Orchestral Qawwali Project Royal Albert Hall London 27 May 2024 Photo By Annabel Moeller
With just one month to go until the start of the 2026 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, preparations are gathering pace for another spectacular celebration of music, culture and international friendship in North Wales. Since its founding in 1947, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has become one of the world’s most respected celebrations of international music and culture, welcoming performers from every continent and bringing nations together through the universal language of song.
Founded in 1947 in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod was created to bring nations together through music and culture. Nearly 80 years later, that vision continues, with performers from across the world gathering in North Wales to celebrate friendship, understanding and international harmony.
This year’s festival will welcome competitors from countries including the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Ukraine, Belgium, Estonia, Italy, Indonesia, Rwanda, India, South Africa and across the United Kingdom, creating a truly global celebration in the heart of North Wales. 
The Eisteddfod’s evening concert programme will once again bring world-class performers to Llangollen throughout the week. Audiences can look forward to Sir Karl Jenkins’ One World, Global Rhythms: Made in Wales, the internationally acclaimed Orchestral Qawwali Project, a world-exclusive performance from Emeli Sandé with The Absolute Orchestra, and an evening with musical theatre favourite Michael Ball. The diverse programme reflects the Eisteddfod’s commitment to celebrating musical excellence and cultural exchange from across the world.
New for 2026, the Eisteddfod will also feature the Sound-Bridge Sessions, a series of performances taking place daily between 5pm and 7pm. Designed to bridge the gap between the daytime competitions and evening concerts, the sessions will bring the festival site to life with contemporary Welsh folk, jazz, global fusion and emerging artists, creating a vibrant atmosphere across the Eisteddfod grounds and outdoor stages throughout the week.
This year’s Eisteddfod will once again showcase an extraordinary range of international talent, with competitors travelling to Llangollen from countries including the United States, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Ukraine, Belgium, Estonia, Italy, Indonesia, Rwanda, India, South Africa and across the United Kingdom.
Last year’s festival produced one of the most memorable moments in recent Eisteddfod history when the New Zealand Youth Choir captivated a packed audience with a powerful performance of the Haka during the Choir of the World concert, underlining the unique blend of musical excellence and cultural celebration that has made the event famous around the world.
Artistic Director Dave Danford said,
“As we look forward to welcoming the world back to Llangollen in just one month’s time, there is a real sense of excitement building around this year’s Eisteddfod. Our competitions, outdoor performances and evening concerts showcase the very best in international music-making and cultural exchange. Every corner of the Eisteddfod site will be alive with activity throughout the week, creating a truly unique atmosphere for performers and visitors alike.
“Last year’s unforgettable Haka from the New Zealand Youth Choir demonstrated the power of music and culture to bring people together. With competitors travelling from across the globe once again, this year’s festival promises to be another unforgettable celebration of international friendship through music.”
The Eisteddfod’s competitions will reach a thrilling climax at the prestigious Choir of the World concert on Sunday 12 July. Winners from the festival’s choral categories will compete for the coveted Pavarotti Trophy before an international audience in the Royal International Pavilion. The concert will also feature the final of the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition, where emerging opera singers from around the world will compete for one of the most significant titles in international vocal performance.
Thousands of performers and visitors are expected to descend on Llangollen throughout the festival, reinforcing the town’s status as one of the world’s leading destinations for international cultural exchange.
As the Eisteddfod approaches its 80th anniversary in 2027, the festival continues to demonstrate the vision of its founders: bringing the nations of the world together in friendship through music. Tickets for the Eisteddfod’s evening concert programme and festival events are available now.
Llangollen is gearing up for another unforgettable summer as TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion returns from June 24 to July 5, followed by the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod from July 7. Together they will bring weeks of world-class live music, international performances and headline shows to North Wales.
Before the global stars take to the Pavilion stage, fans have the chance to get their hands on FREE tickets as the hugely popular Llangollen Treasure Hunt returns on Saturday May 23.
Artistic Director of the Eisteddfod Dave Danford said:
A new series of open-air performances running daily from 5pm to 7pm will debut this summer at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, transforming the early evening experience for audiences and creating a seamless bridge between the Eisteddfod’s daytime competitions and its evening concerts.
Dave Danford, Artistic Director, said,
of Wales for their support in making this ambitious project possible. Sound-Bridge Sessions are a direct response to what our audiences have told us they want, and we are proud to be delivering an enhanced experience across the Eisteddfod.”
Sound-Bridge Sessions reflect the diversity and creativity of contemporary music-making, offering audiences the opportunity to discover new artists and genres in a relaxed, open-air setting before the evening’s headline performances.
