The Malvern Water and Well Dressing Festival is all set to return with a spectacular celebration of art, community and nature.
The popular festival will be held from Saturday, 2 May, to Sunday, 10 May 2026 and will see up to 60 wells creatively 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 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:
- 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
- Creative Connects Exhibition at Malvern Theatres
Cllr Beverley Nielsen, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism at MHDC, said: “We are delighted to see the return of this festival, which is always a highlight in Malvern’s calendar. This year's theme provides the potential for the imagination to really take flight, and we look forward to a wonderful range of inspiring displays bringing together residents, visitors, and organisations to celebrate our unique heritage. With a fantastic programme there's always something for everyone to enjoy.”
People can visit www.visitthemalverns.org/welldressing for more information and to download a map.
Maps can also be downloaded from the Malvern Well Dressing Facebook page or from Malvern Tourist Information Centre.
23 April 2026.
