What’s on in Stroud this week: 3 – 9 August 2026
As the summer continues, the sunny weather may be almost constant but Stroud’s programme of community and cultural events continues to provide enough variety and interest to entertain us all.
This weekend’s lightlights include an open weekend at Stroud Community Fire Station, wild singing workshops in Nailsworth and a reggae and roots afternoon at Brimscombe Mill. Plus, a little further afield there’s the return of the Elmore Festival and the Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district.
Regular and one off events
- Enjoy the Elmore Festival – Wed 5 – Sat 8 Aug
Held annually over four days in early August, the Elmore Festival takes place in the Grade I Listed 13th-century Church of St John the Baptist, Elmore, on the banks of the River Severn. Alongside classical and jazz performances, the award-winning Pelican Inn in Gloucester will be providing a fully-stocked bar.
- Take part in Painswick Wool Day – Thu 6 Aug 10am – 5pm
Stroud Textile Trust leads an entertaining and exploratory day for all the family in association with St Mary’s Church and the local history society. The day will explore sheep, alpacas, spinning, weaving and more, with donations welcome to support the church.
- Take a family dragonfly walk – Thu 6 Aug, 2pm
The Stroud Valleys Project team have organised this special dragonfly walk from Stroud along the canal and River Frome. The walk will include opportunities to learn about their lifecycle and how to identify common local species.
- Sing in the wild – Sat 8 – Sun 9 Aug, 10.30am – 4pm
This non-residential weekend of indoor and outdoor singing based at Nailsworth Town Hall is being led by singing teachers Dave Camlin and Helen Chadwick. Each day begins in the hall itself, before participants set off into the woods and up to edge of the Cotswold escarpment, with singing along the way
- Enjoy reggae, roots and dub at Brimscombe Mill – Sat 8 Aug, 12noon – 5pm
The Brimscombe Mill team host a relaxed afternoon of reggae, roots and dub, with vinyl sets from local acts and live saxophone. The Long Table will be open for lunch, and the bar will be open throughout.
- See the engines at Stroud Community Fire Station – Sun 9 Aug, 11am – 3pm
Stroud Community Fire and Rescue Station opens its doors for a special summer open day. Expect demonstrations, have-a-go sessions, family activities and refreshments.
Continuing this week
- View the Home Improvements exhibition – Continues until Sun 11 Oct
On display in a dell on the public footpath that follows the Wash Brook between Painswick and Edge, Home Improvements is a group exhibition that considers ideas of domesticity, passage, and encounter, through a series of works in the landscape. The exhibition features work from contemporary textile artist Lily Cheetham, painter Clare Woods, sculptor Des Hughes and others.
Further afield
- Attend the Bristol Balloon Fiesta – Fri 7 – Sun 9 Aug
Tracing its origins back to 1979, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is a spectacular event which sees mass ascents of over a hundred hot air balloons scheduled twice daily. The balloons take off from the hillside at Ashton Court on the outskirts of Bristol, with stalls and food and drink available to attendees and Friday and Saturday evening Nightglows with music from BBC Radio Bristol.
For details of how to suggest community events for inclusion in our weekly guide to things to see and do in the Stroud area, see here.
