Upton Blues Festival 2026

Nestled in the picturesque riverside town of Upton upon Severn in Worcestershire, Upton Blues Festival has grown incredibly from humble beginnings when it was first staged in 2002. A modest event in just a couple of pubs featuring 19 gigs, this has now developed into one of the major festivals, taking over the whole town. It had expanded by 2019 to include two main stages, an acoustic stage, and 13 pub venues that hosted more than 160 free performances over three days, attracting several thousand music enthusiasts from far and wide.

It all started on the balcony of Ye Olde Anchor Inn, where landlord Stewart McEwan was joined by one of the festival's founders, Richard (Dick) Tippen, who watched as the Upton Jazz Festival parade went by each year. Observing the crowd and noting the average age of the jazz parade participants, they joked that Upton needed a festival to draw in a younger crowd. The idea of a blues festival was born, and from that moment, the first steps toward Upton Blues Festival, as it is loved today, were made.

Now well established as one of the largest free blues festivals in the UK, Upton Blues Festival prides itself on being a friendly event that celebrates the rich tradition of blues music. With every passing year, the festival rejuvenates this town as it converts pubs, streets, and open areas into highly colored music venues. It is an interesting combination of dedicated blues veterans and newcomers all in one music package of heritage and local charm.

But more importantly, Upton Blues Festival gives support to many other businesses within its precinct and fosters community involvement in an environment made all the more unique by having the town's pubs and outdoor stages peppered with performances that beckon visitors on an exhilarating and naturalistic tour through its streets and back to its very heartbeat.

What began as a casual conversation between friends has grown into a loved annual event, a festival that brings the cream of blues talent to Worcestershire but also puts into context the spirit of Upton upon Severn itself: warm, welcoming, and thriving.