Located in the picturesque county of Surrey and a short distance from London, Guildford is a great place to both live and visit. Whether you currently live here, are looking to move to the area, or simply planning a visit sometime this year, there are plenty of brilliant events taking place in 2026 that you won’t want to miss. Here are a few of our favourites:
Guildford Fringe Festival (September 5-20)
Did you know that Guildford has its own Fringe Festival? Originally starting back in 2014, the Guildford Fringe Festival has grown each year and is now a huge multi-arts festival covering comedy, music, poetry, and much more. The entertainment is hosted across many of Guildford’s best venues, including The Star pub, St. Mary’s Church, The Fallen Angel, and The Britannia. If you are attending the event and need to connect to any public Wi-Fi in any of the venues, consider downloading a VPN beforehand to protect against any cyberattacks. This will create a private connection and encrypt your data, helping you shield your activity and stay safe online.
Oktoberfest Guildford
You do not need to travel to Germany to experience Oktoberfest, as Guildford hosts its own Bavarian bash that is not to be missed. The event features a huge bier tent with XL steins and a range of authentic foods, live music, and more. Dates for 2026 have not yet been confirmed, but last year the event took place on October 10th and 11th, so you can expect the same this year and will want to keep your eyes peeled.
Cheese & Chilli Festival (July 18-19)
The much-loved Cheese and Chilli festival will be returning to Shalford Park (a short journey from Guildford train station) in July and is perfect for anyone who loves cheese with a little extra kick. In addition to a whole host of traders selling cheeses, chillies, and other goods, the event has plenty of entertainment, including a chilli-eating competition, live music, cooking classes, wrestling, and much more.
Sausage & Cider Festival (August 22)
The S&C festival takes place all around the UK, including Guildford, where you can attend on the 22nd of August at Stoke Park – a huge park in the heart of Guildford and a short distance from the train station. In addition to as much sausage and cider as your heart desires, there are plenty of amazing tribute acts to keep you entertained. This year, this includes the likes of tribute acts such as Elton John, the Kings of Leon, Kaiser Chiefs, and Coldplay.
Whether you live in Guildford or you are planning a visit sometime this year, you might want to circle the dates for the above events in your diary. These are incredible events that are packed full of fun and show you everything great about the beautiful, historic, and cultural town of Guildford.