The Malvern Water and Well Dressing Festival is set to return better than ever for 2026.
The popular festival, which will be held from 2 – 10 May 2026, will see up to 60 wells, springs and spouts creatively decorated according to a selected theme. This year the wells will be decorated based on the theme of birds.
The festival starts with dressing the wells on Friday, 1 May, judging takes place on Saturday, 2 May, and prize giving with rosettes and certificates on Bank Holiday Monday, 4 May, in Great Malvern on Belle Vue Island, where the Water Festival Family Fun Day also takes place.
Communities across the Malvern Hills District will dress up to 60 wells, springs and spouts with over 800 people taking part from across the town, including residents, businesses, schools and community groups.
The annual event, brought to the town by the Malvern Spa Association, celebrates the history of the Malvern Hills, including its iconic spring water and Victorian Water Cure.
Entertainment taking place during the festival includes music, self-guided walks, well blessings, maypole and morris dancing, craft activities and more.
Activities during the Water Festival Family Fun Day includes:
- Creative Connects Exhibition at Malvern Theatres
- The Brilliant B Safari – free event at Malvern Museum
- Little Olive’s free Taster Sessions – pre-book online
- Free Fancy Birds Drop-in Workshop at Art Therapy Centre
- Creative Clay – free Clay Bird Workshops
- Malvern Theatre Players at The Lyttelton Well – free Theatre
- Malvern Museum of Fashion free entry
To take part, contact the well dressing committee at [email protected] for more details.
Visit Malvern Well Dressing on Facebook or access their website via the link below.
Map of dressed wells
Maps can also be downloaded from the Malvern Well Dressing Facebook page or from Malvern Tourist Information Centre.
Malvern Hills District Council only recommends drinking Malvern Water from Malvhina Fountain in Great Malvern.
What’s On
Events
List of events in Photo View
Malvern Water & Well Dressing Festival 2026
