Blues flash! Wallingford’s annual Winter Blues and Jazz festival returns

Music fans, make a date with Wallingford Winter Blues and Jazz from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd February 2026. 

Wallingford’s much-loved Winter Blues festival, a weekend created with one simple aim: to blow the winter blues away and bring warmth, music and momentum to the town during at the quietest time of year. 

Now firmly established in the local calendar, the festival has grown into a vibrant, community-focused and highly inclusive event, welcoming everyone from seasoned jazz fans to curious newcomers, families and older residents.

Festivities take place across the town, with performances popping up in care homes, churches, the theatre, pubs, restaurants and hotels, ensuring the music reaches people where they already are. 

As well as evening gigs, there’s a strong daytime and family-friendly programme.

Children can get involved with hands-on activities such as samba drumming workshops, while the ever-popular “Funky Friday” sets the tone for a weekend, designed to lift spirits and get Wallingford moving.

The inclusive ethos is central to its appeal, offering something for all ages, tastes and levels of musical knowledge. 

Musically, Winter Blues continues to punch well above its weight. The programme spans a wide spectrum of jazz and blues styles, from gospel and bebop to delta blues and Cuban jazz, with much of the line-up drawn from Oxfordshire’s rich pool of talented musicians.

Audiences often remark on the exceptionally high calibre of performances, a point of pride for organisers who see the festival as both a celebration of local talent and a platform for extraordinary live music. 

This year’s Saturday headliner is Chris Cobbson’s Echoes of Africa, led by the renowned Ghanaian guitarist. The project unites sounds and stories from across the African continent, including music inspired by Ethiopia, Senegal and beyond, promising a powerful and uplifting centrepiece. 

Once again, The George Hotel joins the line-up as a new venue, temporarily rechristened “Wally Scott’s” for the weekend – a cheeky nod to London’s legendary Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, courtesy of proprietor Scott. 

Organisers describe Winter Blues as “just a local community festival”, but its impact is anything but small.

Entirely volunteer-run and not-for-profit, the team are committed to paying musicians fairly while ensuring local businesses benefit too.

Last year, participating venues reported profits up by as much as 800% compared to a typical February weekend – proof that a little music can go a long way.  

For more information, visit wallywinterbluesnjazz.co.uk.

Image © Steve Foster from @JazzShots.

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