
Tristram Fane Saunders interviews three leading voices in psychological suspense for an hour of twists, secrets and dark revelations.
Acclaimed psychological suspense author Caroline England has become a familiar name to crime readers through novels including My Husband’s Lies, a top ten ebook bestseller. A former divorce lawyer, she brings a sharp understanding of relationships, secrets and deception to her fiction. Her work has been shortlisted for the CWA Dagger and the Prix du Polar. Home - CAROLINE ENGLAND
B. A. Paris is one of the world's most successful thriller writers. Her debut novel, Behind Closed Doors, became an international phenomenon, topping bestseller lists in the UK and US and selling millions of copies worldwide. Her gripping, high-stakes novels have been translated into more than forty languages. B.A. Paris - Author Website
Lesley Kara burst onto the crime fiction scene with The Rumour, the UK's bestselling crime debut of 2019. Since then, she has established herself as a leading voice in contemporary psychological suspense, with several bestselling novels, The Rumour is now a major TV series. Lesley Kara
All four will be signing copies of their books after the event.
There is no wheelchair access to the Library and approximately 8 steps
Saturday 4th July at 5pm
£15
The Library
Portrait Artist of the Festival — Live Painting Competition
Inspired by Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year, Repton Festival brings this exciting format to life for the first time. Nine artists will paint three remarkable sitters, competing for the title of Portrait Artist of the Festival. Doors open at 1pm, with audiences free to come and go as they watch the artists at work and observe their techniques. Open judging begins at 4pm, chaired by author and Renaissance scholar Sarah Dunant, with prizes awarded at 5pm.
Please note that the ticket price allows unlimited access to the event throughout the afternoon.
Please also note that there is no wheelchair access up to Pears School and approximately 18 steps.
Saturday 4th July
1pm
£8
Pears School
Beds and Borders
National Trust gardens are visited by millions of people every year. Their flowerbeds and borders are legendary for their colour and beauty in every season. In this illustrated talk, National Trust senior gardener Robyn Booth reveals the secrets of how to choose plants that grow together beautifully in your garden, helping you Create Beautiful Flowerbeds and Borders no matter their size or shape, or whether they are sunny or shady.
There are tips on garden planning, advice on using colour and texture, as well as guidance on choosing plants whose beauty will transform through the year. There will be suggestions for plants that can cope with a range of growing conditions, attract pollinators and offer shelter and nesting opportunities for wildlife.
Whether you’re aiming for a charming cottage garden or something more striking and modern, or you need borders that are drought-tolerant or child-friendly, Robyn will provide inspiration and guidance to create a space you can enjoy all year round.
Robyn Booth is a gardener at the National Trust’s Packwood House, renowned for its beautiful gardens.
There is no wheelchair access to the Library and approximately 8 steps
Saturday 4th July at 1pm
£9
The Library
A Booklover's Guide to Very English Ghosts
What makes a great ghost story? Why were Victorians so fascinated with the occult? And how have great writers put their own spooky spin on the genre? Join award-winning author and literary critic Tristram Fane Saunders for a talk on classic English ghost stories - from Charles Dickens and MR James to Robert Aickman.
Warning: may cause uneasy dreams.
Sunday 5th July
2:45pm
£8
Tithe Barn
Sitar Virtuoso Harminder Kaur Klair
Harminder is a luminous sitar virtuoso from Wolverhampton, apprenticed to the legendary Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE since 2012.
With years of devoted practice, her playing now captivates audiences in settings both intimate and grand — from cozy gatherings to major national venues, festivals, weddings, and Commonwealth celebrations.
She has graced illustrious stages like the Savoy and the Barbican Centre, bringing soul-soothing ragas and infectious, modern inflections.
Through her music Harminder dissolves boundaries between East and West, weaving genres together with the timeless, heart-stirring voice of the sitar.
Saturday 4th July
12:00
£12
Tithe Barn
Sometimes, they come back
Encounters with the other world
In the atmospheric Undercroft of Repton Priory, a remarkable 12th-century chamber, Mike Payton will tell stories for adult audiences, the most ancient and human artform. Drawing on Britain’s rich storytelling traditions alongside tales gathered from around the world, Mike combines warmth, humour and a taste for the uncanny in performances that are vivid, engaging and richly told.
What is that knocking on the wall? Can you hear the crying in the darkness, and is it getting closer?
This intimate event offers a chance to settle into one of the festival’s most historic spaces and enjoy stories that move between the eerie, the entertaining and the quietly haunting. From Arkansas to Zacatecas, storyteller Mike Payton brings some of his favourite dark tales to the suitably eerie Old Priory.
Mike Payton has appeared regularly at the popular Beeston Tales, story-telling for grown-ups. He has worked with The Wellcome Trust, The British Museum and performs at festivals throughout the UK.
Note that there is no wheelchair access to the Undercroft and approximately 10 steps.
Sunday 5th July
4pm
£7
The Undercroft
Blackout Séance:
A Victorian Encounter in the Dark
Step into the shadows for a one-hour recreation of a Victorian blackout séance.
In total darkness, the audience will be invited to experience the atmosphere, rituals and unsettling theatricality of the nineteenth-century séance room, where grief, belief, performance and fear once met around the same table. Drawing on the strange traditions of spirit communication, parlour mystery and Gothic storytelling, this intimate event asks what happens when the lights go out - and imagination begins to do the rest.
An atmospheric journey into one of the most fascinating and disturbing corners of Victorian culture.
Not suitable for anyone of a nervous disposition. Minimum age 16.
Audience members should be prepared for a fully immersive experience in blackout conditions.
Saturday 4th July
10:30pm
£10
Tithe Barn
Bell Ringing!
“How sweet the sound of village bells when on the undulating air they swim!” Thomas Hood
Your chance to explore the centuries old craft of Bell Ringing!
This engaging session, led by experienced local ringers, will demystify what happens when a church bell is “rung” and how the sound that drifts across the village on a Sunday morning is achieved.
Rather than being random or impossibly complex, bell ringing will be revealed as an accessible and rewarding skill, built on rhythm, teamwork and a touch of logic. You’ll see how simple patterns grow into intricate sequences, and if you would like to learn more then there will be the opportunity to sign up for a small group session later in the day to actually ring a church bell at St Wystans.
Whether you’ve always been curious or never given it a second thought, this session is a chance to experience something truly unique—and perhaps even discover a new hobby.
Meet at the Arch
Saturday 4th July
10:30am
£10
Meet at the Arch
Dapper Dan, live in concert!
‘Dapper Dan’ brings an engaging blend of Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass, Rock, Blues and World Music to the lunchtime stage, showcasing a rich mix of styles and influences. From the swinging country charm of “Walking After Midnight” to the rousing folk chorus of “Gypsy Rover,” their set invites both listening and participation. Expect global flair in “Istanbul” and a nod to classic rock with The Beatles’ “Get Back.” Steve ‘Wynne’ Wynne-Jones (guitar/vocals), Bill ‘Django’ Smith (guitar), guest vocalist Jo Smith, and bassist Rob Whelan combine to deliver a relaxed yet polished performance. With songs to sing, sway, and reflect on, this is a lively and memorable midday musical escape.
Sunday 5th July
1pm
£5
Tithe Barn
Walking Tour
Andy Austen is an authority on the rich and engaging history of ancient Repton with particular emphasis on the Anglo-Saxon origins of the church (in the 7th century!), the Viking encampment of 873 through the foundation of the Augustinian Priory in 1172 and its destruction in 1553. This will be a fascinating and immersive experience.
Meet at The Arch
Note that this walking tour has steps and is not suitable for wheelchairs
Saturday 4th July at 10.15am, or
Sunday 5th July at 1pm
£10
Meet at the Arch