Burford Festival 2026 The Dragon Parade Returns

For nearly two weeks, the historic town of Burford is transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity, welcoming an inspiring programme of arts, music, drama, literature and gardens together in one festival.

Community spirit is central to the festival, celebrated through events such as the return of the famous, historic Dragon Parade on 21 June. 
The Dragon Parade celebrates the battle held at Burford in 752AD, when the triumphant King of Mercia marched his army down the hill, bearing the dragon emblem of the defeated King of Wessex. The annual traditional of a dragon parade continued sporadically over the centuries, the last one being in the late 1970s. 

This year, the Primary School children will again march down the hill carrying their newly made, splendid, red dragon head and forming the ‘tail’ themselves beneath some 45m of decorated Laura Ashley fabric.

There will also be members of the Hwitmearum re-enactment group’s combat warriors re-enacting battle scenes, as well as setting up a Living History Village demonstrating crafts from the period.

Throughout the day there will be local Bampton Morris dancers & jazz performed by Burford’s secondary school pupils, a herald trumpeter and the Witney town crier will also be adding to the fun!

This promises to be an exciting day for all the family!