Shrewsbury Calendar of Events 2026 I Dates for your Diary

Pictured: Shrewsbury Food Festival (June 27th & 28th). Photo by Jamie Ricketts.

February brings some splendid snowdrop walks. Lingen Davies’ ever popular charity Snowdrop Walk is on February 21st and 22nd, with tea and homemade cakes provided - in memory of June Whitaker, owner of Winsley Hall and long-term supporter of Lingen Davies.

Attingham Park hosts Snowdrop Watch from January 24th - February 28th. Take a peaceful walk through the woodland where snowdrops bloom across the woodland floor. The Mile Walk offers great views of the delicate white flowers, thriving in the cool, shaded areas of the woodland.

A month-long festival of events in celebration of the life and discoveries of the famous Shrewsbury-born naturalist Charles Darwin. Talks, workshops, walks, exhibitions and activities are all on offer, many free of charge. Learn about Charles Darwin's childhood and education in Shrewsbury, see the house where he grew up, or step into his shoes on a tour of Darwin's Shrewsbury. Events are being added to the lineup HERE.

The Darwin statue outside Shrewsbury Library (formerly Darwin's old school)

There are lots of concerts to look forward to. Highlights include a Celebrity International Piano Recital from Polina Osetinskaya on January 30th at St Chad’s, Carducci String Quartet on March 6th at Shrewsbury School, Budapest Café Orchestra on April 24th at Prestfelde School, and Ex Cathedra with 'A European Grand Tour Programme to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of Dr Charles Burney' on June 5th at St Chad’s. Their full season can be viewed HERE.

SY.Gigs will present Season 4.0 in 2026. The first gig to be announced is Jonny Nash (ft Tomo Katsurada) at Shrewsbury Library (February 1st). Full season details listed HERE.

Irini Arabatzi performing at The Unitarian Church in Shrewsbury

Live in the House has begun listing their 2026 events too, which include Tony Christie at Shrewsbury Abbey (January 31st), Dan Owen at St Mary's Church (April 10th), and Mamas Gun at St Mary's Church (April 18th). Find full listings HERE.

Completing a mammoth 50 miles in 24 hours is a badge of honour for Salopians. The options for 2026 are:

Friday, May 1st and Sunday, May 3rd, 2026

LOOPFEST is a three-day, multi-venue festival in Shrewsbury. It’s a celebration of local music with 250 acts across 40 venues. On the lineup so far: Ash, Reef, The Bluetones (acoustic), True Foxes, Trampolene, Crystal Tides, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican and lots more to be announced!

Highlights at Theatre Severn this year include Sue Perkins (January 25th), Banff Mountain Film Festival (February 3rd & March 5th), Gordon Buchanan (February 9th), Friends! The Musical Parody (February 16th - 21st), Iolo Williams (February 23rd), Ben Fogle (February 25th), Ross Noble (February 26th), Paul Merton & Suki Webster’s Improv Show (February 27th), Matt Forde (March 4th), Elkie Brooks (March 21st), Madama Butterfly (March 22nd), Sara Pascoe (April 4th), Joel Dommett (April 15th), T’Pau (April 23rd), Hamza Yassin (May 1st), Ruby Wax (June 13th), and not forgetting Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival (July 8th - 12th) and the 2026 panto - Aladdin (November 27th, 2026 - January 3rd, 2027).

There are plenty more shows, screenings, and live performances in addition to the ones we’ve mentioned. For the full programme of events, visit Theatre Severn’s website HERE.

Each summer, Theatre Severn brings a programme of open-air performances to the grounds of Shrewsbury Castle, with visiting companies staging everything from Shakespeare to family favourites in one of the town’s most striking settings.

This year’s lineup includes King Arthur & The Holy Fail (July 23th), Mini Pop Party (July 26th), Othello (July 28th to 29th), The Complete History of Britain (August 2nd), Peter Rabbit (August 5th), Jeeves & Wooster (August 9th), and The Jungle Book (August 13th).

Rowing races take place on the River Severn as part of the annual Shrewsbury Regatta, hosted by Pengwern Boat Club. The event brings a full weekend of racing to the river, with spectators able to watch from the banks and soak up the atmosphere.

Food and drink will be available at the clubhouse, including a bar and barbecue, and after racing on the Saturday, the boathouse hosts an evening of food, drink and live music.

Updated for 2026, the Sunflower Sprint is a 5k event organised by Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, bringing a sunflower-themed twist to their much-loved runs. Participants can expect powder paint stations in shades of yellow, green and orange, creating a lively, colourful atmosphere while raising funds for the Sunflower Appeal, which aims to expand chemotherapy services across the region. Taking place at three locations - Shrewsbury (Leaton Forest), Powys (Meadow Springs Country and Leisure Park), and Telford (Town Park) - the event offers the chance to join in locally. With options to run or take it at a gentler pace, it’s accessible and sociable, with community at its heart.

Experience a cherished event celebrating our agricultural heritage, featuring livestock classes, shire horses, horse jumping, a machinery parade, and a vintage rally. The Shropshire County Agricultural Show has been a cracking day out for all the family for over 150 years!

A celebration of agriculture at the Shropshire County Show (May 23rd)

There's foodie, family fun at the award-winning Shrewsbury Food Festival, uniting independent food producers, street food vendors, chefs, brewers, and distillers. Enjoy learning from talented chefs with chef demonstrations and a kids cookery school, peruse 200+ food, drink and homeware stalls, indulge in street food, check out the bars, and revel in live music from top local bands all weekend. There’s plenty for all the family with a whole area dedicated to kids with free activities, a family entertainment stage, and fun, educational exhibits in the field to fork area. This year there's a new Sports Area and there will be an evening music concert on the Saturday of the festival. It’s more than a food festival, and it has won Festival of the Year in the West Midlands for the last two years!

Winding through the medieval market town, the Shrewsbury 10k will offer challenging hills and scenic river crossings, before passing through Shrewsbury School. As you return to the town centre, cheering spectators will line the Quarry Park. The 10k is a locally cherished experience backed by a dedicated community of runners and supporters.

July 18th & 19th, 2026 at Pengwern Boat Club

Experience the 2026 Dragon Boat Festival on the River Severn. Gather your team of 16-20 rowers, including a drummer, for the spirited 40ft dragon boat competition. Teams will race head to dragon’s head along the picturesque stretch from Kingsland Bridge to Pengwern Boat Club. Join the fun, camaraderie, and support a good cause by registering your team. Full instruction is given and boats are provided - you just need to bring the power!

July 25th & 26th, 2026 at Battlefield 1403

During this family day out, there will be the chance to see knights in armour and archers preparing for battle. There will be living history, including traditional crafts and cookery, with a variety of activities to try your hand at throughout the day. This will include national and regional living history groups along with many specialists on a huge range of areas. At the end of each day, spectators will be able to take sides and cheer on their favoured army, as part of the battle is re-enacted on the original battlefield.

Knights marching into action at The Battle of Shrewsbury (July 25th & 27th). Picture credit: Robin Bennett

August 28th - 31st, 2026 at West Mid Showground

Shrewsbury Folk Festival combines a stellar lineup of folk, world music, and Americana, with a warm and welcoming vibe, making it one of the most sought-after tickets for the August Bank Holiday weekend. The festival has gained an international reputation for its eclectic lineup. The 2026 line-up includes Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders, Ferocious Dog ft The Celtic Folk Orchestra, Cara Dillon, Steve Knightley & The Winter Yards Band, and much more.

The annual Shrewsbury Steam Rally is one of Shropshire’s biggest events of the year, with something for all the family. A fantastic two-day event held over the August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday, within the picturesque venue of Onslow Park, just outside of Shrewsbury. Come along and marvel at the many vintage and steam-powered vehicles of all shapes and sizes, either in action in the Main Arena or on static display for closer inspection. There will be over 1,200 exhibits!

Shrewsbury Steam Rally is a two-day event at Onslow Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend

September 11th, 2026 at Pengwern Boat Club

Come on down to the River Severn and enjoy a great spectator sport, watching the quirkiest, craziest boat race in the UK. Better still, enter a team yourselves! Local businesses will take up the challenge of paddling tiny round boats across the River Severn in a relay race to support Macmillan Cancer Support. Food and beverages will also be on offer.

September 27th, 2026 at West Mid Showground

The Pareto FM Shrewsbury Half Marathon & Metric Half Marathon 2026 starts and finishes at the West Mid Showground. It’s a scenic route showcasing Shrewsbury’s highlights including the Welsh & English Bridge, Kingsland, Porthill, Coleham, The Quarry, Frankwell, and the picturesque town centre with its medieval buildings and unique street names.

Shropshire's biggest party hosts the region's best brewers, cider makers, winemakers and distillers, a rocking live music stage, silent disco, comedy club, carpool karaoke, and delicious street food. It’s a Shropshire twist on the Oktoberfest format, proudly showcasing local drinks producers. The team at Shropshire Festivals know how to throw one helluva party.

Brace yourself for the ultimate challenge, with river crossings, head dunks, climbs and crawls, water slides, and tunnels. There is the option to complete the run in 5k or 10k distances.

November 27th, 2026 to January 3rd, 2027, Theatre Severn

Brad Fitt and Tommy J return alongside award-winning writer Paul Hendy and the rest of the crew for an unmissable panto experience at Theatre Severn. Evolution Productions bring us lavish sets, hilarious jokes, and plenty of fun for the whole family.