Big news: the festival is moving (but not packing up)
After taking a pause in 2025, the long-running World of Music, Arts and Dance festival — better known as WOMAD — has announced where it’ll pop up next. The beloved bash that’s been bringing global sounds to the UK for decades is leaving Charlton Park, where it’s been since 2007, and heading to the Neston Park Estate near Corsham for its 2026 comeback.
Why Neston Park is a plot twist
This will be the first time Neston Park has ever hosted an event like this, so expect fresh scenery and that slightly giddy feeling that comes with exploring somewhere totally new. Organisers say they’ve used the down year to regroup, listen to feedback and rethink how WOMAD should look going forward.
The people (and the praise)
WOMAD co-founder Peter Gabriel described the new site as immediately feeling warm and welcoming — a sentiment echoed by the estate’s owners, Sir James and Lady Venetia Fuller, who say they’re delighted to open their land to the festival community. Festival director Chris Smith added that WOMAD’s mission to celebrate global culture is as strong as ever, and they’re planning with an eye on the next few decades.
Practical stuff: dates, sizes and tickets
The festival typically draws roughly 40,000 people, and the 2026 edition is scheduled for 23–26 July. If you’re keen to go, tickets are slated to go on sale on 13 November — so set a reminder, practise your dance moves, and maybe dust off any festival tents you still own.
What to expect (in plain English)
Think global music, colourful performances, food stalls, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you stay for the encore even though your knee is politely asking you to sit down. With the move to a brand-new estate, expect some new layouts and surprises alongside the familiar mix of world music and arts programming WOMAD fans love.
