Tickets go on sale on Wednesday 3 December 2025 at 10am for the Cambridge Folk Festival weekend at Cherry Hinton Hall with a fabulous first set of artists just announced.  

Saturday night headliner Frank Turner is one of the UK’s most successful artists. He has sold over a million albums and regularly lands in the Top 3 of the Official Albums Chart. A prolific and powerful live performer, Turner has graced stages and festivals all around the world, from tiny grass roots venues to The O2 and Wembley Arenas. He has built an esteemed body of work across ten solo albums to date and makes a very welcome return to the festival, having last played in 2017.

Widely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation or any other, Suzanne Vega will co-headline Sunday night. Famous for worldwide hits such as Luka and Tom’s Diner, and renowned for her erudite and entertaining shows, Vega is fresh off a highly praised, sold-out UK tour, which included London’s Royal Albert Hall. Her latest album Flying With Angels is hitting best of the year lists from Mojo to Rolling Stone. Not to be missed.

The musical influence of Sunday night co-headliner Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips cannot be overstated. From groundbreaking group Fairport Convention to a decade long musical partnership with his then-wife Linda and over 30 years as a highly successful solo artist, he is one of the most distinctive virtuosos and writers in Folk Rock history, famed for his genre defying mastery of both acoustic and electric guitar along with engaging energy and onstage wit.

The Cambridge Folk Festival weekend at Cherry Hinton Hall, 1 to 2 August, will be the centrepiece of 2026’s activities. A more intimate event, returning to the festival’s heart and in its spiritual home, the weekend will feature two full days of live music and activities, with optional three-night camping available. 

A second to none line-up, boasting three international headliners with more names to be announced, will perform across two main stages, a street performance area showcasing buskers and roving acts, and a dedicated Club Corner, programmed in partnership with local folk clubs.

The prestigious Christian Raphael Prize will once again be open to emerging artists, offering invaluable financial assistance, performance opportunities and industry exposure. Previous winners include Katherine Priddy, Angeline Morrison and Frankie Archer.
*acts subject to contracting

Cllr Antoinette Nestor, Cabinet Member for Culture, Economy and Skills, said: “I’m delighted that the Cambridge Folk Festival will return to its home at Cherry Hinton Hall with such an outstanding line-up, including Frank Turner, Suzanne Vega and Richard Thompson. Bringing artists of this calibre to Cambridge is a real testament to the Festival’s enduring reputation, and the weekend itself will offer everything people love about it. And the collaborations and opportunities for emerging talent through the Christian Raphael Prize is a great testimony to the importance of the Folk Festival to many. 

“I’m equally pleased that next year the Festival will reach further across the city than ever before, working with local venues, promoters and folk clubs to host concerts and community events in the run-up to the Cherry Hinton weekend. With performances at the Corn Exchange, other city venues, and the return of the Cambridgeshire Music Summer School, this expanded programme will give residents and visitors many more chances to experience folk and roots music, supporting our cultural scene all year round and welcoming new audiences into the Festival community."

One of the priorities for 2026 has been to make access to the festival as affordable and accessible as possible for families and young people. First release tickets for the Cherry Hinton Hall weekend, available from 10am 3 December, will be priced at:

Day tickets:

Adults: £60; Concessions (including Young Folk 14-25) £45; Children (0-13) free

Weekend tickets:

Adults: £120; Concessions (including Young Folk 14-25) £90; Children (0-13) free