Fans are heartbroken after the Cambridge Folk Festival 2025 was canceled, leaving many seeking clarity from the organizers about the decision.
Many festival-goers look forward to this event every year. Laura Hartshorn shared her sadness, saying it’s the highlight of her year. She mentioned that during COVID, at least there was a clear reason for cancellations. Now, it just feels sad and confusing.
People travel from far and wide to attend the festival at Cherry Hinton Hall. Some even booked their hotels already! Jonathan Phillips, a long-time attendee, expressed his disappointment over the vague cancellation notice. He had to read the email multiple times to grasp that the festival was off.
The Folk Festival was set to celebrate its 60th anniversary, which makes the cancellation even tougher. Jonathan wished the organizers had been more transparent about the reasons. He believes that honesty would help fans understand the situation better.
Cambridge Radio, which covers the festival, also feels the impact. They noted that smaller acts miss out on showcasing their talents. A spokesperson said it’s a big disappointment for both listeners and attendees.
Local councillors, Robert Dryden and Mark Ashton, hope a smaller version of the festival can still happen. They mentioned that they were informed about the cancellation on January 7 and discussed the possibility of a one-day event. They believe it’s not too late to keep the 60-year tradition alive.
A spokesperson for the city council acknowledged how important the festival is to the community. They’re committed to exploring new opportunities and plan to return in summer 2026. They’ve also reached out to those who bought early bird tickets to offer refunds.
