AcombFest, York’s new street festival, has announced youth homelessness charity SASH as its official charity partner.
Created by York-based street and urban art organisation Art of Protest, AcombFest will transform Acomb into a creative hub from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 July 2026 – featuring five large-scale murals, live music, art markets, workshops, food and drink events and family-friendly activities.
Jeff Clark, creative director of Art of Protest and lead curator of Acomb Fest, said: “We’re delighted to welcome SASH as the charity partner for Acomb Fest 2026.
“SASH’s commitment to supporting young people to build safe, stable and independent futures makes them a natural partner for Art of Protest and the festival. We’re proud to help raise awareness of their vital work and demonstrate the power of communities coming together to create positive change.”
Caitlin Hazell, fundraising and communications manager at SASH, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with AcombFest for its inaugural year. SASH supports young people aged 16-25 who are facing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless, and partnerships like this help us raise both vital funds and awareness of our work.
“We’re excited to be part of an event that celebrates community, creativity and opportunity.”
The festival will be York’s first dedicated mural festival, with artists creating live murals throughout the weekend alongside ten art installations, live paint jams, spray battles and performances from more than 30 bands, DJs and performers.
A key part of the festival programme will be a live paint jam and DJ sets curated by Sharon McDonagh and Sola of RARE Collective, a long-standing supporter of SASH.
Events include a two-day live paint jam at the Carlton Tavern featuring nine artists, plus DJ sets, audiovisual performances and an art shop supporting SASH. The Crooked Tap will host DJ SOLA & Friends and a six-week exhibition of street and contemporary art, with a percentage of sales donated to SASH.
Sharon said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Jeff and the Art of Protest team as part of AcombFest. Bringing people together through street art, music and culture is something we’re passionate about, and we’re proud to support the festival while continuing to raise awareness and funds for SASH, whose work supporting vulnerable young people is incredibly important to us.
“Art of Protest has created a welcoming, community-driven platform that champions creativity and collaboration, and we’re honoured to be part of it. Acomb Fest is shaping up to be something special, and we can’t wait to see it come to life.”
Looking beyond 2026, organisers hope AcombFest will become a regular fixture in York’s cultural calendar.
“The ambition for AcombFest is to be a bi-annual event attracting the best international, national and local artists from across the region to really put Acomb on the map as York’s creative quarter,” said Jeff Clark.
“It will also provide inspiration and opportunities for young creative people in Acomb and surrounding communities to develop their skills and explore careers in the creative industries.”
Find out more at the AcombFest website.
