Comedy, music and culture: We look at what to expect from Lichfield biggest arts celebration

One of the leading cultural festivals in the West Midlands is set to bring large-scale concerts and prominent names from classical, folk, world, jazz and popular music alongside dance, theatre and smaller-scale cabaret and comedy shows.

The Lichfield Festival is a 13-day multi-arts festival which takes place at venues across Lichfield every July, with the 2026 festival bringing together an eclectic mix of artistic events and innovative performances from July 7 to July 19.

It’s an event which spans drama, dance, literature, comedy, and music of every kind and is a melting pot of stellar performers, inspiring new talent and local voices across historic venues in the city.

We’ve taken a look at the performers, the venues and everything else you need to know about the Lichfield Festival and have put together this list of what to expect:

What are some of the venues hosting events?

The Lichfield Festival is being hosted by some very diverse events, reflecting the history and culture of the city.

This includes the iconic Lichfield Cathedral, as well as three other churches across the city in St Michael’s Church, Wade Street Church and Church of St Chad.

Other venues include event centres like The Hub at St Mary’s and Lichfield Guildhall, Sixth Form college Minster Hall and Lichfield’s major theatre the Garrick Theatre.

Which event is officially launching the festival?

Opening Lichfield Festival on Tuesday, July 7 are stellar Shakespeare company, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, whose outdoor performances draw huge crowds.

They perform Othello as the Bard would have known it, with an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes.

What are some of the headline acts at the festival?

Headline artists include first appearances by MOJO Award-winning singer-songwriter Rumer, and charismatic saxophonist and broadcaster Jess Gillam and return visits from ‘first lady of folk’ Kate Rusby, and guitarist Xuefei Yang with flamenco dancer Maria Vega following their captivating debut in 2021.

World-renowned KNDS Fairey Brass Band play live to a screening of Wallace and Gromit’s comedy outing The Wrong Trousers and Ballet Cymru bring exceptional dancing, distinctive costumes and Tchaikovsky’s music to the classic fairytale The Sleeping Beauty.

What are some of the events celebrating US independence at the festival?

Among events marking the 250th anniversary of US Independence is a walking tour with local historian Jono Oates highlighting Lichfield’s own American links.

Festival favourites the BBC National Orchestra of Wales give an all-American programme including works by Copland and Barber at Lichfield Cathedral, while St Paul’s Cathedral organist, James Orford, plays American music in recital.

There’s glitz and glamour from celebrity duo, singer Liza Pulman (of Fascinating Aida fame) and pianist Joe Stilgoe in Hooray for Hollywood, and Americana from award-winning guitarist/vocalist Holly Carter.

What other cultural events are there taking place at the festival?

French icons also feature as a theme this year. Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong celebrates the life of legendary dancer, singer and darling of the Jazz Age Josephine Baker, vocalist Jess Walker shines a light on cabaret chanteuse Barbara, and Liberata Collective explore the life and myth of Marie Antoinette in a costumed performance with Baroque music and gesture.

For history lovers, there are literary events with renowned Tudor historians Tracy Borman and Alison Weir.

Lesley Smith gives a costumed portrayal as Nell Gwynne, and Andrew Margerison is ’That Knave, Raleigh’, reflecting on a life of glory as he awaits his fate in the Tower of London.

Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, sung by Birmingham choir Ex Cathedra, create an atmospheric evening in the Cathedral, with more multi-genre choral music featuring as the Midlands Choir of Year 2026 reaches its climax.

Rachmaninoff also features in the late night Cathedral recital that closes this year’s event: pianist Junyan Chen is a former Festival Young Artist and now returns as second prize-winner of the highly prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition.

What is there for people looking for something different?

A plethora of other highlights includes Lichfield-born writer Katie Arnstein’s comic tribute to her home city, jazz singer Clare Teal, former BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner Jim Moray, Festival Associate Artists and early music recorder ensemble Palisander, and comedian and Radio 4 stalwart Simon Evans. Chart-topping duo The Ayoub Sisters play Scottish/Egyptian fusion and innovative Aurora Percussion Duo use an array of instruments and even body percussion in their performance.

Tributes to much-missed celebrities include a Festival commission Victoria Wood in Cabaret created by Amy J Payne, while Ronnie Scott’s Artistic Director and pianist James Pearson pays homage to the great jazz pianist, actor and comedian Dudley Moore.

Running throughout the Festival in Lichfield Cathedral (from Thursday 9 July) is Laura Page’s free-to-attend exhibition Hidden Depths, a series of photographic portraits that reimagine ageing and defy stereotypes of what it is to be older.

What have organisers said about the festival?

Damian Thantrey, Director of Lichfield Festival, said: ”As with every summer Festival, we’re incredibly excited to be working with and welcoming such a wonderful mix of top talent to Lichfield, covering all genres, and the City will be full to bursting with performers and audiences this July.”

Who are the supporters and partners of the festival?

Principal Corporate Partners for Lichfield Festival are McArthurGlen West Midlands, Rayburn Tours, Aqua Pura, Pegasus Homes, Lichfield District Council and Arts Council England.

When do tickets go on sale and where can people get them from?

Priority booking for Lichfield Festival Friends opened on April 9, with general booking opening on Thursday, April 23.

Details of where to buy tickets can be found at the festival website or by calling 01543 306271 (call-back service).