Stevenage 80

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
01 August	Taste of the Caribbean	Fairlands Valley
15 August	Barrio Fiesta	Event Island
22 August	Kidzone	Event Island
12 September	Stevenage International Day	Event Island
02 October	Stevenage 80 Careers Fair	Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre
24 October	Stevenage 80 Youth Show	Gordon Craig Theatre
30 October	80 in the 80th Event	PRIVATE
31 October	Halloween-tastic	Event Island
11 November	Irish Network Tea Dance	PRIVATE
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	PRIVATE
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	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:

• Local Community Budgets
• Members Locality Budget

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