The Worcester Fringe will return for its third year this month, running from Wednesday 12 to Sunday 30 July, with even more performances and things to do with family and friends than before.

The festival will take place across several different venues in the city, with events from theatre and comedy to music and workshops.

The fringe kicks off with outdoor theatre in The Commandery's gardens, with Worcester Repertory Company performing the Oscar Wilde classic, The Importance of Being Earnest. Theatre lovers will be pleased as there’s also plenty to enjoy at the Swan Theatre and Swan Studio, including a screening of Fleabag, exclusive pieces of new writing such as The Young Rep’s production The Unknown, Back To Life by Yaz Haroun, Diary of a Badminton Player by Steve Wilson and many more.

Comedy fans won’t want to miss “The world’s most famous blagger” Simon Brodkin and other TV regulars Matt Forde, Josh Weller, Luke Kempner and Heidi Regan who are performing at Huntingdon Hall before they head to the Edinburgh Fringe. There is also a huge number of up-and-coming comedians performing at Arch 38, with over 20 of the most talented comedians on the circuit performing throughout the festival for only £5 per event.

There’s lots of music too, from original artists such as folk group Fairport Convention, country and hip-hop band Gangstagrass (pictured) and a special evening with the legendary Bob Harris and Martyn Joseph. Plus, a chance to hear the songs you love, from rock anthems in The Guitar Icons Show, Fleetwood Mac favourites in Dreams of Fleetwood Mac and songs from the King himself, Elvis Presley, in One Night With You.

There will be lots of fun activities for families and kids too. Send your kids on daring adventures to space, ancient castles and secret missions in the Escape and Create Workshops, or join in the fun with the We’re Going On A Bear Hunt Workshop, a journey parents and kids can go on together.

If you’re looking for variety, there will also be a new writing showcase, The Debut from Crave Arts, a scratch night of new work in Taster Pots @ the Swan and an LGBTQ+ variety performance night, Saucy @ the Fringe at Henry Sandon Hall. Plus there will be talks at Henry Sandon Hall discussing the role of sexuality in art, the state of modern journalism, and psychedelia in the 60’s and 70’s.

The festival's free events include a Short Film competition, Dog Days & Bad Luck, the Worcester Fringe Poetry Slam at the Swan Theatre, outdoor theatre from renowned Birmingham Based Theatre Company Stan’s Café, The Commentators, and Rhubarb Theatre’s The Bombardiers at Huntingdon Hall.

This year’s events will be held at the Swan Theatre, Huntingdon Hall, Arch 38 (between The Arch Rivals and Sangers Deli on Infirmary Walk), The Commandery and Henry Sandon Hall at the Royal Porcelain Works.

A full programme of all the Worcester Fringe events is available to pick up in any of the venues mentioned above or you can view a digital version here: bit.ly/FRINGE23. To book and find out more, visit worcestertheatres.co.uk.