Papers have just been published in advance of the Special Environment and Community Scrutiny Committee to discuss the Cambridge Folk Festival on Thursday 20 March.

The papers clearly outline the decisions taken by the festival organisers, Cambridge City Council, to ensure the successful future of the much-loved Cambridge Folk Festival. Additionally, they cover the financial context and decision-making process made by the council leading to the 2025 festival not going ahead, with a replacement programme for 2025 to be announced in early April.

Earlier this year the council announced that the next Cambridge Folk Festival will go ahead in 2026 following the difficult decision to take what is known in the industry as a ‘fallow year’ in 2025. Fallow years are increasingly common practice for festivals, with over 70 postponed last year. They provide the space and time for festival teams to evolve plans to better suit environmental factors such as changing costs and spending habits.

Details of the widespread financial pressures facing the UK festival industry are outlined, including some stark facts demonstrating the sharply rising infrastructure costs and the impact of large corporations using exclusivity deals with artists to dominate the festival landscape.

The papers go on to outline the financial difficulties faced by the Folk Festival, including a provisional £320,000 loss in the previous year. In the context of financial challenges faced by local authorities, including the need to find £11.1m in savings by 2029, the decision to pause was taken to allow time for a review to ensure these losses aren’t maintained.

At the council’s budget meeting in February this year, £50,000 was agreed by councillors to support an independent review of the operation. The council understands that holding the festival in Cambridge supports the local folk scene and provides an indirect economic benefit of approximately £2.3m per annum to the local economy. To minimise the impact of a fallow year, the council has earmarked £75,000 to deliver an alternative programme of folk-related events in 2025 which will be publicised in early April and has been warmly welcomed by the local community.

Cllr Rachel Wade, Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the response from festival supporters, who have shown us that while there is sadness that it will not take place this year, we need to be realistic about how the festival scene is changing locally and nationally.

“As a fully council-run event, the Cambridge Folk Festival is unique. It is essential we make careful decisions about how public money is spent and we hope that residents understand why we must take this year to pause and reflect.

“At the beginning of the year, it became clear that continuing the full festival in 2025 would slow down important work needed to ensure its future. We will leave no stone unturned while exploring options for the future of the festival and will work hard to include residents and festival lovers’ thoughts and input.

“While we know this decision came as a shock to many, and we could have been more direct in our communication about this decision, we are absolutely committed to bringing the festival back in 2026. I want to thank loyal supporters for the understanding they have shown us and for the generous offers of support.”

The papers outline the steps taken by festival organisers to pursue all options, including hosting a festival in 2025, right up until the decision was made by councillors in January. They also provide an update on recruitment for an experienced consultant whose remit will be to review all options available for the long-term continuation of the festival.

A wealth of feedback has already been gathered by the festival team including an analysis of changing trends affecting the event and, equally important, moving memories which will help ensure the essence of the festival stays front and centre of future plans.

Anyone wishing to share their memories or views on how the Folk Festival will look in the future is encouraged to do so by emailing folkfest@cambridge.gov.uk 

Look out for information being released from April about events taking place in 2025.