ABOUT

 Tewkesbury Live was born in 2022 with a successful application to Gloucestershire County Council’s Build Better Market Town’s fund and the participating pubs/venues paying a percentage of the cost of the bands. It was a roaring success with pubs reporting record sales and the town busy with a festival atmosphere. We received hundreds of positive messages, comments and requests for it to become an annual event.

With the pubs and venues paying for their bands, sponsorship and donations from the public, we have been able to run the festival for 2023, 2024, 2025 and now 2026.

If you would like further information about sponsoring the 2026 festival, please get in touch by emailing events@tewkesburytowncouncil.gov.uk

HOW TO GET HERE

Tewkesbury has many public transport links, please consider the environment by not driving.

If you have to drive, parking is available in the town’s public car parks and Tewkesbury Rugby Football Club, a 5 min walk in town, is available to park for just £5 a day with all proceeds donated to the festival. https://tewkesbury-rugby-football-club-limited.sumupstore.com/

CAMPING

Camping is available at Tewkesbury Rugby Football Club. Visit the website for information and booking. https://tewkesbury-rugby-football-club-limited.sumupstore.com/

WRISTBANDS

We’re selling limited edition Tewkesbury Live 2026 wristbands!

But what’s the deal with them? Why are we selling them and hang on, isn’t this festival supposed to be free?

Totally fair questions. So, here’s the lowdown.

Tewkesbury Live free music festival is a joint effort between Tewkesbury Town Council and all the brilliant pubs and venues around town. The venues cover a big chunk of the band costs, and the Town Council organises and pays for things like security, printing the programme, merchandise, sorting licences and all the behind-the-scenes stuff you might not think about.  Everyone working the festival, from musicians and sound techs to security, is paid properly, which means putting this wonderful event on costs a lot of money.

Yes, it’s a ‘free music festival’ and no, you don’t have to buy a ticket or donate a penny.  But if nobody donates, there’s a real chance we simply won’t be able to do it again next year.

We get amazing support from our sponsors and advertisers in the programme, but that doesn’t cover what we need.  The rest?  It comes from grants, selling the festival programme and other merch and our wonderful volunteers kindly asking people to give what they can while soaking up the music and atmosphere.

So, what’s with the wristband?

Wearing one shows that you’ve made a donation of at least £5 to help us keep this thing going.  It says: ‘I get it, I love the festival and I want it to stick around.  I’ve given a bit of what I can to make sure it does.’

You don’t need one to enjoy the music. You’re not excluded without it.

But with one on, you’re in the gang. You’re one of the people helping this whole thing happen, not just this year, but into the future too.

And really, that’s all it means.

Struggling financially and can’t spare the cash?  No worries at all.  Come along, enjoy the music, and soak up the vibes.  We’re always happy to see you.

It’s about giving what you can, and all of us coming together to keep this amazing festival alive.  Thank you

2026 Partners

2026 Sponsors