A popular music festival that brings in visitors from around the world has announced it will move from its Wiltshire home after 17 years.

It will also not be holding next year's planned event. 

WOMAD Festival, held at Charlton Park on the outskirts of Malmesbury, takes place every summer and showcases musical talent from cultures and genres around the globe, including reggae, hip-hop, punk rock and R&B.

The festival operates in countries around the world and has been growing in success since it first launched 42 years ago, but now the WOMAD team have announced the Wiltshire festival will not run next summer.

When it returns in 2026, the event will take place in a new location.

"We are pleased to announce that WOMAD is moving to a new home, not far from our site for the past 17 years in Wiltshire," said Peter Gabriel, from WOMAD Festival.

"To ensure that the festival can continue to thrive for years to come in our new location, we have decided to take a year off in 2025 before returning fully charged in 2026. 

The successful 2024 festival was the last to be held at Charlton ParkThe successful 2024 festival was the last to be held at Charlton Park (Image: Borkowski) "WOMAD, like many festivals and events, has seen some challenges post covid and we are now engaged in the process of re-evaluating, regenerating and reinvigorating everything we do - and where we want to go in the future.

"We’re delighted to say we’ll be announcing our new plans over the next few weeks."

The organisers added: "We want to send a massive thank you to all of the brilliant staff at Charlton Park who made us feel welcome for the last 17 years, pulling us out of many sticky situations (quite literally, on those rainy weekends!).

"We couldn’t have done what we did without you.

"Also, to the fabulous community in Malmesbury, Charlton, and all the surrounding villages for whom we created a few days of disruption each year.

READ MORE: WOMAD review: A festival full of little joys

"You have always responded positively and embraced WOMAD, welcoming us into your community and working with us in so many ways."

"Finally, thank you to all of the Festival-Goers, Artists, Crew, Contractors, Volunteers and Traders who make WOMAD possible, a treasure in the festival calendar and a vital contribution to bringing communities together from all over the world to celebrate diversity and tolerance through Music, Arts, Dance, and Culture."

WOMAD 2024 brought joy and colour to WiltshireWOMAD 2024 brought joy and colour to Wiltshire (Image: Borkowski) The official new location for WOMAD Festival has yet to be announced, but organisers promise it "won't be far" from Charlton Park.

Despite the sudden announcement in Wiltshire, WOMAD festivals around the world including WOMADelaide, WOMAD New Zealand and WOMAD Cáceres will continue to go ahead next year as usual.

"We also have plans for a special UK event for next year to deliver a taste of the unique WOMAD experience– hopefully to be announced in the coming weeks," added Peter Gabriel.

"We look forward to welcoming you all to our new site in 2026."

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