SOUTHEND THEATRES ANNOUNCED AS HEADLINE PARTNER FOR LEIGH-ON-SEA FOLK FESTIVAL 2026

April 9, 2026

Leigh Folk Arts Association and Southend Theatres are pleased to announce that the Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre will be the headline partner for the 2026 Leigh Folk Festival, taking place from Friday 26 June to Sunday 28 June, with events in the preceding week.

This partnership brings together two well-loved cultural organisations in the city. By working together, both groups aim to celebrate the area’s heritage, support local creativity, and strengthen the festival’s role in the community.

A Community-Focused Future

The 2026 festival will continue its long tradition of filling Leigh Library Gardens and surrounding venues with music, dance, spoken word, and family-friendly activities.

Nick Parr, Theatre Director, Southend Theatres

“The Cliffs Pavilion and the Palace Theatre are proud to be part of the thriving cultural community across Southend-on-Sea. Our new partnership with the Leigh Folk Arts Association will ensure that the Leigh Folk Festival continues to be a successful event in the City’s calendar and we can’t wait to see the line-up for June.”

John Batch, Treasurer, Leigh Folk Arts Association

“As we rebuild after our fallow year in 2024, this partnership is a real boost for the festival. Having Southend Theatres behind us gives us a solid base to work from as we focus on keeping the festival sustainable and rooted in the community for the long term.”

Supporting Grassroots Talent

The festival’s Creative Director highlighted how the partnership strengthens the event’s core purpose: “Southend Theatres are iconic local venues, and having them on board as our headline partner is a wonderful fit,” said Chris Robson, Creative Director. “Their support helps us focus on what we do best: programming a diverse mix of traditional and contemporary music, and providing a stage for the incredible grassroots talent found right here in our region.”

What to Expect in 2026

The last weekend in June:  A full programme across the free outdoor stages in Leigh Library Gardens and nearby venues plus events in the preceding week .

Local flavour: Music, storytelling, dance, and community activity throughout Leigh-on-sea Library Gardens and surrounding spaces.