SongFest 2026 - Fri, Sat & Sun, 28, 29, 30 Aug [Rugby]

ARTIST LINEUP

The Artist lineup for SongFest 2026 includes the following: Dean Friedman, Boothby Graffoe, Tracey Curtis, Vance Gilbert, Richard Digance, Charlotte Campbell, Lach, Kal Lavelle, Fiona Bevan & Adam Beattie, Kate Lucas, Ben Norris, Jess Silk, Nia Nicholls, Colm Gavin, Barbara, Nicola Farnon, and more to be announced!

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 28, 29 & 30 August, 2026

Draycote Hotel, London Road, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9LF

SongFest 2026 is a three-day event, and will be held Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 28, 29 & 30 August, 2026 at the Draycote Hotel, London Road, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9LF (centrally located, just 35 miles east of Birmingham, 88 miles from London, 118 miles from Manchester and 130 miles from Liverpool).

ON SITE ACCOMMODATIONS / 'SONGFEST' RESERVATIONS

A limited number of on-site accommodations are available. On-site accommodations MUST BE BOOKED DIRECT via Draycote Hotel reservations: 01788 521800. Note: You must mention that you are attending 'SONGFEST', when booking, to receive the 'SONGFEST' room price of:

• £125: double occupancy room B&B
• £111: single occupancy room B&B
• £187.50: Family Room - 2X Interconnecting Rooms B&B

OFF SITE ACCOMMODATIONS

Alternate, off-site, accommodation is available at nearby hotels & B&B's. Use GoogleMap 'Nearby Hotel' feature to find off-site accommodation.

SCHEDULES

See Schedule for the latest updates: www.SongFest.live NOTE: 'Songwriting Masterclasses' run from 1:00pm to 2:30pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Performances will run from 4:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday and from 3:00pm to 11:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, followed, on Saturday night, by a 'Beatles' sing-along 'til midnight and on Sunday night, by Misadventures in the Music Biz. A one-hour 'Dinner Intermission' is scheduled for between 6:00pm and 7:00pm, each night. Schedule: www.SongFest.live

MEALS

Festival-attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-order their 'dinner intermission' meals in advance (available as a ticket-option), to assure timely turn-around between performances.

SONGWRITING MASTERCLASS

This two-part 'Songwriting Masterclass' will be held, over the course of two days (Sat & Sun), from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. The two, 90-minute sessions will run, each day, prior to the festival performances. The sessions will be conducted by Dean Friedman , along with expected drop-ins from other SongFest performers/songwriters. The 'Songwriting Masterclass' is available as a ticket 'Add On' priced at £125, and will be limited to 10 attendees, in order to give participants an opportunity to share one of their own compositions, if they desire, for feedback by instructors. Participants are welcome to bring their instruments, with the sole exception of banjo players (Just kidding - we love the banjo!).

[Non-Participanting Observers are welcome to audit the class at a reduced fee of £45]

3rd ANNUAL BOOTHBY GRAFFOE INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT [Sunday 11:00am]

Join Boothby, Dean and assorted SongFest Artists at 11:00am Sunday morning for a free-form miniature golf game on the Draycote's Putting Practice Green. Only 12 slots available at £25 quid per. NOTE: This is a 'free-form' tournament i.e. there are no rules - we just make 'em up as we go along! [Clubs and golf balls will be provided; plus photo-op!] Participation in the BOOTHBY GRAFFOE INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT is available as a ticket 'Add On' priced at £25.

BOARDGAMES in the LOBBY [Saturday & Sunday 11:00am]

Enjoy a lazy Saturday and/or Sunday morning, starting at 11:00am, hanging out with SongFest pals, playing your choice of Boardgames, or Cardgames, in the Lobby, courtesy of Nick & Sue of Shiregames, who'll be on hand to answer any questions and provide instructions, if needed. Games include 'Ticket to Ride', 'Catan', 'Dominion', 'Citadels', 'Forbidden Island', as well as the finger-flicking classic, 'Crokinole', and more - card games too. FREE! But please sign-up as an 'Add On' (no charge), so we know how many folks to expect each day.

TRANQUIL TAI CHI by Claire Hewer(NEW!) [Saturday 10:00am]

'Tranquil Tai Chi' Saturday morning 10am. This beginners Tai Chi session will explore some of the basics of this gentle discipline known to promote balance, poise, and a sense of calm. Conducted by Tai Chi practitioner, Claire Hewer, it's also an ideal, low-impact activity that's been shown to reduce pain, stiffness, and fatigue while improving physical function. No miraculous, instantaneous cures, but a very pleasant way to limber up on a lazy Saturday morning. The 45 minute session will be held outside on the lawn near the Wedding Trestle, weather permitting. In the even of inclement weather, it will be held in the exhibitor area of the main performance room. Attendance is available as an 'Add On' priced at £15 [45 minutes]

EASYGOING, RELAXED YOGA SESSION by ROSSANA [Sunday 10:00am]

Enjoy a refreshing start to your Sunday morning at SongFest with this easygoing, gentle and relaxing yoga session, combining breathing exercises, gentle movement and mindfulness, to feel good in mind and body. This session, taught to a curated playlist to create a relaxing atmosphere, is suitable for all abilities and can be done on a chair or a yoga mat, wherever you feel most comfortable. The indoor session will be conducted by accredited yoga instructor, Rossana Trajkovska www.yogawithrossana.com The 45 minute session will be held in one of the Draycote conference rooms and will be limited in size to 15 attendees. Attendance is available as an 'Add On' priced at £15 [45 minutes].