Congleton Jazz and Blues Festival 2025 is back and bigger than ever.

The popular music event returns for its 15th edition this August Bank Holiday weekend.

Over the course of the two days, 28 venues across town will play host to nearly 100 free entry gigs, more than ever before,

Mark Bailey, chair of Congleton Live CIC Limited who organise the event, said: "Congleton seems to be buzzing with excited anticipation of our biggest Congleton Jazz and Blues.

"Our venues are primed to serve excellent food and drink, while we all look forward to meeting old friends in the friendliest of circumstances. 

This is our 15th live Congleton Jazz and Blues since 2010, and we expect it to be a worthy landmark. 

"Our committee has worked excellently with all tasks having been completed. 

"We continue to hope, pray, and dance for helpful good weather."

The festival gets underway at 12pm on Saturday with the Umbrella March (Credit: Sheridan Photography)

History of Congleton Jazz and Blues

Inspired by Nantwich, local entrepreneur and publican Joe Manning organised the first edition of Congleton Jazz and Blues in 2010.

The following year he was joined in his efforts by Vince Cutcliffe, who held the organisational reins until his retirement in 2022, when Mark Bailey agreed to step up. 

In 2020, a Community Interest Company - Congleton Live CIC - was established to give the volunteer group a legal structure.

Programme cover

Each year, the artwork for the festival is based on a landmark in and around Congleton.

This year, organisers asked residents to vote, with the overwhelming majority voting for the statue of Treo and the Cenotaph.

Treo 63 DM was a hero army dog who was awarded the Dickins Medal for his efforts in saving numerous lives in Afghanistan.

He spent the final five years of his life in Congleton and was immortalised with a statue, which sits near the entrance to the Community Garden in Lawton Street,

The Cenotaph meanwhile displays the names of over 600 men and women who lost their lives through serving their country.

Festival programmes can be found in participating venues and Congleton Information Centre.

Saturday, August 23

Sunday, August 24

Late changes

Festivalgoers are reminded that last minute changes to the schedule may occur ahead of the festival.

This includes the cancellation of all of the gigs at the Little Street Cellar, which closed for good after service on Monday, August 18.

"It is with great regret that we announce that the Little Street Cellar will be unable to participate in this year's Congleton Jazz and Blues Festival," read a statement on the event's website.

"This venue has been a supporter of Congleton Live festivals, and of live music in general in Congleton, for thee years - they (and their superb range of beers) will be sadly missed."

Details of the cancelled performances at the Little Street Cellar can be found below.

• The Delta Aces - Saturday, 3pm
• 'Pistol' Pete Wearn & Olly Parry - Saturday, 8pm
• Joy Topping - Sunday, 4pm
• Paolo Fuschi - Sunday, 9pm

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