Green Man festival organisers have cancelled the traditional burning of its iconic wooden figure this year, citing an elevated fire risk brought on by drought conditions across Wales. The event, due to take place near Crickhowell, Powys, from 20 to 23 August 2026, will instead hold an alternative closing ceremony beside the Green Man statue rather than setting the sculpture alight, according to the festival's official FAQs.
Organisers confirmed that additional precautions have been introduced this year, including a ban on disposable barbecues, charcoal barbecues, open campfires and stoves placed directly on the ground, following an emergency phone alert warning of wildfires issued on Friday. The decision comes as wildfires continue to burn across several parts of Wales, with military personnel deployed to assist overstretched fire crews.
Why was the burning ceremony called off?
The festival said the extreme dry weather made it too dangerous to continue with the customary bonfire, despite it being a central part of the closing celebrations. A spokesperson said the decision was difficult but necessary given the conditions.
"We are planning something very special that will evoke excitement, connection and hope for the future, which the ceremony leaves us with every year," a spokesperson said.
Festival-goers will still be able to write wishes and place them on the Green Man figure, though organisers say this element will now be handled with added sensitivity given the change in format.
How severe is the wildfire situation in Wales?
Fire crews across Wales have been stretched thin by a summer of unusually dry, hot weather. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said on Monday it was still managing a large wildfire near Morfa Bychan Beach in Pendine, Carmarthenshire, while a separate blaze at Rhandirmwyn near Llandovery was downgraded from a major incident, allowing evacuated residents to return home. According to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, firefighting operations at Rhandirmwyn were continuing into a third day as of 15 August 2026.
In south Wales, crews remain engaged with fires in Blaenavon, Cwm, Dowlais, Wattsville, Treherbert and Rudry Common in Caerphilly county. The blaze near Blaenavon alone had burned more than 4,000 hectares by 16 August 2026, according to reporting on the south Wales fires. Emergency services have also asked the public to stay away from Keepers Pond until further notice, as crews are using it as a water source, according to the Abergavenny Chronicle.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said army teams remain on the ground, cutting fire breaks, clearing vegetation and supporting logistics. As of 16 August 2026, around 110 troops were still deployed, largely handling tasks such as water distribution so firefighters could focus on frontline work, according to a regional broadcaster's report. This follows the deployment of around 200 personnel from the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, alongside Royal Engineers, the Royal Logistics Corps and Army helicopters, in what was described as the first UK military deployment to tackle wildfires since 2018, according to the same report.
The scale of the crisis extends beyond Wales. Fire chiefs say firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales so far this year, including 185 blazes in just the first ten days of August, according to fire industry officials. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the military assistance was requested after a prolonged spell of hot, dry weather placed exceptional strain on frontline crews.
In a gesture of thanks, Green Man festival has donated 80 tickets to Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service so firefighters can attend the event.
What is the significance of the Green Man ceremony?
The festival takes its name and identity from the mythical Green Man figure, a symbol of rebirth and seasonal renewal according to organisers. Each year, a new sculpture is constructed from natural materials and burned during the closing ceremony, with attendees invited to write down wishes and hopes to place inside it before it is set alight, according to the festival's own FAQs.
First staged in 2003, the independent music, science and arts festival is held annually on the Glanusk estate. This year marks its 23rd edition, with around 25,000 people expected to attend each day.
Kim Searle, 38, from Huddersfield, who will be attending for the tenth year running, said she believed scrapping the burning ceremony was the sensible choice given how dry the ground has become.
"There's no point of having a big symbolic burning effigy if it causes more problems," she said.
Searle described the ceremony as a highlight of the festival but said it represented only a small part of its overall appeal. She added that she was concerned some attendees might disregard the new fire restrictions, though she expects most festival-goers to respect the rules.
What happens next?
Green Man festival is scheduled to run from 20 to 23 August 2026, with the revised closing send-off planned for the Sunday beside the Green Man statue instead of a burning ceremony, according to the festival's official FAQs. Firefighting operations are expected to continue in affected areas, with crews and military personnel remaining deployed while dry conditions persist.
- Green Man festival has cancelled its traditional burning ceremony this year due to drought-driven fire risk.
- An alternative closing event will take place beside the Green Man statue on the Sunday of the festival, running 20-23 August 2026.
- Around 200 military personnel, including Gurkha troops, have supported firefighters battling blazes across Wales, with roughly 110 still deployed as of 16 August 2026.
- Fire chiefs report 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 in the first ten days of August alone.
- The Blaenavon wildfire had burned over 4,000 hectares by 16 August 2026.
