CARLISLE BLUES RHYTHM AND ROCK FESTIVAL

About CARLISLE BLUES RHYTHM AND ROCK FESTIVAL

Founded in 2007, CARLISLE BLUES RHYTHM AND ROCK FESTIVAL 2026 runs in Carlisle as a blues, rhythm & blues and rock music event. The first Carlisle Blues & Rock Festival sold out. After a 2014 move following the Hilltop Hotel closure and a break in 2015 and 2016, the event settled under one roof at the Crown & Mitre Hotel in 2019. The 2026 dates are 9-12 October.

In 2022 the UK Blues Federation gave the festival its Blues Based Festival of the Year award, and the first Solid Entertainments edition sold out in 2024.

Lineup and Programme

The bill leans into blues-rock, roots and R&B as much as straight blues. Announced acts include The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Dom Martin and Elles Bailey. The format is indoor. Across the weekend, the programme centres on live sets, with the hotel bar and restaurant used between performances.

Who Is It For?

The audience is an adult blues and rock crowd, with the promoter listing the current venue as over 18s. It is adult-only. Hotel package deals link festival tickets with accommodation for the weekend.

The Venue and Site

The Crown & Mitre Hotel sits on English Street in Carlisle city centre, with the festival run all under one roof. The hotel includes the Mitre Bar, Peace and Plenty Restaurant, accommodation, a swimming pool and a jacuzzi. The festival format is hotel-based.

The venue address is The Crown & Mitre Hotel, English Street, Carlisle, CA3 8HZ.

Travel and Access

The Crown & Mitre Hotel is in Carlisle city centre, with the railway station less than five minutes away on foot.

• Rail: Carlisle Railway Station is less than five minutes' walk from the venue.
• Road: Access is via the M6 at junctions 42, 43 and 44.
• Parking: The hotel has a limited secure onsite car park to the rear, free for hotel residents.