Peter Gabriel at the Verona Arena: a show to relive

Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD returns in 2026

ByJohn

Peter Gabriel promised it in November 2024: “WOMAD will not be there in 2025, it will be back in 2026.” Here comes the announcement of the return of the WOMADacronym for World of Music, Arts and Dance.

The festival was founded by Peter Gabriel in 1980 with the aim of giving voice to every musical genre. Since then, the festival has visited 27 countries around the world. Last year, the ex Genesis had explained that the festival was pausing for a year as it was “re-evaluating, regenerating and reinvigorating” after dealing with post-COVID challenges. Now, it has revealed that the 2026 edition will be held at Neston Park, Corsham, Wiltshire, from 23 to 26 July.

Last year, Gabriel announced that the WOMAD would take a break in 2025, before returning to a new location for 2026. At the time, he explained that the festival was “re-evaluating, regenerating and reinvigorating” after dealing with post-COVID challenges. Now, it has revealed that the 2026 edition will be held at Neston Park, Corsham, Wiltshire, from 23 to 26 July.

This is the announcement Peter Gabriel: “I’m delighted to announce that WOMAD is officially back. We’re back in a beautiful new home – Neston Park, close to our Real World Studios. We looked at many wonderful venues across the country, but when we heard that Sir James and Lady Venetia Fuller were eager to open their beautiful estate and host WOMAD, it immediately felt like a warm and welcoming home in which we could put our roots down. While we were away, the whole team has been working to renovate our beloved festival and has listened carefully to your many feedback, finding so many great suggestions. It’s great to have an audience so interested in what WOMAD is, could be and represents In a world where many evildoers seem to rise to power by fanning the flames of hatred, racism and division, a meeting place for all the world’s cultures and dreams, built on mutual respect, seems even more valuable.”

Regarding the organization of WOMAD next year, Sir James and Lady Venetia Fuller they said: “We, along with our team, are very excited to welcome the WOMAD community to Neston Park in 2026. This will be the first time we have opened the estate to any type of event and the message of WOMAD and what it stands for is something we have long admired.”

John
John

With an untamed passion and deep, eclectic knowledge of music, John is the soul of RadioWise UK. Having worked in the music industry for over two decades, his vision was to create a platform that embodies the love and respect for music. John is known for his great attention to detail and insatiable thirst for discovering new talents and music genres.