City's Godiva Festival will not be held in 2026

The Godiva Festival first started in 1997 as a one-day festival at Coventry's War Memorial Park

Coventry's Godiva Festival will not take place this year, the BBC has learned.

It will instead be replaced with an event called "Godiva in the City", a free city centre event.

The city council is announcing the changes as it prepares its budget for 2026-27 and, as part of those discussions, has decided the Godiva Festival, held at the War Memorial Park, is no longer financially viable.

A council spokesperson confirmed that the event will be "paused" for 2026.

The spokesperson said they were facing rising costs and industry challenges and it was important to review how the festival could be delivered in a sustainable and cost-effective way, that was affordable for Coventry's residents.

They added that pausing the festival for 2026 would allow them to explore future options, review delivery models and look for new funding opportunities "to ensure Godiva Festival can return in a sustainable form."

While confirming no festival for 2026, the spokesperson said the authority's support for the city's creative sector and community events continued.

"A new and exciting programme of summer events will be delivered by the council in Coventry city centre later this year, offering music, culture and creative celebration," they added.

Coventry City Council started charging people to go to Godiva in 2019

The statement also confirmed that a new two-day event called Godiva in the City, would take place on the weekend of the 4-5 July, as part of a programme of free and low-cost events, showcasing local musicians and talent

The first Godiva Festival was held in the War Memorial Park in 1997 as a one-day event, becoming a three-day festival the year after.

Until 2018, entry was free but the local authority started charging people to attend in 2019.

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