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

Contact the host of DON'T PANIC

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