The popular folk festival is expanding across the city for 2026.

Cambridge Folk Festival has announced more acts set to play in venues across Cambridge later this year. The popular festival was cancelled last year due to financial losses but is returning this summer in a different form.

This year’s main festival will be take place across Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, at Cherry Hinton Hall. There will also be a range of performances happening at local venues across Cambridge throughout the summer.

On Saturday, July 25, John Cooper Clarke will take to the stage at the Cambridge Corn Exchange alongside special guests such as Brian Bilston and The Catenary Wires, Henry Normal and Jan Brierton, and Mike Garry and Toria Garbutt. There will be a family ceilidh hosted by Cambridge Ceilidh All Stars at the Corn Exchange on Sunday, July 26.

There will also be a ‘tradfest’ along Mill Road and Folk Festival favourite Frankie Archer will be performing at The Portland Arms. A pub quiz night is set to take place at the Parkers Tavern alongside a comedy show, open-mic nights, and other events at different spots around the city.

The new “city-wide approach” will offer folk fans even more opportunities to enjoy music. The festival also wants to invite new audiences to “discover and join the vibrant folk community”.

Cllr Dr Antoinette Nestor, Cabinet Member for Culture Economy and Skills at the Council, said: “I’m thrilled that the Cambridge Folk Festival will extend further across Cambridge than ever before, partnering with local venues, promoters, and folk clubs to bring concerts and community events leading up to the Cherry Hinton Hall weekend.

“With performances at the Corn Exchange, The Portland Arms, other city venues, and the return of the Cambridgeshire Music Summer School, this expanded programme will offer residents and visitors more opportunities to enjoy folk and roots music, celebrate our vibrant cultural scene, and welcome new audiences into the festival community.”