A popular Norfolk musical festival has announced it will be returning next year and will be offering a “vibrant mix” of free live blues acts.
The 12th Dereham Blues Festival will take place from July 1 to July 5 across multiple venues throughout the town.
The event is described as “one of the UK’s greatest blues festivals” and brings five days of “outstanding performances, community spirit, and musical talent to the heart of Norfolk”.
The opening concert, which will be the festival’s only ticketed event, will be headlined by award-winning harmonica player, singer and songwriter Will Wilde.
Mr Wilde, who is from Brighton, is described as “one of the most dynamic modern blues performers” and was shortlisted for Instrumentalist of the Year and Contemporary Blues Artist Of The Year at the UK Blues Awards 2025.
His headline act will kick off the festival, and it is expected to be one of the most in-demand events of the week.
Tess Whitney, member of the publicity team for the festival, said: “We’re thrilled to confirm that the Dereham Blues Festival will return in 2026.
“Each year the festival grows in both scale and reputation, attracting incredible musicians and thousands of passionate music lovers.
“Bringing Will Wilde to headline our opening concert sets the tone for what promises to be one of our strongest line-ups yet.”
The Dereham Blues Festival was founded in 2013 and has become a cornerstone of the local music scene, attracting thousands of visitors from across the UK and beyond.
It is run by volunteers and supported by local businesses, with the aim of promoting live blues music and providing a welcoming atmosphere for performers and audiences alike.
Applications for bands and artists who wish to perform at the 2026 festival are now open and will close at midnight on January 16.
The application page can be found at www.derehambluesfestival.org.uk/wanna-play
(Source: Dereham Times)
