BRECON is getting ready to welcome thousands of people this weekend as the jazz festival returns for its 35th year.

The renowned festival, which this year has the theme the “spirit of the festival” will be taking place in venues across the town including the Castle Hotel, the Muse, the Wellington Hotel, the Guildhall and St Mary’s Church.

There will also be the Brecon Jazz Vintage Fayre, the popular outdoors main stage on the Bulwark from 10am until 7pm on Saturday and Sunday, and a smaller outdoor stage dedicated to acoustic acts outside Lloyds Bank on the High Street also from midday until 7pm starting on Friday.

This year’s Brecon Fringe Festival running alongside the Jazz Festival will see more than 200 performances, over four days starting on Thursday, in over 20 venues in and around Brecon. Despite rumours to the contrary, the Fringe is not just a pub thing. Visitors will find that some of the best performances take place in Fringe venues like Ardent Gallery in the High Street, Pilgrims Tearoom at Brecon Cathedral, Brecon Farmers Market in the Market Hall and the Plough Chapel in Lion Street. Check out Shango and Chef at Ardent Gallery on Friday.