STROUD’S Fringe Festival returns this weekend for its 21st anniversary and will present the best in music, theatre and performing arts over three days.

The Festival, from Friday, August 25-Sunday, August 27, will take place across the town, from specially installed outdoor stages to an eclectic range of more than a dozen unique venues in and around Stroud town centre, including Colourscape, a labyrinth of colour and light.

As well as music, comedy, art and street performances, there will be an abundance of food and drink at the Fringe’s Food Street.

Bank Gardens will be the Fringe’s main stage and performance hub, with a musical line-up that includes Stroud-based singer-songwriter Emily Barker alongside Lancastrians Lowes.

Ecotricity Canal Stage will be transformed into Stroud’s own Village Green with a “bandstand”-style stage and the Cornhill farmers market square offer a comedy stage for Friday night and reggae and world music for the remaining two nights.

The Block Party stage has moved this year from Merrywalks to Fawkes Place and will feature headliners including Dynamite MC and DJ Format as well as The Nextmen.

Lansdown Hall join the party with a series of late night events and the Stroud Subscription Rooms will be bringing some of the best DJs and live sets to the venue for an unforgettable Fringe experience with big names such as Groove Rider, The Plump DJs, Aries, Ragga Twins and the Utah Saints.

The Sub Rooms also have a mix of local DJs including Jamie Rainbow, Spanked, Rob Twin, Joe Dymond, Pete Drive and Dom Thompson. On Sunday they present a family friendly gig with Aswad star Brinsley Forde MBE.

  •  For a programme visit stroudfringe.co.uk.