Cambridge’s beloved Strawberry Fair is back in 2026 after taking a break last year, thanks to the support of the local community.
The festival began in 1974 on Midsummer Common as a free alternative to the University of Cambridge’s May Balls. Over the years, it has grown into a major event, attracting more than 30,000 visitors.
In 2025, the fair had to be cancelled because costs had doubled over ten years, from £100,000 to around £200,000. Organisers said charging admission was never an option, as keeping the festival free has always been a core part of its identity.
A spokesperson said the year off helped the community come together. “It reminded us how much Strawberry Fair means to Cambridge,” they said.
The festival, held on the first Saturday in June, is entirely volunteer-run. Organisers are now modernising how they communicate, fundraise, and engage with the community. They want to make the event sustainable while keeping the festival’s values of creativity, inclusivity, community, and volunteerism at its heart.
Visitors can enjoy live music, poetry, community art, circus performances, and wellbeing activities. This year, for its 51st edition, the festival will have an Area 51 theme, a playful nod to the secretive US Air Force base.
