Spotlight on Leicester – Voices From Riverside Festival 2026

Each year, Leicester Riverside Festival brings together thousands of people for a weekend of music, arts, community activity, food, culture and conversation. While visitors may arrive for the dragon boat races, live performances or family entertainment, the festival also provides an opportunity to discover the many organisations, projects and people who contribute to community life throughout the year.

For this special Soar Sound community reporting project, reporter Estelle Keeber spent the weekend speaking with visitors, performers, traders, charities, community organisations, artists and volunteers across Bede Park, Castle Gardens and Western Boulevard. The result is a rich collection of voices that capture the character of Riverside Festival from the perspective of the people who make it happen.

One of the strongest themes emerging from these conversations was participation. Across the festival site, organisations were using Riverside as an opportunity to engage with new audiences, raise awareness of their work and encourage people to become involved in community activities. Bright Sparks Arts in Mental Health highlighted the importance of creating welcoming spaces where people experiencing mental health challenges can participate in public events. South Asian Health Action used the festival to recruit volunteers and raise awareness about cancer support and community health initiatives. Risk Ready Communities encouraged residents to think about practical ways to prepare for emergencies and environmental challenges.

Education and learning were also prominent themes. Representatives from De Montfort University’s Sustainable Development Goals Hub engaged young people with activities focused on sustainability, while University of Leicester Archaeological Services shared stories from the city’s past through hands-on heritage activities. Students from De Montfort University’s Arts and Festivals Management programme reflected on their role in helping to deliver parts of the festival, demonstrating how large-scale community events can provide valuable opportunities for practical learning and professional development.

The festival also showcased the strength of Leicester’s creative and cultural sectors. Musicians, visual artists, makers and performers spoke about the importance of public events in providing opportunities to share their work and connect directly with audiences. From community music projects and local performers to independent artists and craft producers, Riverside continues to provide a platform for creative expression and cultural participation.

Visitors repeatedly described the welcoming atmosphere of the event. Many spoke about the value of having a free, family-friendly festival that brings together people from different backgrounds and different parts of the city. Several interviewees reflected on the importance of public events that create opportunities for people to meet, talk and share experiences in a relaxed and positive environment.

Local traders and community organisations also highlighted the significance of Riverside as a place where relationships are built. Returning visitors, repeat customers and long-standing festival participants described the event as an annual meeting point that helps sustain connections throughout the year. For many organisations, Riverside is not simply a weekend event but part of a wider process of community engagement and visibility.

Listening back to the conversations gathered by Estelle Keeber, what becomes clear is that Riverside Festival is about more than any single attraction or activity. It is a place where community life becomes visible. It is where charities find new supporters, artists meet new audiences, volunteers gain experience, students develop skills and residents discover services, projects and opportunities that they might otherwise never encounter.

The podcast accompanying this blog brings together those voices in their own words. We hope it offers a snapshot of the energy, creativity and community spirit that characterised Riverside Festival 2026.

Our thanks go to everyone who took part in the interviews and shared their experiences throughout the weekend.

Listen to the full Soar Sound Riverside Festival 2026 special report below.