WARWICK Folk Festival brought an economic boost to the town last year to the tune of £1 million.
An ‘Economic Impact Analysis’ report also found the festival days in 2023, 2024 and 2025 averaged a footfall uplift of +46 per cent in the town centre, compared to the average footfall on the same non-festival days.
Data also showed that 2025 had the largest footfall increase over the festival period, of +59 per cent. Based on survey data, 70.5 per cent of visitors stayed overnight in Warwick or on the festival site and 70 per cent of visitors came from outside Warwickshire.
The organisers are already in full planning mode as the festival returns to Castle Park in Warwick from Thursday July 23 to Sunday July 26. From legendary headliners to incredible up-and-coming artists, this year’s festival promises to be the most successful yet.
The family friendly festival brings the local community together for a celebration of folk history, dance, and general revelry. This year the festival has a stellar line up including Fisherman’s Friends, Natalie McMaster and Donnell Leahy, Eddi Reader, FLIT Trio ft Will Pound, Sherburn Bartley Sanders, TRIP, The Wilderness Yet, Ellie Gowers Trio, Sam Carter sings Nic Jones, Tom McConville and Michael Biggins, Keith Donnelly and Lauren South.
Festival director Dick Dixon said: “We’ve delighted that the report has acknowledged the significant economic benefit that the festival brings to Warwick. Many of our festival goers support the town by buying meals in local restaurants, going to local shops, staying in local hotels and using local and regional transport. It’s great to learn how much the festival gives back to the town. We’re also thrilled to reveal our stellar line up of acts and headliners for 2026 which promises to be a superb fun-filled four days of first-class entertainment to suit all tastes and ages.”
Visitors will once again be able to enjoy a full programme of concerts, sing-arounds, dance, intimate acoustic performances or full-on gigs. They can soak up the atmosphere, sit in the beer tent, join in with the sessions, shop in the craft stalls, learn a new skill, taste street food, or relax with friends in the wine and cocktail bar.
In the town centre there will be a vast array of colourful dance displays, pub music sessions and open-air concerts.
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