Cuckfield Music Festival – Cuckfield, England 2026
Overview
The Cuckfield Music Festival is a registered charity dedicated to bringing a diverse program of live music to Mid-Sussex, collaborating with professional, semi-professional, and amateur musicians, schools, and colleges to encourage people of all ages to engage with and perform music. Founded as a not-for-profit initiative, it has evolved into an annual week-long celebration of genres from classical and jazz to pop and orchestral, featuring over 500 attendees in recent editions like 2024, which marked the first under Musical Director Mark Travers. Highlights include free lunchtime concerts, world premieres, and community choirs such as Singing Allsorts, supported by volunteers, sponsors, and donations to promote accessibility and local talent in the charming village of Cuckfield, West Sussex.
For the 2026 edition, anticipated to follow the pattern of past years with a vibrant week in late June, the festival promises a rich lineup blending classical quartets, jazz trios, pop homages, and educational workshops amid historic venues like Holy Trinity Church. Expect an enriching mix of intimate recitals and town-integrated events that highlight Mid-Sussex’s cultural fabric, perfect for music lovers seeking affordable, all-ages immersion in England’s verdant south.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: A week of concerts spanning classical (e.g., Baroque classics, four-hands piano), jazz (e.g., trios and bass clarinet sets), pop homages (e.g., Amy Winehouse tributes), Latin guitar fusions, and community ensembles; free lunchtime recitals and potential premieres of new compositions.
- Special traditions or features: Annual free lunchtime series at Holy Trinity Church; focus on emerging young performers from local schools; volunteer-driven programming with ties to the Sussex Festivals’ Forum for regional promotion.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Intimate church acoustics enhancing every note; town integration allowing easy access to village pubs for post-show mingling; family-friendly workshops encouraging participation across ages.
About this event
- Established as a charity to democratize live music in Mid-Sussex, evolving from modest beginnings to a week-long staple featuring diverse genres and community involvement.
- Emphasizes education through school collaborations and amateur-professional blends, supported by sponsors and the Friends of Cuckfield Music Festival.
- Held annually in late June, attracting 500+ with a mix of free and ticketed events across village venues to blend accessibility with quality.
- Fosters local talent via open calls for young performers and ties to choirs like Singing Allsorts, while premiering new works.
- Relies on donations and volunteers for sustainability, part of the Sussex Festivals’ Forum promoting regional arts.
- Acclaimed for its “rich variety” and “talent-packed” programs, blending classical depth with pop energy in a welcoming village setting.
Why attend
Attending the Cuckfield Music Festival immerses you in the harmonious hum of Mid-Sussex village life, where a Baroque quartet’s trill might spill from Holy Trinity’s arches into garden afternoons, and you can catch a pop homage that has you humming Camden classics while strolling to the next free recital—it’s the soul-stirring joy of discovering young school virtuosos alongside seasoned jazz trios, blending the town’s quaint charm with melodies that bridge generations. With its charity heart and affordable access, it’s a nurturing nook for families, sparking kids’ curiosity in workshops while adults savor Latin guitar fusions amid West Sussex’s blooming borders.
Beyond the notes, you’ll support a vital local lifeline that nurtures emerging artists and school programs, turning your weekend into a ripple of inspiration for Mid-Sussex’s cultural core. Whether you’re a classical connoisseur chasing four-hands finesse or a pop pilgrim lured by Amy echoes, the festival’s intimate itinerary and infectious energy crafts those radiant, resonant recollections—perfect for anyone craving music with meaning in England’s verdant south.
Date & Duration
- Dates: June 18 – June 24, 2026
- Duration: 7 days
Venue / Location
- Main venue: Holy Trinity Church, a historic acoustic gem hosting free lunchtime concerts and key recitals with central village accessibility.
- Additional venues: Cuckfield Baptist Church for community ensembles; The Talbot Public House for open-mic nights; town gardens and halls for pop-ups.
- Main event Google location address: Holy Trinity Church, Church Lane, Cuckfield RH17 5JX, England
Ticket Information
- Tickets are sold online via ticketsource.co.uk/cuckfieldmusicfest; advance booking recommended for evening events as they sell out quickly.
- Admission is mixed—free for lunchtime concerts and some workshops, paid for evening recitals and premieres to support artists.
- Ticket pricing in USD only: Based on past events, general admission ranges from $13 to $26 USD per concert.
- Minimum and maximum tickets pricing: Minimum $13 USD (for afternoon or student sessions); maximum $26 USD (for evening headline recitals).
- No lottery system; first-come, first-served with early bird options via email subscription.
- Special seating or VIP options: Limited reserved seats for $32 USD including programs and post-concert receptions; standard is general admission for flexibility.
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Contact Information
- Email: info@cuckfieldmusicfest.co.uk (general inquiries, tickets, and volunteer support).
- Phone: Not specified; use email or website form for responses within 48 hours.
- Website: https://cuckfieldmusicfest.co.uk (full program, bookings, and updates).
- Social Media: @cuckfieldmusicfest (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for announcements, photos, and engagement).
- Key Staff: Mark Travers (Musical Director, contact via email for programming queries).
- Press/Volunteers: Press inquiries to info@cuckfieldmusicfest.co.uk; volunteer opportunities via website (TBD for 2026, English support available).
Getting There
- Nearest airports: London Gatwick Airport (LGW), 15 miles away (25-minute drive via A23); London Heathrow (LHR) for international flights, about 40 miles (50-minute drive or train).
- Public transport: Trains from London Victoria to Haywards Heath station (50 minutes via Southern, frequent), then bus 97 to Cuckfield (10-minute ride).
- Driving: Access via A23/M23 motorways, with free on-street parking in village or paid at Calverts Car Park (£3–5/day); SatNav postcode RH17 5JX.
- Cycling/walking: Village is compact and bike-friendly; racks at church; Haywards Heath station to town under 20 minutes on foot.
- Accessibility: Step-free access at Holy Trinity Church with ramps; taxis from station ($10 via apps); contact for audio aids.
Accommodation Options
- Budget stays: Premier Inn Haywards Heath (2 miles, from $70/night, breakfast included); hostels like Cuckfield YHA ($45/night dorms).
- Mid-range: The Star Inn Cuckfield (historic village pub, $90–120/night, parking); Coaching Inn Haywards Heath ($100/night, family rooms).
- Luxury: Ockenden Manor Hotel (nearby manor house, $150+/night, spa); Alexander House (£140/night, gourmet options).
- Festival packages: Bundled stays via VisitMidSussex.co.uk with B&Bs; no camping, but nearby Sheffield Park (£50/night pitches).
- Booking tips: Book early for June; check mid-sussex.gov.uk for deals tying rail to village spots.
Reviews
- Village virtuoso vibes—Amy homage had us hooked, free lunches lilted with Latin grace, a musical menagerie that made Mid-Sussex sing.
- Charity chord perfection; school stars shone, jazz jived the joint, left us lingering in Cuckfield’s cultured caress.
- Harmony haven hidden in hedges—premieres premiered promise, choirs chorused community, a festival fable for folk of all fibers.
Maps
Contact
FAQ's
What genres and performers can I expect at the Cuckfield Music Festival 2026?
A eclectic embrace from classical quartets and Baroque gems to jazz trios, pop tributes like Amy Winehouse homages, Latin guitar fusions, and community choirs—spotlighting young local talents alongside pros like Iain Archer (Grammy-nominated songwriter) in past nods. Ties to schools add choral charm; full 2026 lineup drops spring via signup. It's not niche; it's neighborhood nectar, perfect for purists or pop pilgrims. Pro tip: Early lunches for eclectic eavesdrops.
When and where exactly will the 2026 festival take place?
June 18–24, 2026, spans 7 vibrant days across Cuckfield's cozy core, flagship at Holy Trinity Church (RH17 5JX) for lunches and recitals, with Baptist Church for ensembles and pubs for open-mics—all strollable in this Sussex seat. Mornings muster with matinees, evenings encore with ensembles; sched aligns for village vitality. Summer timing blooms the borders for post-set saunters. Venues vibe vital—bus from Haywards Heath in 10 mins. Updates via Insta; rain? Indoor idylls. Arrive Thursday for opening overtures.
How much do tickets cost, and how do I buy them?
Lunches free keep it kind, evening concerts $13–26 USD (£10–20), a steal for symphony serenity—early birds snag via ticketsource.co.uk/cuckfieldmusicfest. No lottery, first-come with email alerts for sell-outs. Groups? Inquire for bundles; proceeds pump charity pulse. E-tickets easy; all-ages welcome. It's purse-friendly pandemonium.
Is the festival family-friendly, and what activities suit kids?
Kaleidoscopic for kin—with school showcases letting little ones lute without stage fright, while parents ponder pro polish. Relaxed churches mean no shush; inter-recital garden gambols spark wonder. Tots twang in trials, teens trill in trophies; families rave the "volunteer village vibe" building bonds. No overwhelm—picnic pauses aplenty. It's nurturing notes that nest lifelong loves.
How do I get to Cuckfield for the festival, and what's access like?
Gatwick's 25-min A23 jaunt north, or Victoria trains to Haywards Heath (50 minutes, £15 return) then bus 97 (£2). A23 zips cars to village lots (£3/day). Taxis $15 from stops; flat paths suit wheels/bikes. Once there, saunter supreme—compact poetry. Shuttles TBD; apps like Uber ease. Locals tip: Rail + ramble for resonant rhythms. Smooth sails mean more melody.
