Returning to Godalming on 12–13 June 2026, ChoirBLAST continues to grow in scale and ambition while holding onto the values that helped establish it in the first place. Choirfarm attended last year’s festival and came away with the impression that it is an built around participation, and the collective joy of contemporary choral singing.
How, why, when did it start?
Phoebe Gaydon started ChoirBLAST in 2023 following inspiration from European choir festivals and a belief that contemporary group singing deserved a large-scale, accessible and non-competitive platform in the UK. What first began as a festival celebrating contemporary choirs, Phoebe's vision has now developed into something much larger - a volunteer-powered and community-led platform bringing together singers, audiences and local organisations.
The festival’s mission is to celebrate the joy of group singing while creating accessible, inclusive opportunities for choirs. Alongside the annual festival, ChoirBLAST also supports wider community singing initiatives and charitable activity, positioning itself as more than a single annual event.
Growth over the past few years has been significant
ChoirBLAST reports that the festival doubled in size between 2023 and 2024, and by 2025 had expanded to welcome 78 choirs, around 3,000 singers and performances across 11 stages. The trajectory has continued into 2026, with plans for 102 choirs performing across 14 stages.
The festival describes itself as the UK’s largest non-competitive event for contemporary choirs. This deliberate choice shifts the focus away from adjudication and towards experience, collaboration and community.
The appeal is obvious
For choir leaders the ChoirBLAST event offers a performance opportunity with a supportive atmosphere, where choirs can hear one another, connect with new audiences and spend time together outside of rehearsal rooms and concert halls. For audiences, the result is a free and highly varied musical experience spread across multiple stages, accompanied by food, local traders and a festival atmosphere that encourages people to stay and explore.
This year looks set to continue the momentum
Applications for 2026 have now closed, with participating choirs being confirmed throughout the season. Early line-ups already suggest another diverse mix of contemporary community choirs, youth ensembles, specialist groups and established performers from across the UK and beyond.
ChoirBLAST’s own messaging for 2026 points toward “another unforgettable day of choirs, performances, food, fun and connection” - and with Choirfarm having attended previously, that feels like a fair description.
Why are these events important?
For Choirfarm, events like ChoirBLAST matter as what we learnt from attending last year helped shape the Choir Friendly Venues research project. We experienced first hand the importance of accessible performance opportunities, supportive infrastructure and creating environments where choir communities can flourish.
After all, few things demonstrate the strength of the choir community quite like thousands of singers gathering not to compete - but simply to sing together. So even if your choir isn't performing, ChoirBLAST is a fantastic day out and an opportunity to meet other choirs and share stories.
We will be following ChoirBLAST 2026 closely and look forward to seeing how the festival continues to evolve.
