If you're planning to nab a spot near the stage at this weekend’s Alban Street Festival, you’d better stake your claim quickly as the packed line-up is sure to attract hundreds of party-goers.

From a one-man act involving a ten-foot-high unicycle, to the nine-strong Swanvesta Social Club, there will be dozens of local acts crowding into the heart of the city on Sunday, June 21.

St Albans band Broken Boat are particularly excited to take part, as they have never played the one-day festival held in their home town before.

“It is quite a privilege that we were asked to do it,” explains Oliver Wolffe, drummer with the band who released their début EP Small Defeats last year.

Broken Boat first started out when frontman Dan Bahrami and multi-instrumentalist Brendan Kearney met at university in Plymouth and began playing gigs together. After returning to St Albans, the duo were joined by Oliver, Jess Hart, Sophie Hart and Tim Winward.

“There will be a nice atmosphere for people to have a good time,” continues Oliver, who adds the band has recently been working on a live studio session track. “We are really looking forward to playing for everyone in St Albans.”

Joining them to perform across two stages in the city centre is Hitchin group Indi and the Vegas, Dodo Bones from Hemel Hempstead and Harpenden’s Emma McGrath.

Most of the acts playing on Sunday – including the Rock Choir, Electric Umbrella, Pioneer Approaches, Under the Rainbow and the Purple Allstars – hail from Hertfordshire.

Whatever the weather, St Albans will enjoy a taste of the Havana heat with a set by Cuban music-inspired Swanvesta Social Club, who will take to the stage just days after their second album Live From the Latin Quarter (of St Albans) is released on Friday, June 19.

“The day before we have got the Acoustic Festival of Britain in Uttoxeter so it is nice to be able to play up there at a national festival and then play our home town the next day,” enthuses Chris Paton, front man of the band, who formed for their first gig at the White Lion pub in Sopwell Lane, St Albans, about eight years ago.

The new album was recorded at the city’s Royston Club in front of a live audience and will be available to download on iTunes.

“It was unusual to record it all live, warts and all, but it is just part of the atmosphere – I think it sounds great. We are really pleased,” says Chris.

The band plays a mixture of Anglo-Cuban, Anglo-American and original tracks and Chris promises a real fiesta-style performance of music to dance to on Sunday.

“Last time we did it we managed to get quite a lot of people dancing and a bit of a conga,” he remembers.

After conga-ing the afternoon away, a host of food stalls will be on hand to provide refreshment, while the Designer Maker Market features a variety of hand-crafted produce.

A selection of street entertainment from the likes of innovative dance theatre group C-12 will be on offer, as well as the chance to take part in an open yoga class, play mini golf, or relax on the fish and chip beach with a traditional Punch and Judy Show.

Run by St Albans City and District Council, the Street Festival follows the annual Alban Pilgrimage on Saturday, June 20. Giant puppets will parade through the streets telling the story of Alban, Britain’s first saint, before finishing their journey at St Albans Cathedral.

This year, the Archbishop of Canterbury will attend the festivities to give the Eucharist, and all the way from France, the Archbishop of Rouen will also attend for Evensong.

Alban Pilgrimage, St Peter’s Church, Saturday, June 20, 11am. Details: stalbanscathedral.org

Alban Street Festival, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Sunday, June 21, 12noon to 6pm. Details: stalbans.gov.uk