DON'T PANIC
Description
A Festival for the Imagination and the Earth, in the Town Where The Galaxy was born.
In late 1976, in a small Dorset town, something improbably important happened.
At Lydden Cottage, in Stalbridge, Douglas Adams began writing The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, in response to seeing an historic building being demolished behind his home, which was at the time called Linnets, with what seemed like little care for the environment of the town. The Hitchhiker’s Guide was a multimedia phenomenon, that made the universe laugh, while quietly asking some urgent questions about anxiety, about our destruction of the natural world, about whether we really are mostly harmless… or if we’re capable of much more.
On the weekend of 23rd to 25th of May 2026, Stalbridge will once again become The Centre Of The Galaxy.
The inaugural DON’T PANIC Festival is a celebration of Douglas Adams’ extraordinary Global contribution to literature, culture, technology, environmental thinking, of his life and of his legacy.
We’re now in a world without Douglas, a world full of climate fear, a world where the problems are too big, and we are too small…… but Douglas never believed that. And neither do we.
On towel Day itself, Monday 25th of May 2026, a Douglas Adams themed fancy-dress parade will wind its way around Stalbridge Recreation Ground with music, performances, storytelling, art installations, crafty science, environmental action, playful invention, food and drink. A Blue Plaque commemorating Douglas' achievement will be unveiled, by his family, at their former home.
It will be a joyful, inclusive celebration of creativity, curiosity and collective possibility, ending at teatime, because a properly made cup of tea is as important as a Pan Galactic Gargleblaster.
What will DON’T PANIC achieve?
· It will get more people making, creating and storytelling
· More people, of all ages, will be recognising their own power to make a difference
· More people will be increasing their happiness through doing and achieving together
By celebrating the social themes within Douglas’ work, and the real-world impact he had, we aim to show what a creative community can achieve together. Douglas’ legacy shows that collaborative action can help to overcome the climate anxiety present in young people today.
The festival will be heralded by the publication on a series of zines, The Stalbridge Prophet, distributed locally and available digitally, that focus on his achievements and other notable things about the town, generously supported by Dorset Council.
Why DON’T PANIC Festival Matters Now
In an era of climate anxiety, uncertainty and fragmentation, DON’T PANIC offers a different response: imagination instead of despair, humour instead of fear, and collaboration instead of isolation. All inspired by Douglas.
Change is possible when people come together with creativity and care. Douglas Adams showed us that one voice can ripple outward through The Universe in astonishing ways. This festival invites you, an entire town, and everyone watching from afar, to step into that possibility, to take part and to have fun.
Remember that wherever you are in the galaxy, you can make a difference—especially if you do it together. Don’t forget your towel and DON’T PANIC.
www.dontpanicfestival.org |
Lineup
Rob Hopkins and Mark Carwardine
Why “DON’T PANIC”? We all know that Douglas Adams’ genius lay in using comedy to make us think about life, the universe and everything. He did so with wit, warmth and prescience. He understood that fear paralyses, but imagination can set you free, allowing you to stay curious, with a sense of humour. We will celebrate Douglas as a true pioneer. His work transcended an astounding array of media, encompassing science fiction, comedy, technology and environmental activism. He was prophetic, “The Man Who Imagined Our Future” (Sky Arts documentary, directed by Todd Austin); his science fiction is increasingly science fact. His ideas continue to resonate, inspiring people as diverse as Stephen Fry, George Lucas, you and me. He showed us that creativity matters. That humour disarms fear. That people, working together, can make a real difference to this World. We’re once again harnessing the power of collective action to affect real change; social change, environmental change & creative, generational change. Mark Carwardine will join the festival*, reliving the year he spent with Douglas, bringing those stories of loss, humour & hope to new audiences. *Notwithstanding an environmental issue that may see him have to be elsewhere.
Marvin The Paranoid Android
Brain the size of a planet and all they want me to do is stand around in a field.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
