A crowdfunder has been launched to help fill the city's streets and spaces with music and dance at the returning Lancaster Music Festival.
The popular music festival took a break in 2025 but will be back from October 8 to 11 with events across the city.
A Spacehive fundraising page is asking for donations to help put on free outdoor music, dance and events in the city’s outdoor spaces, squares and gardens at the festival. More than £14,000 has been raised at time of writing.
Organisers said the fundraiser is to help "celebrate and grow our local grassroots culture at this year's Lancaster Music Festival (LMF)".
In 2025, a music festival organised by Lancaster BID called 'Love Lancaster Live' stepped in to fill the gap left by LMF's absence.
But the LMF organising team said this year they will be back "refreshed, revitalised and ready to GO".
"It's really important to us here at LMF that we champion our vibrant music history and community - because it's fantastic and we're very lucky to have it!" said a post on the LMF Facebook page.
"Part of how we showcase this magic is by bringing music and dance to our city's outside spaces, welcoming everyone to participate, perform and connect through music!
"This year, we're raising money to help keep these spaces as full of music and possibility as, well, possible with free public family-friendly events.
"Whether helping us create memorable experiences, exciting programmes and activities, or jobs AND career pathways, a donation from you will play a big role in supporting this celebration.
"LMF is a largely free festival, which means we're hugely reliant on fundraising to get the festival going - now more than ever. And this fundraiser in particular is a massive opportunity as it has the potential be match funded by the Lancashire Culture and Sports Fund...if we can reach our targets!"
"We're hugely grateful for any donations and/or shares of the crowdfunder to help spread the word. LMF doesn't happen without all the love and support from you all and it's appreciated big time."
Eljuri performing at Lancaster Music Festival 2023
The fundraising page, available HERE, says:
"Experience the spirit of community at Lancaster Music Festival this October, where music and dance will fill the city's streets, squares and iconic outdoor venues like Lancaster Castle courtyard, hosting the Melodrome stage, and the Storey gardens, home of the Craic Inn.
"This year's event will extend into the unique Westfield War Memorial Village, honouring the Armed Forces community.
"With dynamic accessibility measures, the festival ensures inclusivity for all attendees.
"Enjoy family-friendly spaces running throughout the day and explore volunteering or paid roles in the production, media coverage, and evaluation of the event.
"Please support this celebration that welcomes everyone to participate, perform, and connect through music!
"What we'll deliver:
- Six outdoor stages featuring music at the Melodrome stage, Market Square, Dalton Square, Storey Gardens and Westfield Village
- Family-friendly themed music events at outdoor venues around the city
- A diverse and multi-cultural programme of outdoor music and street theatre
- Opportunities for volunteers and staff to develop skills
- All activities will be free to remove barriers to taking part
- A new space engaging with the armed forces community close to the city centre
- Four free hosted participatory music sessions of all genres and levels in the Storey Gardens
- Opportunities to engage with free musical activities eg. Kazoo Orchestra, Tuneless Choir
The Howling Clowns perform in St Nicholas Arcades at the 2023 festival
"The benefits of the project include increased community cohesion through an inclusive city-wide celebration of music; boost to local economy with shops, hotels, pubs benefitting from the huge influx of visitors; it’s the biggest event in the Lancaster cultural calendar as proven by previous years' statistics; increased sense of belonging and pride in city as everyone pulls together to make it happen; a platform for often underrepresented community groups including veterans to perform and participate; increased accessibility for all areas of community via free events in public spaces and dynamic access policies; increased opportunities for volunteering and paid work for upcoming musicians, producers and performers, providing both aspiration and inspiration; continuing legacy of an established grass roots event providing a springboard for year round musical performances and work in the arts sector; dedication to a grass roots model maintains this integrity."
The lineup for Lancaster Music Festival 2026 will be announced later this year.
Read more: Lancaster Music Festival to return in 2026 - Beyond Radio
Lancaster Music Festival taking a break and will not be held in 2025 - Beyond Radio
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