2026 PROGRAMME OPEN CALL NOW OPEN
Deadline: 20 March 2026 5pm
Festival 2026 Dates: 1 – 31 October 2026
2026 Theme: Create and Celebrate
In 2026 we invite new and existing partners to Create and Celebrate with us to mark 20 years of Bloomsbury Festival. We hope you will feel inspired by this theme and we welcome broad interpretations of Create and Celebrate.
This year Bloomsbury Festival is planning a month-long festival from 1-31 October, to celebrate the festival’s 20th anniversary. We invite you to submit plans for your own events, exhibitions and activities for 2026 to be considered for inclusion in the festival. We welcome ‘Partner Event’ applications from current and new creative partners. Please only submit ideas you are confident you can fund and produce yourself. The festival provides marketing and ticketing support, and can help you find a venue for your event, but you must be able to produce, present and fund your idea.
Important Note: we do not guarantee to accept all events proposed. The festival has to make many practical and curatorial decisions to ensure a wide-ranging high quality programme.
Events Days: Most of our events will take place between Thursdays and Sundays during October 2026 – with occasional Wednesday events. Exhibitions can take place through the week/month.
HOW TO RESPOND
Before submitting your proposal, please read the following documents:
> Guidance on the 2026 Open Call (pdf)
> Questions – Quick View (pdf). This document is for reference only and lists the questions in the live proposal form, to help you prepare your application
> Click here to complete and submit your proposal form
The 2026 Call Out will be live until Friday 20 March 2026 5pm
If you require an alternative version of the application form for accessibility reasons please contact director@bloomsburyfestival.org.uk