Announcing our First Acts!

As we beaver away behind the scenes putting together an absolute corker of a programme for you, we thought it would only be fair to give you a little taste of what's to come...

The full programme will be released when tickets go on sale in the spring, but the first three acts we're disclosing are below. Do make sure you're following our socials and signed up to our newsletter so you can get the inside scoop - there are many more exciting announcements on the way!

More about the acts:

Katherine Priddy: “one of the most beautiful voices in British folk”

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Katherine Priddy’s rise has been one of the most exciting in the folk music scene. Both her debut and her second album have reached No. 1 on the Official UK Folk Chart and drew praise from outlets such as The Observer, Uncut, Songlines, and Folk Radio UK.

She’s been described by MOJO as “simply brilliant.” Katherine has performed on Later… with Jools Holland, at the BBC Proms, at Glastonbury, and has supported artists including Elbow and Suzanne Vega on tour.

Priddy will bring her spellbinding voice, poetic song-writing and captivating stage presence to an intimate AAF performance, set to be one of the festival’s most memorable evenings.

Katherine said: "In a world that's increasingly driven by algorithms, social media and endless screen time, one of my favourite things about being a musician is playing intimate shows and truly connecting with live audiences through my songs. Alton Arts Festival gives a platform for that sense of closeness and community, and I can't wait to be there next summer."

Is Opera Boring? Lucy Mellors & Mark Hoare bring opera to life (jokes included)

Soprano Lucy Mellors and pianist Mark Hoare present Is Opera Boring? — a witty, warm and brilliantly accessible show that dismantles stereotypes with humour, charm and astonishing vocal talent.

Described as "a merry gateway drug into the world of opera", this show is part performance, part storytelling and part mischievous myth-busting. It offers a unique blend of magical opera, insane piano solos, and hilarious anecdotes about life in the arts. Playful, surprising, and designed for anyone from seasoned opera lovers to complete newcomers, this is opera as you’ve never seen it before!

A Great Alton Knees-Up: a town ceilidh with Alton Morris

To celebrate their 35th anniversary as a boarder side, Alton Morris are joining forces with AAF for a community ceilidh! The evening will feature music from The Diatonics, one of the UK’s top ceilidh bands known for their vibrant fusion of folk, Morris, and dance music; plus guest dancers from across the region, performances from Alton Morris themselves, and delicious food from local vendors.

Lizzie Wilson, Alton Morris Mini-Bag, said, “We loved every minute of the 2024 festival. So joining forces for 2026, and in our 35th anniversary as a border side no less, feels incredibly special. Alton Arts Festival is a real celebration of community, music and dance, and we can’t wait to be part of it.”

Lively, jubilant and gloriously fun, the community ceilidh will bring the whole town together for an unforgettable evening of music, dancing and celebration.

These first three acts are just one part of a wider programme that will also include theatre, talks, workshops, free community events, visual arts, and the return of the ambitious AAF Schools Programme. This is just the beginning - we cannot WAIT to share it all with you!