A celebration of joy, community and wellbeing is coming to Shrewsbury – and it’s born from one woman’s inspiring journey to create happiness in her life and community.
On Saturday 26th July 2025, the historic Flaxmill Maltings will host something entirely new for our county: Shropshire’s first-ever Happier Festival. This ambitious one-day event promises to bring together over 50 local businesses, wellness leaders and creatives for a celebration that goes far beyond your typical summer fair.
A Personal Journey Becomes Community Celebration
Behind this bold venture is Sian Van Beek, founder of local wellness company Dwtylife, whose personal story gives the festival its heart. After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and bipolar disorder in her early twenties, Sian embarked on a transformative journey that led her to completely redesign her life around one simple but powerful principle: happiness.
After being diagnosed with complex chronic illness and mental health challenges in my early 20s, I completely redesigned my life to focus on happiness,
Sian explains.
That was truly the missing piece in reclaiming my health – and I couldn’t have done it without such a strong community around me. Happier Festival is a celebration of that transformation, and of everything that’s helped me and my community thrive.
Through Dwtylife, Sian has already supported over 150 people across Shropshire in the past two years, helping them find deeper, sustained happiness and wellbeing through her three-pillar approach: gratitude, yoga and joyful living. Now, she’s taking that mission to the next level.
Sian from Dwtylife
What to Expect at Happier Festival
The festival will transform the Flaxmill Maltings into a bustling hub of creativity and connection from 10am to 4:30pm. Visitors can expect a wide variety of events and experiences designed to nurture both body and soul.
The day will feature a vibrant indoor market showcasing the incredible talent we have right here in Shropshire, from local makers and artists to innovative wellbeing services. The lineup includes familiar names like The Good Egg Bakery and Gelatistry, alongside creative businesses and initiatives such as Moonsalt Jewellery, Sketch Club Severn, Snoop, Hopefully Made and more, as well as local yoga and movement practitioners, including Jenna Blair Yoga and Heart & Harmony Wellness.
For those seeking hands-on experiences, interactive workshops will cover everything from fitness and yoga to creativity and self-discovery. You can browse and book onto the ticketed events here.
The festival’s unique approach means many activities are completely free – including mindfulness sessions, screen-printing, drawing, meditation, and even friendship bracelet making in the Dye House.
Perhaps most importantly, the festival will provide something increasingly rare in our digital age: a dedicated space to unwind, connect face-to-face, and enjoy time offline. The community picnic areas are designed to encourage the kind of genuine human connection that Sian credits with her own healing journey.
More Than Just a Festival
What sets Happier Festival apart is its underlying philosophy. This isn’t just entertainment – it’s a celebration of the idea that happier people really can change the world.
As Sian puts it:
I believe whole-heartedly that happier people are going to change our world…and when people and communities come together magic happens!
The festival builds on the growing momentum of Shrewsbury’s creative and wellness scene, which has been quietly flourishing in recent years. Having so many local businesses and practitioners gathered in one place means new connections will spark, ideas will flow, and the bonds between our community will grow stronger.
The event concludes with Sian’s signature “Closing Circle” – an uplifting group experience designed to help participants carry the day’s positive energy back into their daily lives.
Getting There and Getting Involved
The festival takes place at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings on Spring Gardens (SY1 2SZ), with free parking available on site. For those preferring sustainable transport, bike racks are provided and the venue is just a 0.6-mile walk from Shrewsbury Train Station.
While your £9 ticket includes access to the full festival site and all the free activities, additional workshops and the tempting selection of local food and drink are available for separate purchase. Some workshops can be pre-booked, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
As Sian reflects on bringing her vision to life, there’s a sense that Happier Festival could mark the beginning of something special for Shropshire.
For tickets, updates and more information, see the Happier Festival website and follow @dwtylife and @happierfestival on Instagram.
Happier Festival takes place on Saturday 26th July 2025, 10am-4:30pm at Flaxmill Maltings, Shrewsbury. Tickets £9 from dwtylife.com/happierfest