Wharf Green in Swindon’s town centre is set for a lively transformation this summer as it becomes a pop-up park filled with free family entertainment throughout August.
Backed by Swindon Borough Council and supported by a wide range of local businesses and community organisations, the event – aptly titled Summer at the Green – will offer something for everyone with themed weekends, creative workshops, and lively outdoor attractions.
Each weekend will bring a fresh theme, from circus performances to outdoor cinema, alongside pop-up food vendors and activities for all ages. Meanwhile, every Wednesday will see midweek sessions including circus skills, art workshops and cycling fun, with something to occupy even the most restless of young minds.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning at Swindon Borough Council, believes the event represents a fresh approach to revitalising the town centre.
“Wharf Green is a brilliant open space, and it’s great to see it being used in this way. We know our town centre isn’t yet where people want it to be, but this kind of community-centred event shows how we can bring it back to life with experiences rather than just retail.”
She continued:
“We want as many families as possible to enjoy this. It’s free, it’s local, and it offers something different every single week.”
The full August schedule includes:
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2–3 August: Creative Arts Weekend in partnership with Signal Festival and South Asian Performing Arts Centre
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6 August: Circus School with Swindon Circus and Outdoor Arts Project
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9–10 August: Sports Weekend hosted by ATB Skateshop
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13 August: Wheelie Wednesday with British Cycling
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16–17 August: Outdoor Cinema in collaboration with Create Studios
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20 August: Art Workshop and Garden Party with Artsite
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23–24 August: Planetarium Experience presented by Immersive Experiences
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25 August: Live Music Finale supported by Swindon 105.5
All activities are free to attend, although space is limited and sessions may be affected by the weather.
Local independent business ATBShop is one of many supporting the initiative. Owner Diana Kirk shared her excitement:
“It’s great to be part of Summer at the Green. These events help showcase what independent businesses like ours have to offer, while giving families in Swindon something really special to enjoy without spending a fortune. The town centre has so much potential, and this is a brilliant step forward.”
Other contributors include British Cycling, Swindon Dance, Artsite, Ministry of Samba, English Heritage, National Trust, and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust – all combining efforts to create an August packed with colour, culture and community.
As schools break up and families search for ways to fill the summer days, Wharf Green looks set to become a much-needed local oasis – and a glimpse of what a reinvigorated Swindon town centre could look like in the future.
