WOMAD Festival

The WOMAD Festival is an event where, over the course of several days, you can listen to music from every continent. Its programme features African drums alongside Celtic folk, Arabic melodies, Latin rhythms and contemporary electronic music.

Over more than forty years, WOMAD has evolved from a small music event organised by Peter Gabriel into an international cultural project. Today, festivals under this brand are held in various countries, and the British WOMAD UK is considered the flagship event of the entire network. In this article, we’ll explore what it’s all about, where it takes place, how it differs from other summer festivals in Great Britain, and how the festival site is laid out.

What is the WOMAD festival?

The name WOMAD stands for World of Music, Arts and Dance. It is this very idea that has underpinned the festival since its inception in the early 1980s. The project was created with the aim of introducing audiences to the music of different cultures and showcasing the diversity of contemporary world art.

Today, the WOMAD Festival is regarded as one of the world’s most renowned world music festivals. Its organisers rarely feature A-list stars from the pop charts. Instead, they bring together artists from dozens of countries, many of whom are genuine discoveries for the public.

WOMAD UK is the flagship festival of the international network. As well as concerts, the festival features lectures, masterclasses, dance workshops, culinary programmes, art exhibitions and family events. Many people attend not only for the music, but also for the atmosphere. It is one of the most popular July festivals.

WOMAD is sometimes compared to the Reading Festival, though the two have little in common. The Reading Festival focuses primarily on rock, alternative music, indie and contemporary popular artists. WOMAD, on the other hand, emphasises cultural diversity and the music of the world’s peoples. This is precisely why it is often referred to as a true world festival, where every stage introduces audiences to a new musical tradition.

Where does the WOMAD Festival take place?

Since 2026, the British WOMAD Festival has been held at Neston Park in Wiltshire, about an hour and a half’s drive from London. Prior to this, the festival was hosted by Charlton Park for many years, and before that it took place in Reading and several other locations. Changing venues is standard practice in WOMAD’s history, which now spans more than four decades.

For holders of three- and four-day tickets, standard camping is included in the price, whilst a parking space is charged for separately. It usually takes 5–10 minutes to walk from the car parks to the main entrances.

WOMAD Festival map

The WOMAD Festival site is quite large, so the organisers publish a detailed map every year.

It shows:

• all the concert stages;
• entrances;
• camping areas;
• car parks;
• food zones;
• toilets and showers;
• first-aid points;
• areas for families with children;
• information desks;
• and venues for workshops.

Before you travel, it’s worth studying the latest festival map in advance – this will help you find your way around more quickly once you’re there and choose a suitable campsite in advance.

WOMAD Festival 2026 Line Up

Every year, the organisers of the WOMAD Festival strive to make the programme as diverse as possible. The event does not follow the usual format of one or two headline concerts and a long list of support acts. Musicians from dozens of countries perform simultaneously across several stages, so everyone creates their own festival itinerary.

In 2026, the festival’s headliners were artists representing completely different musical traditions – which is precisely why people love WOMAD. The main headliners announced include:

1. Greentea Peng – a British singer whose work is a blend of psychedelic music, reggae, hip-hop and neo-soul.
2. Oumou Sangaré – one of Mali’s most famous performers and a true legend of African music.
3. Barrington Levy – a cult reggae artist from Jamaica.
4. José González – a Swedish musician of Argentine descent, known for his intimate acoustic compositions.

Whilst the organisers have not yet published the hourly schedule (this is usually released a few days before the festival opens), we do know the general structure of the festival by day.

Confirmed acts include:

1. Made Kuti
2. Alfa Mist
3. Emma-Jean Thackray
4. Daniela Mercury
5. Jupiter & Okwess
6. Yasmine Hamdan
7. Ganavya
8. Ana Lua Caiano
9. Say She She
10. Freshlyground
11. Corto Alto and many others.

It’s important to realise that the WOMAD Festival is much more than just concerts. Every day there are dance workshops, meet-the-artist sessions, the ‘Taste the World’ culinary programme, children’s activities, art installations, film screenings and educational talks. That’s why many people arrive in the morning and stay on site until late in the evening, even if there are long breaks between concerts.

Information for visitors

When planning your visit to the WOMAD Festival, it’s worth checking ticket prices in advance and sorting out your transport arrangements. It’s also a good idea to find out what accommodation options are available.

Tickets

The WOMAD Festival 2026 offers several ticket options: adult, teenager and child tickets, as well as 3-day or 4-day passes. The price of multi-day tickets includes access to the festival site and standard camping. Children under 4 can attend the festival for free, but they still need a valid ticket.

Prices depend on the ticket category and the sales phase. The following options are currently available:

Dates and start times

The WOMAD Festival 2026 will take place from 23 to 26 July. The festival lasts four days. The festival site will open on the 23rd, when the first performances will take place.

Accommodation

Most visitors to the WOMAD Festival choose to stay right on the festival site. This is the most convenient option, as it saves you from having to travel to the site every day; the stages are within walking distance.

Standard camping is included in the price of the 3-Day Ticket and 4-Day Ticket. The following options are available:

• general camping;
• family camping;
• car camping;
• special Boutique Camping options.

Standard camping includes a pitch for your own tent. Showers and toilets are located near the camping areas. Boutique Camping is ideal for those who do not wish to bring their own tent; the festival organisers offer more comfortable options:

• pre-pitched Camp WOMAD tents;
• marquees;
• yurts fitted with beds;
• retro campervans.

These areas have their own facilities, including private toilets and showers. Prices depend on the option chosen and are published separately by the organisers.

If camping isn’t for you, you can stay in the nearest towns: Chippenham, Corsham and Bath. These towns have hotels, guesthouses and private accommodation available to rent. Please note that prices usually rise during the festival, so it’s best to book in advance.

How to get there?

There are several ways to get to the WOMAD Festival venue. Choose the transport option that suits you best.

• By car. The easiest way to get there by car is via the M4, then turn off towards Chippenham / Corsham. The organisers publish detailed access maps closer to the festival date.
• By train. The nearest railway station to the festival site is Chippenham. From there, you can travel on local transport or by taxi.
• By bus. There are local bus routes in the Neston Park area. The organisers are also working on additional transport options for festival-goers.

Parking

Those arriving by car must purchase a parking space separately. Parking is not included in the price of a standard ticket. There are several parking options to choose from:

1. Car Parking – standard parking near the festival.
2. Park & Camp – parking next to your own tent.
3. Live-in Vehicle Parking is for campervans and vehicles suitable for overnight stays.

Park & Camp is ideal for those who do not want to carry their belongings far from their car: you can leave your vehicle approximately 10 metres from your tent. One ticket is purchased per vehicle, not per person.

Overnight stays in vehicles in the standard car park are not permitted. A separate Live-in Vehicle ticket is required for this. The campsites are approximately a 5–10-minute walk from the main festival site, so most visitors manage perfectly well without a car once they arrive.

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