Street Market & Cuckoo Festival

The 2026 Street Market and Cuckoo Festival took place on Bank Holiday Monday 25 May 2026.

The sun certainly turned up for this year’s Street Market – temperatures soared and so did village spirit. It was one of those glorious summer days when Yorkshire grit came into its own, with residents, visitors and volunteers embracing the heat and making the most of a fantastic community celebration.

What makes the Street Market so special is the way the whole village comes together, and this year was no exception. Every corner of village life was well represented, from the Church and School to the YFC, Tennis Club, Bowling Club, WI and many more local groups and organisations. The day was a wonderful showcase of the people, clubs and volunteers who make Austwick such a vibrant place to live.

There was plenty to see around the village – visitors may even have spotted a famous face presenting the fell race prizes following a very entertaining stint on the PA, alongside some rather more unusual characters – including a unicorn and a giant lapwing making appearances throughout the day!

The ever-popular fell race once again drew an impressive field of runners, who were rewarded not only with enthusiastic support but also, thankfully, the much-appreciated hose-down station at the finish. In the sweltering conditions, it quickly became one of the day’s most celebrated attractions, with tired runners and happy children enjoying the cooling spray.

Another highlight this year was the introduction of the new Dog Show. Four-legged competitors and their proud owners gathered, with plenty of wagging tails, rosettes, prizes and smiles all round. It proved an instant hit and will surely become a firm Street Market tradition.

Meanwhile, the Kids Zone captured the spirit of Street Markets of old, keeping families entertained. Packed with activities, games and free crafts, it became a hub of laughter and energy throughout the day, giving children a place to play while parents caught up with friends and neighbours and enjoyed some of the tasty food and drink options on offer nearby.

Above all, the day was a celebration of community. From setting up stalls in the morning sunshine to packing away as the evening drew in, countless volunteers helped make the event such a success. Their hard work, enthusiasm and community spirit ensured that, despite the heat, Austwick Street Market 2026 will be remembered as another wonderful day in the village calendar.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped, participated, supported and attended. 

While the final fundraising amount is being counted, it’s certain the day was a success and despite a few challenges from the heat, the special spirit of cuckoo town shone through.