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 many wells, springs and spouts creatively decorated according to a selected theme. This year the wells will be decorated in 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 there will also be music and craft activities.

The Spirit of Malvern’ Open Air painting competition, also to be held on Bank Holiday Monday, will see up to 100 artists set out into the town and hills to seek inspiration.

The annual event celebrates the history of the Malvern Hills District, from its iconic spring water and Victorian Water Cure to the area’s ancient Pagan traditions.

It is brought to the town by the Malvern Spa Association with local businesses and community groups taking part. Last year, over 800 people took part in dressing the wells, springs and spouts.

Visitors can view the wonderful creations by setting off across the hills on foot, by bicycle or a minibus tour. Maps can be downloaded from the Malvern Well Dressing Facebook page or from Malvern Tourist Information Centre.

Entertainment taking place includes singing, well blessings, maypole and morris dancing, and much more.

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.

Image copyright: Sue Warner

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