Welcome to the Dereham Blues festival
The heart of the blues in the heart of Norfolk
Opening Concert Tickets Go On Sale 1st December
We are truly excited with our star guest act opening the 2026 Dereham Blues Festival, the phenomenal Will Wilde!
Will Wilde isn't your average blues harp player. Yes, he’s steeped in the tradition—channeling the grit and soul of Chicago blues—but he fuses it with the full-throttle aggression of rock and the technical precision of metal. His playing has been described as "sounding like a Les Paul through a Marshall stack" — and frankly, that's no exaggeration.
With his raw, electrifying energy and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of the harmonica he is much more than a Bluesman.
So when ticket sales open on 1st December, do not hesitate; come back here for the link to reserve your seats, 'cos they WILL sell out very quickly!
Applications to play at the 2026 festival are open.
2026 starts here for you guys. We have opened applications for the next Dereham Blues Festival, so if you want to take part (and why wouldn't you?), fill in the application form and cross your fingers.
We received over 150 applications for the 2025 festival, so get yours in quick! Get full details and apply here
Welcome!
Welcome to the Dereham Blues Festival website. Whether you are a serious performer, an enthusiastic busker or a fan of the blues and live music, we hope you’ll find everything you need here in preparation for joining us in Dereham at the start of July.
We are very proud of our festival (now widely recognised on the national blues circuit) and the many benefits it brings to the town of Dereham. If you’ve never been, it’s well worth a visit to sample a wide range of blues music – you’ll hear acoustic guitars, a heavier electric feel, wailing harmonicas, solo artists, jam sessions, original artists, bands playing old standards that make you want to get up and dance, and much more.
More than 50 bands will be playing in venues throughout the town, as well as a family-friendly busking event on the Saturday. All the performances (except the opening concert) are free-entry – great entertainment for the price of a drink or two while you groove to the music.
