Month-long rivers festival inspired by climate change and biodiversity loss

A month-long festival celebrating the region’s rivers is returning this year.

The Wild Waters Festival will run from May 30 to June 30 across communities along the Bristol River Avon and its tributaries, including Batheaston, Bradford on Avon, Box, Colerne, and Wingfield.

Centred on environmental awareness, the festival aims to inspire collective action to protect and celebrate the natural beauty and value of the waterways.

A spokesman for the festival said: “Just as many drops of water make a river, we want to harness the potential for individuals to come together with their communities to take positive action for our river.

“We look forward to welcoming you to this year’s festival events.”

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First held last June, the festival featured events in towns and parishes along the river, from Bradford on Avon to Batheaston.

This year, the programme is expanding to include additional communities such as Bath, Calne, Chippenham, Melksham, Midsomer Norton, and North Wraxall.

A spokesman said: “We are keen to celebrate nature and our local communities but also stand concerned about the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and other human impacts that we see in and along the river.”

The 2026 festival programme will include educational talks, nature walks, arts events, music, and outdoor activities focused on the river’s rich history and ecology.

Organisers are encouraging individuals and groups to get involved by hosting events, volunteering, or supporting the festival in other ways.

The festival is supported by Launch Point Adventures.

A full list of events will be published on the Wild Waters Festival website.