MUSIC FOR YOUTH REGIONAL FESTIVALS
The Music for Youth Regional Festival Series is the UK’s largest festival for young musicians. As we kick-off our highly anticipated annual season, this year’s festivals we’re held from Feb – April 2026 in over 20 locations across the UK, as well as a UK-wide online festival, titled Mentor Connects.
WHO CAN TAKE PART?
If you’re dreaming of performing on some of the UK’s most iconic stages, this is where it starts.
Anyone can sign up to take part in a Music for Youth Regional Festival — whether you’re ready to perform live or would prefer to submit a recording of your performance via Mentor Connects. We welcome all kinds of groups: bands, ensembles, choirs and collectives of every shape and size, performing any musical genre. Classical to contemporary, jazz to rock, original music or arrangements — it all belongs here.
It doesn’t matter where you’re starting from or how long you’ve been making music. If you love performing and want to develop your skills, Music for Youth is for you. The only requirement is that you perform as a group of two or more musicians, with all members aged 21 or under.
Taking part in a Music for Youth Regional Festival is so much more than just a performance. It’s a vibrant, supportive and inspiring experience where young musicians come together to share their music, watch and learn from other groups, make new connections, and receive invaluable guidance from professional musicians and music educators — our expert Music Mentors. Their feedback is designed to encourage, challenge and help you take your next musical steps with confidence.
Whether you perform live at a Regional Festival or submit a recording through Mentor Connects, this experience opens the door to the next stage of the journey. All participating groups will be invited to attend the Music for Youth National Festival in Birmingham, taking place in July — a true celebration of young musical talent from across the country.
Applications for Regional Festivals 2026 are now CLOSED, but there’s still time to be part of the journey. You can sign up now for Mentor Connects and secure your place by completing the form further down this page.
This could be your first step towards performing on world‑famous stages — including the Royal Albert Hall. Don’t miss it.
For more information about eligibility and costs, please visit our FAQ page here.
2026 REGIONAL FESTIVAL LOCATIONS
Regional Festivals
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Dates(s): 6th March 2026
Session Times: 09:15 - 20:00
Location: Truro Methodist Church, 18 Union Place, Truro, TR1 1EP
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
This is one of our Frequencies Regional Festivals, aimed towards young musicians working in popular music genres.
Date(s): 7th March 2026
Session Times: 11:00 - 19:00
Location: Redruth Wesley, Higher Forestreet, Redruth, TR15 2EG
Price: £24 (£20 + VAT) -
Date(s): 7th March 2026
Session Times: 10:00 - 18:00
Location: Don Valley Academy, Jossey Lane, Scawthorpe, Doncaster DN5 9DD
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
Date(s): 14th - 15th March 2026
Session Times:
14th March: 09:30 - 16:45
15th March: 09:30 - 16:45Location: Colne Valley High School
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
Date(s): 14th - 15th March 2026
Session Times:
14th March: 09:30 - 16:45
15th March: 09:30 - 16:45Location: Colne Valley High School
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
Date(s): 6th March 2026
Session Times: 09:00 - 17:30
Location: Peter Hopkins Hall, Springwood High School, Queensway, Kings Lynn, Norfolk. PE30 4AW
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
Date(s): 20th - 21st March 2026
Session Times:
20th March: 09:30-12:30, 13:30-16:00, 16:30-18:30
21st March: 09:30-12:30
Location: Albemarle Music Centre
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
Date(s): 14th March 2026
Session Times: 10:00-12:00, 13:00-15:00, 16:00-18:00
Location: Haven High Academy, Marian Road, Boston, Pe21 9HB
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
This is one of our Frequencies Regional Festivals, aimed towards young musicians working in popular music genres.
Date(s): 27th February 2026
Session Times: 10:00-12:00, 13:00-15:00, 15:30-18:00
Location: BIMM London, Barclay House, 21 Effie Rd, London SW6 1EN
Price: £24 (£20 + VAT) -
Date(s): 25th March 2026
Session Times: 13:30 – 15:30, 16:30-18:30
Location: Church of Christ the Cornerstone, 300 Saxon Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 2ES
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
Date(s): 22nd March 2026
Session Times: 10:00 - 18:00
Location: Caerleon Comprehensive School, Cold Bath Road, Caerleon, Newport, South Wales, NP18 1NF
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
Date(s): 2nd March 2026
Session Times: 13:00 - 15:30, 17:00 - 20:45
Location: The Pavilion Theatre, Gorleston, NR31 6PP
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
Date(s): 14th, 21st - 22nd March 2026
Session Times:
14th March: 13:00-21:30
21st March: 13:00-20:00
22nd March: 10:30-20:00
Locations:
14th March: Spinney Theatre, Northampton School for Girls
21st - 22nd March: Cripps Hall Theatre, Northampton School for Boys
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
Date(s): 6th - 7th March 2026
Session Times:
6th March: 09:00-11:30, 12:15-14:45, 15:30-18:00
7th March: 09:00-11:30, 12:15-14:45, 15:30-18:00
Location: Rochdale Town Hall
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
Date(s): 21st March 2026
Session Times: 10:00 - 17:00
Location: Rispoli Theatre, Reigate College, Castlefield Road, Reigate, RH2 0SD
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT) -
Date(s): 22nd March 2026
Session Times: 10:00 - 17:00
Location: The Platform Faringdon Road Swindon SN1 5BJ
Price: £42 (£35 + VAT)
Local Festivals
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Dates(s): 20th March 2026
Location: Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen Heol-Yr-Ysgol, Tondu, CF32 9EG -
Dates(s): 21st March 2026
Location: All Nations Centre -
Dates(s): 22nd March 2026
Location: Coombeshead Academy, Newton Abbot -
Dates(s): 16th March 2026
Location: Cheltenham Town Hall -
Dates(s): 21st March 2026
Location: Rougemont School -
Dates(s): 21st, 24th - 25th March 2026
Location: Queen Elizabeth High School, Crawley Green Rd, Luton LU2 9AG -
Dates(s): 12th March 2026
Location: Mountbatten School -
Dates(s): 8th March 2026
Location: Cheltenham Town Hall -
Dates(s): 28th March 2026
Location: Lister Community School -
Dates(s): 21st March 2026
Location: Centre for Music, Oxford -
Dates(s): 18th March 2026
Location: Sir James Hawkey Hall, Broomhill Road, Woodford Green, IG8 0BG -
Dates(s): 14th, 15th March 2026
Location: Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham -
Dates(s): 8th March 2026
Location: RGS, Worcester