Medieval Hereford Festival

The first Medieval Hereford Festival event will feature thrilling battle re-enactments, where armoured warriors clash in dramatic displays of medieval combat, alongside a fully interactive “living village” showcasing traditional crafts, trades and daily life from centuries past. Visitors will also be able to step back in time with period entertainment, costumed performers, and historical demonstrations, including the chance to see and perhaps experience the medieval stocks.

Medieval Hereford Festival 2026 is taking place Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August 2026. Hereford BID, which manages Hereford City Life, is organising the event as part of their annual events programme to help encourage visitors to the city centre and also coincides with the 1,350^th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Hereford.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Hereford Cathedral and its historic Cathedral Close, which will be transformed to take visitors back in time. The festival will bring the sights, sounds and stories of the medieval period vividly to life, offering residents and visitors an immersive journey into the city’s rich heritage.

There will be plenty of opportunities to learn more about Hereford through the ages and its wonderful historic Cathedral as the centre piece. More details will be provided nearer the event.

A spectacular opening procession will kick off the festival, winding its way through the city streets and culminating at the Cathedral Close. Featuring re-enactors, musicians and colourful medieval characters, the procession will set the tone for a weekend of pageantry, history and family-friendly fun.

The Medieval Hereford Festival will celebrate the city’s past while creating a vibrant, large-scale cultural event for residents and visitors alike. By combining authentic historical re-enactment with the iconic setting of Hereford Cathedral, the festival aims to become a flagship attraction and a highlight in the region’s events calendar.

Image courtesy of the Plantaganets.