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Surprise and sadness that folk festival is off

Hannah Olsson/BBC Five members of a folk band - four men and a woman are on a stage performing. They are playing drums, guitars, double bass and a ukulele. Hannah Olsson/BBC
The band Darlingside performed at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 2021

The decision to cancel a folk festival in its 60th anniversary year has been described as "surprising" and "disappointing" by fans and musicians.

Cambridge City Council, the organisers of the Cambridge Folk Festival, said the event had lost money in 2024, and it wanted to explore new opportunities ahead of its return in 2026.

Singer-songwriter Fran Lusty, who played at the festival for the first time last year, said she was "very shocked".

"It's just come as a surprise. It's been going for 60 years and it feels like a funny time to stop," she said.

Stephen Huntley/BBC Fran Lusty smiling and standing in a park. She wears a brown leather jacket with a fake fur collar with a blue denim jacket underneath. She has shoulder-length brown hair which is slightly curly.Stephen Huntley/BBC
Singer-songwriter Fran Lusty has performed at the festival, which she used to go to with her parents

Lusty, who was born and raised in Cambridge, first went to the festival - held at Cherry Hinton - as a child with her parents.

"There are lots of festivals out there, but the Cambridge Folk Festival always opens its doors to emerging artists, it's so sad not to have that."

The singer-songwriter said there were fewer opportunities to play live, so "it'll be interesting to see how it recovers".

Ian Olsson Photography Aerial view of the folk festival in 2024. Three large white tents have been put up across fields and there are many people on the ground. People are watching performances at the stages and sat on the grass around them.Ian Olsson Photography
The festival organisers said they would continue to support the folk community with events throughout Cambridge
Stephen Huntley/BBC Pranathi Ramachandra wearing a winter woollen hat and a warm purple jacket and pink jumper. She smiles and there are some park gates behind her. Stephen Huntley/BBC
Pranathi Ramachandra says for many the festival was a regular part of summer

Pranathi Ramachandra, from Cambridge, has been a regular festival-goer.

"I was looking forward to going this year because I couldn't last year. It's disappointing." she said.

"I had been noticing that the prices had been going up. So even with the residents' discount, it had gotten more and more dear every year.

"I think there needs to be a solution between raising prices and making things accessible.

"It does feel it's a big shame though, that people are missing out. I have met people who come every year - all there by the front stage.

"It's a big part of their lives."

The festival, which gets average crowds of 14,000, has hosted stars including Robert Plant, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Nick Cave, Lady Blackbird, Peggy Seeger and Suzanne Vega.

Stephen Huntley/BBC Cheney Payne in a park. She wears a large pink and cream checked woollen scarf and dark coat. Stephen Huntley/BBC
Liberal Democrat councillor Cheney Payne believes more could have been done to find the funds for this year's event

Liberal Democrat councillor Cheney Payne said more attempts should have been made to get funding from elsewhere.

"There's been no opportunity for consultation, for discussion, no chance for us to reach out to other businesses and organisations who might be willing to help with the cost," she said.

Hannah Olsson/BBC A large crowd of people all facing the stage at the folk festival. The camera has been positioned on the stage so all of their faces can been seen. They have gathered under a large white tent and many people are smiling. Hannah Olsson/BBC
The crowd in the main tent at the Cambridge Folk Festival

Labour-run Cambridge City Council said previously the decision was an "important step in the evolution of the festival" and it wanted to hear from previous and potential new audiences.

A spokesperson said: "It is dear to us too and we are committed to using our resources this year to explore new opportunities ahead of returning in summer 2026 with a fantastic festival."

They added customers who had purchased tickets for 2025 would be contacted directly.

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