Luton Town Centre set for a summer of fun with Parklet and family events

By Fergus McLardy, Manager for Luton BID.

At Luton BID, we are delighted to be bringing a programme of activity to the town centre this summer, with a focus on creating a welcoming, engaging environment for everyone to enjoy. Visitors will have already seen that the town is looking particularly colourful right now thanks to our BID-funded floral displays. From colourful hanging baskets to bright planters throughout key areas, these additions are helping to transform the look and feel of the town centre, making it a more attractive and enjoyable place to spend time.

The Luton BID Parklet will return to Market Hill for the summer on 22 July, providing a welcoming space for visitors to relax, take a break and enjoy the town centre. We will be running a series of family focused events and are especially excited to introduce our Jurassic Parklet theme day on 29 July, when the space will be transformed into a fun, inclusive and eye-catching prehistoric experience, complete with a giant T‑Rex roaming the area and interacting with families, creating a truly memorable experience for visitors of all ages.

Throughout August, the Parklet will also play host to further free, family-friendly events. On 13 August, our Roar Puppet Show will bring interactive storytelling and entertainment to life for younger audiences. This will be followed by a Party in the Parklet on 20 August, creating a lively, social atmosphere in the heart of town, before we round things off with Market Hill Mini Makers on 27 August, offering hands-on, creative activities designed to engage children and families. Together, these events form part of our wider commitment to driving footfall, supporting businesses and ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy in Luton this summer.

Luton’s summer celebrations are being further enhanced this year through a programme of larger-scale events led by Luton Borough Council to mark the town’s 150th anniversary. This coming weekend sees the return of Market Hill Live on Saturday 27 June, bringing a strong line-up of local artists and DJs to the stage outside The Castle, celebrating Luton’s music scene. Alongside this, a range of activity will take place across the summer, including walking tours led by local historian Paul Hammond, the return of the popular Summer Outdoor Cinema in Hat Gardens, and major events such as Party in the Park at Stockwood Park on 12 September, headlined by the Kaiser Chiefs, followed by Proms in the Park on 13 September - rounding off a memorable programme of celebrations for the town.

We are proud to be investing in a town centre that continues to evolve, offering more reasons for people to visit, stay longer and enjoy all that Luton has to offer - especially during this special year as the town celebrates its 150th anniversary of being a borough. Whether you are coming along to experience the Parklet, take part in one of our family-friendly events, join the wider Luton 150 celebrations, or simply enjoy the improved surroundings, we invite everyone to be part of a fantastic summer of fun in Luton town centre.

Full details of Luton BIDs summer events can be found at https://lutonbid.org/summeroffun/

Full details of all Luton 150 celebrations can be found at https://place.stepforwardluton.co.uk/luton150