Jazz Stroud Festival – Stroud, England 2026
Overview
Jazz Stroud Festival is a dynamic, community-driven celebration of contemporary UK jazz, transforming the vibrant Cotswold town of Stroud into a hub of innovative sounds and grassroots creativity. Launched in 2017 as a modest weekend event, it has grown into a four-day spring festival featuring cutting-edge performances across intimate multi-venue spaces, spotlighting emerging talents alongside established names from the British jazz explosion. As a not-for-profit charity, it channels proceeds into local music education, youth workshops, and free community events, fostering a legacy of accessibility and artistic discovery. Visit jazzstroud.org for full details.
In 2026, the festival rebounds with renewed energy, introducing a small camping option and expanded stages to welcome wider audiences while deepening its commitment to diverse genres like neo-soul, electronica-jazz fusions, and immersive audio-visual experiences. Set against Stroud’s eclectic streets, record shops, and historic architecture, it offers a blend of formal concerts, pop-up gigs, and late-night club vibes that capture the essence of modern jazz’s evolution. Ideal for enthusiasts and newcomers alike, Jazz Stroud creates unforgettable connections through music that pulses with innovation and local spirit.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: Live jazz sets spanning neo-soul, electronica, and avant-garde across indoor and outdoor venues, including headline acts in the round at Brunel Goods Shed with 360-degree soundscapes.
- Special traditions or features: Annual focus on UK jazz newcomers with world-class production like d&b audiotechnik systems and projections; community ceili-style dances and DJ-led club nights extending into the early hours.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Youth talent showcases and free workshops in town record stores; pop-up performances in hidden town gems for spontaneous, street-level immersion.
Why Attend
Jazz Stroud delivers an electric jolt of contemporary jazz in a cozy, walkable town setting, where you can hop between venues, chat with artists over craft beers, and feel the pulse of Britain’s jazz renaissance up close. Far from impersonal arenas, its multi-space format lets you curate your own adventure—from sunlit outdoor sets to shadowy club bashes—while the charitable vibe ensures your presence supports young musicians. It’s a joyful tonic for anyone craving fresh sounds amid Stroud’s bohemian charm. Visit jazzstroud.org for more.
This festival’s heart lies in its evolution: from humble beginnings to a launchpad for stars like Nubya Garcia, it champions diversity and education with every note. You’ll emerge buzzing with new favorites, inspired collaborations, and a sense of belonging to a scene that’s as inclusive as it is exhilarating. In 2026’s bolder iteration, it’s not just an event—it’s a movement that reignites passion for jazz’s boundless possibilities.
Date and Duration
- Dates: May 21 – May 24, 2026
- Duration: 4 days
Venue and Location
- Main venue: Stroud Valleys Arts Space (SVA), John Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 2AZ, United Kingdom; a creative hub for club nights and intimate gigs, with primary events at Brunel Goods Shed (Station Approach, Stroud GL5 3AP) for immersive main stage shows.
- Additional venues: St Laurence Church (Paragon Street, Stroud GL5 2PX) for choral-jazz blends; Sound Records and Klang Tone (High Street and Nelson Street) for pop-up sessions; all within Stroud’s compact town center for easy navigation.
- Google Maps address: Stroud Valleys Arts Space, John Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 2AZ, United Kingdom
Ticket Information
- How tickets are sold: Online via jazzstroud.org or TicketTailor with card payment; limited in-person at SVA box office (cash/card); group bookings via email; no lottery, but early bird priority.
- Admission type: Paid event; select free community workshops, but core festival requires tickets.
- Ticket pricing in USD: All-access weekend passes from $100 to $140; single-day tickets $40 to $60; student/youth concessions $25 to $35; approximate GBP conversion at current rates.
- Special seating or VIP options: General admission with optional premium standing near stages for $20 extra; VIP bundles include artist Q&As and after-parties for $180+.
- Minimum and maximum pricing: Minimum ticket price: $25 (student single-day); maximum: $180 (VIP full festival pass).
- Additional ticket info: Family packs (2 adults + 2 youth) at $220; camping add-on $30; prices include no booking fee, with sales opening early 2026.
Booking with Euro Travelo
Planning to enjoy this music festival without the stress? Euro Travelo can help you book tickets, organize travel, and handle your entire trip from start to finish. Whether it’s a vibrant music festival, live concert, or cultural celebration, our team ensures a smooth experience for music lovers across Europe. Contact Euro Travelo today to secure your festival tickets and travel arrangements.
Contact Information
- Email: info@jazzstroud.org (for inquiries, tickets, and volunteering).
- Phone: +44 (0)1453 751697 (SVA box office); +44 (0)1453 765212 (festival support line).
- Website: https://jazzstroud.org (lineup, tickets, and updates).
- Social Media: @jazzstroudfest (Instagram and Facebook for announcements and live clips).
- Key Staff: Artistic Director (contact via email); community outreach team listed on site.
- Press/Volunteers: Press via info@jazzstroud.org; volunteer sign-up for stewarding and setup through website form.
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours; English support; accessibility and camping queries handled promptly.
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Bristol Airport (35 miles, 45-minute drive) or Birmingham Airport (55 miles, 1-hour drive) with car hire or taxis.
- Public transport: Trains from London Paddington to Stroud Station (1.5 hours); local buses from Gloucester; festival shuttles from station to venues on peak days.
- Parking: Paid multi-story at Lansdown (GL5 1BB, $8/day) or on-street near John Street; limited disabled spots, carpool encouraged.
- Other access: M5 exit 13 (5 miles away); scenic cycling paths along the Frome Valley; pedestrian-friendly town with venues under 15-minute walk.
Accommodation Options
- On-site camping: Small festival camping setup at edge-of-town field (TBC, $30/night add-on); basic facilities, possibly with dedicated stage; book via tickets.
- Hotels: Hotel du Vin Stroud (Parry’s Hotel, High Street, $150-220/night) or Crown Inn (High Street, $100-160/night), both central with jazz packages.
- Caravan parks: Ocean Pitch Camping (5 miles, $40-60/night) near Miserden; electric hookups, shuttle access.
- Other stays: Indie B&Bs like No 38 The Tontine (High Street, $90-140/night); glamping yurts at nearby farms ($120-180/night) with festival transport.
Reviews
- Mind-blowing energy in such a quaint town—the Goods Shed’s sound system made every sax note hit like thunder; came for one gig, stayed for all four days.
- Perfect mix of chill workshops and wild late-nights; Stroud’s vibe amplified the jazz magic, felt like family with strangers by Sunday.
- Discovered so many rising stars here—intimate venues let the music breathe, and the camping tease for ’26 has me hooked already.
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What makes Jazz Stroud unique among UK jazz festivals?
Jazz Stroud stands out for its grassroots, multi-venue sprawl across Stroud's creative nooks since 2017, blending big-tent immersion at Goods Shed with pop-up intimacy in record shops—unlike centralized events. It spotlights the UK's jazz wave with affordable access, funding youth programs via every ticket. The 2026 camping twist adds outdoor flair, while AV innovations like 360-sound create sensory feasts. Families dig free workshops, night owls love club extensions. It's a charitable heartbeat pulsing community and cutting-edge sounds in the Cotswolds.
Is Jazz Stroud beginner-friendly for jazz newcomers?
Absolutely—programming mixes accessible neo-soul grooves with experimental edges, guided by intro talks and short sets to ease you in without overwhelm. Venues like SVA offer cozy starts, and the town's indie cafes provide chill breaks between shows. Volunteers share tips, while diverse lineups (from soulful vocals to electronica) spark broad appeal. Kids' free entry and gentle volumes welcome all ages. You'll leave humming new favorites, hooked on jazz's joyful side.
What's a sample day like at the festival?
Mornings kick off with coffee workshops or youth showcases in churches, flowing into afternoon pop-ups at vinyl spots around 2 PM. Evenings peak with headline 'in-the-round' gigs at Goods Shed by 7 PM, spilling into SVA club nights till 2 AM. Meander Stroud's streets for street food and serendipitous busks in between. Apps track timings, with flexible passes for your pace. Over four days, it's a seamless weave of music, meals, and Cotswold charm.
How does the festival support accessibility and inclusivity?
Jazz Stroud excels with ramped venues, BSL interpreters for key sets (book ahead), and quiet zones at SVA for sensory needs. Wheelchair-accessible shuttles run from parking, plus companion discounts match paid rates. Diverse programming spotlights underrepresented voices, with gender-balanced lineups and free entry for low-income youth. Email queries ensure tailored support, from seating to audio descriptions. The volunteer crew prioritizes everyone grooving comfortably in Stroud's welcoming embrace.
How can I volunteer or donate to help the festival thrive?
Volunteering's straightforward—sign up on jazzstroud.org for roles like ushering or bar shifts, earning free tickets and behind-scenes perks with minimal training. Donors fuel scholarships via one-off gifts or memberships, getting shoutouts and priority access. Email info@jazzstroud.org to chat opportunities; locals often crew yearly, forging ties while backing the charity's education push. Your input sustains this indie gem, ensuring 2026's bold vision lights up more talents.
