3-5 JULY 2026
Acombfest logo
When?
FRI 3 – Sun 5 JULY 2026
Acomb. york
see our
FESTIVAL
programme
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FESTIVAL
MAP
welcome to acombfest '26

3 days of art, music & food.

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Learn More

Street Food & DRINK SPECIALS

From street food and local favourites to festival cocktails and pub garden specials, AcombFest brings plenty to eat, drink and linger over.

Close-up of four fried chicken sandwiches with various sauces and toppings on sesame buns.
Woman with long blonde hair gestures while sitting behind a decorated laptop in a dimly lit room.

Live Bands, Beats & Music

From DJs and rock bands to choirs, buskers and pop-up performances, music carries the festival through the streets and venues of Acomb.

A weekend of Experiences

Join in with hands-on workshops, family activities, films, talks and walks — with creative moments for children and adults alike.

Children wearing aprons and masks standing at tables with spray paint cans for art workshop.
acombfest 2026 lineup

Meet THE Artists

We invite everyone to enjoy a mixture of international & local artists celebrating nature while engaging in a programme of live music, activities, food & drink.

Colorful mural of sea creatures like octopus and birds blending with butterfly wings on building wall.Person on a lift painting a large pelican mural with floral patterns on a brick wall.
Curtis Hylton
Internationally Renowned Muralist
Two workers on a scaffold painting a large mural of a heron and butterflies on a brick wall.Artist in a camo cap spray-paints a colorful mural of a penguin on a brick wall outdoors.
PEACHZZ
Internationally Renowned Muralist
Colorful mural of a cat wearing a collar, flowers, barbed wire, and a swing ride on a blue wall.Artist on lift spray-paints colorful mural with large letters and animal face on brick wall.
SledOne
Internationally Renowned Muralist
Large street mural of a man with a beanie gently holding a small bird on his finger.Artist on lift painting a large mural of a face with pink lips on a wall.
SMUG
Internationally Renowned Muralist
Colorful street art of a large cat's face with a yellow eye on a black door with a metal handle.Two men wearing white masks stand in front of colorful graffiti of a wolf with gold chains on a pink wall.
The Postman
Internationally Renowned Muralist
Dark scene with a glowing white flower shape and colorful neon lines behind bare tree branches.Dark scene with a glowing white flower shape and colorful neon lines behind bare tree branches.
JIM & BEN GRANT
Multimedia Artists
Black and white photo of people playing dominoes around a table near a vintage car outdoors.Man with arms outstretched facing the ocean while standing on a stone wall under the sky.
Jeff Clark
Festival curator & artist, aop
Colorful geometric mural on brick wall with tree branches casting shadows over it.Two painters with paint-splattered clothes standing on a platform next to a brightly painted wall.
art of protest
PLACEMAKING & URBAN ART
Graffiti-covered cylindrical surface with stickers, including one saying 'RARE' with an anarchy symbol.Large red graffiti artwork of a boombox with sad and happy faces on cassette tapes indoors.
Rare Collective
Streetart Collective

Paintjam Artists

Colorful graffiti art of a stylized skull with geometric features on a wall.Person wearing a cardboard box mask with eyes and teeth drawn, and a shirt with a similar face illustration.
Boxxhead
STREET ARTIST
Colorful mural of large flowers painted on a building with Adelphi St sign and visible windows.Artist stands with phone and spray paint gloves before large colorful street art mural of a face.
HAZARDONE
STREET ARTIST
Street art of Wonder Woman in neon yellow with text 'All the world is waiting for you' on arm.Bright pink cartoon girl with bows and a blue shirt reading LadyMkei pinned to a wall.
Lady Mkei
STREET ARTIST
Street art of a roaring rooster breathing fire over a medieval stone castle on a bright pink background.Man with beard in white shirt and brown pants sitting in art studio surrounded by framed paintings and spray cans.
Lincoln Lightfoot
STREET ARTIST
Street art of a large robotic figure with a gas mask and mechanical arm on a yellow and gray wall.Man wearing a black Liskbot Secret Walls Birmingham shirt drawing cartoon art on white boards.
Liskbot
STREET ARTIST
Corner wall with black, gray abstract art on one side and horizontal stripes with a rainbow border on top.Man holding a paintbrush stands crossed-armed in front of a colorful abstract mural on a wall.
Nicolas Dixon
STREET ARTIST
Colorfully graffiti-painted retro boombox with yellow smiley faces on speaker and knobs.Man with sunglasses and headphones DJing on a mixer, wearing a black shirt with tattoos visible on both arms.
Sola
STREET ARTIST
Wall art of framed pigeon portraits with bright pink backgrounds and gold textured frames.Woman in orange safety vest and shorts standing by a table with mural and large coffee cup behind her.
SPAM
STREET ARTIST
Colorful graffiti on a brick wall featuring a large pink apple with dripping paint and abstract shapes.Man wearing a hoodie and backwards cap tossing a spray paint can in front of a graffiti wall.
Vyx
STREET ARTIST
Acombfest 2026

Event Essentials

join in
join in
20

Art intallations

22

festival Venues

90+

 Events & Activities

Key Features

4 International Muralists

Watch world-class Internationally reknowned muralists create huge new artworks live across Acomb, transforming walls into landmarks over the festival weekend.

9 Artist Paintjam

Nine artists. Two days. Original works created live, with DJs, big-screen visuals, Mexican cocktails and El Chappo street food at the Carlton Tavern.

Yorkshire's finest street food

Eat your way through the festival with street food, pub gardens, outdoor bars, local specials and festival drinks keeping Acomb fuelled from day to night.

discover acomb

festival venues

Child kneeling on patterned carpet in a bright, colorful children's library with books and murals.Modern community library building with glass entrance, outdoor seating, planters, and opening times sign.
Acomb Explore Library
Child shaping colorful clay with a red plastic knife on a black surface.Child shaping colorful clay with a red plastic knife on a black surface.
Acomb Methodist Church
People socializing inside a warmly lit café with hanging plants and large windows.Bluebird Bakery storefront with large windows showing breads and a small outdoor table with two chairs.
Bluebird Bakery
Cozy reading corner with mustard and olive armchairs, patterned rug, wall art, and blue walls.Man wearing glasses and cap jumps inside a bookstore holding a stack of colorful books.
Books & Bevs
Facade of a traditional brick Tudor-style building with black and white timber framing and bay windows.Person wearing a cardboard box mask with eyes and teeth drawn, and a shirt with a similar face illustration.
Carlton Tavern
Sunlight filtering through dense trees in a lush green forest with grass and undergrowth.Pink cherry blossom branches over a paved path in a green park with tall trees on a sunny day.
Fishponds Wood
Historic black windmill with white sails in suburban neighborhood under clear blue sky.Interior view of a wooden dome ceiling with radial beams and mechanical gears beneath it.
Holgate Windmill
Cozy pub interior with tufted leather sofa, wooden tables, chairs, framed photos, and patterned carpet.Person wearing a cardboard box mask with eyes and teeth drawn, and a shirt with a similar face illustration.
Inn on the Green
Bright children's playroom with wooden toys, small tables, and a wall drawing of a house labeled 'PLAY'.People socializing and a girl dressed as a fairy standing in a bright cafe with a counter and menu board.
Laughing Llama
Lowfield Green Housing COOP
Three women clinking glasses of sparkling wine in a cheerful toast at a restaurant.Outdoor seating with blue umbrellas and wicker chairs at Sojo Bistro with glass doors and windows.
Sojo
People at an outdoor fish and chips food truck with sunset and tree in the background.Night view through window of The Crooked Tap pub with seated patrons and warm interior lighting.
The Crooked Tap
Outdoor seating area with wooden picnic tables and umbrellas beside a red brick building and green trees.Cozy pub interior with brown leather seating, wooden tables, stained glass fox decorations, and a pint of beer.
The Fox
Group of people dancing and socializing in a large hall with a live band playing on stage.Brick building with large windows, clock tower, and gateway entrance on a cloudy day.
The Gateway Centre
People socializing and drinking beer in a cozy, dimly lit pub with black walls and hanging lights.Crowd gathered outside on a street near shops under a clear blue sky at The Hand Freehouse.
The Hand
Children and an adult engaged in a creative learning activity with illustrated cards on a table.The Place community logo with colorful curved lines on a dark blue background.
The Place
Crowded outdoor patio with people socializing under large green umbrellas on a sunny day.Exterior of a two-story pub named 'The Sun' with outdoor seating and white walls.
The Sun Inn
Ornate black wrought iron gate partially open with trees showing autumn leaves behind it.Sunlit garden with green grass, bare flower beds, wooden pergola, and tall trees under a clear blue sky.
Westbank Park
Brick building with signs for Yor Community Wellbeing Hub, Acomb Garth, supporting mental health.Man and woman sitting and talking in a cozy room with bookshelves and chairs.
Yor Community Wellbeing Hub
[Revolution]

proudly delivered

Proudly created, curated & delievred by Art of Protest -

Man in gray hoodie and backwards cap tossing a spray paint can against a colorful mural wall.

“Bringing together industry leaders and cutting-edge technology creates an unparalleled experience for all attendees. We're proud of the collaborative environment we foster and the lasting connections made.”

jeff clark
festival curator , aop
Group of six people standing and clapping in front of a colorful geometric mural with a tree silhouette.
Art of Protest 'AOP' flag logo

At the heart of Art of Protest is placemaking. Acomb Fest has a theme of ‘Returning to Nature’ to bring together, art, nature and communities.

Having spoken to over 1100+ residents, 9 local schools to understand Acomb’s rich tapestry of history, flora and wildlife. This is a celebration of international and local artists, the beloved High Street and green spaces. Art of Protest have curated an incredible set of art and activities over the weekend.

Every day we are changing the world, and our actions create ripples around us, making waves for others in the future. I have found that nature has a funny way of connecting and reminding us that whatever we feel (an issue or a stress) can be re-grounded by a returning spring, the simple buzz of a bee and the sound of a
tweeting bird.
 
Art of Protest have curated the artist briefs each themed on how nature interacts with us on a day to day basis. We thank everyone for creating and supporting this important festival.
Please explore the incredible art, venues and green spaces!

proud to present our

PARTNERS & SUPPORTERS

Blkhat Studio logo
Rare Collective logo
Moniker Foundation logo
York And North Yorkshire Combined Authority David Skaith mayor logo
University of York logo
York St.John University logo
York School of Art Logo
City of York Council logo
Yorkkshire Wildlife Trust logo
Graphic text saying 'GREAT GAME' with smaller text below 'Great American Clean Fleet'.
SASH Preventing Youth Homelessness Together logo
York Civic Trust logo