Green Phoenix Festival Returns – Full Programme Announced!
Published July 1, 2026
Exeter Phoenix’s Green Phoenix Festival returns on Sunday 5th July 2026 for the third consecutive year.
This one-day festival brings people of all ages together for a day of creativity, to inspire and promote action towards building a sustainable future.
Delivered in partnership with local sustainability organisations and individuals, this festival highlights how we can all contribute to a greener future while connecting audiences with impactful work already underway in the community.
Join us for a day of free talks, panels, workshops and creative activities for the local community, featuring:
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES | MUSIC | ART | FILM SCREENINGS | LEARNING | STALLS
…and much more!
The 2026 festival will be headlined by acclaimed climate scientist and comedian, Dr Matt Winning. Performance Programmer, Katy Danbury adds: "After seeing his brilliant show Solastalgia at Edinburgh Fringe last year, we are thrilled that acclaimed climate scientist and comedian Dr Matt Winning will be headlining this year's festival at 5pm, fresh off a sell-out run at Soho Theatre!”.
We caught up about the festival with some of the fantastic organisations delivering Green Phoenix 2026, as it approaches this weekend.
What do you think people will enjoy most about what you're doing or what do you hope people will take away from your activity at the festival?
"I hope people will feel inspired to join in at some level in growing food, including giving children the delight in, say, picking a ripe tomato or strawberry and eating it!" (Margaret - FEDUP Exeter)
"Knowing that the beauty and wonder of butterflies and moths (and caterpillars!) can be brought to life in our gardens, with some simple tips to take tangible action" (Lou - Lou's Wild Garden)
"I hope that people leave our storytelling workshop feeling more confident about engaging with digital media and more empowered to share their own story through podcasts, blogs, and other forms of media" (Lily - Be The Change Media Network)
"Maz McNamara is a brilliant folk musician and performance artist. We first saw her perform live at last year’s Green Phoenix festival as part of Hedgesong Collective and we can’t wait for her to perform again this year. Expect beautiful music that resonates deeply with Rougemont Garden’s nature and quiet setting!" (Richard - Richard Chapell Dance)
"I hope people enjoy the storytelling, the honesty and a different, novel way of approaching the topic" (Matt Winning - Solastalgia)
What are you yourself most looking forward to about attending the festival?
"I look forward to the sharing of ideas and knowledge, and hopefully generating enthusiasm for the idea of creating an Incredible Edible Exeter" (Margaret Turner - FEDUP Exeter)
"Being amongst brilliant people in our community and maybe meeting some budding young wildlife gardeners!" (Louise - Lou's Wild Garden)
"Most of all, I am excited to learn! The Green Phoenix Festival is going to be filled with so many opportunities to connect with people, explore new ways of thinking, and imagine the future we can create together" (Lily - Be The Change. Media Network)
"RCD always loved being a part of Green Phoenix Festival. It’s brilliant to read about local community action and how local organisations are working to care for activists and increase local sustainability. We can’t wait for the event!" (Richard - Richard Chappell Dance)
"I will definitely check out the photography exhibition from the Primary School children. I am sure that will be so cool to see what they've done and captured" (Matt Winning - Solastalgia)
Register for your FREE ticket and download the full programme here >
This year’s festival is made possible thanks to the generous support of David & Charles Publishing.
