Melksham Town Council has confirmed that a low-cost Friday evening gathering will take place in Melksham Market Place on the last Friday of each month during summer, starting from May, to support local performers, traders and the night-time economy.
On the last Friday of each month, Melksham Town Council will host Friday Light Live, an early evening event designed to bring a lively atmosphere and accessible family-friendly entertainment into the town centre. The event was proposed at the Community Development meeting on Monday 23rd March 2026, with the objective to make Melksham a destination for Friday evenings and attract more visitors to explore local businesses further into the night.
Market Place will become a relaxed mix of tables and chairs, creating a central space which hopes to include a diverse programme of arts, including local musicians, dancers, poets, speakers and more based on the interest from local performers. By varying the type of performances each month, Friday Light Live will appeal to a wider audience, attracting more visitors to explore everything Melksham has to offer and providing an exciting start to their evening.
Melksham Town Council will launch a trial for community Friday evening entertainment this summer, with a plan for continuous review. Residents are encouraged to come down to Market Place on Friday 29th May 2026 from 6:00pm to take part in the first event.
If you know someone who would like to perform at a Friday Light Live event, please contact the Community Development Team at Melksham Town Council.
Councillor, Jennie Westbrook, commented:
“Bringing more free, accessible events to Melksham is something I have long been championing, so I’m absolutely thrilled to see Friday Light Live come to life. This initiative will bring a fresh buzz to our Market Place, transforming it into a lively and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy. With live entertainment on the last Friday of each month, we’re creating the perfect way to kick off the weekend, supporting local performers, boosting our high street, and encouraging more people to spend time in our town. I’d warmly encourage residents to join us for our first event in May and be part of something new and exciting. This is just the beginning, and I’m confident it will grow into a much-loved feature of Melksham’s burgeoning evening scene.”