Visiting Southwell Music Festival 2026? Essential Festival information

Southwell Music Festival 2026 opens on Friday 28 August, with four days of sensational live music across venues in the town.

If you’re coming to the Festival (or maybe you still need to book your tickets), here’s the essential information you need to make the most of your Southwell Music Festival weekend. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Festival!

Visit the Festival Hub

The Festival Hub is this year located at Trebeck Hall on Bishop’s Drive (What3Words: founders.fall.valuables). At the Festival Hub you can:

Buy tickets for concerts, including tickets for this year’s Christmas Celebration concert
Buy your souvenir programme book and browse the range of Festival merchandise
Festival Friends can buy tickets to the Sunday Friends’ Reception event
Meet our volunteer Festival Makers, who are here to answer your questions and help make the 2026 Festival as brilliant as ever

Festival Hub opening times are:

Wednesday 26 August: 9am – 5pm
Thursday 27 August: 9am – 5pm
Friday 28 August: 9am – 9.30pm
Saturday 29 August: 8:45am – 10pm
Sunday 30 August: 9am – 7.30pm
Monday 31 August: 8:45am – 2pm

Food and Drink in the Festival Marquee

The Festival Marquee – to be found in the beautiful surroundings of the Palace Gardens – is a popular meeting place for audiences and performers alike.

This year, the Marquee will be serving drinks, including tea and coffee, plus light snacks such as sandwiches, salads, pizza and pastries. If you’re coming to an evening concert in the Minster you can also book a pre-concert evening meal through our Meals in the Marquee offer. Each evening there is a set menu with a vegan and gluten-free option available. Meals must be booked in advance.

Marquee opening times are:

Friday 28 August: 11am – 11pm
Saturday 29 August: 11am – 11pm
Sunday 30 August: 11am – 9pm (closed 12.30 – 3pm for concert)
Monday 31 August: 11am – 4pm (with free Festival Fringe performance with Halictus Jazz Ensemble at 1pm & 2.50pm)

There are also coffee shops, restaurants and pubs in and around Southwell. Opening times vary. Please contact venues directly to book.

Support the Festival Fringe

The Festival Fringe is a selection of free performances taking place across the Festival. No booking is required, just turn up.

Young Musicians Showcase
Friday 28 August, 2pm, Southwell Methodist Church

Masterclass
Saturday 29 August, 10am, Southwell Methodist Church

Music for Ceramics in Southwell
Sunday 30 August, 10am – 4.30pm, Market Square

Nottingham Young Musicians of the Year
Monday 31 August, 11am, Southwell Methodist Church

Halictus Jazz Ensemble
Monday 31 August, 1pm & 2.50pm, Festival Marquee