ASHINGTON FAIR DAY GETS A YOUTH TAKEOVER AND A NEW NAME — AND WE CAN'T WAIT
Ashington Fair Day has been taken over — and it's got a new name to prove it. Introducing Sound Futures Festival: Ashington's summer event, reimagined by young people.
This summer, Ashington Town Council is handing the reins to the young people and youth groups who know this town best. Working together through the Council's Youth Advisory Committee, local youth organisations are taking creative ownership of the 2026 summer event, and they're going to make it their own.
Who better to breathe new life into Ashington’s summer event than the groups who are out here every week working with the town's young people? That's exactly the thinking behind this year's event, and we're genuinely excited to see what they do with it.
Expect music, arts and crafts, demonstrations, sports and challenges, street food, and all the energy of a community that knows summer isn't over yet. This is a celebration in People's Park, family fun for everyone, shaped by the people who live and breathe this community.
This year's event is taking place on Saturday 22nd August and led by YMCA Northumberland in partnership with a growing collaboration of youth organisations and community partners from across the town and wider area.
The festival is being developed through a genuinely collaborative approach, bringing together organisations that work directly with young people to create a day that reflects their interests, talents and ambitions. Rather than being delivered by a single organisation, the event is being shaped collectively through partnership working, with groups contributing ideas, activities, opportunities and experiences to create something bigger together.
The Sound Futures Festival will feature a main stage showcasing talented young musicians and bands, alongside an acoustic open mic area giving emerging performers the chance to step into the spotlight. Plans also include activity zones, sports sessions, market and food areas, and information and support spaces where organisations can connect with young people and families.
More than just a festival, Sound Futures is designed to celebrate young talent, strengthen community connections and create opportunities for young people to be seen, heard and inspired.
Ashington Town Council is proud to be backing the event with financial support and handling the behind-the-scenes legal and governance responsibilities, but the vision, the programme, and the spirit of this event belongs to the young people and groups leading it. We've opened the doors and unlocked the budget, what happens inside is theirs to decide.
The Council thanks the Youth Advisory Committee for championing this idea and bringing youth groups in the town together to make it happen, and to every organisation that has stepped up to take a leadership role. This is partnership working at its best.
YMCA Northumberland is now also putting out a call for local organisations, performers and businesses to get involved.
We're keen to hear from market traders and food vendors interested in being part of the day, as well as community groups and organisations that would like to run activities, showcase their work or help shape the event experience.
We're also particularly excited to hear from talented young musicians, singers, bands and performers who would love the opportunity to perform as part of the Sound Futures Festival. Whether you've performed on stage before or are looking for your first opportunity, we want to create a platform that showcases the incredible talent that exists across our communities.
Anyone interested in being involved, performing, supporting or finding out more is encouraged to contact YMCA Northumberland and be part of helping create something special for Ashington.
There is still plenty more to come. As plans continue to develop over the coming weeks and months, organisers will be sharing a series of announcements in the run up to the event as more details are confirmed.
That includes updates on activities, attractions, partnerships and programme highlights, alongside what organisers hope will be a must-see headline act for the Sound Futures Festival, helping make this year's event one of the biggest community celebrations Ashington has seen in recent years.
This is the first time the summer event has been delivered in this way, and we're hoping it's the start of something new. We want to see it grow, and we want it to grow in the direction residents want. So come along, enjoy the day and tell us what you think. Your feedback will shape what this becomes.
Date: Saturday 22nd August 2026
Location: People's Park, Ashington
Entry: Free
