Report on the 36th Bude Jazz Festival - 2025

The 36th Bude Jazz Festival was held from August 26 to August 29. It was another successful festival, and the Committee are finalising arrangements for the 37th festival in 2026.

The format was similar to recent years with all the venues in walking distance of each other, two or three gigs at each venue per day, and staggered intervals so that festival goers could move around without encountering breaks. Most of venues were the same as in recent years and included the Falcon Hotel, the Ivor Potter Hall in the Parkhouse Centre, the Methodist Church, the Carriers Inn, and ‘Upstairs Social’. The bar and catering at the Parkhouse centre, by ‘Outside Inn’, were again very well received.

The festival included the usual parade and prizes were given for the best adult and children’s brollies. Arrangements for the parade were altered in 2025 following a review of marshalling, and so a different route was adopted going along the Wharf, past the Castle to stop by the river for judging of the brollies. From there the parade returned via the Wharf to finish at the Brendon Arms. The new route received favourable comments. 

Other features included a strolling band playing at various locations around the town on two days, busking sessions outside the Falcon every morning, and dance lessons each day, led this year by the Swingsters, Mike and Mel.

Although the roots of the festival are in traditional jazz, this coming year there will also be bands playing gypsy, mainstream, swing, jump/jive, big band, skiffle, boogie-woogie as well as various eras of traditional jazz.

For those who might not know Bude it is an attractive seaside resort on the Atlantic coast of Cornwall; the sea can be seen (or heard!) from some of the venues. There are wide sandy beaches and a sea pool. In between gigs there are lovely walks, over the downs, along the coast, or up the canal. Historic features include the breakwater, the storm tower, the canal sea lock (the only one in England), and the Castle Heritage centre/museum. There is plenty to do besides the jazz.

The festival has, in recent years, been on the four days following the August bank holiday. The committee are looking at options for 2027 which include moving to later in September, or to cover a weekend. Feedback on this would be welcomed via the website www.budejazzfestival.info

The 37^th  Bude Jazz Festival will run from Tuesday September 1 to Friday  September 4, 2026. Tickets will be on sale from January/February 2026. There is a choice of one or four day strollers which give entry to every venue; or you can pay on the door for an individual gig. Peter Daniel