We are delighted to share the programme for hcmf// 2026, with all ticketed events now on sale.
The UK’s leading festival of contemporary and experimental music returns for its 49th edition this autumn, running from Friday 20 – Sunday 29 November. Throughout its 10-day duration, Huddersfield once again becomes an international destination for new music with a programme featuring 70+ premieres across concerts, installations, talks and workshops, bringing together internationally renowned artists alongside bold new voices.
From major new works by James Dillon and Naomi Pinnock for Ensemble Proton + Schola Heidelberg, to commissions from Rebecca Saunders and Ann Cleare for Ensemble Resonanz, hcmf// 2026 is packed with commissions and premieres from start to finish. Finnish Composer in Residence Lauri Supponen‘s music weaves its way throughout the programme, with performances by Saxtronauts, Marie Schreer, Zöllner-Roche Duo and Supponen himself; and Invisible Flock, Faqir Zulfiqar and Allah Jurio explore the stories, cultures and land found in between the notes of the western chromatic scale with their award-winning sound and sculpture installation Microtonal.
hcmf// 2026 also celebrates new music from Finland, Estonia, Ireland and Lithuania through partnerships with Music Finland, Estonian Centre of Contemporary Music, Culture Ireland, the Lithuanian Culture Institute and Music Information Centre Lithuania, spotlighting distinctive compositional voices including Liisa Hirsch, Maija Hynninen and Gerald Barry alongside hcmf// debuts from Artisans, DEAR, DEAR and Ensemble for New Music Tallinn.
Other highlights include our ongoing focus on music traditions in a contemporary context – including a double bill featuring Radical Polish Ansambl and Shovel Dance Collective, who follow up their sold-out show at hcmf// 2024 with a new piece that weaves together traditional material, unaccompanied song and improvisation; performances by internationally celebrated ensembles Riot Ensemble and Collegium Novum Zürich; and continuing collaborations with Moers and Sacrum Profanum festivals. The ever-popular hcmf// shorts also returns, with 14 free-to-attend, bite-sized performances from midday to midnight on Monday 23 November.
‘Any edition of hcmf// which is bookended by new works from James Dillon and Rebecca Saunders must go down as a very special year in the festival’s history! In between, Finnish composer Lauri Supponen receives the platform his work now demands in a carefully co-curated programme that showcases the depth and diversity of his practice. Hamburg-based Estonian double bassist Kris Kuldkepp digs deep to force the listener to reconsider the possibilities of the instrument, while Artisans and Ensemble for New Music Tallinn nod to a reassessment of the potentialities offered by the contemporary music ensemble – and with a very special midweek programme, we celebrate the anniversary years of Finnissy @ 80, Reich @ 90, and Feldman @ 100.’
Graham McKenzie, hcmf// Artistic Director
Tickets are on sale now, available in Standard, Solidarity, Kirklees Resident and Under 30 tiers. Affordable access to the festival remains our highest priority, with the optional Solidarity ticket price offering those who would like and are able to an opportunity to pay a little more (the cost of a Standard ticket plus 30%) while keeping Standard ticket prices as low as possible.
Under 30 tickets are available to attendees aged under 30, as well as full-time mature students of any age; our new Kirklees Resident tickets offer a small discount for local audiences; and Festival Saver tickets continue to offer one of the best ways to experience the breadth of the festival.
hcmf// 2026 takes place Friday 20 – Sunday 29 November 2026. Book your place at the forefront of sound.