Plans for our 2026 Festival!

9th – 17th May 2026

The Wedmore Festival returns from 9–17 May with one of its most diverse programmes yet, offering a vibrant week of literature, music, comedy, film and history at the heart of the village.

Ticket sales open on 14 April online here (booking fees apply) or in person (cash only) from Wedmore Store. If you are Friend of Wedmore Festival, you will enjoy exclusive priority booking (as well as other benefits) one week earlier starting 7 April for 7 days with no booking fees. Why not sign up now? It’s only £25 per annum per couple.

Comedy remains a popular feature, with Marcus Brigstocke and Rachel Parris returning for an evening of sharp, spontaneous comedy musical improv on Saturday 9 May.

An undoubted highlight will be anatomist, biological anthropologist, author and broadcaster, Professor Alice Roberts. Join Alice as she maps the fall of one Empire and the rise of another, celebrating the publication of her latest book Domination: the fall and rise of an Empire.

The 2026 programme continues the festival’s commitment to bring big-name talent. Spend an evening with a master of the spoken word, BAFTA award-winning author, activist, performer and Sunday Times number one bestseller Lemn Sissay OBE, as he takes to the stage with this brand-new show. With live readings from his books, Lemn will unravel the original stories behind the poems, and how they have been used in people’s lives and his own.

Music lovers will enjoy performances from Adannay, Bootleg Blondie, and Wedmore Ensemble, globally recognised musicians who now call the village home.

Festival Patron Henry Blofeld OBE will also be back with more of his much-loved cricketing anecdotes.

Following last year’s successful live-scored screening of Nosferatu, St Mary’s Church will host another silent-film spectacular with Lon Chaney’s 1925 classic Phantom of the Opera, accompanied by a brand-new score performed live by local composer Liam Davies.

Festivalgoers can also explore Wedmore’s heritage through Kith and Kin, an immersive Saxon-themed experience, alongside talks from Alison Uren on local wildlife and the Hazel Hudson Lecture on the 19 pubs in Wedmore!.

The festival continues to invest in our community, expanding its outreach work with local schools. This year, ABC – The Academy of Barmy Composers will lead creative workshops, helping children explore the lives of great historic composers and inspiring the next generation of artists and performers.

General booking opens 14th April at here www.wedmorefestival.co.uk and also in person from Wedmore Stores

Festival Friends enjoy priority booking one week earlier and no booking fees, with memberships available via the website.

To stay updated:

• Join our mailing list
• Follow us on Facebook for announcements, previews and behind-the-scenes updates

Save the dates now: 9th – 17th May 2026.
We look forward to celebrating with you!