Barnaby Festival

Barnaby Festival 2024

There is no Barnaby Festival this year but we’re excited to announce Macclesfield Town Council are organising a brand new big Summer event this June. The 1261 Festival And Parade Day will be held on Saturday 29th June 2024. More details of the free event will be announced very soon! –

Archive 

We’re looking forward to updating more information as it’s announced. You can sign up to the official Barnaby news letter via their website  – https://barnabyfestival.org.uk/

There has been a Barnaby Fair since the 13th Century when Macclesfield was granted its Borough Charter. The event has changed over time from festivals and fairs, to parades and circuses, carnivals and mill shut-downs.

In the 20th Century Barnaby meant factory and school closures and seaside excursions. It continued as a uniquely Maxonian holiday until the 1980s.

In 2009 a group of like-minded people had a vision for a festival of arts, culture and fun, based in the town centre and rooted in Macclesfield’s heritage and talents.

This ambition was realised in 2010 when Barnaby was reborn as a weekend festival.

Barnaby ran annually for five years until 2014 – when it became biennial to help organisers create a more unique and bigger festival experience.