Stevenage 80
Celebrating 80 years since Stevenage became the UK's first New Town.
Welcome to Stevenage 80
In 2026, Stevenage is celebrating 80 years since becoming the UK's first New Town.
Since its designation on 11 November 1946, Stevenage has grown into a thriving, diverse and ambitious community. Stevenage 80 is a programme of events and activities celebrating the people, places and organisations that have shaped our town over the last eight decades—and those helping to shape its future.
Throughout the year, residents of all ages will have the opportunity to take part in community celebrations, cultural events, sporting activities, heritage projects and much more.
Whether you've lived here all your life or have only recently joined our community, we hope you'll celebrate with us.
What's On
Stevenage 80 includes a wide variety of events taking place across the town throughout the year.
Some events are organised by Stevenage Borough Council, while others are delivered by community groups, charities, schools, faith organisations and local businesses.
Every event officially recognised as part of Stevenage 80 will display the Stevenage 80 logo.
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 October | Stevenage International Day of Older People | Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre |
| 18 October | Stevenage Half Marathon | Hampson Park Community Centre/Fairlands Valley Park - please contact Fairlands Valley Spartans for more details |
| 24 October | Stevenage 80 Youth Show | Gordon Craig Theatre |
| 30 October | 80 at 80th Afternoon Tea Celebration | Invitation Only |
| 1 November | Stevenage 80 Museum Exhibition | Stevenage Museum |
| 5 November | Fairlands Annual Firework Display | Fairlands Valley Park |
| 11 November | Irish Network Tea Dance | Oval Community Centre - Please contact the Irish Network for more details |
| 11 November | The Mayor’s Stevenage 80 Birthday Show | Gordon Craig Theatre |
| 15 November | BUGS Heritage Vehicle Day | Town-wide |
| 20 November | Stevenage 80 Together Awards | Knebworth Barns, Invitation Only |
| 21 November | Stevenage New Town Christmas Light Switch On | Event Island |
| 28 November | Stevenage Old Town Christmas Light Switch On | Old Town Bowling Green |
| 5 December | Kidzone - Christmas | Event Island |
Be part of Stevenage 80
Stevenage 80 belongs to everyone.
Whether you're a resident, school, business, community group, charity, sports club or faith organisation, we'd love you to be part of the celebrations.
You could;
- organise a community event,
- add a Stevenage 80 theme to an existing event,
- share your memories and photographs,
- support local celebrations,
- volunteer,
- sponsor activities, or
- help celebrate your local neighbourhood
If you have an idea, we'd love to hear from you.
Email our Corporate Events Team
The Corporate Events Team will discuss your ideas and help you find the best way to get involved.
Organising an event
Planning an event as part of Stevenage 80?
The Corporate Events Team can guide you through the process. If your event takes place on council land or requires council permissions, you may need to complete an Event Notification Form.
If you're unsure where to start, simply contact us and we'll point you in the right direction.
Community funding
If you're planning a community activity as part of Stevenage 80, funding may be available through existing grant programmes such as:
Share your Stevenage story
Every resident has helped shape Stevenage's story.
We're collecting memories, photographs and personal stories from people who have lived, worked or grown up in Stevenage to help celebrate our 80th anniversary.
Whether it's a favourite memory, a family photograph, a story about your neighbourhood or what Stevenage means to you today, we'd love to hear from you.
To share your story, photographs or memories, please email: events@stevenage.gov.uk
Our team will be in touch to discuss how your story could become part of the Stevenage 80 celebrations.
Follow the celebrations
Keep up to date with the latest Stevenage 80 news and events by following Stevenage Borough Council on social media.
- Facebook – Stevenage Borough Council
- Instagram – Stevenage Borough Council
- X – @StevenageBC
Hashtags:
- #Stevenage80
- #CelebratingOurCommunity
- #Stevenage