WOMAD Festival – UK 2026

Background & History

WOMAD, an acronym for World of Music, Arts and Dance, was founded in 1980 by Peter Gabriel and a group of like-minded artists and promoters, including Bob Geldof, aiming to celebrate global cultural diversity through music, dance, arts, and workshops. The inaugural festival took place in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, drawing 20,000 attendees and setting the stage for an event that has since become a cornerstone of the UK festival scene, with over 300 editions worldwide. Over four decades, WOMAD has championed underrepresented voices from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond, featuring legends like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Youssou N’Dour, and Salif Keita, while fostering cross-cultural collaborations that highlight tolerance and creativity.

The festival has evolved from a single-weekend event to a multifaceted global platform, with sister festivals in Australia (WOMADelaide), New Zealand, Spain, and more, attracting over 40,000 visitors annually to the UK edition alone. In recent years, it has emphasized sustainability, accessibility, and community engagement, reinvesting profits into artist development and eco-initiatives. After a successful 42nd year at Charlton Park in 2024, WOMAD announced a relocation to a new site near Wiltshire for 2026, following a fallow year in 2025 to allow for regeneration and innovation, ensuring the festival’s longevity amid industry challenges like post-COVID recovery.

Event Highlights

• Main Activities or Performances: Headline acts across four days on multiple stages, including the Big Top Main Stage and outdoor arenas, featuring global genres from Afrobeat to flamenco, with past lineups including Alborosie, Young Fathers, Gogol Bordello, and Baaba Maal.
• Main Activities or Performances: Over 80 free workshops in music, dance, arts, and wellbeing, led by artists and institutions like CERN and Ai Weiwei, covering topics from world percussion to physics discussions.
• Special Traditions or Features: The “Taste the World” tent, where artists demonstrate global cooking with impromptu gigs; the Real Ale and Cider Bars; and the Children’s Area with dedicated workshops, storytelling, and family activities.
• Special Traditions or Features: Sustainability focus with eco-friendly practices, including recycling and low-carbon transport partnerships, reflecting the festival’s commitment to global responsibility.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Interactive art installations, the World of Wellbeing zone for yoga and meditation, and the World of Words literary stage with debates and poetry from diverse cultures.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Family-friendly zones with circus skills, face painting, and safe play areas, plus accessible viewing platforms and quiet spaces for all attendees.

Date & Duration

• Dates: July 24 – July 27, 2026 (unconfirmed, based on historical patterns; official announcement expected soon).
• Duration: 4 days.

Venue / Location

• Main Venue: New site near Wiltshire (exact location TBD; previous home was Charlton Park, Malmesbury; Google Maps for Charlton Park reference: Charlton Park, Malmesbury, SN16 9D).
• Site Features: Expansive grounds with six music stages, workshop tents, camping fields, and family areas, designed for a “beautiful, story-contributing” setting amid rolling countryside.
• Accessibility Areas: Dedicated disabled parking, viewing platforms, and accessible camping; shuttle services from main entrances.
• Surrounding Area: Near historic Malmesbury (England’s oldest borough), with nearby villages offering pubs and B&Bs; close to Bath and Cotswolds for pre/post-festival exploration.
• Other Locations: Global sister events, but UK edition focuses on the Wiltshire site; satellite pop-ups in London may occur.
• Parking and Access: On-site parking for 5,000+ vehicles; carpool incentives and eco-shuttles promoted.

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold: Tickets available online via womad.co.uk/tickets, See Tickets, or the official box office; early bird sales typically start in January; camping bundles and family packages offered.
• How Tickets Are Sold: On-site sales limited during the event; resale via official channels only; artist submissions for 2026 open September 1–December 22, 2025, via artist.demo@womad.org.
• Pricing (in USD):
  • Adult weekend ticket: $275–$330 (€250–€300).
  • Under 16s (with adult): $55–$110 (€50–€100).
  • Under 4s: Free.
  • Camping add-on: $44–$66 (€40–€60) per person.
  • Thursday day ticket: $110–$165 (€100–€150).
  • VIP/Glamping packages: $440–$1,100 (€400–€1,000).
• Special Seating or VIP Options: Accessible tickets with companion discounts via disabled_enquiries@womad.org; VIP includes premium viewing, lounges, and fast-track entry; family zones with reserved areas.

Contact Information

• Email: info@womad.org (general inquiries); tickets@womad.org (ticketing); workshops@womad.org (children’s activities); disabled_enquiries@womad.org (accessibility).
• Email: traders@womad.org (trading); artist.demo@womad.org (submissions, open Sept 1–Dec 22, 2025); press@womad.org (media).
• Phone: Not listed; email preferred for all queries.
• Website: https://womad.co.uk.
• Address: WOMAD Limited, Charlton Park, Malmesbury, SN16 9DU, United Kingdom (previous; new site TBD).
• Social Media: @WOMADfestival (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X) for updates and live streams.
• Key Staff: Not specified; festival director Chris Smith leads relocation efforts.
• Press/Volunteers: Press via press@womad.org; volunteering opportunities via womad.co.uk/volunteering (roles in stewarding, info, and setup).
• Note: Response time 48–72 hours; newsletter signup for 2026 announcements.

Cultural Experience

WOMAD embodies a global village ethos, immersing attendees in the “World of Music, Arts and Dance” through performances from over 50 countries, showcasing Afrobeat, qawwali, flamenco, and indigenous sounds that promote cultural exchange and tolerance. Founded amid the 1980s world music boom, it draws on Peter Gabriel’s vision to bridge divides, with stages hosting fusions like Qawwali Flamenco or Gnawa Blues All Stars, encouraging audiences to explore non-Western traditions in a safe, celebratory space. The festival’s workshops—over 80 free sessions—offer hands-on learning in dance, storytelling, and crafts, often led by performing artists, fostering intergenerational and intercultural connections amid Wiltshire’s pastoral beauty.

Sustainability and inclusivity are woven into the fabric, with eco-zones teaching zero-waste living and diverse programming highlighting female-led acts, LGBTQ+ artists, and global south voices, reflecting modern values of equity. Visitors experience Denmark’s hygge-like communal spirit through shared meals in the Taste the World tent and late-night jams, while the World of Physics and Wellbeing areas blend art with science and mindfulness. As a non-profit endeavor, WOMAD reinvests in emerging talents, creating a ripple effect that supports global artists and educates on cultural preservation, making it a transformative journey beyond mere entertainment.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties: Global street food like Moroccan tagines, Indian samosas, and Jamaican jerk chicken from 50+ international traders.
• Must-Try Specialties: Vegan/vegetarian options such as Ethiopian injera platters or Thai curries; festival exclusives like artist-cooked dishes in Taste the World.
• Dining Options: Food villages with licensed areas; Real Ale Bar featuring UK craft beers and ciders; family picnic zones.
• Dining Options: Gluten-free and allergen-aware stalls; late-night food trucks for post-performance bites.
• Beverages: World wines, rums, and cocktails; non-alcoholic mocktails and herbal infusions in Wellbeing area.
• Beverages: Local Somerset ciders and organic soft drinks; BYO water encouraged for sustainability.

Getting There

• By Air: Bristol Airport (BRS), 30 miles away (45 minutes by car); London Heathrow (LHR), 80 miles (1.5 hours).
• By Public Transport: Trains to Chippenham or Kemble Stations (shuttle buses to site, $11–$22 round trip); National Express coaches from London.
• By Car: M4 to Junction 17, then A429 to Malmesbury; on-site parking $22–$33 (€20–€30); carpool discounts available.
• By Bike/Foot: Cycle paths from nearby towns; pedestrian shuttles from park-and-ride.
• Accessibility: Disabled parking close to entrances; accessible shuttles; contact disabled_enquiries@womad.org for lifts.

Accommodation Options

• On-Site Camping: Standard pitches ($44–$66/person, €40–€60); glamping tents ($220–$550/unit, €200–€500) with beds and power.
• In Malmesbury: Budget B&Bs like The Old Lodge ($80–$120/night); mid-range Whatley Manor ($200–$350/night).
• Nearby: Chippenham hotels like Premier Inn ($70–$110/night); luxury Lucknam Park ($300–$500/night).
• Alternatives: Airbnb in Wiltshire ($90–$200/night); nearby campsites like Westonbirt ($50–$80/night).
• Tips: Book camping with tickets in January 2026; family glamping includes kids’ activities.