Hautbois Fest brings adventure, friendship and festival fun!

After two years of anticipation, Guides, Rangers and volunteers from across the Anglia region came together once again for Hautbois Fest, a weekend packed with adventure, creativity, entertainment and memories that will last long after the tents have been packed away.

Held at Hautbois Activity Centre in Norfolk, this year’s sold-out festival welcomed members from across Girlguiding Anglia’s 12 counties for four unforgettable days of fun, friendship and new experiences. With the theme of Global Adventure, girls embraced the opportunity to explore, challenge themselves and connect with fellow members from across the region.

For many attendees, Hautbois Fest is the event they look forward to most. Taking place every two years, it offers something truly unique, combining the excitement and atmosphere of a festival with the adventure, opportunities and sense of belonging that sit at the heart of guiding.

Across the site, girls could be found tackling climbing walls, soaring down the zipwire, taking on high ropes challenges and heading out onto the water. Others spent their time getting creative, taking part in hands-on STEM activities or exploring the festival’s arts and crafts area.

One of the busiest areas throughout the weekend was the wellness zone, where girls enjoyed everything from yoga and mindfulness sessions to henna art, temporary tattoos, nail painting and hair styling. The space provided an opportunity to relax, spend time with friends and enjoy a different side of the festival experience.

What makes Hautbois Fest so special is that it isn’t a festival where people simply watch from the side lines. Every part of the event is designed to be experienced. Whether girls were trying something completely new, meeting members from another county or stepping outside their comfort zone, there were opportunities around every corner to build confidence, make friendships and create lasting memories.

On Sunday, the festival welcomed Girlguiding CEO Felicity Oswald OBE and Chief Guide Tracy Foster OBE. During their visit, they spent time meeting girls and volunteers from across the region, hearing about their experiences and seeing first-hand the impact events like Hautbois Fest have on young people. Fully embracing the festival spirit, they also joined in with activities themselves, including taking on the climbing wall and zipwire.

As day turned into evening, the energy of the festival shifted towards the main stage. Live entertainment, performances and DJ sets brought girls together to dance, sing and celebrate alongside friends old and new. The weekend concluded with a spectacular laser light show, providing a fitting finale to four incredible days.

Hautbois Fest continues to demonstrate what modern Guiding looks like: adventurous, creative and shaped by the interests of today’s girls. It is a place where girls can try something new, discover new passions, meet new people and, most importantly, be themselves.

As everyone headed home, tired but smiling, one thing was clear: Hautbois Fest 2026 was a weekend to remember, and for many attendees, the countdown to the next one has already begun.