Three days of music, makers, mischief and meaning at Chipping Campden Recreation Ground — the Cotswolds town festival made by, for and with our community.

14Friday
15Saturday
16Sunday

A town,
a weekend,
a thousand sparks.

From dawn drumming and dry-stone walling to street dance, ceilidh and circus skills — Camfest brings together the makers, movers and music-lovers of Chipping Campden and beyond. Pop-up markets and food stalls run all weekend at the Recreation Ground, while the Cidermill Theatre hosts workshops, opera, and the Saturday night ceilidh.

3
days
20+
activities
2
venues
what is on, when

The programme

Young performers on stage
14
Friday
August 2026
Opening night. A gentle start, a bold beginning.
Chipping Campden Recreation Ground
Pop-up marketplace · food stalls · live music
All day
Marketplace, food & music
The Recreation Ground opens with a pop-up town of stalls, street food and acoustic music to set the festival in motion.
Times TBC
Cidermill Theatre
Workshops · performance · rehearsal
1:30 – 3:00 pm
Longborough Opera House — youth workshop
A creative workshop hosted by Longborough Festival Opera for young performers and the curious.
Book here →
The Cidermill Theatre
15
Saturday
August 2026
The big one. From sunrise market to moonlit ceilidh.
Chipping Campden Recreation Ground
Pop-up marketplace · food stalls · live music
10 am – 6 pm
World Jungle
Circus skills, drumming, zorbing and giant Jenga — a sprawling, hands-on play zone for all ages.
10 am – 4 pm
Living heritage demonstrations & workshops
Blacksmithing, dry-stone walling, hedge laying and stonemasonry — the craft of the Cotswolds, hands-on.
11 am – 3 pm
Athlean Academy
The Crossbar King Challenge and the Athlean Speed Lab — test your shot, your sprint, your nerve.
Throughout the day
Younity Youth, Pink Belt Martial Arts, Scouts & much more
Community groups out in force, with demos, drop-ins and try-outs across the Recreation Ground.
6 – 7 pm
Campden Morris — demonstration & workshop
Bells, sticks and centuries of tradition. Watch, then have a go.
Cidermill Theatre
Workshops · performance · rehearsal
10 am – 4 pm
Shakespeare's Villains
Evil or misunderstood? Unlock Shakespeare's most famous villains.
Step into the dark and fascinating world of Shakespeare's villains in this lively, interactive workshop led by industry professionals. Through games, performance exercises and scene work, participants explore iconic characters and discover what really drives them — pure evil, ambition, revenge… or something more human? A fun, accessible session that breaks down barriers to Shakespeare and brings his stories vividly to life.
Great for: aspiring actors, creative thinkers, English students and anyone curious about performance. No previous Shakespeare experience needed.
Full Face Comedy Mask Workshop
Mask, movement & mayhem — create comedy through full-face masks.
Inspired by companies such as Trestle and Vamos Theatre, this energetic workshop introduces the exciting world of full-face comedy mask performance. Participants learn how to use physicality, movement and improvisation to bring bold comic characters to life — and discover how masks can transform confidence, creativity and storytelling, often without saying a single word. Playful, highly visual, packed with laughter.
Great for: performers, drama students, comedians and anyone wanting to build confidence and creativity. All experience levels.
Learn Your Favourite Musical Song
Sing like the stars — musical theatre singing workshop.
Love musicals? Join industry professionals for an uplifting workshop exploring the secrets behind powerful ensemble singing and musical theatre performance. Participants learn vocal warm-ups, harmony techniques, stage presence and performance skills while working together on a well-known musical number. Big songs, big voices, feel-good atmosphere.
Great for: musical theatre fans, singers, performers and complete beginners. No solo singing required unless you want to.
Block Printing Tote Bag Workshop
Design, print & create — block printing workshop.
Get creative with colour, pattern and print in this hands-on session. Learn how to carve and use printing blocks to create unique designs on fabric, and transform everyday items into personalised works of art. Print onto a tote bag provided, or bring your own clothing or fabric item to upcycle and customise.
Great for: artists, makers, crafty beginners and eco-conscious creatives. All materials provided.
Book here →
7 – 9 pm
Folk dancing ceilidh
Live music, a caller, two left feet — none of it matters. The Saturday night finale on the Cidermill floor.
The big top circus tent
16
Sunday
August 2026
Sun-soft Sunday — dance, demos, and a long goodbye.
Chipping Campden Recreation Ground
Pop-up marketplace · food stalls · live music
11 am – 3 pm
Athlean Academy
A second chance at the Crossbar King Challenge and the Speed Lab — go on, beat your Saturday time.
10 am – 6 pm
World Jungle
Circus skills, drumming, zorbing and giant Jenga — back for a second day of organised chaos.
10 am – 4 pm
Living heritage demonstrations & workshops
Blacksmithing, dry-stone walling, hedge laying and stonemasonry — the slow crafts that built this place.
Throughout the day
Younity Youth, Pink Belt Martial Arts, Scouts & much more
Community groups returning across the Recreation Ground, plus more being added in the run-up to the festival.
Cidermill Theatre
Workshops · performance · rehearsal
10 am – 4 pm
Rozie T Dance workshops
Commercial / street dance, contemporary and jazz. Juniors (Year 2 – Year 6) and Seniors (Year 7 and up) — two age groups, one big day.
Book here →
Coming soon
More to be announced
The Sunday line-up is still growing — keep an eye on this page and on #Camfest2026 for the latest additions.
where it all happens

Two venues, one festival

The big top on Chipping Campden Recreation Ground

Chipping Campden Recreation Ground

The heart of the festival — a sweeping recreation ground turned town fair for three days. Open-air, family-friendly and free to enter.

  • Pop-up marketplace with local makers
  • Food & drink stalls all weekend
  • Live music across the day
  • Sports, crafts & living heritage
The Cidermill Theatre

Cidermill Theatre

The Recreation Ground's indoor counterpart — a working theatre hosting the festival's workshops, performances and Saturday's ceilidh.

  • Friday: Longborough Opera House youth workshop
  • Saturday: Sparkhouse Creatives & folk ceilidh
  • Sunday: Rozie T Dance workshops
  • Most theatre sessions need a free booking
with thanks to

Proudly supported by our community

Camfest supporters: The National Lottery Community Fund, Chipping Campden Town Trust, CCHS, Chipping Campden Society, Court Barn, World Jungle, Chipping Campden Community Trust, and Gloucestershire County Council

Camfest is made possible by the people, businesses and trusts who back it.