CHIPPING Sodbury Festival has been held for the final time, after 40 years as part of the town’s cultural life.
The volunteer committee that runs the festival and art trail has announced that it will no longer be running, meaning that June’s event was the last.
Committee chair Kate Cox said the decision had been made for a number of reasons, including a decline in volunteer numbers and difficulty in securing grants.
The town’s Street Fayre and Carnival, run alongside the festival by the Lions Club of Chipping Sodbury, Yate and District, will continue.
The news was announced to supporters in December, in a message from the Chipping Sodbury Festival Society described as a “final farewell”.
The committee said: “After some 40 years, it is with a heavy heart that we are informing you that, after much careful consideration, the Festival and Art Trail will no longer be running.
“This decision was not made lightly.
“However, we are delighted to inform you that the Lions Club of Chipping Sodbury, Yate and District’s Street Fayre and Carnival will continue.
“Over the years, the Festival has been a source of joy, creativity, and community for so many of us.
“We are incredibly grateful for all of the unwavering support, enthusiasm, and participation shown by so many.
“This involvement has been instrumental in making the Festival a cherished event, and we are proud of all that we have achieved.
“We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who contributed to the Festival’s success – from the volunteers and organisers to the artists, performers, sponsors, and local businesses. Your dedication and hard work has brought people together, fostered new friendships, and enriched our community in countless ways.
“Thank you too, to all Committee members (past and present) for their commitment and enthusiasm.
“Although the Festival will no longer continue, we hope the memories and connections made will last a lifetime. Please know that your support has meant the world to us.”
Over the years the festival has evolved to include new events including Music in the Street, staged in the High Street on the same weekend as the carnival weekend, and the Sunday Picnic in the Park.
Last summer year trips to Chipping Sodbury Quarry were added.
Other events and aspects of the festival, such as the Festival Princess competition, had already been dropped.
Music in the Street and Picnic in the Park will stop alongside the rest of the festival, which also included walking tours, quiz nights, the art trail around the town and a large number of concerts at Chipping Sodbury Town hall and other indoor venues.
Carnival will continue
However, the Lions have already announced a date for the 2026 Chipping Sodbury Carnival Parade & Fayre, which will take place on June 27.
Kate said the main reasons for ending the festival were that the volunteer team ended up with too few members to organise and run the events, fewer people attended some events and getting sponsorship and grants had become “much harder”.
She added: “Also, we are blessed with many other regular events in the town.
“All of this made us look long and hard and caused us to make the hard decision to stop both the Festival and Art trail.”
Top picture: Dancers at the Chipping Sodbury Festival Music in the Street Event in 2025. Picture: Rich McD