The festival wouldn't be the same without the annual Mayor's Parade, which this year will have a distinctly Celtic vibe.

Peterborough Highland Pipe Band will be leading the parade, but there will be sounds from all over the world, including the samba-inflected music of Eastern Bloco.

Kicking off at 11am from Cathedral Square tomorrow (Saturday), the route will run through Long Causeway, Broadway and Park Crescent before making its way to Central Park for noon, where the festival will be officially opened.

There will be dozens of schools, campaigns, clubs and organisations taking part from across the city.

At Central Park, in a weekend geared very much towards families, visitors can take their first steps on the free Fantasy Poetry Trail.

The members of Poets United – the Peterborough and Fenland Performance Poetry Group – have produced work ranging from dreams of days by the seaside to Shakespearian fairies and beyond, and a varied collection of poems will be on display around the park for people of all ages to explore.

Festivalgoers will also have the opportunity to Meet The Artist over the Central Park weekend. The Peterborough Artists' Open Studios group is inviting everyone to come along to the big artists' marquee in the park, to find out how they work, what kind of materials they use and why they enjoy art.

The Meet The Artist event will be just as much fun for adults as it is for children. A number of local artists will be demonstrating a variety of techniques including drawing, printing, weaving, painting, mosaic and jewellery-making, and will welcome questions about their work. Much of the work will be for sale and there will also be opportunities to make your own piece of art or craft with the guidance of a professional artist.

For the first time ever at the festival, Circus Sensible will be performing throughout the two afternoons in the park. The baby big-top will play host to circus shows and workshops between performances, giving visitors the chance to try their hand at juggling and stilt walking.

Cabinet member for Community Services at Peterborough City Council Cllr Matthew Lee, said: "Central Park is one of the jewels in Peterborough's crown, and will provide the perfect backdrop for two days of family fun.

"Both days promise an exciting variety of activities, and will give this year's Peterborough Festival the perfect start."

There will be a chance on Saturday to find out how different groups are working together to make the city a safer place between noon and 5pm.

There will be a fire engine and police bikes to explore, demonstrations of how to tackle chip pan fires and colouring competitions for children at the event, which is being organised by SaferPeterborough.

SaferPeterborough is the new name for Peterborough's Community Safety Partnership, a coalition of organisations from across the city which work together to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

Full Peterborough Festival previews, listings and converage - peterboroughtoday.co.uk/festivals