Bures Music Festival

Bures Music Festival 2026 (July 8–12) invites you to five full days of live music and summer fun in the village of Bures, Suffolk. The festival takes place on a sunny riverside recreation ground with a big-top tent – meaning concerts go on rain or shine. This friendly, community-driven event fills summer nights with an eclectic mix of sounds – smooth jazz, blues and folk under the warm sky, to rock ’n’ roll and pop that gets everyone dancing. There’s plenty of space to relax on the lawn (bring a blanket or camping chair) and soak up both the music and the countryside scenery. It’s the perfect blend of lively performances and laid-back rural charm.

Bures Music Festival’s lineup is wonderfully varied, so there’s something for every music fan. Each day offers a fresh mix: you might start with smooth jazz or folk in the afternoon and build up to rock, ska and funk after dark. Special theme nights add flair: one evening might feature local choirs in harmony, while another could bring a swinging tribute band or guest headliner. A big crowd-pleaser is B-Fest, the youth music showcase where talented 9-to-19-year-olds take the stage. Solo guitarists, school bands and singing groups perform their hearts out, adding energy and celebrating young talent. With new genres every day – bluegrass, blues, pop and more – boredom is never on the schedule.

Bures Music Festival is as much about community as it is about music. It’s run almost entirely by local volunteers – neighbors who cook your food, staff the bars and run the stage. This volunteer spirit gives the festival a warm, welcoming feel. Even with thousands of visitors, it stays intimate: families lounge on blankets, kids run free between sets, and new friends are made over pints of local ale. Tickets are kept low to invite everyone (kids often pay just a couple of pounds) so that a night of great music is affordable for all. Best of all, it’s not-for-profit: every penny raised goes to local causes. Over the years, festival fans have donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to charities like hospices and community programs. When you clap along to a favorite tune here, you’re helping the community that makes it possible.

Bures Music Festival isn’t all about what’s on stage – it’s also about having fun together. When you’re not swaying to the music, soak up the festival atmosphere. The whole place buzzes with summer energy: maybe you’ll see folks sipping local cider in a pop-up beer garden, or kids playing on the grassy fields by the river. As night falls, the big-top becomes a lantern-lit haven where everyone dances under the stars. We promise you’ll leave with great memories and new friends. So save the dates (8–12 July 2026) – Bures Music Festival is ready to welcome you for days of music, nature and joy.